457(b) Enroll, Change Deadlines

The deadlines to enroll or to make changes to your 457(b) contributions for the remainder of the 2005 tax year are as follows:

Enroll/change by 5 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 30: change reflected on your Nov. 1 check (monthly paid employees) or your October 14th check (bi-weekly paid employees)

Enroll/change by 5 p.m. (PT) on Oct. 31: change reflected on your Dec. 1 check (monthly paid employees) or your November 11th check (biweekly paid employees)

One of the easiest ways to reduce income taxes is to maximize contributions to your 457(b) account. Deductions made from your paycheck will lower your taxable earnings reported on your annual W-2 form. Since the end of the year is fast approaching, this is a reminder that you only have a few paychecks remaining to contribute to the 457(b) plan; the final paycheck in 2005 is Dec. 1 for monthly paid employees and Dec. 23 for biweekly paid employees.

The Internal Revenue Code limits the amount you can contribute annually to the 457(b) plan. This year's limit for employees under 50 years old is $14,000 and $18,000 for those age 50 years and over.

To enroll or make changes to your contributions simply go to the Fidelity website www.netbenefits.fidelity.com, or contact Fidelity's customer service at 1-866-682-7787 (1-866-6UC-RSVP).