In episode two of our new pod series: 403(b) & 457(b) Basics Scott and Dan look at asset allocation. They describe what it is, why it's important and they go over several strategies for allocating a 403(b) and a 457(b). Importance of Asset Allocation by Barb O'Neill The Price of Peace: Why diversification is difficult, but necessary by Nick Maggiul…

Barbara O’Neill, PhD, CFP, AFC, owner/CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications, and a monthly columnist for 403bwise talks spring cleaning your personal finances. Spring cleaning is more than deep cleaning and decluttering. It is a great time to neaten up your finances. Spring Cleaning Your 403(b) and Personal Finances The Tr…

Nicole and Larry Dubill, two Buffalo, NY area educators, share passion for education, music, and 403(b) advocacy. Cleveland Hill School District 403(b/457(b) Vendor List Hamburg Central School District 403(b)/457(b) Vendor List The Truth About So-Called "No Fee" Products Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to b…

Teacher who sought to educate colleagues about the 403(b) gets threatening email from Equitable. We read and discuss correspondence. Read the letter The Truth about Structured Investing Options (SIOs) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vet…

Erin Witte, Director of Consumer Protection for the Consumer Federation of America, discusses the work she does protecting consumers in the face of a very anti-consumer climate. Erin Witte 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 Certifie…

Anonymous attendees dish on remarks made at a recent conference by leaders of lobbying group working to keep broken multi-vendor, sales agent-driven K-12 403(b) market in place. Audio + Transcript of Brian Graff LAUSD Appearance Video of Brian Graff LAUSD Appearance NTSA Puts the Tax in the K-12 403(b) Vanguard Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.o…

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 numbe…

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 disc…

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 Interac…

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(…

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 syste…

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 Thos…

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 Retiremen…

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 …

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…

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 B…

Barbara O'Neill, CFP®, AFC®, and owner of Money Talk and a regular contributor to 403bwise looks back at key money issues in 2024 and ahead to 2025. 2024 Personal Finance Recap for 403(b) Participants Million Dollar 403(b) Mistake Morgan Housel books & podcasts Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise t…

Former Baltimore teacher-turned fiduciary advisor Justin Garritt discuss the top teacher financial mistakes of 2024 that he sees in his practice. Garritt Financial Solutions Baltimore Banner 403(b) Story Jeff Venables The Student Loan Planner The FIT Position: A Framework for Financial Success Morgan Housel books & podcasts Learned by Being Burned …

Mai Nguyen, director of the Department of Social and Emotional Wellness Supports for Buffalo Public Schools, talks supporting the whole child and teacher. She also discusses the 403(b)/457(b) event she held that attracted close to 300 educators. Buffalo Public Schools Department of Social, Emotional, and Wellness Supports Buffalo City Schools 403(b…

More like: Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss. We review Equitable's new Equi-vest Series 202 403(b) product. Note: We talk Buffalo Bills football and Oregon Duck football for the first six minutes and 25 seconds. Equi-vest Series 202 Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian …

Dr. Jeff Venables is a veteran South Carolina Chemistry teacher whose advocacy led his district to add Aspire, Fidelity and Vanguard to their 403(b) lineup. But he's not done there. He's now lobbying state legislators. Jeff's District TL; DR Finanical Literacy for Employees of South Carolina Public Schools Karl Fisch State Books for Educators Learn…

Dan and Scott discuss their recent in-person speaking engagement in Florida which has left them a tad under-the-weather. They also discuss how to make the 457(b) even more superior to the 403(b). Finally, Dan hits Scott with a surprise topic. How does he react? Council for Great City Schools Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teac…

Dan and Scott discuss accessing 403(b) money at 59.5 while working and the new age 60 "super" catch up provision which will go into effect in 2025. Dan also talks about completing the mission he and three other friends started in 1990: to see a game in every NFL city. 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) Age 60 "Super" Catch-Up One Weird Trick to Fix Retirement Pl…

Karla Kirkling, executive director of healthcare and benefits at Chicago Public Schools shares how she used data, facts, and common sense to create one of the best single-vendor K-12 403(b) in the country. It is plan that will save employees tens of thousands of dollars in fees over the lifetime of their careers. City of Chicago 403(b)/457(b) Plan …

Cullen Roche is an economist, author, father and Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Discipline Funds, a low-fee advisory firm. Jan Hatzius FRED Economic Data (St. Louis Fed)State 457(b) Plan Rating Project Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwis…

Every state runs a generally excellent 457(b) plan that firefighters, police, and other state employees contribute to. These plans often have large assets under management which leads to extremely low-cost investing options. Many states permit educators to contribute to these plans. Unfortunately not all do. We discuss our new tool that allows user…

Audio recording of our September 25, 2024 event with Lucretia Ryan about the dangers of choosing Medicare Advantage. It is recommended that you click link (below) to visual accompanying Lucretia's presentation before listening to audio. Visual Resource to Accompany Lucretia's Presentation Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teacher…

Little known role — Compliance Administrator — can have massive effect on 403(b)/457(b) quality. Many school districts are being misserved and they don't even know it. Dan also shares a private jet story. Are Educator Retirement Plans Getting Hijacked by Compliance Administrators? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got bu…

