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