Teach and Retire Rich

Former professional baseball player and current Florida high school teacher, Ole Sheldon, discusses his new book The Impact of Fees on Retirement Investing: Written by a Teacher for Teachers which grew out of his doctoral dissertation on this topic. The Impact of Fees on Retirement Investing: Written by a Teacher for Teachers 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

Yanely Espinal is the author of Mind Your Money and the Director of Educational Outreach at our favorite non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance. To her 58,000 youtube followers she is known as MissBeHelpful, a fin lit channel she founded in 2015 that has racked up more than 4 million views. Yanely also hosts the Financially Inclined, a podcast about "all the money lessons we wish we learned earlier." In part 2 of this two-part interview, Yanely talks about her pivot from education to YouTube Fin Lit star and all of the opportunities it has led to. Mind Your Money NGPF MissBeHelpful YouTube Channel Financially Inclined 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

Yanely Espinal is the author of Mind Your Money and the Director of Educational Outreach at our favorite non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance. To her 58,000 youtube followers she is known as MissBeHelpful, a fin lit channel she founded in 2015 that has racked up more than 4 million views. Yanely also hosts the Financially Inclined, a podcast about "all the money lessons we wish we learned earlier." In part 1 of this two-part interview, Yanely talks growing up in Bushwick, Brooklyn; the economic challenges she and her family faced; earning a scholarship to Brown University; and working as an elementary teacher. Mind Your Money NGPF MissBeHelpful YouTube Channel Financially Inclined 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

Auto Enrollment has led to a massive increase in saving for retirement participation, especially among the young. We discuss data from new Vanguard 401(k) report, and what it could mean for the 403(b) and 457(b). We also talk a little travel hacking at beginning of podcast. Report: Generational Changes in 401(k) Behaviors 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

Micah Hauptman, the director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, talks about his job and the fight to implement a fiduciary standard. Consumer Federation of 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

Teacher Tim Whelan of Illinois succinctly describes the many benefits of having a single vendor 403(b) plan.

Illinois math teacher Tim Whelan discusses his career, family, effort to earn a CFP®, and his fight to stop NTSA-backed legislation that would deny Illinois school district's the ability to offer a single vendor 457(b) plan. He also makes a strong case for why single vendor 403(b) and 457(b) plans are best. Mr. Whelan Financial Illinois Education Association SB 0734 Learned by Being Burned (teachers share 403(b) horror stories) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Listening to the education and advocacy podcast series Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b) motivated South Carolina high school teacher to advocate for and get better 403(b) investment choices in his South Carolina school district. York 3 vendor list Learned by Being Burned (teachers share 403(b) horror stories) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

After their own missteps, New York music teachers Hana and her husband James are helping colleagues get wise to the 403(b). Hana may have the best story ever for how and where she first signed up for a 403(b). Episode begins with Dan talking about his current living arrangement. Learned by Being Burned (teachers share 403(b) horror stories) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Scott calls them the "boring administrative sh*t" but investment committees can be game changers in ensuring quality 403(b) and 457(b) plans. What are they? How do they work? And why you should consider starting or serving on one. New York State laws on Deferred Compensation Committee Learned by Being Burned (teachers share 403(b) horror stories) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

NTSA pushing bill to ban single vendor 457(b) plans in Illinois. But only for K-12 institutions. Not police plans. Not firefighter plans. Not government employee plans. Bad New Jersey 403(b) legislation is on the move despite sponsors telling teachers it was dead. SB 1233 (Illinois) Senator Michael W. Halpin (D) 36th District Representative Stephanie A. Kifowit (D) 84th District Bill A1974 (New Jersey) Learned by Being Burned (teachers share 403(b) horror stories) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We talk about our recent talk with CalSTRS, and take another look at how to access 403(b) money. Accessing 403(b) Money Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We dig into the two advising services firm offers: 1) Vanguard Digital Advisor; and 2) Vanguard Personal Advisor. NerdWallet Ratings Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We go over the insurance policies every educator should consider having. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Taylor Swift is amazing for so many reasons: talented singer-songwriter, role model, activist. But did you know that she has written 10 songs about the K-12 403(b)? Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

SB 263 — which could be a model for other states — will decrease the number of sales of life insurance and annuities to consumers that are not in consumers' best interests by prohibiting insurance producers from receiving incentives beyond allowable commissions or fees (such as prizes, rent reimbursement, etc.) for their sales and also prohibiting producers from making sales when they do not know if the product is in the consumer's best interest. Bill also covers sale of life insurance products. SB 263 Insurance Agent (Producer) Compensation Disclosure For Annuities and Life Insurance Policies Form Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

If only Congress had adopted a 2003 Bush Administration plan to drastically simplify saving for retirement. We interview William Sweetnam the Benefits Tax Counsel at the Treasury Department from 2001-2005. 2003 ERSA/LSA/RSA Plan Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Classic bank run has many wondering how they can protect their savings. Learned by Being Burned (short pod series that explains why the K-12 403(b) is so bad and what teachers are doing to fix it) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Lobbying organization is actively working to make saving for retirement more expensive for educators. Link to Soundbite of NTSA Lobbying Against Single Vendor 403(b) in LAUSD Banned by the NTSA NTSA Works Against Teachers Best Financial Interests (Contains links to Illinois and Maryland bills) Mike Halpin Sponsor of Illinois 457(b) Bill SB1233 Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Matt Raleigh on teaching and co-writing a saving-for-retirement guide for California teachers. TL;DR: Financial Literacy for California Public School Teachers: Optimizing Financial Decisions Based on Your CalSTRS Benefits Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Teacher turned travel-hacker/blogger extraordinaire, Zac Hood talks leveraging credit card use to travel "freely." Travel Freely Award Hacker Point.me Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

