Your IRA investment options just got stronger: Lower fees now in effect for CREF variable annuity options

We’ve reduced our expense ratios by upgrading all CREF investments from Class R1 to R3, automatically enhancing your retirement savings potential.

2 min read

Effective August 1, 2025: Your retirement savings can now work harder for you

Your TIAA IRA investment options just got an upgrade. Effective August 1, 2025, we’ve reduced fees across all CREF investment options in TIAA IRAs by upgrading them from Class R1 to the lower-cost Class R3—putting more of your money to work toward your retirement goals.

The power of lower investment costs

Every dollar matters when saving for retirement. That’s why we’re excited to introduce this significant cost reduction across our CREF investment lineup for IRA holders.

When investment fees go down, more of your money stays invested and works for your future. While investment returns are never guaranteed, these reduced costs give your retirement savings stronger growth potential over time—without you needing to change a thing.

What this upgrade means for you

This enhancement has been applied automatically to all existing CREF balances and future CREF contributions in your TIAA IRA. The investment strategies you’ve selected remain exactly the same—only the fees have changed, in your favor.

Key benefits

  • Lower expense ratios across all CREF investment options
  • No action needed if you have CREF investments in your IRA
  • Same investment strategies with reduced costs
  • Potential for improved long-term outcomes through cost savings

Lower-cost investment options now available

Your CREF variable annuity investments now have significantly lower fees:

What you need to know

  • Effective date: August 1, 2025.
  • Action required: None—changes have occurred automatically for those with CREF investments.
  • Flexibility maintained: You can still adjust your investment options at any time.

How this helps your retirement planning

These fee reductions can make a meaningful difference in your retirement savings over time. For example, with our flagship CREF Stock Account, the fee reduction from 0.40% to 0.26% means on a $100,000 investment, you could save $140 annually. Over 20 years, that could amount to thousands of dollars in potential additional retirement savings.

Next steps

Ready to start?

Contribute.

Make a contribution to your existing IRA by logging into your account.

Make investment choices.

Allocate your IRA by logging into your account.

Get advice.

Answer some simple questions about your financial situation and goals, and we’ll create a personalized recommendation.

Open an IRA.

Open your IRA online or give us a call at 844-TIAA-IRA (844-842-2472). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (ET).

Roll over.

Consolidate your financial life by rolling over your existing retirement account into a TIAA IRA. We make it simple, with zero costs or fees.

Find out which IRA is right for you.

Our IRA selector tool can help you choose an IRA for your unique financial needs and retirement goals.

This material is for informational or educational purposes only and is not fiduciary investment advice, or a securities investment strategy, or insurance product recommendation. This material does not consider an individual’s own objectives or circumstances, which should be the basis of any investment decision.

Investment products may be subject to market and other risk factors. See the applicable product literature or visit tiaa.org and enter the ticker in the site’s search feature for details. Some investment options may have redemption and other fees. See the fund’s prospectus for details.

Annuity account options are available through annuity contracts issued by TIAA or CREF. These contracts are designed for retirement or other long-term goals and offer a variety of income options, including lifetime income. Payments from the variable annuity accounts are not guaranteed and will rise or fall based on investment performance.

Annuity contracts may contain terms for keeping them in force. For full details, including costs, call TIAA at 877-518-9161.

You could lose money by investing in the CREF Money Market Account. Because the accumulation unit value of the Account will fluctuate, the value of your investment may increase or decrease. An investment in the Account is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Account’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide support to the Account, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Account at any time.

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