TIAA Login – Secure Access to Your Retirement and Investment Accounts
Quick answer: To log in to TIAA, go to the official site at tiaa.org and select Log in at the top of the page, then enter your user ID and password. You can do the same thing inside the TIAA mobile app, where you can also use Face ID or Touch ID. If you have never set up online access, pick Register first and create your credentials. That is the whole TIAA login in one breath.
Some people type it as "TIAA log in" or "TIAA Cref login," but it is the same account and the same sign-in page.
Now the slower version, with the parts that trip people up. Below you will find how the web sign in works, how the app login works, how to register as a first-time user, what to do when you forget your user ID or password, and how to fix a TIAA login that will not cooperate. Pick the section you need and skip the rest.
A quick note before you start. This is an independent help guide. We are not TIAA, and we are not connected to TIAA in any way. There is no login box on this page and there never will be. When it is time to actually log in to TIAA, do it on the official site or in the official app, never through a link in an email or a text. We will point you to the real pages and let you take it from there.
Which TIAA login do you need?
TIAA is not one single account. It is a family of products, and the thing you are trying to open decides where you sign in and which phone number helps you. Most people reading this want their workplace retirement plan. But some folks have a brokerage account, a bank account, or an administrator role, and those can behave a little differently. Here is the quick map.
| What you have | Where to log in | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement plan through your employer (403(b), 401(k), 457, pension) | tiaa.org, Log in | The most common TIAA login. Some schools and employers have a custom web address like tiaa.org/yourcompany, but the same user ID works. |
| IRA (Traditional or Roth) | tiaa.org, Log in | Opened on your own, outside an employer. Same sign in page as your retirement plan. |
| TIAA Brokerage account | tiaa.org, Log in | Self-directed investing. TIAA Brokerage accounts are carried by Pershing, LLC, but you still sign in at tiaa.org. |
| Banking (formerly TIAA Bank) | everbank.com | Now EverBank (since 2023). Bank logins live on the EverBank site, not tiaa.org. |
| Plan administrator or advisor | Separate TIAA portals (such as PlanFocus for employers) | These are not the same as a participant login. If you are an employee checking your own savings, you want the regular tiaa.org login. |
If you are not sure which bucket you fall into, start at tiaa.org and sign in there. That covers retirement plans, IRAs, and brokerage. If your account is a bank account, you will be sent toward EverBank instead.
From TIAA-CREF to TIAA: a quick name history
People still search for "TIAA CREF login" and "TIAA-CREF login," so it is worth clearing this up. TIAA stands for Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, founded back in 1918 with help from Andrew Carnegie. In 1952 the company added the College Retirement Equities Fund, or CREF, which was the first variable annuity in the country. For decades the company was known as TIAA-CREF.
On February 22, 2016, the company simplified its brand and started calling itself simply TIAA, with the website tiaa.org. So if you have an old TIAA-CREF login in your head, relax. Same company, same accounts, just a shorter name. The TIAA-CREF login and the TIAA login are one and the same now. You just use tiaa.org.
How to log in to TIAA on the web
This is the path most people use. Grab your user ID and password and follow along.
- Open a browser and type tiaa.org straight into the address bar. Do not click a link from an email. Typing the address yourself is one of the simplest ways to stay safe.
- Look at the top of the page and select Log in.
- Enter your user ID and password in the fields provided.
- Submit the form. If TIAA needs to confirm it is really you, it may send a one-time security code or ask an identity question. Complete that step.
- You land on your account dashboard, where your balances and plan details are waiting.
If your employer gave you a custom address, such as tiaa.org followed by your organization's name, you can start there instead. It drops you at the same login, just with your plan's branding. Either way, the credentials are identical. When you are done, use the sign out link rather than just closing the tab, especially on a shared or public computer.
How to log in with the TIAA mobile app
The TIAA mobile app is the fastest way to log in to TIAA from your phone once it is set up. You can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Make sure the developer is listed as TIAA before you install it, since copycat apps do exist.
