Reviews

This profile includes reviews for TIAA-CREF's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  TIAA-CREF

  8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd Charlotte, NC 28262-8500

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  TIAA-CREF

  PO Box 1265 Charlotte, NC 28201-1265

Review Details

• Review fromNicole B

  Date: 09/14/2024

  1 star

  Nicole B

  Date: 09/14/2024

  TIAA-CREF is not honoring their pledge to fund my RMD. By law, I have to "cash in" a RMD so I can pay taxes on them. I made an online request around 8/15 that seemed complete. The receiving bank was confirmed so I expected a transfer soon after. Nothing happened. I called TIAA-CREF and got the run around so used a chat-bot. Who ever was at the end of the chat bot told me to check the :pending activity". So I did and there was a pending activity on 9/7. So, i was hoping that this was the RMD....but nothing happened. So, I am seriously wondering if TIAA-CREF is a scam.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 09/25/2024

  September 24, 2024 ****** Berthelemy ***************************************************************************** RE: BBB ******** Review ID ******* TIAA SR * ************* ********************* am writing in response to the comments you posted with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which were received by **** on September 14. In your comments you mentioned difficulties experienced requesting your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your *************************** retirement ******** reviewing your account history, you initiated a request to satisfy your RMD from your *************************** retirement plans on August 15 through your ******** online account but saved the request rather than fully submitting them for processing. This was confirmed in your September 3 chat with a member of our ************************ who confirmed that the request was saved but not submitted and provided instructions to complete the **************** submitted your request correctly on September 14, which required additional verification from your employer prior to being processed. **** received the necessary information from your employer after market close on September 17, and your transaction was processed the next market close, September 18. Your 3 RMD payments were processed and sent via electronic funds transfer to your ************************************** account.If you have additional questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me directly at ****************** or ************. **** consultants are also available at ************ weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET). Additional information can also be obtained on our website at *****org.Sincerely,**** **** Sr. ******** Resolution Manager

• Review fromNish N

  Date: 09/03/2024

  1 star

  Nish N

  Date: 09/03/2024

  They are trying to withhold my dead mother's money at every turn. Horrible.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 09/20/2024

  September 19, 2024 BBB Serving *****************/********* and **********************/********* **************************************************** RE: Better Business Bureau (BBB) Customer Review ID # ****** TIAA Life Insured: ********************************* Dear Customer Relations Representative:We are responding to ********************** complaint filed with the BBB and received at TIAA on September 4, 2024.******************** wrote: they are trying to withhold my dead mothers money at every turn. Horrible.According to our records, we first received notification of your intent for a post-mortem 1035 exchange request via phone call on August 6, 2024. This was initially declined as the request was more than 60 days from the date the death certificate was received - March 1, 2024.An exception was made to proceed with the post-mortem 1035 exchange on September 5, 2024. On September 9th we mailed additional paperwork required to complete the request. We received some of these documents on September 12th ; however, we still require the following to proceed:Signed and notarized Release of Indemnification Agreement form A letter from receiving company confirming that they will be making stretched payments to ***************************** The letter and forms addressing the above has been sent September 18, 2024.Please do not hesitate to call us at ************, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET), to speak to a customer service representative.Sincerely,TIAA ************************

• Review fromRoz K

  Date: 09/02/2024

  1 star

  Roz K

  Date: 09/02/2024

  I recently received an obscure email from Tiaa that i wrote a big check to ********** To make a long story short, no one knows where my RMD withdrawal went. After a few calls that lasted a couple hours, i found out that the money is in limbo. They claim they sent a check to EverBank ( without my consent or knowledge). Supposedly they were merging under the name of ******** but that did not Happen . I want my ********* back ASAP. The sum is not at ********. A serious scam is going on.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 09/16/2024

  September 13, 2024 Better Business Bureau Customer Review ID #****** Consumer: ********************* RE: TIAA Response Correspondence for SR# ******xxxxxx Dear Better Business Bureau:I am writing in response to the complaint filed by ***************** with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) regarding her customer service experience related to a missing cash distribution payment. The complaint was received by ****************** and ******************* (TIAA) on September 4.Our records indicate the client requested a required minimum distribution on August ** for direct deposit into her ************** account. A processing oversight submitted the payment to an invalid bank account in error. The payment rejected from the incorrect bank on September x. TIAA reissued the distribution to the requested bank on file for ************** on September x, with the correct August ** effective as of date.We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the concerns and regret any inconvenience or frustration the client may have experienced regarding this matter. **** remains dedicated to assisting ************** with her retirement needs. If you have additional questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at ******************** or by calling 704-xxx-xxxx .Sincerely,xxxx xxxxxxxxxx Senior Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromMarge P

