Teach and Retire Rich

We talk journalism, 403(b), and the personal finance beat with Anne Tergesen, reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Anne Tergesen Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Maggie Mason is a retired English teacher from Santa Barbara who put on a highly successfully free financial seminar to benefit her colleagues. Santa Barbara Education Foundation Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Illinois educator-turned state legislator Karina Villa — who was once sold an unsuitable, high-cost 403(b) — proposed a K-12 403(b) reform bill that would have ended front-end and back-end loads. It would have capped advisor fees and administration fees at 0.50% respectively, and it would have required vendors to offer low-cost index funds and low-cost target date funds. Of course, the bad actors in the industry hated it. And of course they flooded the zone with money, lobbyists, distortions, and outright lies. Senator Villa discusses the legislative process, the pushback from high-cost vendors, lobbyists, and the National Tax-Deferred Savings Association, and how close the bill came to becoming law. She also shares what's next for 403(b) reform in Illinois. Senator Karina Villa SB2568 Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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-turned fiduciary advisors Emily Maretsky and Andrew Katz-Moses, CFP® share their journey from the classroom to full-time planners in this live 403bwise Event. Emily Maretsky Teacher Financial Planner Katz-Moses Financial The Externship (deadline May 24, 2024) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 refutes National Tax-Deferred Savings Association research claim, among other things, that the multi-vendor environment leads to more enrollment than single vendor. Debunking the NTSA's 2018 "Improving Retirement Savings for America's Public Educators" study NTSA "Study" 403bwise Zoom Event on May 21: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 fiduciary advisor Andrew Katz-Moses CFP® five years after the big move to full time advisor. Katz-Moses Financial 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Well that was quick. As is this pod. Something called — perversely, I might add — the Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice, Inc. ("FACC") has filed a lawsuit to stop the new Fiduciary Rule even before it goes into effect on September 23, 2024. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet New Fiduciary Rule Not All Bad for K-12 403(b) Participants FACC Lawsuit Against Fiduciary Rule Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Does the new Fiduciary Rule have teeth? Does it apply to the 403(b)? We also discuss our May 21 event for those curious about becoming a fiduciary advisor. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 and NGPF alum, Brian Page, shares his new endeavor designed to help couples have better conversations and make better decisions around money and the sharing of family responsibilities. Modern Husbands Brian Page Money Magazine Money Hero ngpf.org Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 address anti-union charges leveled at 403bwise.org Shark Attack NEA Valubilder Expose Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Rachel is a middle school math teacher from Western, NY. She paid off student loan debt in one year. At age 33 she has a Roth IRA, a 403(b), a 457(b) and a brokerage account. Oh, and she was born on 4.03b day — April 3rd. Instagram: @teachertomillionaire Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 talk discuss their keynote address to the Association of Teacher Educators. ATE 403bwise Enlists Teacher Educators in Fight to Fix K-12 403(b) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

To celebrate hitting 15,000 Facebook Group members we ask and answer 10 recent questions posted in this vibrant community. Bad Vendors Who Have Good Plans How to Get Out of a Bad 403(b) How to Get Out of AXA/Equitable Working with a Financial Professional Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Veteran educator and 403(b) advocate Rose Mendonca of Lowell, Massachusetts is on her way to becoming a CFP®. She talks teaching, helping colleagues, and her next career act. Teachers Talk Money Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Grab bag of topics: Illinois single vendor 403(b) legislation (AB 2568); Scott banned (again); IPX transitioning to Aspire; LAUSD adds Vanguard and the 403bwise Facebook Group is very close to hitting a milestone. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 talks selling a tech company, getting wise to financial literacy issues, and starting Nectarine, which aims to offer low-cost fiduciary advice. Nectarine @personafinanceclub Personal Finance Club Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Hockey playing (soon to be!) New York math teacher Sarah Peterson helps colleagues get wise to the 403(b) and the 457(b). Peekskill City School District Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Wyoming 8th grade physical science teacher talks teaching, mountain guiding, and recovering from a house fire. He also discusses the excellent financial guide for teachers he has created (available below). Trevor Deighton Retirement Planning Resource Black Diamond Presents: Safety First Photos of Cirque of the Unclimbables/Lotus Flower Tower Photos Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 former personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal and current editor of the excellent HumbleDollar.com talks career, money lessons, and how he's approaching the next phase of his work life. The Money Pit Things I Have Picked Up Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Liz Weston CFP®, longtime personal finance writer, jumps off the retirement cliff. Retiring Wasn't Easy Even After Years of Writing About It Investing for Retirement: Why You Might Want to Reconsider That 403(b) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

