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.orgتوسط 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.orgتوسط 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.orgتوسط 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.orgتوسط 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.orgتوسط 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…

We check in with fiduciary advisor Andrew Katz-Moses CFP® five years after the big move to full time advisor. Katz-Moses Financial 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? 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 prese…

Well that was quick. As is this pod. Something called — perversely, I might add — the Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice, Inc. (“FACC”) has filed a lawsuit to stop the new Fiduciary Rule even before it goes into effect on September 23, 2024. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet New Fiduciary Rule Not All Bad for K-12 403(b) Participants FACC …

Does the new Fiduciary Rule have teeth? Does it apply to the 403(b)? We also discuss our May 21 event for those curious about becoming a fiduciary advisor. New DOL Fiduciary Rule Fact Sheet 403bwise Zoom Event: Curious About Becoming a Fiduciary Advisor? Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 4…

Former teacher and NGPF alum, Brian Page, shares his new endeavor designed to help couples have better conversations and make better decisions around money and the sharing of family responsibilities. Modern Husbands Brian Page Money Magazine Money Hero ngpf.org Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise t…

We address anti-union charges leveled at 403bwise.org Shark Attack NEA Valubilder Expose 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 Certifi…

Rachel is a middle school math teacher from Western, NY. She paid off student loan debt in one year. At age 33 she has a Roth IRA, a 403(b), a 457(b) and a brokerage account. Oh, and she was born on 4.03b day — April 3rd. Instagram: @teachertomillionaire Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 4…

Dan and Scott talk discuss their keynote address to the Association of Teacher Educators. ATE 403bwise Enlists Teacher Educators in Fight to Fix K-12 403(b) 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…

To celebrate hitting 15,000 Facebook Group members we ask and answer 10 recent questions posted in this vibrant community. Bad Vendors Who Have Good Plans How to Get Out of a Bad 403(b) How to Get Out of AXA/Equitable Working with a Financial Professional Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the …

Veteran educator and 403(b) advocate Rose Mendonca of Lowell, Massachusetts is on her way to becoming a CFP®. She talks teaching, helping colleagues, and her next career act. Teachers Talk 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 Nothing presen…

Grab bag of topics: Illinois single vendor 403(b) legislation (AB 2568); Scott banned (again); IPX transitioning to Aspire; LAUSD adds Vanguard and the 403bwise Facebook Group is very close to hitting a milestone. Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise…

Jeremy Schneider talks selling a tech company, getting wise to financial literacy issues, and starting Nectarine, which aims to offer low-cost fiduciary advice. Nectarine @personafinanceclub Personal Finance Club Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.…

Hockey playing (soon to be!) New York math teacher Sarah Peterson helps colleagues get wise to the 403(b) and the 457(b). Peekskill City School District 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 inv…

Wyoming 8th grade physical science teacher talks teaching, mountain guiding, and recovering from a house fire. He also discusses the excellent financial guide for teachers he has created (available below). Trevor Deighton Retirement Planning Resource Black Diamond Presents: Safety First Photos of Cirque of the Unclimbables/Lotus Flower Tower Photos…

The former personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal and current editor of the excellent HumbleDollar.com talks career, money lessons, and how he's approaching the next phase of his work life. The Money Pit Things I Have Picked Up Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Merid…

Liz Weston CFP®, longtime personal finance writer, jumps off the retirement cliff. Retiring Wasn’t Easy Even After Years of Writing About It Investing for Retirement: Why You Might Want to Reconsider That 403(b) Learned by Being Burned - Short pod series about how teachers got burned then got wise to the 403(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.o…

A retired educator and administrator who used F.I.R.E. principles to retire early talks about earning her CFP®, passing the exam, and working with clients. Mary Ann Sullivan 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 t…