  Date: 08/14/2024

  1 star

  Marge P

  Date: 08/14/2024

  I was named as a beneficiary on an account owned by my former partner. I was notified of my beneficiary status in early July of 2024. The account owner passed away in April 2024. I called TIAA to try to resolve this matter and have the beneficiary payment mailed to me. Over the period of six weeks, I spoke to 8 individuals from the beneficiary department with regard to this payment. First there was some confusion regarding the death certificate. I sent an updated certificate. Next, I spoke to someone who said everything was progressing and I would receive a check shortly. A week later, another representative took all my information over the phone and assured me a check would be issued. A week after that when I called, the representative said there was a problem, the decedent was married. I called again days later and was told that everything was in order and my check would be sent to me. I again gave the representative all the information needed to send the amount to my beneficiary *** at another institution. So far, the only information regarding payment that was given to me was that the amount of the account and my RMD which I specified that no taxes should be withheld. On August 14, I received a check in the mail with no explanation whatsoever for half the stated amount with a deduction for federal and state income taxes. I called TIAA again for an explanation, and was finally told that the account was subject to ERISA laws and therefore half of the beneficiary payment was made to the decedents wife. The excruciating process of dealing with **** s incompetence over this benefit is simply unconscionable. The calls I cite above were subject to the phone h*** of TIAAs automated phone menu. I asked the last three reps to forward my call to a supervisor, each said there was no supervisor available but that one would call me. No one ever did. My advice, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES entrust your funds to TIAA-CREF.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 08/28/2024

  August 28, 2024 ************************* *************************************************** RE: BBB Review ID ****** TIAA ********************** ************,This correspondence is in regard to the August 14 customer review you filed with the *********************************************, which was received by TIAA on August 17. In the review, you expressed concern regarding your customer experience with the recent settlement of your survivor benefit for the account of ***********************.Upon review, I understand **** received notification of Mr. ***** passing on April 29. Our records indicate that at the time of Mr. ***** passing, you were initially listed as the sole beneficiary to his account. When we received the death certificate on July 18, it indicated that ************ was married at the time of his passing and listed his widows name. The death certificate also indicated the cause of death of ************ was still pending. This further delayed the settlement process as we require a cause of death to proceed with the settlement.Because Mr. ***** plan with the Superconducting Supercollider Lab is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (*****), and since he was married at the time of his passing, **** updated the beneficiary entitlement to allow for the ***** spousal benefit required by law. I show we received an updated death certificate which provided the cause of death on July 24. We were now able to process your survivor benefit settlement and paid your portion of the remaining Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) on August 8. In addition, we directed the remaining survivor benefit to Pioneer Trust per your instructions also on August 8.I regret the inconvenience and concern this has caused. For specific questions related to this inquiry, you can contact me directly at ***************** or by calling **************************. If you have additional questions, please contact us at ************. Consultants are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET). Additional information on ************* can also be found on our website at TIAA.org.Sincerely,***************************** Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromJohn S

  Date: 08/13/2024

  1 star

  John S

  Date: 08/13/2024

  I literally am losing sleep over this matter, which is aggravating a chronic health condition. When speaking with my primary investment advisor at another firm, she stated that **** is a nightmare for many clients. Crusader rabbits ****** and ****** seem to go after many businesses. I really hope that **** gets on their radar. My horrific experience echoes other reviews. TIAA service used to be good but now seems to operate on the Amazon model down to apparently using the same customer-service system and same caliber reps. I had simple questions, and my trip down the rabbit hole began with the online number I found being for a different department. That rep stating I think & probably does not meet industry standards. He could not get someone who could help. The rep I finally got repeatedly REFUSED to hear my experience. I hung up on her. Other reps made more of issue verifying account than others. Nothing came of it. I suspect both reps are held to strict time limits on calls & also will not help those who do not kowtow to them. Calls to HQ failed to get any escalation. I did leave a VM for the ** of ****** Services but never got a reply. Operators just kept sending me to the reps in the wrong department I first reached. None of them helped. One rep in it slip their manager, whom I never reached, was working from home. I suspect that **** has an unduly liberal work-from-home policy that brings customer avoidance to a new level.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 08/27/2024

