403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

As the employer of choice in our region, Tidelands Health is committed to helping you save for a comfortable retirement. If you choose to enroll, you decide how much to contribute per pay period, up to IRS limits.

Eligibility and Contributions

All team members are eligible to contribute immediately upon your date of hire. We feel it is so important to begin today to plan for your future, regardless of the number of years you have until retirement.

Your Contributions

You may contribute up to an annual maximum of $24,500 for calendar year 2026. If you are or will attain age 50–59 or age 64 or older by the end of the plan year, you may contribute up to $32,500 (includes $8,000 catch-up contributions). In deciding how much to contribute, please keep in mind:

  • You may increase, decrease, or discontinue your contributions at any time.
  • You can choose if you want to make pretax or Roth after‐tax contributions, or both (see new SECURE 2.0 Act rules for catch-up contributions below).

Remember, you can make changes to your retirement plan contributions, beneficiaries and investment options at any time through your account at Lincoln Financial.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the SECURE 2.0 Act will require changes to how some employees make catch-up contributions to their 403(b) plan. You are impacted by the change if you meet these two criteria:

  • You are age 50 or older as of December 31, 2026, and
  • Your FICA wages (as reported in Box 3 on your 2025 W-2) exceed $150,000. If you earned less than that amount, you can still make either pretax or Roth catch-up contributions.

Any catch-up contributions you make in 2026 will be made on a Roth basis. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Currently, catch-up contributions can be made on a pretax or Roth basis, depending on how you have chosen to designate your regular contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026). Employees who attain age 60–63 during the 2026 calendar year may make up to $11,250 in catch-up contributions, for a total maximum annual contribution of $35,750. In the year you attain age 64, the limit returns to the age 50 catch-up limit.

Tidelands Health Matching Contributions

Tidelands Health will make an employer matching contribution in an amount equal to 50% of the first 7% of pay you contribute to the plan upon meeting eligibility. Matching contributions for new hires begin after satisfying a six-month eligibility waiting period. For rehires, if all eligibility waiting periods were satisfied during prior period(s) of employment with Tidelands Health, you may experience a shorter waiting period or be eligible immediately for matching contributions.

When You Contribute: Tidelands Health Will Match:
7% 3.5%
6% 3%
5% 2.5%
4% 2%
3% 1.5%
2% 1%
1% 0.5%

Vesting

You are always 100% vested in your contributions and any earnings they generate. You are fully vested in Tidelands Health matching contributions, plus earnings they generate, after three years of service. A service year is any calendar year in which you work at least 1,000 hours.

Managing Your Money

Investing Options

You can direct your future investments to a variety of widely recognized mutual funds. When choosing investments, consider your risk tolerance and how close you are to retirement:

  • If retirement is around the corner, you may want a portfolio with lower risk.
  • If you’re younger and have the time to weather the market’s ups and downs, you may want to choose a more ambitious investment strategy.

You can make your own investment choices at lincolnfinancial.com/retirement.

If you do not select investment choices, your contributions will automatically be invested in the appropriate Vanguard Target Date fund (based on your date of birth and retirement age of 65). The Target Date funds are the default investment option designated by Tidelands Health.

Rollovers, Loans and Distributions

Rollovers: If you have retirement savings from a previous employer’s plan, or with your current employer, you may roll them over to your Tidelands Health 403(b) Plan. Please check with your previous provider to determine if any fees apply. If you need assistance with the rollover process, reach out to your dedicated Lincoln Financial consultant.

Loans and Distributions: Although the Tidelands Health 403(b) Retirement Plan is intended to help you save for the future, there may be times when you need to borrow from your account. You may do so under certain circumstances, including:

  • When your reach age 59½
  • Total disability
  • Permanent disability
  • Retirement
  • Separation from employment
  • Death
  • Financial hardship (special rules apply)
  • 403(b) Roth—After funds have been in your account for five years

Taxes will be due upon distribution and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax penalty. Please consult with your tax advisor before withdrawing any money from your account.

Accessing Your Account

Access your account at lincolnfinancial.com/retirement. If you need assistance, watch this video for step-by-step instructions first. For your protection, you will need to provide your PIN and Social Security number. You can change your PIN at any time to a password that you will easily remember. For more information, please call customer service at 800‐234‐3500.