- Open the TIAA app on your phone.
- Enter the same user ID and password you use on the website.
- If your phone supports it, turn on Face ID or Touch ID so future logins take a glance or a tap instead of typing.
The app has a handy feature called Peek View, which lets you see your total portfolio and balances without fully logging in. It is great for a quick check on the go. For anything beyond a glance, like moving money or updating details, you sign in the normal way. If biometric login stops working after a phone update, just log in with your password once and set up Face ID or Touch ID again from the app settings.
How to register for first-time online access
Never set up online access before? You cannot log in yet because you do not have credentials. You register first. This is a one-time setup, and you only need a few minutes and a couple of personal details.
- Go to tiaa.org.
- Select Register near the top right of the page.
- Follow the on-screen, step-by-step instructions to create your user ID and password.
- Because of security rules, you answer a few identity questions one time. Have your Social Security number handy, since you will need it to finish registration.
- When you reach the Welcome screen, select Log in. From then on, you simply log in at tiaa.org.
Some employers use a slightly different button wording like "Register for online access," but the flow is the same. Once you have registered, you never have to do it again. You just log in to TIAA from then on.
Forgot your TIAA user ID or password
It happens to everyone. The good news is the reset flow is short, and the order matters. You recover your user ID first, then set up a new password.
- Go to tiaa.org and select Log in.
- Look for the Forgot user ID or password link near the login fields.
- If you have lost your user ID, recover that first. TIAA verifies your identity before showing it.
- Once you know your user ID, follow the prompts to set up a new password.
- Choose a password you have not used elsewhere, then log in with your fresh credentials.
If you are already logged in and simply want to change your password as good housekeeping, you can do that too. Head to your profile and settings page after you sign in and update it there. That is also where you keep your contact details current, which matters because TIAA uses them to send security codes.
TIAA login not working? Common problems and fixes
Most failed logins come down to a small handful of causes. Work through this table from the top. Odds are your issue is here.
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "Incorrect user ID or password" | A typo, caps lock, or an old password | Retype slowly, check caps lock, and make sure autofill did not insert outdated details. Still stuck? Use the forgot user ID or password link. |
| Account locked or restricted | Too many failed login attempts | TIAA will guide you through unlocking it online. If that does not work, call them and they can help over the phone. |
| Security code never arrives | Wrong or outdated phone number or email on file | Request the code again, check spam, and confirm your contact info in profile and settings once you are back in. Calling is the fallback if the number on file is wrong. |
| Page will not load | Browser cache, an extension, or a shaky connection | Clear your cache, try a private or incognito window, disable extensions, or switch browsers. Then retype tiaa.org fresh. |
| App login fails but the website works | An out-of-date app or a broken biometric setup | Update the TIAA app, restart your phone, and sign in with your password. Re-enable Face ID or Touch ID afterward. |
| You are on the wrong portal | Trying to reach a bank account at tiaa.org | Banking moved to EverBank. Use everbank.com for former TIAA Bank accounts. |
One more tip. If a login problem shows up only at your workplace, your employer's network may be blocking part of the page. Try the same login on your home connection or on the app over cellular data to rule that out.
What you can do after you log in
Logging in is the means, not the goal. Here is what is actually waiting once you are inside your TIAA account.
- Check your balances. See your total portfolio and the balance in each account or plan at a glance.
- Review contributions. Track what you and your employer have put in, including year-to-date amounts.
- Watch your investments. See how your funds are performing and review your investment mix.
- Update beneficiaries. Keep the people who would inherit your account current. This is easy to forget after a big life change like a marriage or a new child.
- Manage your profile. Change your password, update your phone and email, and set your communication preferences.
- Download documents. Pull up statements and tax forms when you need them for your records or your accountant.
If you only do one housekeeping task after you log in to TIAA this year, make it checking your beneficiaries. It takes a minute and it is the detail people most often leave out of date.
