To mark our 100th podcast, we look back at our very first episode. We also hear from 10 teachers and 1 custodian who share their 403(b) "aha" moment. All Podcast Episodes What is a 403(b)? video Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We talk Roth IRA which for many young teachers may be a superior choice than the 403(b). 457(b), 401(a) and Roth IRA Loose Chaos Stickers What is a 403(b)? video Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Justin, a Baltimore city math teacher saves more than 75 percent of his income. He discusses teaching, his financial journey, the "happy meter," and his top teacher savings hacks.  What is a 403(b)? video Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Recording of our 2020 Wise Money Moves video conference with CFPs Scott Dauenhauer and Breanna Reish, two fiduciary planners with a deep knowledge of the financial issues facing teachers. What is a 403(b)? video Wealth of Confidence Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

When the NTSA goes low. We write a song, and then enlist our creative friends.    What is a 403(b)? video Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Scott and Dan were all set to attend the National Tax-Deferred Savings Association's conference in Denver this weekend and then Scott got an email.  Also, 403bwise.org releases a What is a 403(b)? video Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Scott thinks a new 457(b) rule could make that plan a better choice than the 403(b).    Pod #63: The 457(b) Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Today’s guest, Rob Phelan, who we are jokingly dubbing Rob FI-elan, is the kind of teacher you wish you had or that your kids had. Not only does he teach them personal finance concepts, he teaches them how to start their own business. He is also part of the FI or Financial Independence movement which means he has several side hustles.   The Simple Startup Rob’s Teachers Pay Teachers page Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Teacher Chris Nye, who we are dubbing the "403(b) Guy" is remarkable. Not only has he gotten better vendor choices for his district, he has helped countless teachers via educational workshops and one-on-one meetings.  06:00 AXA guy cometh 07:02 Need 25 colleagues interested to add T. Rowe Price 08:27 Educating colleagues 11:06 Helping colleagues get out of bad choices 11:56 Colleague inspired to add Vanguard 13:35 How to become a 403(b) advocate 17:40 Importance of investing costs 22:20 Threats from salespeople? 24:04 Speaks to all new employees 27:25 Will soon speak to all employees 29:06 A true passion 29:29 Teaching personal finance 32:08 What’s next? Jackson School District New Jersey Education Association 403bwise.org Advocacy Tools and Resources Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

In this last pod of the year we answer some reader questions, give a preview of some 2020 403bwise initiatives and Dan reads a poem called: How the TPA Grinch Stole the 403(b). 00:34 Jibberish including discussion of Star Wars and German soldiers on crystal meth 04:35 403bwise Facebook Group killing it 07:09 Dan gets and misses a Facebook Inquiry from a TV Reporter 08:15 Dan Flynn has a word generator 09:46 Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA (pre-tax vs. Roth) 18:11 Special Medicare Tax 20:44 403(b) and 457(b) 2020 contribution limits 26:20 403bwise 2020 initiatives  30:34 How the TPA Grinch Stole the 403(b) Hidden Payments and Costly Plans Dent Teachers’ Retirement Savings Texas Teachers Told to Take Closer Look at 403(b) Retirement Plans as New Law Takes Effect How the TPA Grinch Stole the 403(b)

In what we are jokingly calling an emergency pod, we discuss the just released article Teachers Pay High Fees for Retirement Funds. Unions Are Partly to Blame. by Anne Tergensen and Gretchen Morgenson of The Wall Street Journal. This is the union-focused 403(b) article we have been long hoping for.  Teachers Pay High Fees for Retirement Funds. Unions Are Partly to Blame. Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

Part two of our interview with Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, a medical doctor who became a certified financial planner. We touched on a cross section of healthcare and planning topics: 00:23 Which Senator killed the public option? 01:48 Importance of the public option 02:10 Elisabeth Rosenthal book How Health Care Became Big Business and How You Can Take It Back 04:25 Ideas for fixing healthcare 5:16 Origin of “ObamaCare” 06:11 Ted Kennedy and healthcare 06:35 Nixon had a good healthcare plan 08:24 The craziness of employer based healthcare 09:56 Is Long-Term Care Insurance worth it? 11:44 The Big Four of Aging 15:44: "Primary Care for All!" 19:58 Aging parents and healthcare Time to Expand Community Health Carolyn McClanahan, MD, CFP® Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org

We talk to Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, a medical doctor who became a certified financial planner. She discusses the intersection of health and personal finance and her firm's unique approach to planning: focusing on the here and now.     Carolyn McClanahan, MD, CFP® Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 403bwise.org Facebook Group

In part two of a two-part series on working with planners, Dan interviews fiduciary advisors Scott Dauenhauer CFP® and Breanna Reish CFP® about how a planner can help a teacher approaching retirement. We also discuss planner compensation. Breanna Reish, CFP®  Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 403bwise.org Facebook Group

