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®).

Jeff Santoro is an educator from New Jersey and Jason Hall is a financial writer and analyst. Together they host the Investing Unscripted podcast. We talk about getting wise to saving, music, and even engage in a little stock picking.

• Investing Unscripted
• West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
• 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 share our recollections of, and interactions with, the former Wall Street Journal columnist, founder of HumbleDollar.com, and friend of 403bwise.

• No Regrets
• Farewell Friends
• Thank You, Jonathan
• Podcast with Jonathan
• 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®).

Our guest, Danny Kofke, is a jack-of-many-trades: elementary school teacher for 18 years, author of 6 books including Where to Spend. Where to Save. A Teachers Guide to Managing Your Finances, and Director of Training and Outreach for the Southern Education Retirement Consortium.

• Danny Kofke
• Where to Spend, Where to Save: A Teacher's Guide to Managing Your Finances
• Southern Education Retirement Consortium
• 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®).