Teach and Retire Rich

Student loan expert (and former teacher) David Gourley discussed a time-sensitive student loan provision that could save borrowers thousands of dollars. Prior to event he asked for volunteers to share their loan data sets. He analyzed three submissions. During the event he announced that these three educators would save $14,000, $23,000, and $50,000 respectively. David also answered lots of student loan questions. Contact David Federal Student Aid Info About Waiver Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Educators in several states have access to a 401(k). We discuss the similarities and differences between the 403(b) and 401(k), and we ask the question: Should all educators have access to a 401(k)? ERSA (Bush II-era Retirement Plan Proposal NGPF co-founder Tim Ranzetta on The Long View Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

In language eerily similar to Pennsylvania's Act 5, which prevents school districts from going single vendor, proposed New Jersey legislation would require large school districts to have at least three 403(b) vendors. We speak with "Izzy" Tannenbaum, partner at Withum, a tax advisory and public accounting firm. Izzy supports the intent of the bill but acknowledges it contains flaws. Sponsors of Bill A1974 Raj Mukherji Roy Freiman Resources Israel Tannenbaum (New Jersey) State Bill Would Require Multiple 403(b) Providers Bill A1974 Hey Pennsylvania K-12 Teachers: The Insurance Industry Just Made Your 403(b) Plans Worse Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Recently retired 49-year old LAUSD veteran talks teaching, saving for an early retirement, and what's next. Delia Fernandez, CFP® Joe Manchin and the A.C.A. Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Security Benefit releases dubious "study" that to the surprise of no one supports its sales-agent based approach. "Study" Press Release How to Find the Right Kind of Advisor Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Vendors like AXA/Equitable and National Life Group sell high-cost products to educators but make excellent low-cost retirement plans available to their employees. We look at these firm's 401(k) plans. Form 5500 Search Blog: National Life Group Hypocrisy Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Part 2 of interview with former AXA/Equitable vice president for business development. Topics covered include: firm's feelings toward 403bwise.org; company name change; importance of ASBO; key markets; where firm will be in 10 years. Part 1 Equitable Bermuda Triangle Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Former AXA/Equitable vice president for business development dishes on firm that dominates the K-12 403(b) market in terms of market share and participant anger (part 1 of 2). Equitable Bermuda Triangle Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Former teacher teaches executive function techniques to middle school, high school and college students. EF Specialists City Year Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Student loan experts David Gourley and Mychal Eagleson, CFP® discuss a time-sensitive student loan provision that could save borrowers thousands of dollars. Contact Mychal and David Federal Student Aid PSLF Waiver Info An Exceptional Life Financial Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

At what price point does it make sense to invest in a taxable brokerage account over a pre-tax 403(b)? Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Terry Slack is a Superintendent (known as District Administrator in Wisconsin) who gets the importance of offering a low-cost 403(b). His district's A-rated single vendor plan has a 75% participation rate. We talk with Terry about why and how he prioritizes employee wellness. Wisconsin-Dells A-rated 403(b) Plan Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

The market is off close to 13% year-to-date. We discuss why this might not be such a bad thing. Risk Tolerance Questionnaire Asset Allocation Information Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

iBonds are paying eye-popping rates. We discuss. Treasury Direct Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We profile teacher Barb Besal who narrated Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b), and veteran journalist Steve Buel who researched, reported and wrote the series. Barb Besal's November 2020 pod interview

Teacher and member of state task force on financial literacy, Michele Bentivegna, talks teaching financial literacy. Arizona Financial Literacy Task Force on Fin Lit ngpf.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Retirement plan bill that passed the House on a 414-5 vote and is expected to be signed into law brings significant changes to retirement plans. We discuss. CIT Pod What is a CIT? Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Scott's out this week, but Dan has two important announcements. The Long View Podcast Learned by Being Burned podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We share our ratings for 3,041 school district 403(b) plans. We read the names of the school districts who earned a B or an A. District Plan Rating Project It's Brutal Out Here Learned by Being Burned podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We speak with Morningstar's director of personal finance, co-host of The Long View podcast, and author of 30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances, and the book Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success. Christine Benz Learned by Being Burned podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

One of our least favorite companies looks to be in some hot water with the SEC. Equitable (AXA) Preparing for $50 million SEC Civil Monetary Penalty Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b). The short series that explores the dysfunctional world of supplemental retirement plans, the maddening industry behind them, and the growing movement to fix what is broken.

