Benefits can't be beat - Anonymous employee TIAA Employee Review

5.0
Nov 14, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits benefits benefits..... 401k (GSRA) - 3% matching all employees (cliff vesting - 3yrs) "Pension Plan" (RA) - employer contribution varies by age - Age 30-40 is good for 9% (cliff vesting - 3yrs) RHSP plan - for 2015 they will match 100% dollar for dollar up to $600/yr HSA - for the family coverage, they deposit $1000/yr on your behalf (this carries over each year and is portable upon separation) PTO - 23 days/yr (for employees with < 5yrs of service) + 2 floaters + 7 paid holidays Variable comp can range from 0 - $$$$$$. bottom line? -performers get PAID.

Cons

Technology and integration is really lacking which propagates an environment for all kinds of inefficiencies. However, I've realized that TIAA-CREF generally compensates their employees better than other firms, role-for-role. This variance somewhat offsets the additional time and energy that their employees have to put forth to get the job done. Additionally, it seems that managers and directors fear repercussions for firing employees. I don't know how they get away with it, but this firm is home to some of the most lazy people on this planet and they've managed to maintain their employment for decades, with no end in sight. The quality and reputation of this firm rests on the shoulders of the employees and I think TIAA-CREF could benefit from a more decisive, impactful approach to management and oversight.

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5.0
Jun 14, 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Great work life balance, good benefits, decent pay, ease of running your own practice as an “advisor”, and healthy work environment

Cons

Management styles can vary and affect your experience, upper management doesn’t seem to be well equipped to ensure the organization’s success but it is resilient nonetheless.

2.0
Jul 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good starting salary and benefits package.

Cons

The longer you’re there, the more of an expectation that you work more for the same or less income. Producers find it hard to justify staying when leadership keeps moving the goal posts on how to increase income. No rhyme or reason as to how they decide “promotions.” One advisor might have one good year and get promoted over an advisor that produces year in and year out. They fail to share revenue because they’d have a hard time justifying the income level compared to outside advisors with a fraction of the book size. They claim and depend on brand recognition to justify a capped income but fail, or just won’t admit that is why they keep losing their top talent. Operations is a nightmare that I can’t even begin to describe. When I share the processes that have been in place for over a decade, colleagues in the industry shake their head and laugh. They can’t believe we earn and keep business. The saying while I was there was “the biggest threat we face is that TIAA clients start to explore their options outside of TIAA.”

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