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Quick answer: TIAA’s fax is 800-914-8922 (from outside the US, 704-595-5795). You can fax a cash withdrawal form and have the money paid by direct deposit, but only to bank details TIAA already has on file. New bank details, beneficiary designations, name changes and rollovers into TIAA can’t be faxed. TIAA says uploading through your online account is fastest.
Faxing works well with TIAA, within limits that aren’t obvious until a form comes back. The limits are mostly about bank details and signatures. Everything here is from TIAA’s own pages and its withdrawal form, checked on 15 October 2026.
What you can and can’t fax
TIAA documents by fax
From TIAA’s contact page, its forms FAQ and form F11323.
| Document | Fax? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash withdrawal forms (lump sum or systematic), paid to bank details already on file | Yes | Write “Bank information on file” in the margin of the direct deposit section |
| Cash withdrawal to a new bank account | Form yes, payment changes | TIAA sends a cheque to your mailing address instead; post the form if you want the deposit |
| Voided cheques and bank letters | No | Upload them through your account, or post the originals |
| Beneficiary designations | No | Post only |
| Name changes and related documents | No | Post only |
| Authorised forms for rollovers into TIAA | No | Post only |
| Most other documents | Yes | TIAA says you can “generally fax any document” apart from the exceptions above |
TIAA’s forms FAQ explains how to tell if your bank details are on file: they are if you’ve had any payment sent to your bank in the past.
Signatures and approvals that come first
Before a withdrawal form is ready to fax, two other people may need to sign it, and neither can be skipped:
- Your spouse. If your employer’s plan is covered by ERISA, or has adopted its rules, your spouse has to consent to the withdrawal. TIAA says the waiver must be signed in front of a notary (or, if you still work there, the plan representative), and your spouse’s signature can’t be dated before yours. TIAA has an online notary partner for this.
- Your employer. Some plans require the plan representative’s approval in section 12 of the form. TIAA says that if your plan requires it and it’s missing, it can’t process the withdrawal. You present, fax or send the form to your employer first, then send it on to TIAA.
TIAA-CREF Retail Class mutual funds have one more rule. TIAA’s forms FAQ says some redemptions, such as selling shares within 30 days of changing your address or bank account, need a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each owner, and that a notary can’t provide one. Mutual fund forms also have their own address: TIAA-CREF Funds, PO Box 219227, Kansas City, MO 64121-9227. Questions about signature guarantees go to 800-897-9059.
Sign in black or dark blue ink, or use TIAA’s own online signing. The withdrawal form says signatures made with other digital tools, such as Adobe Acrobat, aren’t accepted. It also asks you to return all numbered pages, including ones you didn’t need to fill in.
Changed your address recently? If you’ve asked for a cheque and your address changed within the last 14 days, TIAA wants a letter of authorisation on your bank’s letterhead, or the request has to arrive more than 14 days after the address change.
How long it takes
Your account is valued at market close on the day TIAA receives the form in good order, so the day it arrives matters, and a fax gets there days before the post. After that, the form says direct deposit usually arrives within two business days once TIAA has every approval and document; a cheque can take 8 to 10 business days by post. If you’re starting retirement income rather than a withdrawal, TIAA asks for forms about 90 days before you want payments to begin.
Faxing it
- Download the current form from TIAA, complete every numbered page, and sign it.
- Get your spouse’s notarised consent and your employer’s approval first if your plan needs them.
- If the money is going to bank details on file, write “Bank information on file” in the direct deposit section.
- Add a cover page with your name, the last four digits of your account number and the page count. Our cover sheet generator makes one.
- Fax to 800-914-8922 (or 704-595-5795 from abroad), and keep the transmission report.
TIAA’s phone line is 800-842-2252, weekdays 8am to 10pm Eastern; from abroad, +1-704-988-1000. For overnight post, TIAA’s address is 8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28262. Its pages give different P.O. Box numbers for standard post, so check the box on the form you’re sending.
To fax the withdrawal form, every numbered page included, Municorn Fax works from your phone: scan the pages with the camera, enter 800-914-8922 and keep the delivery report for your records. A single-page test fax is free the first time. There’s also EveryFax, which faxes from your email inbox on a two-week trial.
What is TIAA’s fax number?
800-914-8922 within the US and 704-595-5795 from outside it.
Can I fax a TIAA withdrawal form?
Yes. Lump-sum and systematic cash withdrawal forms can be faxed, and paid by direct deposit if TIAA already has your bank details on file. Otherwise TIAA posts a cheque.
Can I fax a voided cheque to TIAA?
No. TIAA asks you not to fax voided cheques or bank letters. Upload them through your online account, or post the originals with the form.
Can I fax a beneficiary change?
No. Beneficiary designations have to be posted, along with name changes and rollover-in authorisations.
Sources
- TIAA, Contact TIAA, Withdrawals FAQ and Forms to take money out FAQ (no dates shown)
- TIAA, Cash withdrawal from your retirement investments (F11323)
- All checked on 15 October 2026.