A retired educator and administrator who used F.I.R.E. principles to retire early talks about earning her CFP®, passing the exam, and working with clients. Mary Ann Sullivan Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

School custodian turned-accountant describes how the mentorship of Jeff York, who listeners to the podcast might better know as the Wealthy Custodian, helped set her on a path to financial stability. The Wealthy Custodian The Wealthy Custodian Retires (pt. 1) The Wealthy Custodian Retires (pt. 2) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Indiana middle school teacher Thomas Ferguson cares as much about his colleagues retirement savings as he does his own. Not only does he help educate them on saving, he also runs the engaging Instagram account @IndianafinLit Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Did a Southern California benefits consortium fail to act in the best interests of educators? Normally we drop our pods on Friday morning. But this is a time-sensitive episode because of a meeting that will occur Friday, January 12th at 11am PST. In our opinion a Southern California consortium has failed to act in the best interests of educators. We describe the issue in this episode in the hope that educators and others will weigh in by submitting written comments before the meeting and/or attend the meeting via Zoom, which we readily acknowledge is very difficult given teaching schedules. FBC Board of Directors 1/12/24 Meeting (Zoom link) Meeting ID: 829 1185 8849 Password: 363162 403bwise.org Comments Submitted to FBC Board San Diego County Schools Retirement Program Outsources Financial Advisers Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Annual beginning of the year check-in with Barb O'Neill, CFP, AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor), and owner/CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications, and a regular contributor to 403bwise. She shares what 403(b) participants need to know in 2024. 2024 Changes Affecting 403(b) Participants Secure Act 2.0 (pt 1) Secure Act 2.0 (pt 2) Secure Act 3.0 Pod Secure Act 3.0 Podcast Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Happy Valley, PA Elementary teacher, Scott Fritz, is the co-author of a Fin Lit book for Pennsylvania teachers. He's also the go-to fin lit person at his school and district. TL: DR: Financial Literacy for Employees of Pennsylvania Public Schools Scott Fritz Website Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 nation's largest teachers union has been promoting high-fee retirement plans to its members that have underperformed, teachers and experts tell The Lever. The products are sold by a private equity-owned insurance company accused of fraud and mismanagement — and as part of the arrangement, the union's benefit arm gets millions from the firm. Those words were written by our guest, journalist Freddy Brewster of The Lever. Largest U.S. Teachers Union Allows Private Equity To Prey On Educators Stories by Freddy Brewster The Lever Chicago Single Vendor Plan Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

California high school teacher Matt Raleigh, and retired Colorado teacher and prolific author, Karl Fisch, share their experience teaching a college level personal finance course for educators. They also discuss how you can design and teach a similar course Financial Literacy for California Public School Teachers Karl's Course Information A Not So Modest Proposal: Teach My Financial Literacy for Educators Class Karl's Books Collaborate with Karl Matt Raleigh on teaching and co-writing a saving-for-retirement guide for California teachers (pod) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

North Carolina high school educators Dave Fleisher and Brandon Speece educate colleagues about saving for retirement, host the Financial Independent Teachers Podcast, and are authors of the new book The FIT Position. Financially Independent Teachers Dave and Brandon 2022 Podcast Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 speak with Julia Brotherton, educator and president of the Beverly, MA Teachers Association about her dual roles, and how she helps colleagues get wise to saving for retirement. Beverly 403(b) Plan Episode 5 of Learned by Being Burned - School benefits official explains how he took a school district single vendor. Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 part 2 of our annual catch-up with one of the wisest financial minds we know, Cullen Roche, we talk the national debt, the value of international investing, possible role of A.I. in investing, and Cullen reveals a new project he is working on. Cullen Roche Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

It's our annual catch-up with one of the wisest financial minds we know, Cullen Roche, an economist, author, and founder and chief investment officer of the Discipline Funds, a low-fee advisory firm. We talk inflation, what the Fed might do next, fixed income, residential real estate and deflationary credit events. Cullen Roche Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 love a quality, bidded, single-vendor 403(b) plan. Fiduciary planner Mychal Eagleson CFP® shares three examples where school districts did single vendor very wrong. Teach Plan Retire Episode 5 of Learned by Being Burned - School benefits official explains how he took a school district single vendor (the right way). Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