Keeping your TIAA login secure and spotting fake sites
Your retirement money is a tempting target for scammers, so a few habits go a long way. TIAA supports identity verification and sends one-time security codes during login, which adds a layer beyond your password. Your part is to protect your side of the door.
- Type the address yourself. Reach the login by typing tiaa.org into the browser, not by clicking a link in an email or text. Fake login pages are built to look identical to the real one.
- Check the web address. The real site is tiaa.org. Watch for lookalikes with extra words, odd spellings, or strange endings. A page that is not on tiaa.org is not the TIAA login.
- Use a unique password. Do not reuse the password from your email or shopping accounts. A password manager makes this painless.
- Turn on biometric login in the app. Face ID or Touch ID is both faster and harder to steal than a typed password.
- Never share a security code. TIAA will not call and ask you to read back a code. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- Log out on shared devices. Use the sign out link on public or borrowed computers, and avoid logging in over open public Wi-Fi.
If a site, email, or caller feels off, stop. Go directly to tiaa.org or call the number on your official statement to check. A real login will never pressure you to rush.
TIAA login on the website vs the TIAA mobile app
Both open the same account with the same user ID and password; there is no separate app account. The website is better for reading and documents, the app for fast checks with Face ID or Touch ID.
| Feature | Website (tiaa.org) | TIAA mobile app |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in method | User ID and password | Same user ID and password, plus Face ID or Touch ID |
| Quick balance check | Log in each time | Peek View shows balances without a full login |
| Reading statements and tax forms | Full Statements and Documents page with filters | Statements section, good for a quick pull |
| Register for the first time | Yes, the Register link lives here | Easiest to register on the web first |
| Best for | Deeper changes, research, printing | Fast checks, balances, on the go |
Peek View: see balances without logging in
Peek View is a TIAA app feature that shows your total portfolio and balances without a full sign-in. You still log in the normal way for anything beyond looking.
Turning on and using Peek View
- Install the TIAA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, confirming the developer is TIAA.
- Log in once with your user ID and password.
- Enable Peek View in the app's settings when prompted.
- Open the app anytime to see your portfolio and balances, no password needed.
You can also check balances on an Apple Watch, and turn Peek View off in settings if you share the phone.
Employer retirement plan vs personal brokerage vs banking login
The biggest reason a TIAA login "does not work" is being on the wrong doorstep, because TIAA's products do not all sign in at the same place.
Employer retirement plan
Your 403(b), 401(k), 457, or pension through work. Sign in at tiaa.org. A branded address like tiaa.org followed by your organization name is the same login with the same credentials.
Personal brokerage and IRAs
A Traditional or Roth IRA you opened yourself, or a self-directed TIAA Brokerage account, also signs in at tiaa.org with the same user ID. Pershing handles trades and custody in the background.
Banking
Banking is the odd one out. TIAA Bank was rebranded as EverBank in 2023, so a checking, savings, CD, or mortgage that used to be TIAA Bank now signs in at everbank.com, not tiaa.org.
What you need before you register for online access
Registration is a one-time setup, and TIAA verifies your identity, so gather these first:
- Your Social Security number, which TIAA asks for to finish registration.
- Your plan or employer name, in case you need to pick your plan.
- A phone and email you control, since TIAA sends a one-time code to confirm it is you.
You register once, then just log in from then on.
Reset user ID vs reset password: two separate flows
Order matters here. If you lost both, recover the user ID first, because the password reset screen asks for it before it does anything.
Reset or recover your user ID
- At tiaa.org, select Log in.
- Choose Forgot user ID or password.
- Pick the recover user ID option.
- Verify your identity; TIAA confirms who you are before showing the user ID.
Reset your password
- From the same screen, choose the password reset path.
- Enter your user ID when asked; the page needs it to continue.
- Confirm your identity, often with a one-time code sent to the phone or email on file.
- Create a new, unique password, then log in.
