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®).