Former custodian Jeff York talks retirement and the joy it has brought him. He also talks finances — including a bold approach to homeowners insurance — and a little fishing. 2019 Podcast with Jeff 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 pre…

Jesse Cramer went from designing satellite telescopes to financial planning. The host of The Best Interest Podcast talks career transition, Rochester, N.Y., and financial planning. Best Interest Podcast Best Interest Blog How Much Life Insurance Do You Need Equitable SEC Settlement Our Pod on the SEC/Equitable Settlement Nothing presented or discus…

Pennsylvania advisor Gibson McCracken talks about his time at Equitable and how he's serving educators now. Flick Financial The Teacher Tribune Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Scott and Dan have a heart-to-heart about new 403bwise.org tools to help pre-service teachers get wise to the 403(b) and teacher retirement plans. On-Demand Learning Module for Pre-Service Teachers YouTube video for Pre-Service Teachers Blog Post: Inoculating Pre-Service Teachers From 403(b) Sales Sharks Equitable SEC Settlement Our Pod on the SEC/…

Award-winning meteorologist and fin lit fan Greg Dee of ABC Action News in Tampa, FL talks investing, forecasting, and a day in the life of a weatherman. Greg Dee, ABC Action News Tampa, FL Award for Broadcast Meteorology (for life saving work) Equitable SEC Settlement Our Pod on the SEC/Equitable Settlement Learned by Being Burned - Short pod seri…

The law firm of Dicello Levitt LLP filed a class action lawsuit against Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company. They allege that Equitable charged investors significant undisclosed fees on their EQUI-VEST variable annuities. Case Summary Contact Law Firm Equitable SEC Settlement Our Pod on the SEC/Equitable Settlement Bills Fan Wins Fanatics Fe…

Part two of our inteview with Joel Larsgaard and Matt Altmix of the How to Money website and podcast. How to Money Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Popular podcast hosts and best friends Joel Larsgaard and Matt Altmix of the How to Money website and podcast, talk friendship, podcasting, and money (pt. 1). How to Money Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org…

On more than one occasion we have heard red-rated vendors declare that fixed insurance products are now subject to a best interest standard for 403(b) sales in most states. This is false. Comparing CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct to The NAIC’s Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation #275 Learned by Being Burned - Sh…

Dan and Scott discusses Dan's medical scare and market volatility. From Soft Landing to Emergency Landing? by Cullen Roche Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Dan shares some of his financial mistakes. He also takes a quick trip down his journalism career memory lane. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Episode 1 of the 5-part series Learned by Being Burned the short pod series where teachers share how they were sold high-cost annuity products, the barriers they face to getting better, lower-cost investment choices, and the growing advocacy movement working to fix the K-12 403(b). Note: This episode previously ran two years ago. We thought our gro…

Scott and Dan get a little personal before talking about NTSA’s so-called Elite Advisor Awards. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.orgBy Daniel Otter, PhD and Scott Dauenhauer, CFP®

Greta Tinaglia, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Fulton County Schools in Georgia, describes the process of moving their 403(b) plan to one low-cost vendor. The result? Less confusion, bureaucracy, and an 80% fee drop. Fulton County Public Schools 403(b) Plan Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to…

The 403(b)ill of Rights is one of the first 403(b) blog posts Dan ever wrote. It first appeared around July 4, 2000. Over the years we have made incremental improvements to it. What follows is a refresh. The new Amendment 12 may be considered radical. Frankly, it's radical that it is even needed. 403(b)ill of Rights Refreshed Learned by Being Burne…

After a career at IBM, Lucretia Ryan founded Financial Freedom for Women, an organization whose goal is to help women gain financial independence. In addition to writing about financial issues, she puts on free retirement optimization workshops for women. After helping her late mother navigate healthcare in retirement, Lucretia warns about the dang…

Teacher and podcast host Shaun Morgan talks saving for retirement. The Teacher Money Show 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 Certif…

We talk journalism, 403(b), and the personal finance beat with Anne Tergesen, reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Anne Tergesen 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. …

Maggie Mason is a retired English teacher from Santa Barbara who put on a highly successfully free financial seminar to benefit her colleagues. Santa Barbara Education Foundation 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…

Illinois educator-turned state legislator Karina Villa — who was once sold an unsuitable, high-cost 403(b) — proposed a K-12 403(b) reform bill that would have ended front-end and back-end loads. It would have capped advisor fees and administration fees at 0.50% respectively, and it would have required vendors to offer low-cost index funds and low-…

Teachers-turned fiduciary advisors Emily Maretsky and Andrew Katz-Moses, CFP® share their journey from the classroom to full-time planners in this live 403bwise Event. Emily Maretsky Teacher Financial Planner Katz-Moses Financial The Externship (deadline May 24, 2024) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got…

Scott refutes National Tax-Deferred Savings Association research claim, among other things, that the multi-vendor environment leads to more enrollment than single vendor. Debunking the NTSA’s 2018 "Improving Retirement Savings for America's Public Educators" study NTSA "Study" 403bwise Zoom Event on May 21: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Adviso…