Dan interviews fiduciary planners Scott Dauenhauer CFP® and Breanna Reish CFP® about how a planner can help teachers. In part one we look at helping the new teacher, and helping the mid-career teacher.  Breanna Reish, CFP®  Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org 403bwise.org Facebook Group

Topics include: Dan's trip to Buffalo to talk 403(b) with Williamsville, NY teachers, 2020 403(b) contribution limits, and how Horace is not the 403(b) Mann.    Buffalo, NY Grain Elevators Buffalo Riverworks Brewery + Hockey 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Facebook Group

We talk new 403(b) articles from The Wall Street Journal and The Dallas Morning News. We also discuss AXA gaslighting.   Hurting Texas teachers to help pad insurance company pockets Bill declares open season on Texas teachers’ retirement funds SEC Probes AIG Unit on Retirement Products for Teachers   403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Facebook Group

We talk Buffalo Springfield 2019 moment and Florida’s misnamed Model 403(b) Plan. For What It’s Worth 2019 Florida Model 403(b) Plan Thrift Savings Plan 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Facebook Group  

We talk about our newest blog post — An Even Fishier Smell in the Teacher's Lounge — growth of the 403bwise.org Facebook Group, the video of our appearance on the Motley Fool Answers podcast and our participation in an S.E.C. 403(b) event.    An Even Fishier Smell in the Teacher's Lounge RISE 2.0 of California Motley Fool Answers with Dan and Scott Next Gen Personal Finance 

Scott and Dan talk with one of the smartest financial minds: Cullen Roche who runs the Orcam Financial Group. Scott and Cullen talk money, finance, and economics while Dan takes notes!   pragcap.com Orcam Financial Group 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Facebook Group

Jackie Cummings Koski, author of Money Letters 2 My Daughter, a book of financial wisdom written for her then high school aged daughter. Jackie will soon retire from a corporate job to focus on her passion: spreading financial literacy. We talk about her book, how she achieved F.I.R.E. (Financially Independent Retire Early), and her future plans around teaching personal finance.   Resources: Money Letters 2 My Daughter 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bwise.org Facebook Group

Scott goes deep on how to access a 403(b)... 02:00 Accessing after age 59.5 09:54 Accessing before age 59.5 but after age 55 15:18 Accessing before age 50 a.k.a. S.E.P.P. a.k.a. 72(t) withdrawal 19:20 Borrowing from a 403(b) 26:03 Disability 27:43 Divorce 33:40 Death Resources:Accessing a 403(b) 457(b) Information The 457(b) Plan Podcast Working with a Financial Professional 403bwise.org Facebook Group  

We talk to coach and longtime F04 (Friend of 403bwise) Chad Stoner who, along with his teacher-baker wife, Stacey, is building an impressive retirement portfolio.    Resources Stacey @TheCookieMonger Episode 19 – The College Solution (pt. 1) Episode 20 – The College Solution (pt. 2) Episode 27 – Dan’s Daughter Chooses a College 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management

Scott and Dan interview District of Columbia teacher turned 403(b) advocate turned advisor Andrew Katz-Moses who wrote an article that details how the financial service industry preys on new District of Columbia Public School employees. They also discuss Scott and Dan's upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. Katz-Moses Financial DCPS retirement plans are costing educators millions. We can fix it 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management  

Scott and Dan discuss strategies the insurance industry uses to hook teachers on their high fee products. There is Still a Fishy Smell in the Teachers' Lounge AXA "Advisors" had a seat at the table at the San Francisco Unified School District New Teacher Orientation. 403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management

We catch up with super saver Jeff York, a school custodian who we interviewed in episode 53, which has been our most listened to pod to date. Jeff shares what he has been up to, how he helps colleagues, and he gives us a glimpse of his future plans.   403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bcompare.com

We talk to Jocelyn, a Bay Area California 4th grade teacher who suspected something wasn't quite right with her 403(b) plan.    403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management 403bcompare.com

Dan talks to Massachusetts high school teacher Adam Cole about transition from teaching math to teaching personal finance. They also discuss Adam's efforts to help his colleagues better understand the 403(b).   403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Next Gen Personal Finance   

Dan and Scott share big changes at 403bwise. We discuss how it happened and what it means for the K-12 403(b) advocacy movement.  403bwise.org Meridian Wealth Management Next Gen Personal Finance

Dan picks up his conversation with Long Island, N.Y. teacher Nancy Bachety who drops some big news.  Next Gen Personal Finance 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management

Dan talks teaching, teaching personal finance, and 403(b) advocacy with one of our favorites: Nancy Bachety.  HEARTH electronic collection of books and journals in Home Economics and related disciplines at Cornell University Next Gen Personal Finance 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management