That is how much money teacher-turned planner David Gourley has saved teachers in student loan repayment. Teach Plan Retire Newsletter New Biden Student Loan Repayment Plan (January 2023) July 2022 PSLF Waiver Event (Podcast) Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

On January 31, 2003, the Bush Administration announced a plan to drastically change how Americans save in defined contribution plans. Unfortunately that plan never got the public debate it deserved. Scott and Dan discuss the never implemented plan. Bush Administration Retirement Savings Plan Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Horrified by complexity of SECURE Act 2.0 and saving for retirement in general, Dan and Scott devise a better way to save for retirement, medical expenses and college. Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We welcome back Barb O'Neill, CFP, AFC (Accredited Financial Counselor) and 403bwise columnist to discuss wise 403(b) and other money moves to make in 2023. 403(b) New Year's Resolutions Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

In part two of our two-part look at SECURE 2.0, we focus on provisions most applicable to the 403(b) and educators. SECURE Act 2.0 (pt. 1) Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

SECURE: Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement or Exasperation? Part one of two part look at new retirement savings legislation. SECURE Act 2.0 Explainer Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Dallas area educator Rashad Muhammad and his teacher wife are well on their way to financial security after paying off more than $85,000 in debt while also saving for a home down payment. Additionally, they are retirement plan super savers. But it wasn't always this way. Journey to a Million (YouTube) Learned by Being Burned (short podcast series) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We break down what we consider to be the top 5 403(b) stories of 2022. CITs in the 403(b)? CITs: A Welcome Addition to 403(b) Plans SECURE 2.0 (recorded before passing) SEC Fines Equitable $50 Million Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

In part two of our conversation with money manager Cullen Roche, he discusses the concept of All Duration Investing and his recent paper on the topic. All Duration Investing Pragcap Three Minute Macro Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Cullen Roche, author, money manager, and one of the most astute financial minds, returns to talk video making, inflation, housing and markets in part one of our two part conversation. Pragcap Three Minute Macro Discipline Funds ETFs Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Kevin Benson, executive director of the Southern Education Retirement Consortium, believes he has the solution for small and mid-size school districts looking to offer quality 403(b), 457(b) and 401(a) plans. SERC Solutions Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Was it all just a dream? New Jersey teachers are losing a fantastic 403(b) option: Lincoln Investment's Participant Directed Platform. Dan and Scott interview New Jersey teacher Chris Nye who shares what he has learned about the future of Lincoln PDP in New Jersey. Bad Vendors Who Offer Good Investing Choices Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Tax Deferred Services, whose CEO was arrested in what the California Department of Insurance called a "$4 million securities fraud scheme," blankets teacher email inboxes with deceptive message. TDS CEO: Arrested Development "Set up" a Zoom Appointment with TDS Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Illinois Principal Scott Liska teamed up with the business manager to dramatically improve Evergreen Park ESD 124's 403(b) and 457(b) plan. Evergreen Park ESD 124 Plan Offerings & Grade Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Looking for a higher interest rate in your fixed investment(s)? Scott details some provisions that might help. Market Value Adjustments Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Interest rates are rising. What should you be doing? Estate Planning Simplified Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Teacher Shaun Morgan discusses online teaching, and his upcoming free Teach Toward Retirement Summit. Free Registration Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We regrade 403(b) vendor list for Broward County Public Schools. But they sure didn't make it easy to get information. Broward 403bwise Grade Broward County Public Schools Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

What are they? How do they work? What role if any should they play in saving for retirement? Cullen Roche 3-Minute Money videos Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

A union that does it right. New Jersey's bad 403(b) bill. Crazy markets. NGPF California Access to Financial Education (CAFE) grant NGPF Financial Equity & Empowerment (FEE) grant UTLA Fin Lit Workshop Pod: New Jersey's Bad 403(b) Bill Ben Carlson on Market History, CFA Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Educators and state employees have access to multiple excellent, low-cost retirement savings vehicles (none of which is a 403(b) plan). Kentucky Deferred Comp Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Districts are responding to our 403(b) Plan Rating Project. We recently heard from two school districts asking us to upgrade their D-rated plans because of improvements they had made. School Districts Who Are Improving Their 403(b) Plans Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

New RMD rule changes proposed for the 403(b)/457(b); AIG works on its core; Aspire follows Vanguard model. Track Proposed RMD Change Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Our guest today is a fee-only, advice-only CPF® and fiduciary who specializes in providing hourly advice to do-it-yourself investors. He's a long-time advocate of simple, low-cost investing. He isn't all about work though. How can you be when you live in sunny San Diego? In 2019, he and his wife, Lien, dedicated one full year to travel. Jon Luskin Jon Luskin Blog Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

North Carolina teachers Dave and Brandon help colleagues and students get wise to saving for retirement (updated with correct audio track). Financial Independent Teachers podcast Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Southern California high school math teacher gets a Fidelity 457(b) added to his vendor list. Chaffey Joint Union High Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

One of our favorite guests, teacher/travel hacker Justin Garritt talks about his decision to leave the classroom to become a full-time fiduciary advisor. We also talk travel hacking and carrying a "whole ham" on a flight. Garritt Financial Solutions Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

In the wake of the SEC's settlement with Equitable Financial we are getting a lot of inquiries about how to find the right kind of financial advice. SEC Settlement Announcement Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Fifty million more reasons to hate Equitable Financial after the Securities and Exchange Commission fined the firm $50 million for "materially misleading statements and omissions concerning investor fees." We discuss settlement and ask the question: Why would any school district continue to let this firm sell financial products to its employees? SEC Settlement Announcement Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org