  August 27, 2024 Better Business Bureau Customer Review ID # ****** Consumer: ******************* RE: TIAA Response Correspondence for ********************** Better Business Bureau:I am writing in response to the complaint filed by ******************* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) regarding his customer service experiences when contacting TIAA. The complaint was received by ****************** and ******************* (TIAA) on August 14.Our records indicate the client called and spoke with two different representatives on August 12 and 13 and was unable to get answers to his questions. As a result, his experience was escalated for a manager call back. The client had a couple of conversations with our ********* Center Manager, ***********************, to address his concerns.A copy of the most recent statement and a withdrawal form to receive funds from his annuity account were mailed to the client on August 26, as requested. General account customer service questions were answered in a letter submitted to the client as a follow up to his conversations with *****. Additionally, the client was informed that TIAA would not provide any grand gesture/compensation for his aggravation and time as requested.We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the concerns and regret any inconvenience or frustration the client may have experienced regarding this matter. **** remains dedicated to assisting ************** with his financial needs. If you have additional questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at ************************* or by calling ************.Sincerely,******************************* Senior Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromCarolyn A

  Date: 07/29/2024

  1 star

  Carolyn A

  Date: 07/29/2024

  I started paperwork to rollover to TIAA a defined contribution from my PERS account. I can't agree more with the other reviews...what a horrible, frustrating experience!There are only a select few TIAA representatives that actually care about customer service. Most are concerned and will tell you anything to just get you off the phone. I was misled at least a dozen times by at least a dozen different representatives. If I called and spoke to different representatives in one day, each would tell me something different.I was told someone from the retirement division would be contacting me by email or phone. I did not receive one phone call from that department and the emails received were so vague I was forced to call in. I did receive a letter dated 7/11/24 but not received until 7/24/24 about a form I completed 7/7/24. Horrible communication! **** was also aware I needed the process completed by 7/31/24. They finally completed their process today. It only took them a whole month and a whole lot of customer frustration. Shame on you TIAA!

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 08/14/2024

  August 13, 2024 Better Business Bureau ***************************************** Re: Customer Review ID ******* TIAA SR * ************* To Whom It May ************ letter is in response to the above referenced customer review filed with the ********************************************* by ************************* concerning her experience with moving funds to TIAA. The BBB customer review was received by TIAA on July 30.The client originally submitted forms on July 5, which were considered not in good order due to conflicting information on the forms. A letter was mailed to the client on July 11 to inform her to contact ****.The client submitted the alternate carriers form but it was not signed and dated so was not acceptable. A letter was mailed to the client on July 16 to request she contact ****.Forms were resubmitted to TIAA on July 23 which were again incomplete and not in good order. When requesting asset transfers, it is important that all required paperwork be submitted together to ensure proper processing.On July 29, **** mailed letters to the alternate carrier (with a copy to the client), requesting the alternate carrier transfer the funds to TIAA on behalf of the client. We are currently awaiting the funds to arrive. We will continue to follow-up with the alternate carrier until the funds arrive at TIAA.We regret the multiple contacts required with TIAA to initiate her transaction, and the frustration this matter has caused. Should ************** need any further assistance, she may call our *********************** toll free at ************. Consultants are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET).Sincerely,************************* Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromZeke M

  Date: 07/25/2024

  1 star

  Zeke M

  Date: 07/25/2024

  This company is a scam, their website does not work, and their customer service team is incompetent. One July 23rd, I contacted them regarding an early withdrawal. I was informed that according to my plan I was only able to withdraw my rollover funds. I decided to think about it and make a decision at another date. On July 25th, I contacted their customer service team indicating that I wanted to go ahead with the early withdrawal. They told me that I was not able to do that according to my plan. I told them that according to my plan I was able to withdraw my rollover funds. They eventually spoke with their supervisor who confirmed that I was correct and that I could withdraw my rollover funds. They then had me fill out paperwork and sign accordingly. Later in the day, I checked and the paperwork said that I had requested the full amount and not just my rollover amount. I then contacted customer service again to ask if that was correct of if I had filled out the paperwork wrong. The representative told me that according to my plan I wasn't able to withdraw any funds. I again said that was incorrect and that I am able to withdraw my rollover funds and that has been confirmed by two other agents. Eventually they realized I was correct but would not answer if I had filled out the paper work correctly. Eventually, I was able to connect with a customer service rep that knew what they were doing and they assured me that everything looked to be correct. This company is a scam and makes it extremely difficult to withdraw your money or make any changes to it. Please make sure you know the rules of your plan and don't let them gaslight you. It is your money, not theirs.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 08/08/2024

  August 8, 2024 ***************************** *********************************************** Re: Customer Review ID ******* TIAA SR * ************* Dear ************************:I am responding to the customer review you posted with the ********************************************* on July 25, which was received by **** on July 26. In your complaint, you mentioned difficulties experienced with withdrawing funds from your ***************** Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.Upon review, **** received your request for an in-service withdrawal on July 25. While the rules of the plan allow for in-service withdrawals of the rollover sourced funds, your paperwork did not indicate that you were specifically requesting these funds. While you acknowledged over the phone that this was your intent, new forms were required as the original request was cancelled prior to your confirmation.Our records indicate that you decided not to pursue the withdrawal but opted for a loan instead. Your loan was processed on July 31.We apologize for the frustration you experienced because of this situation. We remain committed to meeting his service expectations and hope that his future experiences with us will reflect our service commitment.For specific questions related to this inquiry, you can contact me directly at ************. You may also contact us at ************, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET).Additional TIAA information can also be found on our website at TIAA.org.Sincerely,*************************** Senior Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromDavid S

