Teach and Retire Rich

403(b) super advocates Steve Schullo, Karl Fisch, and Scott Dauenhauer have been driving electric vehicles for years. They share their experiences and offer tips for those considering EVs. Karl's EV data Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We dig into how to move money to a better employer vendor. In the 403(b) world this is called an "exchange." In the 457(b) world this is called a "transfer." How to intiate an exchange/transfer from one employer vendor to another Determine compliance administrator Determine if exchanges/transfers are permitted (almost always are) Determine what new vendors are available (see 403bwise rating system) Contact current vendor and ask for paperwork for an "exchange-out" "or "transfer out" Open account with new vendor Ask new vendor if exchange/transfer paperwork is needed Check if compliance administrator requires paperwork Follow all instructions carefully. Exited vendor often unhelpful. Stay on top of process. Support for exchange/transfer process: The 403bwise Facebook Group Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Employers can contribute to a 457(b) but their additions count against the contribution limit. We discuss a workaround: adding a 401(a) plan, which surely Fonzie would give two thumbs up. What Are 401(a) Plans? Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

With an assist from the Wealthy Custodian, a California fin lit teacher teaches and learns key fin lit concepts. Next Gen Personal Finance The Wealthy Custodian Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The Ohio 457(b) is superb. Why did the Ohio ASBO create a low-quality 457(b) to compete with the great Ohio state plan? Doh! ASBO (Substack write up with charts) The Excellent Ohio 457(b) Plan (pod) Pablo Torre Finds Out Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Technology teacher Daniel Picard describes how his small district explored starting a 403(b) but found the state-run MaineStart 457(b) a far superior choice. MaineStart 457(b) 403bwise MaineStart Grade Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Former teacher Danny Kofke and fiduciary Eric Hansen are principals in the Southern Education Retirement Consortium, an investment collective that serves the K-12 market. They discuss the consortium model which allows small to medium-size schools to band together to get favorable 403(b) pricing and services. Souther Education Retirement Consortium (SERC) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Section 125 plans are a great way to save money for health care, dependent care, dental care and disability insurance on a pre-tax basis. American Fidelity, which sells high-cost 403(b) products, runs many of these plans for school districts. In many cases educators must meet with an AF rep in order to get the pre-tax benefit. During these meetings AF sales reps try to sell a blizzard of services. We discuss what employees and employers should do. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Many teachers are offered a subsidized Medicare plan from their school district when they retire. They are told this is a great benefit that they have contributed to their whole career. Sounds great, right? Most don't realize that what they are being offered is not traditional Medicare. It is a more restrictive form of healthcare called Medicare Advantage. They also don't realize that the choice they make at 65 can affect their healthcare options for the rest of their lives. As they get older and require more healthcare, they may not be able to switch to original Medicare. We speak with a woman who describes the ordeal she went through to escape Medicare "Advantage." What I Learned Trying to Leave an Employer-Sponsored Medicare Advantage Plan Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare - YouTube video Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Jeremy Schneider, a founder of Nectarine, an innovative advice-only service that provides access to a fiduciary advisor on an hourly basis, explains what a "deadbox" is and why you might want one. Nectarine Personal Finance Club IG Account Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Ken Ford of Ford Wealth Management, who we first interviewed in 2015, shares why he is done with the K-12 403(b) market. Ford Wealth Management 2015 Pod with Ken The 7Twelve Portfolio Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We catch up with Jeremy Schneider, a founder of Nectarine, an innovative advice-only service that provides access to a fiduciary advisor on an hourly basis. He updates us on the growth and the new services being offered. Nectarine March 2024 Pod with Jeremy Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

What is it? How to use it to change contribution amount. We also talk new 2026 contribution limits. 403(b) Basics Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Scott and Dan share their financial resolutions and discuss their favorite book, movie and TV show from 2025. They also discuss the penny's lucrative goodbye. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Teachers who collect a pension, Social Security, and draw income from a non-Roth retirement account may face an additional Medicare tax. Lucretia Ryan of Financial Freedom for Women breaks it all down. Why Am I Paying an Additional Medicare Tax? Financial Freedom for Women More Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare "Advantage" (YouTube) Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare "Advantage" Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