With Scott out of the country, Dan is joined by fiduciary planner, Breanna Reish, CFP®, as they interview a Pittsburgh middle school science teacher who is trying to get better vendor choices.    Act V: New Pennsylvania Law Requires 4 403(b) Vendors Wealth of Confidence Late Bloomer Millionaire 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management

Scott, Dan and longtime 403(b) advocate Steve Schullo meet up in Riverside, California to talk 403(b) with fiduciary planner, Breanna Reish, CFP®, and a member of the 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory.     Wealth of Confidence Late Bloomer Millionaire 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management  

An AXA rep comes calling at Scott's wife's school and claims to be a fiduciary. The CFP® Board is making changes to the Fiduciary Standard. Dan talks Liverpool FC (only briefly) and about his visit to Olney Charter High School in Philadelphia to talk saving for retirement with teachers. Finally, another 403(b) story appears in a major publication.     403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Reps and the CFP® Designation The Annuity Trap That Teachers Need to Avoid

We talk Dan's presentation at recent retirement plan workshop for Los Angeles Unified School District teachers put on by United Teachers Los Angeles.    403(b)wise   Meridian Wealth Management Next Gen Personal Finance The 457(b) Plan (#63) 403bcompare.com (#52)

We talk to Mychal Eagleson, CFP®, AIF®, ChSNC® owner of An Exceptional Life Financial and a member of the 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory.    An Exceptional Life Financial 403(b)wise 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory 457(b) Information 457(b) Information from the IRS Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

We talk 457(b) plan. What is it? How does it work? How is different than a 403(b)? Is it better than the 403(b)?   403(b)wise 457(b) Information 457(b) Information from the IRS Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

We talk increased 403(b) contribution limits, our visit to the New York Times, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) involvement in the 403(b), and a not-so-golden 403(b) product.    403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

We speak with Daniel Alexander, CEO and Managing Director of Principal Review, a firm taking on the conflict of interest service and sales structures that exist within group sponsored retirement plans (ERISA and Non-ERISA including the 403(b) plan). Principal Review’s services include a Conflict of Interest Audit that identifies conflicted structures that serve to undermine the health of the plan and its participating employees. The firm then provides solutions to remedy the conflict.  https://www.principalreview.com/ retireaware.com (company blog) [email protected] 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Adam, a 27-year-old counselor from New Haven, Connecticut, was sold an AXA 403(b) five years ago. After reading The New York Times series on the 403(b), including Think Your 403(b) Plan is Bad? Talk to a Teacher, he started doing homework about his plan. He soon realized he was trapped in a high-fee plan. He reached out to us to see what can be done.     Connecticut Bill Would Force Fee Disclosures for Teacher Retirement Plans The 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Delia Fernandez, MBA and CFP®, is founder and president of Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC, an independent, fee-only financial planning and registered investment advisory firm in Los Alamitos, California, which she opened in 1994. She helps individuals and small business owners plan and invest for their future. She describes herself as the "Kind of advisor she would like to use."  Delia is a frequent speaker to employee groups and is often quoted in publications such as the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. She also is an instructor in the financial planning program at the University of California, Irvine’s Department of Continuing Education. Delia Fernandez The 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Our guest is Ryan Frailich, a fee-only planner from New Orleans and a former teacher, who was recently profiled in a March 16, 2018 New York Times story called Teachers and Annuities: A Questionable Match and Hard Products to Shed. Ryan who operates Deliberate Finances, recently passed the CFP® exam and is now working on completing his 6,000 planning hours. He’s also a future member of the 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory.     403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

We discuss the launch of The 403(b)wise Fiduciary Advisor Directory.   The 403(b)wise Advisor Fiduciary Directory  403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Pod with advisor Dave Grant (#12) Pod with advisor Inga Chira (#31) Pod with advisor Tony Isola (#36) Moreland & Arbuckle    

Wait, the market goes down? Dan and Scott talk fluctuation, flu and media market fever.     A Wealth of Common Sense 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Scott and Dan discuss increased 403(b) and 457(b) contributions, the raging bull market, and the Buffalo Bills finally making it back to the playoffs.  403(b) Contribution Limits 457(b) Contribution Limits 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

On October 21, 2017 a pretty damaging New York Times article came out about a company — TIAA or TIAA CREF — that we have long admired. We discuss.  The Finger-Pointing at the Finance Firm TIAA 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Jeff bought three annuities in the late 90s because he wanted to diversify. Then he got wise. Jeff, a public school custodian, shares his remarkable story of extreme saving.  403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle

Wouldn’t it be great to know how much the investments in your 403(b) cost? Wouldn’t it be great to know if there were surrender charges and how long they last? Such a resource exists and it’s called 403bcompare.com We talk 403bcompare with Mike Wilson one of the architects of the site’s redesign.   403bcompare 403(b)wise Meridian Wealth Management Moreland & Arbuckle