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Scott and Dan share their new resource and the reasoning behind it.  457bwiser.org 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®).

Scott and Dan discuss the proposed AXA/Equitable and Corebridge merger and what it could mean for participants.   Three ways the Corebridge/Equitable merger could shake up the annuity market 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®).

403(b) super advocates Steve Schullo, Karl Fisch, and Scott Dauenhauer have been driving electric vehicles for years. They share their experiences and offer tips for those considering EVs.  Karl's EV data Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here 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 dig into how to move money to a better employer vendor. In the 403(b) world this is called an "exchange." In the 457(b) world this is called a "transfer."  How to intiate an exchange/transfer from one employer vendor to another Determine compliance administrator Determine if exchanges/transfers are permitted (almost always are) Determine what new vendors are available (see 403bwise rating system) Contact current vendor and ask for paperwork for an "exchange-out" "or "transfer out" Open account with new vendor Ask new vendor if exchange/transfer paperwork is needed  Check if compliance administrator requires paperwork Follow all instructions carefully. Exited vendor often unhelpful. Stay on top of process. Support for exchange/transfer process: The 403bwise Facebook Group Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here 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®).

Employers can contribute to a 457(b) but their additions count against the contribution limit. We discuss a workaround: adding a 401(a) plan, which surely Fonzie would give two thumbs up. What Are 401(a) Plans? Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info  here 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®).

With an assist from the Wealthy Custodian, a California fin lit teacher teaches and learns key fin lit concepts.  Next Gen Personal Finance The Wealthy Custodian 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®).

The Ohio 457(b) is superb. Why did the Ohio ASBO create a low-quality 457(b) to compete with the great Ohio state plan? Doh! ASBO (Substack write up with charts) The Excellent Ohio 457(b) Plan (pod) Pablo Torre Finds Out 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®).

Technology teacher Daniel Picard describes how his small district explored starting a 403(b) but found the state-run MaineStart 457(b) a far superior choice.  MaineStart 457(b) 403bwise MaineStart Grade 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®).

Former teacher Danny Kofke and fiduciary Eric Hansen are principals in the Southern Education Retirement Consortium, an investment collective that serves the K-12 market. They discuss the consortium model which allows small to medium-size schools to band together to get favorable 403(b) pricing and services.  Souther Education Retirement Consortium (SERC) 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®).

Section 125 plans are a great way to save money for health care, dependent care, dental care and disability insurance on a pre-tax basis. American Fidelity, which sells high-cost 403(b) products, runs many of these plans for school districts. In many cases educators must meet with an AF rep in order to get the pre-tax benefit. During these meetings AF sales reps try to sell a blizzard of services. We discuss what employees and employers should do. 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®).

Many teachers are offered a subsidized Medicare plan from their school district when they retire. They are told this is a great benefit that they have contributed to their whole career. Sounds great, right? Most don't realize that what they are being offered is not traditional Medicare. It is a more restrictive form of healthcare called Medicare Advantage. They also don't realize  that the choice they make at 65 can affect their healthcare options for the rest of their lives. As they get older and require more healthcare, they may not be able to switch to original Medicare. We speak with a woman who describes the ordeal she went through to escape Medicare "Advantage."  What I Learned Trying to Leave an Employer-Sponsored Medicare Advantage Plan Dirty Little Secrets of Medicare - YouTube video 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®).

Jeremy Schneider, a founder of Nectarine, an innovative advice-only service that provides access to a fiduciary advisor on an hourly basis, explains what a "deadbox" is and why you might want one.  Nectarine Personal Finance Club IG Account 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®).

Ken Ford of Ford Wealth Management, who we first interviewed in 2015, shares why he is done with the K-12 403(b) market.  Ford Wealth Management 2015 Pod with Ken  The 7Twelve Portfolio 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 catch up with Jeremy Schneider, a founder of Nectarine, an innovative advice-only service that provides access to a fiduciary advisor on an hourly basis. He updates us on the growth and the new services being offered.    Nectarine March 2024 Pod with Jeremy 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®).

What is it? How to use it to change contribution amount. We also talk new 2026 contribution limits.  403(b) Basics 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®).