TIAAReviews of tiaa.org

It has been a nightmare recently. 1. I ordered a contribution transaction but for a month could not get through and no one tells me the situation and the reason. When I complained about the service, I was told it was my fault. I was trapped in the crack between their departments for weeks even with my advisory team’s help. 2. A transaction order submitted in the process center was ignored for weeks without explanation till my advisory team came to rescue; 3. A completed transaction was reversed without my authorization and notice. How can a customer trust this system that each completed transaction was secured and will not be reversed weeks later. Based on the above facts, TIAA has very bad customer service, especially their customer resolution team staff who failed to take the customers’ grievance as an opportunity to improve their operation, instead to prevent the TIAA operation system from improving and rejuvenating. The top TIAA management should pay attention to details of their internal operation and create a customer friendly firm culture. These problems will affect TIAA’s reputation and business in the long run.

Set up an annuity. A future deposit to it was missed. Lots of excuses made. Next month wanted to check my loses and gains in about 100 company stocks (brokerage account). Reps lied that cost basis was not sent by previous plan. In fact, it was sent 7 months before and not entered. I said I'm closing out the account because of this lack of integrity. Customer service "ghosted me". Brokerage said they wanted $55 for each transfer if I closed it out. I had to spend 4 hours to sell the stocks myself going through multiple screens and dropdown menus. One Rep forgot to put me onhold when he consulted with another. I overheard and recorded the totally disrespectful customer attitudes exchanged. This has to be leadership. It is disgusting to think I should trust them.

Absolutely the WORST company i have dealt with. I attempted to withdraw my money, I wanted it sent to my daughters house because I just changed jobs and did not have a new address.....they absolutely REFUSED to send the money where i wanted it sent. they said my ONLY option was direct deposit. I set up the direct deposit and get the run around again. These people are THIEVES! DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE CROOKS!!

After reading the reviews posted here I find that my feelings are validated. TIAA-CREF is poor when it comes to supporting client needs. It is unnecessarily vague and complex. The information one needs to process options at retirement is confusing or not easy to find. There is no simple step-by-step guide to how to exercise options. Too many calls are required. Requirements for signing forms are downright silly and archaic. Questions go unanswered. The advisors I've spoken to offer generic advice, nothing really useful and they fail to listen. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely would not use TIAA-CREF

BEWARE Green card holders/permanent residents. TIAA Traditional is paid out over 10 years, we were not explicitly told that when signing in 2002, nor in 2021 by their agent when discussing retirement. We are relocating back to home country and will be subject to Exit Tax and double taxation on our TIAA funds! Company response was "you signed the contract" and "it's in the statements"

I knew I had an upcoming need to access $10,000 for a car purchase and planned to make my first withdrawal from my TIAA 403B so I called about six weeks in advance to ask how long that withdrawal process would be. 4-5 days, I was told. So when the time came to start the withdrawal my lead time with the dealership was ten days. I called TIAA to start the process and they said they had an issue with verifying my bank account. Even though the test deposits and withdrawal to my account occurred (and I can see them on my statement) they claimed that there was a problem with the verification "that they had never seen before." They told me the only way that I could withdraw MY money from MY account was by check, which will take longer. THEN they finally looked at what kind of account I had and said "Oh, we have to go to your former employer to okay this withdrawal and that will take 30 days." I am now scurrying to sweep together any money I can get from my savings account and credit card and begging from family members to come up with the $10,000 in time to get my car and not lose my $1000 deposit. An embarrassing and expensive process for me with wiring fees and credit card interest rates. The second the TIAA check comes in I am taking my retirement account away from them. They haven't apologized or done anything to fix a problem they have caused and I'm sure they could care less about my measly retirement account. Steer clear.

I concur with many of the reviews here. The paperwork to move retirements accounts from a deceased spouse to the living one is a nightmare. This has been going on for 11 months and still not resolved. This is one of the most bureaucratic organizations I have ever worked with. I had my POA forms notarized and submitted months ago, but can't speak with anyone at customer service for a parent because they can't see my status as POA. I would urge anyone with parents who have accounts here to move them to a more modern and user-friendly business.

Every time I log to the website, on it does not recognize me. I reset my password, only for it to not work the next time. I have done this at least 10 times, and it STILL does not recognize me. The website is difficult to maneuver around and find basic info... such as I changed my plan within their ideas of "conservative or aggressive." When I went to check the next day to see if things had actually changes, it was nearly impossible to find this same reckoning. We have other accounts at a different investment firm with NO difficulties in navigating the website for our info. I am considering moving all my funds to them for simply because of how difficulty it is to navigate the TIAA website. Oh, and phone call to address this gets you 20 minutes on hold and two months for an appointment.???