Manage beneficiaries, contributions and investments after you log in
Update your beneficiaries
Beneficiaries decide who inherits your account and override your will for these dollars, so stale names cause real problems. Open your profile or account settings, find the beneficiary section, and review it after a marriage, divorce, or new child.
Review and adjust contributions
You can see what you and your employer have put in, with year-to-date totals. Whether you can change the amount yourself depends on your plan; some route changes through payroll, so check with HR if there is no edit option.
Check and change your investments
You can review fund performance and your mix, move money between the funds your plan offers, and trade in a brokerage account.
Download statements and tax documents
TIAA says you can review, download, and print current and prior-year tax documents from your Statements and Documents page.
Find a statement or tax form
- Log in at tiaa.org.
- Open your account summary and go to the Statements and Documents area (some plans label it Statements and Reports).
- Use the filters to narrow by date or by document type. To pull tax forms, filter by the type Tax reporting forms.
- Download or print the document you need; prior-year forms are in the same place.
If you expected a form and do not see one, you may have had no reportable activity that year; ordinary contributions and direct transfers between custodians are not reportable events.
Two-step verification and account security
Every TIAA account has multifactor authentication on by default. The first time you sign in, or any time you sign in from a device TIAA does not recognize, it asks for an extra step.
- Enter your user ID and password.
- From a new or unrecognized device, TIAA sends a one-time code to the phone or email on file.
- Enter the code to prove it is you. Once verified, your device can be treated as trusted, so routine logins stay quick.
To change your contact details, TIAA may require a temporary identification code first. Keep your phone and email current, since that is how every security code reaches you.
What changed when TIAA Bank became EverBank
TIAA Bank was rebranded as EverBank in 2023, effective when the sale closed on July 31, 2023. The bank is now its own brand, and TIAA kept only a minority stake.
You can no longer reach EverBank accounts at tiaa.org or in the TIAA app. For first-time access, go to everbank.com, select Login, enter your current user ID and password, verify with a one-time code, update your password, and accept the terms. Your TIAA retirement accounts were not affected.
Brokerage carried by Pershing: what that means for sign-in
TIAA Brokerage accounts say they are "carried by Pershing," which does not change your sign-in. Pershing is the clearing firm. Under an agreement with TIAA, it executes and settles trades, holds your securities and cash, and keeps records. You still sign in at tiaa.org with your usual credentials, and there is no separate Pershing login. Assets at the clearing firm carry SIPC protection if the firm fails, which covers firm failure, not market losses. Pershing's legal name appears in newer TIAA agreements as BNY Pershing LLC, part of The Bank of New York Mellon, so do not be thrown if you see it on a statement.
Account locked or online access not set up
A locked account and online access you never set up look alike, but the fixes differ.
If your account is locked
TIAA locks online access after three consecutive invalid login attempts.
- Go to the login screen and attempt to log in.
- On the screen that appears after a failed attempt, select Unlock My Account.
- Follow the identity prompts.
- If the online unlock will not go through, call TIAA at 866-207-6467, weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, to unlock it by phone.
If online access was never set up
With no credentials there is nothing to unlock; you are not locked out, you are not registered. Go to tiaa.org and select Register. A giveaway: the forgot user ID tool cannot find you and no reset arrives, which means registration, not reset, is the move.
TIAA customer service numbers
When online options run out, a phone call usually sorts it. Phone numbers and hours do change, and TIAA runs different lines for different products, so the most reliable move is to open the official phone directory and pick the line that matches your account. The main retirement line below is the one most participants need.
| Line | Phone | Hours (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement plans and IRAs (general) | 800-842-2252 | Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Locked account or online access help | 866-207-6467 | Weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| All other lines (brokerage, banking, plan-specific, international) | See the official TIAA phone directory | Listed per line on the directory page |
For current hours and the exact number for brokerage, former TIAA Bank or EverBank accounts, or a line tied to a specific employer plan, check the official directory at tiaa.org/public/support/contact-us/directory. Confirming there means you never dial an outdated or wrong number.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers (FAQS):
Go to tiaa.org, select Log in at the top of the page, and enter your user ID and password. You can do the same thing in the TIAA mobile app, where you can also use Face ID or Touch ID. If you have never set up online access, select Register first to create your credentials.