James Lange is a CPA, an attorney, and an author. His most recent book, Retire Secure for Professors and TIAA Participants was released this month. Scott describes the book as a Master Class in estate and retirement planning. Link for listeners to get a free electronic copy of book: https://faculty-advisor.com/teach/ note: Once you click link, fill in your name and email address, you will receive an email with a link which will generate a pdf download. About Jim Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Bree Lee is a Bay Area math teacher who runs an impressive fin lit Instagram account (@ritual_finance) where she posts the basics, the more complex, the workings of the CalSTRS pension and her own paycheck breakdown, monthly budget, and growing net worth. Ritual Finance on Instagram Bree's Money Guide for CalSTRS Members Quit Like a Millionaire Arbitrary Lines: How zoning broke the American city and how to fix it. Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Teacher-turned planner, Justin Garritt goes deep on student loans including sharing an important deadline (December 31, 2023) for those looking to get maximum value out of PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness). Garritt Financial Solutions Teacher/Travel Hacker Turned Fiduciary Happy Travel Hacker Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 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 talks TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities), and the dramatic rise in their real rate of return. TIPS Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

403bwise Facebook Group reaches a Taylor Swift-like milestone. New Jersey school district throws teachers under the bus. 403bwise Facebook Group New Jersey District Throws Teachers Under the Bus Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Lily Katz of Redfin News discusses the recent story she co-wrote with her colleague Sheharyar Bokhari, Redfin Senior Economist, called: The Typical Teacher Can Afford Just 12% of Homes for Sale Near Their School, Down From 30% in 2019 The Typical Teacher Can Afford Just 12% of Homes for Sale Near Their School, Down From 30% in 2019 The Price of 403(b) Enrollment Lily Katz Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Scott reveals the dirty little secret about K-12 403(b) enrollment: it's a loss leader which incentivizes agents to upsell. The Price of 403(b) Enrollment School Benefits Official Who Did the Right Thing (from the Learned by Being Burned pod series) Transcript for pod about School Benefits Official Who Did the Right Thing Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Dan and 403bwise community honored by InvestmentNews. We tell the 403bwise origin story. How a Former Teacher is Educating the World About 403(b)s An Annuity for the Teacher — and the Broker (New York Times) 403bwise in 2000 Paying for College with Ron Lieber (podcast) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

NYC teacher and financial coach Emily Maretsky, who has more than 16k Instagram followers (@teacherfinancialcoach), talks family and moving from the classroom to full time financial coaching. teacherfinancialcoach.com @teacherfinancialcoach Learned by Being Burned — teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Part 2 of our wide ranging interview with one of the most influential personal finance writers in the country, Scott Burns. A longtime columnist for the Dallas Morning News and the father of the "Couch Potato Portfolio" investing style, Scott is a longtime champion of teachers, and K-12 403(b) reform. Scott Burns Learned by Being Burned — teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Wide ranging interview with one of the most influential personal finance writers in the country, Scott Burns. A longtime columnist for the Dallas Morning News and the father of the "Couch Potato Portfolio" investing style, Scott is a longtime champion of teachers, and K-12 403(b) reform (part 1 of 2). Scott Burns Learned by Being Burned — teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

School counselor from Connecticut gets taken for an expensive ride. It could happen to you. Fraud Is Flourishing on Zelle. The Bank's Say It Is Not Their Problem. Stuck in AXA (First pod with Adam) Learned by Being Burned — teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Private equity is everywhere: emergency rooms, nursing homes, veterinarians, your favorite retailers, and maybe some day your retirement plan. Yet, according to our guest Brendan Ballou, author of Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America, few understand what these firms are or how they work. Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America Learned by Being Burned (teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Buffer annuities — sometimes called Structured Investment Options - are pitched as a no-cost investment. Sounds good, right? The Risk of Buffer and Floor Strategies SEC Warning Learned by Being Burned (teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Massachusetts 5th grade teacher Brian Kramer, who describes himself as an Aspiring Financial Literacy Advocate, discusses teaching, how he and his wife got out of Equitable, term life insurance, saving in a Roth IRA, and perhaps earning the CFP® designation. Northborough School District 403(b) Plan Learned by Being Burned (teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Former teacher, current financial planner, and 24-7 student loan forgiveness guru, David Gourley returns to make sense of where student loan forgiveness stands in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, and the recent Biden Administration announcement of a seemingly new program. David has a message for public sector borrowers: there is a lot to be optimistic about. Contact David studentaid.gov Biden administration announces $39 billion in student loan forgiveness Learned by Being Burned (teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We talk to a real doctor — not a phony one like Dan — who after being burned by salespeople, started the White Coat Investor, the most widely-read, physician-specific personal finance and investing website in the world. White Coat Investor Learned by Being Burned (teachers share how they were burned by sales agents and "trusted" advisors and how they got wise to the 403(b) plan) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org