Effective January 1, 2012, contributions to the VRSP are calculated based on a whole percentage of your eligible earnings. Flat-dollar contributions from your paycheck to the VRSP are no longer available; flat dollar amounts were converted to a percentage of your earnings, and were rounded up to the nearest whole percentage.

To help you choose the amount you wish to contribute to the VRSP, we encourage you to use the online calculator tool.  You can use this tool (and see your current VRSP contributions) by logging in to the CU Benefits Enrollment System.

Please note that the online calculator is pre-populated with your base salary.  Some employees of the University receive what is known as “additional compensation” which is included in the definition of eligible earnings for the VRSP.  This, however, is not pre-populated in the tool.  Therefore, for those who receive “additional compensation,” please take these additional earnings into account when using the tool and selecting the percentage of pay you wish to contribute, or contact the Benefits Service Center for help.

The Columbia Benefits Service Center, at (212) 851-7000, can answer your questions Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  When you call, please select the option for “Retirement” or send an email to hr-retirement@columbia.edu.