We share big news that has been two years in the making. Learned by Being Burned Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We debunk some 403(b) misunderstandings. 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Extended conversation with Andrew Hallam. We discuss healthcare for the nomad and meeting up in person. Andrew Hallam 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Retired teacher, author, and world traveler Andrew Hallam discusses living the good life and other key concepts from his new book. Andrew Hallam 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

After briefly discussing a new paper on teacher knowledge and preparedness for retirement, we go over 5 things every teachers should do to ensure a healthy retirement. Survey: Teachers' Preparedness for Retirement: Results from a Nationally Representative Teacher Survey 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Benefits attorney Jeff Chang explains how California K-12 public schools and community colleges can do as the UC and Cal State (university and college) systems do: Go single 403(b) vendor. School District 403(b) Plans and Investment Selection School District 403(b) Plans and Recordkeeper Selection School District 403(b) Plans and Participation-Directed Investments 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We discuss North Carolina's decision to end its state-based 403(b) plan, the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Northwestern University 403(b) fee suit, contribution remittance tardiness, and recent market fluctuation. North Carolina to Discontinue State Based 403(b) Plan at Year End Supreme Court Northwestern University 403(b) Ruling 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

This episode is a little different. Our guest, author Frank Molinar, CFP®, writes for a military audience. But Scott and Dan were struck by his new book Financial Dominance: Your Battle Plan for a Richer Life, and his approach to educating military members. We think there is a lot of overlap with educating educators. We hope you enjoy. Financial Dominance: Your Battle Plan for a Richer Life 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Single vendor. Low costs. Employer match. Auto enrollment. Online enrollment. What is happening? Change is happening. We spotlight the Harris County, GA 403(b) plan. Award Winning Plan 403bwise Plan Grade 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Michelle Wolfe talks working with the deaf and hard of hearing, upcoming Illinois Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Conference, and saving for retirement. ITDHH Conference TL; DR: Financial Literacy for Illinois Teachers' Retirement System Members 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Our podcast openings from 2021. 403(b) Plan Rating Project Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We discuss what we think are the top three 403(b) stories of 2021. Green Light for Single Vendor 403(b) Plans in California? Chicago Public Schools Goes Single Vendor Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Five options available to small school districts who want to offer a great 403(b) plan. Small School Districts Can Offer Top Notch 403(b) Programs When Bad 403(b) Vendors Offer Good 403(b) Products Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Does article by benefits attorney offer path for California K-14 403(b) plans to go single vendor? We discuss. School District 403(b) Plans and Investment Selection California Dreaming of Better 403(b) Plans The Elephant in the Room Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We discuss Chicago Public Schools move to a single vendor 403(b). It has excellent pricing and investing options. The biggest surprise? AIG is the vendor. Video of 403bwise Zoom Event for Chicago Public Schools Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Dan & Scott share good 403(b) advocacy news. Dan discusses his talk to teachers in Albuquerque. Albuquerque Teacher Residency Partnership When Bad Vendors Offer Good Investing Choices Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Everyone should be so lucky as to have a colleague like Scott Olsen who works hard to educate his colleagues at Foothill-DeAnza Community College District about saving for retirement. Foothill DeAnza-Community College District Bogleheads Plan Rating Project Podcast Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We discuss 2022 403(b) and 457(b) contribution limit increase and an article and report that seem to suggest AIG may be getting behind single vendor push. Or maybe we are just crazy. 2022 403(b) Contribution Limits 2022 457(b) Contribution Limits PlanSponsor: K-12 School Districts Confused About Retirement Benefits AIG Report: Meeting Retirement Needs of K-12 Employees Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Crystal Gonzalez is the founder of a non-profit that assists non-profits. She was also a 5th grade student of Dan's way back in the early 2000's. RevComm Foundation Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Cullen Roche, author, money manager, and one of the most astute financial minds we know has some big news. Pragcap Discipline Funds Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

403bwise launches school district 403(b) & 457(b) database and A-F rating system. Dan and Scott discuss initiative that they hope will bring sunshine and accountability. Search the Database A-F Rating System Explained Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

California choir director quits teaching and moves to Iowa to farm. We have questions. Choir Teacher + Author on F.I.R.E. Seed Saver Exchange Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

This is not an Onion story. The Newport Beach, California owner of Tax Deferred Services, a firm that provides 403(b)/457(b) plan compliance for more than 300 California school districts was arrested in what the California Department of Insurance (CDI) called a "$4 million securities fraud scheme." Owner of Large 403(b)/457(b) Compliance Firm Booked Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Dr. Barbara O'Neill, CFP®, AFC, owner/CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications where she writes, speaks, and reviews content about personal finance. Barbara is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, after 41 years of service as a Rutgers Cooperative Extension educator and personal finance specialist. Dr. Barbara O'Neill Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We talk teacher pension plans and higher education with Money's Kaitlin Mulhere. Kaitlin Mulhere Many Teacher Pension Plans Get Failing Grade Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

34-year-old Flushing, NY middle school science teacher maxes out his 403(b), 457(b) and Roth IRA. Plus he has two side hustles. The Wealthy Educator Email Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Devin Carroll, a Texas-based financial planner who runs the Social Security Intelligence blog talks Social Security. devincarroll.com Social Security Intelligence blog Devin's YouTube Channel Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Retired Colorado teacher Karl Fisch and former Iowa teacher and administrator, and current University of Northern Iowa instructor Matt Townsley discuss their new book for members of the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System. Iowa IPERS Book TL;DR Series Interested in Collaborating with Karl? 403bwise Events Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org