  Date: 07/10/2024

  1 star

  David S

  Date: 07/10/2024

  I've been trying to get TIAA to start my annuity payments for four months and four phone calls to their customer assistance line. The first contact provided me a form, which I completed, had a signature notarized and returned. Nothing happened for a month, so I phoned them back. I was informed that the notary had written the wrong year. The assistance person said he would return the form to me so I could get the notary to correct his mistake. I did not receive the form and did not hear back for another month. I phoned TIAA a third time and was informed that the first staffer had sent me the wrong form so the notary signature was not the problem. **** sent me a new form, which I completed and returned. Today, I phoned them and asked if the new form was okay. They said it was but that they could not verify my former employment with ***************************. I never worked at **** nor claimed to work there. I informed them of the correct university. They said they would follow-up this week, but it has been a parade of total incompetence.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 07/25/2024

  July 24, 2024 Better Business Bureau of *****************/********* and Western N.C.*************************************************** RE: Customer Review *: ****** Reviewer: **************************************** TIAA SR * 1-26027228658 Dear Sir/Madam:I am writing in response to the customer review you received from **************************************** regarding the set-up and issuance of his annuity payments.Mr. Soherr-********* request for a Ten-Year *************** has been completed. The Annuity Certain was issued on July 16. The first payment was also issued on the same date. Future payments will be issued the first of each month.We regret the conflicting information that ********************************* was provided along with the delays he experienced from TIAA. You may contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter. I can be reached weekdays at ************************* or via email at [email protected],************************************ Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromBetty Jane J

  Date: 07/10/2024

  2 stars

  Betty Jane J

  Date: 07/10/2024

  Ive been with TIAA for more than 30 years. I recently decided to consider drawing my lifetime annuity. What a nightmare! Telephone calls not helpful. Seemed hesitant to allow me to withdraw my money. After multiple phone calls, I finally spoke to an experienced representative. He was knowledgeable, informative, straightforward, and very helpful. After that call, I had to make a couple follow up phone calls. I feel that Im forced to be rude. **** used to offer wonderful service, but not now! They used to request an immediate survey following telephone conversations. Well, thats stopped. With the exception of the one representative, Ive been very frustrated with ****. Fortunately, they havent started to outsource yet.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 07/24/2024

  July 23, 2024 ************************** *************************************** RE: BBB Customer Review ID # ****** TIAA SR ************** Dear **************** am writing in response to the July 10 comments you posted on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which were received by TIAA on July 11. In your comments you expressed disappointment with the level of service provided by **** in your attempts to begin lifetime income from your ********** of Chicago Medicine retirement plan.I regret that your service experience has not matched the expectations you are entitled to have as a valued client of TIAA. Your comments will be used to help improve our services moving forward.Paperwork to begin lifetime income was mailed to your address of record on July 9, and has not yet been returned. If you have not received this paperwork or still have questions regarding it, please feel free to contact our *********************** or myself directly using the information below.For additional assistance regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me directly at ****************** or ************. TIAA consultants are also available at ************ weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET). Additional information can also be obtained on our website at TIAA.org.Sincerely,********************. Customer Resolution Manager

• Review fromFu F

  Date: 07/05/2024

  1 star

  Fu F

  Date: 07/05/2024

  Horrible liars. Apparently, customers are not allowed to file complaints.

  TIAA-CREF

  Date: 07/15/2024

  July 12, 2024 RE: Better Business Bureau (BBB) Customer Review ID ****** TIAA SR# ************* Dear ************************* correspondence is in regard to the July 5 customer review filed with the *********************************************, which was received by TIAA on July 6. In the review, *********************, states that customers are not allowed to file complaints.We searched our records and are unable to locate any clients under the name and email provided. Additionally, on July 8 I sent an outreach to the email address presented, which was returned as undeliverable. If the individual wishes to further discuss the review, they can communicate with me by utilizing my contact information below.For specific questions related to this inquiry, you can contact me directly at ***************** or by calling **************************. If you have additional questions, please contact us at ************. Consultants are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET). Additional information on TIAA services can also be found on our website at TIAA.org.Sincerely,***************************** Customer Resolution Manager