On the 25 year anniversary of the blog post that identified the 403(b) grinch we ask who today is to blame for the blight of the 403(b)? How the TPA Grinch Stole the 403(b) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Vanguard raises admin fees on 403(b) plans (again). CIT 403(b) legislation is back in the news. Equitable hits dubious milestone. New financial term. April 2025 Admin Fee Increase Et tu, Vanguard pod? Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Bay area math teacher and Instagrammer Bree Lee talks teaching and running her popular financial Instagram account Ritual Finance. Ritual Finance Instagram Bio 2023 Interview Free Retirement Guide Money Guide for CalSTRS Members Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The market is largely being driven by a handful of Artificial Intelligence-focused companies. Is it time to diversify? Should You Buy at All-Time Highs? Global Diversification Is Still Working University of Missouri Risk Tolerance Assessment Financial Visualization of Markets (finviz.com) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Age-50 contributions are changing in 2026. Here's what you need to know. Treasury, IRS Issue Final Regulations on New Roth Catch-Up Rule Catch-Up Contributions for Higher Earners in 457(b) Plans: What You Need to Know (Kiplingers) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Lucretia Ryan of Financial Freedom for Women shares the tricks and traps of Medicare "Advantage" in this recorded 403bwise Event. Financial Freedom for Women Presentation Slides Video of Presentation Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Baltimore City Public Schools is going single vendor. Third-party administrator Omni-TSACG who oversees the current plan that features numerous red-rated vendors is sad. Current Baltimore City Public Schools vendor list Omni-TSACG letter Scott's Rebuttal to Omni-TSACG letter Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Tricks and Treats: Vanguard in a little hot water; Florida doing the right thing; NEA Member Benefits targeted; Equitable doing Equitable things. Vanguard Conflicted Florida Putting State 457(b) Out to Bid Congress Investigating NEA Member Benefits Equitable Doing Equitable Things Joey Running Tribute Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Dan's wife, Amanda, had more than $50,000 withheld from her 401(k) plan. This wasn't money that was a match. It was her money. She was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal story on 401(k) theft. Scott and Dan discuss the story. Her 401(k) Contributions Vanished—and Her Company Had No Answers (WSJ) Search 401(k) Form 5500 Filing Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Barb O'Neill, CFP®, AFC®, walks us through 403(b) withdrawal strategies in retirement. Transitioning From 403(b) Saver to Post-Career Spender (blog post w/resources) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We had a blast speaking with North Carolina educator/retirement plan advocate, Daniel Noles. Not only is he helping colleagues get wise to saving for retirement, he makes his own kids listen to our pod. But don't hold that against him! As he closes in on retirement he's considering a second act as a financial advisor. Gaston County Schools - D plan but excellent 457(b) option Educator Turned Advisor Mary Ann Sullivan Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Jeff Santoro is an educator from New Jersey and Jason Hall is a financial writer and analyst. Together they host the Investing Unscripted podcast. We talk about getting wise to saving, music, and even engage in a little stock picking. Investing Unscripted West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We share our recollections of, and interactions with, the former Wall Street Journal columnist, founder of HumbleDollar.com, and friend of 403bwise. No Regrets Farewell Friends Thank You, Jonathan Podcast with Jonathan Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Our guest, Danny Kofke, is a jack-of-many-trades: elementary school teacher for 18 years, author of 6 books including Where to Spend. Where to Save. A Teachers Guide to Managing Your Finances, and Director of Training and Outreach for the Southern Education Retirement Consortium. Danny Kofke Where to Spend, Where to Save: A Teacher's Guide to Managing Your Finances Southern Education Retirement Consortium Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Student loan guru and former teacher, David Gurley, who we have dubbed the "Loan Ranger," returns to update us on the ever-changing world of student loans. K-12 Planning studentaid.gov Student Loan Planner Student loan repayment plans have shifted — and more changes are ahead. Here's what borrowers need to know (CNBC) Student Loans Are About to Look Very Different (NY Times) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The managing director for Morningstar Research Services and the author of the Substack column Basis Pointing, Jeff Ptak, talks saving and investing. It's So Simple Substack: Basis Pointing Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has a lot of pieces, some of which affect educators. Barbara O'Neill gives us the 411 on this legislation. An OBBBA Summary for 403(b) Plan Participants Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Lucretia Ryan of FinancialFreedomforWomen.org walks you through the questions to ask to determine when to take Social Security. This is a recording of a 403bwise.org Event that occurred on August 19, 2025. FinancialFreedomforWomen.org Presentation Slides Most Americans Claim Social Security at the Wrong Time Podcast: Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare "Advantage" Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Nick Maggiulli, Chief Operating Officer for Ritholz Wealth Management, discusses his blog Of Dollars And Data and his new book The Wealth Ladder: Proven Strategies for Every Step of Your Financial Life. The Wealth Ladder Of Dollars And Data Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Long-time educator, basketball coach, and personal finance instructor, Julius Prezelski, discusses teaching, coaching and his recent retirement. Long Time Basketball Coach Fin Lit Educator Retires Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Dan and Scott drop hint about new project they are working on. They also talk about their recent vacations, and the importance of choosing the right teaching location. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

