I just read the situation about ATRA accounts, and thought I'd re-emerge in to the discussion forum here after being absent for about 7 months.  I've posted on this site before about ATRA.  I'm a high school teacher but teaching in American Embassy Schools around the world.  I'm currently in Amman, Jordan working my tail off.

In 1976 I was in an international school in Korea and got into TIAA-CREF.  However, in 1987 I taught in a school in Singapore that did not have TIAA-CREF, but I continued to send money to my account for almost 20 years. A few years ago without any notice or explanation, TIAA-CREF moved all the money I have been contributing to a separatre ATRA account.  There was no letter or email explaining this.

I did not think much of this, however, because I thought that an ATRA account was every bit like a regular RA, and since I have been in rather distant places my whole adult life teaching physics and chemistry, I have not really had the time or the ability to look into all the other options. As it turns out, I am not able to partially annuitize my ATRA account for TIAA, and I am not able to even do a partial TPA for my ATRA. 

I was going to semi-retire last August, and was coaxed into teaching at the American Embassy School in Amman, where I am now.  At 61, I am determined to start using my retirement investments this August and live a life of less stress and still do some part-time teaching.

I am not familiar with these 403 B''s or 401 K's, because as an international educator I never really had the chance to contribute to them. I have a fair sum of money in my TIAA-CREF, but 80% of that is ATRA, since I've been contributing heavily the last 20 years.  Most of that is in the ATRA/TIAA annuity, rather than the traditional annuity. 

The group here tends to not want to annuitize, but I'm after the security and don't really have any heirs.  I'll annuitize my TIAA, which will give me about $50,000 Graded, and the CREF stocks and TIAA RE will sit until I'm 70, and along the way I'll continue to add to that portion.  When I look at the "illustrations" about retirment income on the TIAA-CREF website, the $50,000 works its way up to $60,000 in about 10 years, and then when I tap into my other TIAA-CREF accounts (non-ATRA) either as  systematic withdrawals or TPA's, that amount goes up to nearly $85,000 by the time I am in my mid-70.s and then up to $100,000 in my 80's.  Could I have more if re-invested? Probably. I guess I'm happy the way it is.

 I couldn't resist sharing about the ATRA account.  I just wish that there had been more notification rather than me finding out about this account the hard way. I must tell you though, there have been times I've requested some information from TIAA-CREF, and it takes a long time to get a response.  However, writing the CEO, Herb Allison, or the Board members does get fast responses, and as much as I dislike having to do that, I do. I guess I expect prompt service for any inquiry I make.

Take care.  Thought I'd write a little here.

 Regards, Rob