We debut a new pod series: Basics of the 403(b) & 457(b). In this series, which will eventually get its own channel, we will go over the basics of how these plans work, and how they can be used to save wisely for retirement. First off: How to Start a 403(b). 

• 403(b) Basics
• CalSTRS Pension 2 Enrollment
• Fidelity Enrollment (need an Employer Plan number)
• Vanguard
• 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 gets phishy email from Equitable salesperson. Does it violate FINRA section 2210(d)(1)(A) and (B)?

• Equitable to Pay $50 Million Penalty
• What's That Phishy Smell in Your Inbox?
• 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®). 

Lucretia Ryan, financial writer, educator, philanthropist and founder of FinancialFreedomforWomen.org., discusses the options for getting health insurance before age 65. Dan discusses his sudden need for a new healthcare policy. 

• Retiring Before 65: How to Avoid Health Insurance Nightmares
• Choose the Best Medicare Plan
• Congressional District Interactive Map: How Much Will ACA Premium Payments Rise if Enhanced Subsidies Expire?
• Financial Freedom for Women
• Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare "Advantage"
• 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 catch up with New Jersey high school business and personal finance teacher Chris Nye, one of the best 403(b) advocates in the country. He talks teaching personal finance, how teachers may have an excellent 403(b) choice already available and don't know it, and pension drama in New Jersey.

• Fight for Better (our first pod with Chris)
• Adding a 457(b) is As Easy As 1-2-3 (Chris's second appearance)
• Bad 403(b) Vendors with Good Choices
• Using Aspire Non Advisor Option
• Become a New Jersey Pension Advocate
• 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 and Dan look at the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) which brought a fiduciary standard to most retirement plans. The act went into effect in 1974 but is beginning to show its age. 

• How a 50-year-old law changed retirement and why it needs a facelift
• Dawn of ERISA
• Man with a Better Plan - We almost had a simpler retirement system
• 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®). 

Barbara O'Neill, CFP®, AFC® and Scott Dauenhauer CFP® break down the recently passed Social Security Fairness Act and what it means for some educators. They cover why the WEP and GPO were first put in place and what it's repeal means for:

• Those currently collecting Social Security benefits
• Those new eligible to collect Social Security benefits
• Those lacking enough credits to qualify for Social Security benefits

At the conclusion of the recording of this episode Scott got a call from a family member who he had helped apply for this new benefit who shared the good news that she had just received a Social Security check for more than $9,000. 

• The Social Security Fairness Act: A Holiday Season Miracle
• Social Security Administration Social Security Fairness Act
• 403(b) Plans and Social Security 
• Guardians of SS FBG
• WEP Chart note: Link mentioned in pod mysteriously stopped working the day after recording. A web search for new link is recommended. 
• Opinion: Social Security Fairness Act will be tricky to implement
• 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®). 

Retired educator is prolific writer of state specific retirement guides for teachers (40 and counting); he's running for a seat on the Colorado PERA Board of Trustees; and he writes engaging and educational retirement planning material that he makes available for free. We discuss all of this and more.  

• Fisch Financial
• Karl's State Specific Retirement Guides for Educators
• LA Wildfire Relief
• 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 discuss Vanguard's settlement with the SEC over issues with target date funds held in taxable accounts. 

• Vanguard to Pay More than $100 Million Over Target Date Violations
• US Inflation Calculator
• 403bwise Vendor Grades
• LA Wildfire Relief
• 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®). 

Individual barred from acting as a broker goes all in on Florida K-12 market is another example of how broken the K-12 403(b) remains. 

• FINRA Broker Check
• LA Wildfire Relief
• 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®). 

Our guest today, Aaron Standish, is the former Financial Literacy Coordinator (K-12) for the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida who recently joined Next Gen Personal Finance as their Partnership & Adoption Manager for the Southeastern part of the country. 

• ngpf.org
• NGPF On-Demand Modules
• The Most Important Class You Never Had
• 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®).