Enrollment and Payroll Contributions

Have questions about the 403(b) Plan? Find frequently asked questions about enrollment, investment fund vendors, and payroll contributions.

To enroll in the 403(b) Plan

If you elect to enroll in the 403(b) Plan, you will first need to select an investment fund vendor and complete any necessary paperwork (or on-line or in-person enrollment) with that vendor. 

To locate the list of investment fund vendors for the APS 403(b) Plan:

1. Visit the Albuquerque Public Schools 403(b) Plan Administration page to find the Plan Description, Vendor List, Forms, and Frequently Asked Questions.
2. Enter "Albuquerque Public Schools" in the search box and then click "Search".
3. Under Plan Description, select 403(b Admin Approved Vendor List to review the list of 403(b) plan investment fund vendors.

Complete any necessary research to decide on the vendor you would like to use for your 403(b) plan. Contact that vendor and open a 403(b) account with them. (Some vendors offer online enrollment, others offer phone enrollment, and some you will need to meet with one of their representatives (virtually or in person) to open an account.)

To set up payroll contributions to your 403(b):

Do not take this step until you have an account open with your selected investment fund vendor. (If you set up contributions before your account is open, your 403(b) contributions will have to be returned to APS to be refunded to you.) 

1. Go to the TCG Services Website 
2. Click on “Enroll” (top right on the menu bar)
3. Enter “Albuquerque Public Schools” in the search box, and then click “Search”
4. Click the orange “Enroll” button
5. Scroll down and locate your investment fund vendor from the list of APS 403(b) vendors. After you have contacted that vendor and have a 403(b) account established with that firm, click the “Enroll Now” button next to the vendor name.
6. You will now need to set up your payroll contribution account with TCG Administrators.

• Enter your Social Security Number (without dashes) and click “Next”
• Set up a username, password and security questions, then enter your personal information and click “Next”
• Check the appropriate box to indicate whether you want a pretax deferral or a Roth (after-tax) deferral. (Note: only some of the investment fund vendors offer a Roth option. Refer to the list of investment fund vendors; the vendors that offer the Roth option are indicated with a double asterisk **.)
• Indicate your contribution amount (per pay period deferral amount)
• Click the Authorization checkbox at the bottom of the screen to proceed and then click “Submit”
• Review and confirm that all information is correct, including your investment fund vendor name, type of deferral (pre-tax or Roth) and per paycheck deferral amount. Click “Submit” or “Back” if you need to make corrections.
• Your six-digit Confirmation Number will be displayed. If you do not receive a confirmation number, the election was not finalized.

Enrollment Periods

You may enroll in the 403(b) Plan at any time during the year, and your contributions will start with the first paycheck of the month following the date the APS Employee Benefits Department receives the notification of your enrollment.  (TCG Administrators will notify APS of your enrollment.) 

• Payroll Department deadlines for summer payroll and prior to winter break may impact this date.
• Contributions for the 403(b) Plan are taken out of two paychecks per month.

This page was last updated on: June 18, 2020.