More than 20 years ago legislation (AB2506) was proposed to allow California school districts who wanted to reform their 403(b) plan to be able to reform their 403(b) plan. The industry hated the proposal. It threatened their multi-vendor, high-cost, agent-driven model. We speak with former TIAA-CREF Regional Manager, Dick Shafer, whose company spearheaded the effort to fix the broken California K-12 403(b) plan. California Dreaming (of better 403(b) plans) Dick Shafer Green Light for Single Vendor 403(b) Plans in California 403bcompare.com 403bwise Facebook Group 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: How to start a 403(b) (pod) 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: Asset Allocation (pod) Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Equitable fires agent who threatened teacher. Delaware has an excellent low-cost, state-run 403(b) plan. We discuss. Equitable Agent Threatens Teacher (blog) Equitable Agent Threatens Educator (pod) Truth About SIOs (pod) 403bwise Facebook Group 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: How to start a 403(b) (pod) 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: Asset Allocation (pod) Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

In episode three of our new pod series: 403(b) & 457(b) Basics, Scott and Dan explain how to get exit a bad 403(b). It's often difficult but very possible. Stuck in a Bad 403(b)? How to Get Out of Equitable/AXA Bad 403(b) Vendors w/Good Choices 403bwise Facebook Group 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: How to start a 403(b) (pod) 403(b) & 457(b) Basics: Asset Allocation (pod) Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We check in with Jeff York on how retirement's going and discuss his attempts to hire an estate fiduciary who would act as the trustee of his estate. The Wealthy Custodian (pod) The Wealthy Custodian in Retirement (pod) Questions to Ask a Professional Fiduciary Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

No doubt that summer is a great time to relax. It can also be a good time to make sure your financial house is in order. Dan & Scott discuss wise money moves, and Dan talks about taking out his first ever car lease. State of Student Loans? Chaos (pod) The Importance of Asset Allocation Tripit Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Plan consultant Barbara Healy, CFP® and her colleague Jackie Fabitore-Matheny, had the solution to what woes the K-12 403(b) more than 25 years ago. Imagine if districts had listened? We talk with Barbara about what could have been (and what might still be). Barbara Healy EGTRRA Industry Lobbyist Brian Graff Describes How Many Vendors His Retirement Plan Has (1:03 mark) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Student loan expert and financial planner David Gourley updates Dan and Scott on the volatile state of student loans (particularly PSLF loans) right now. K-12 Planning Public Service Loan Forgiveness Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Tennessee passes an anti-pubic employee law that will subject teachers and others to private company financial sales pitches. We break it down into three parts: 1) What it is 2) What we dislike about it 3) What teachers and state employees should do. Tennessee Throws Teachers to the Wolves (Blog Post) Tennessee Legislators Illegally Voting with Sticks (John Oliver) Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The Los Angeles Unified School District created its own 457(b) plan, and it's excellent. It has won not one, but two awards. We speak with two members of the LAUSD Retirement Investment Advisory Committee who were and are instrumental to its success. LAUSD 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Fund Lineup Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues) 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).