Updated 2026-03-20

TIAA vs Employee Fiduciary 401(k) Comparison

Compare TIAA (#9, 7.9/10) and Employee Fiduciary (#24, 6.2/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.

Overall Comparison

FeatureTIAAEmployee Fiduciary
Overall Score7.9/106.2/10
Rank#9#24
AUM$1.3 trillion$6 billion
Participants5 million80,000
Plan Sponsors15,000+3,000+
Founded19182004

Ratings Comparison

CategoryTIAAEmployee Fiduciary
Fees & Costs4.0/54.8/5
Investment Options4.0/53.2/5
Customer Service4.3/54.2/5
Mobile App3.9/52.5/5

Fee Comparison

Fee TypeTIAAEmployee Fiduciary
Admin FeesVaries by institution$1,500/year + $30/participant
Expense Ratios0.05% - 1.0%0.03% - 0.15%
Trading Fees$0 for TIAA funds$0
Advisory Fees0.30% - 1.0%Included as 3(38) fiduciary

TIAA Strengths

Employee Fiduciary Strengths

Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals

FeatureTIAAEmployee Fiduciary
Rollover PlatformTIAA.orgEmployee Fiduciary Portal
Loans AvailableYesYes
Withdrawal MethodsOnline via TIAA.org, Phone (800-842-2252), TIAA officesPhone (877-401-5100), Online portal
Distribution OptionsLump sum, Partial withdrawal, Lifetime income annuity, Systematic withdrawals, Rollover to IRALump sum, Partial withdrawal, Rollover to IRA, Required Minimum Distributions

Which Should You Choose?

Choose TIAA if you want:

  • Educators
  • Nonprofits
  • Healthcare workers
  • Income-focused retirees

Choose Employee Fiduciary if you want:

  • Cost-conscious small businesses
  • Employers wanting fiduciary protection
  • Index fund believers
  • Plan sponsors seeking simplicity

Our Verdict: TIAA vs Employee Fiduciary

TIAA wins this comparison with a score of 7.9/10 vs 6.2/10. TIAA excels with dominant in education sector, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.

Full TIAA Review Full Employee Fiduciary Review

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TIAA vs Employee Fiduciary: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026

Choosing between TIAA and Employee Fiduciary for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. TIAA offers education focus while Employee Fiduciary is known for 3(38) fiduciary. In terms of fees, TIAA charges 0.05% - 1.0% expense ratios compared to Employee Fiduciary's 0.03% - 0.15%. TIAA manages $1.3 trillion in assets and serves 5 million participants, while Employee Fiduciary has $6 billion AUM and 80,000 participants.

Key Differences: TIAA vs Employee Fiduciary

When comparing TIAA and Employee Fiduciary, consider their core strengths: TIAA excels with dominant in education sector, while Employee Fiduciary stands out for full 3(38) investment fiduciary services included. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. TIAA's customer service rating is 4.3/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.2/5. For mobile experience, TIAA scores 3.9/5 while Employee Fiduciary scores 2.5/5.

Which Provider is Right for You?

Choose TIAA if you prioritize educators. Choose Employee Fiduciary if you're looking for cost-conscious small businesses. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual TIAA and Employee Fiduciary provider pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

TIAA scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 7.9/10. TIAA is best for educators, while Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.

TIAA charges expense ratios of 0.05% - 1.0% with admin fees of Varies by institution. Employee Fiduciary charges 0.03% - 0.15% expense ratios with admin fees of $1,500/year + $30/participant. TIAA's fees rating is 4.0/5 compared to Employee Fiduciary's 4.8/5.

Yes, you can roll over between TIAA and Employee Fiduciary. TIAA uses TIAA.org for rollovers, while Employee Fiduciary uses Employee Fiduciary Portal. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.

TIAA offers 401(k) loans. Employee Fiduciary offers 401(k) loans. Both providers typically allow loans up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less.

TIAA scores 4.0/5 for investment options, while Employee Fiduciary scores 3.2/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. TIAA's investment options include TIAA Funds, CREF Variable Annuities, Target Date Funds. Employee Fiduciary offers Vanguard Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Bond Funds.

For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. TIAA is best for educators, nonprofits, healthcare workers, income-focused retirees. Employee Fiduciary is best for cost-conscious small businesses, employers wanting fiduciary protection, index fund believers, plan sponsors seeking simplicity. Compare admin fees: TIAA charges Varies by institution vs Employee Fiduciary's $1,500/year + $30/participant.

Pavlo Pyskunov

Pavlo Pyskunov

Managing Director & Investment Fund Director

Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.

Last updated: 2026-03-20