The official site is tiaa.org. That is where you log in to retirement plans, IRAs, and brokerage accounts. Type the address into your browser yourself rather than clicking a link in an email, and make sure the page is on tiaa.org before you enter your details.
Yes. The company was called TIAA-CREF until it shortened its name to TIAA in February 2016. It is the same company and the same accounts. Whether you search for TIAA CREF login or TIAA login, you use tiaa.org with your existing user ID and password.
On the tiaa.org login screen, use the forgot user ID or password link. Recover your user ID first, then follow the prompts to set up a new password. If you are already signed in and just want a new password, change it on your profile and settings page.
The usual causes are a typo or caps lock, an outdated saved password, a locked account from too many tries, or a browser issue. Retype your details carefully, clear your cache or try another browser, and use the forgot user ID or password link if needed. If your account is locked, TIAA can help you unlock it online or over the phone.
Yes. Download the TIAA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then sign in with the same user ID and password you use on the website. You can enable Face ID or Touch ID for faster logins, and the app's Peek View lets you see your total portfolio and balances without fully logging in.
Yes, if you have never set up online access. Go to tiaa.org, select Register near the top right, and follow the steps to create your user ID and password. You answer a few identity questions once and will need your Social Security number to finish. After that, you simply log in.
Banking moved to EverBank in 2023 (more on that below), so bank logins are no longer at tiaa.org. Retirement plans, IRAs, and brokerage accounts still use the TIAA login at tiaa.org. If you are not sure which you have, start at tiaa.org and you will be directed accordingly.
Every TIAA account has multifactor authentication on by default. When you sign in from a new or unrecognized device, TIAA sends a one-time code to the phone or email on file, and you enter it to confirm it is you. After that, your device can be treated as trusted. You can add fingerprint or facial recognition in the app for an extra layer.
TIAA locks online access after three consecutive invalid login attempts. On the screen that appears after a failed login, select Unlock My Account and follow the identity prompts. If that will not work, call TIAA to unlock it by phone. Check the official tiaa.org directory for the current number and hours.
After you log in at tiaa.org, go to your Statements and Documents page to review, download, and print current and prior-year documents. Use the filters by date or type, and filter by Tax reporting forms for tax documents. Tax forms are also in the Statements section of the mobile app. If you expected a form and do not see one, you may have had no reportable activity that year.
No. You still log in at tiaa.org with your usual user ID and password. Pershing is the clearing firm that executes trades, holds your securities and cash, and keeps records behind the scenes, but there is no separate Pershing login. You may see the name BNY Pershing LLC on newer statements, which adds no step to your sign-in.
Sources
- tiaa.org (official home and login)
- tiaa.org support FAQ: site navigation, log in and register
- tiaa.org support FAQ: update or unlock your account
- tiaa.org support FAQ: troubleshooting login problems
- tiaa.org support FAQ: your TIAA accounts
- tiaa.org Security Center (account protection and verification)
- tiaa.org multifactor authentication guide
- tiaa.org support FAQ: annual tax forms and statements
- tiaa.org support FAQ: documents and research
- tiaa.org phone directory (customer service numbers and hours)
- tiaa.org TIAA Brokerage interest and cash sweep disclosure (EverBank)
- TIAA app on the Apple App Store (login and Peek View features)
- TIAA company history and 2016 rebrand (Wikipedia)
Disclaimer: This article is an independent, informational help guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by TIAA or any of its affiliates. We do not collect logins and there is no sign-in form on this page. Always access your account directly at tiaa.org or through the official TIAA app, and verify phone numbers and account details with TIAA before acting. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.