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The K-12 403(b) is broken.
Together we can fix it.
Advocacy

Advocacy Toolkit

Example image from the 403bwise slideshow Example image from the 403bwise slideshow

Change is possible. Teachers and school employees can and have driven meaningful change. We created an entire podcast series Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b) which documents how educators drove change.

Please find below tools you can use to advocate for better 403(b) choices. The first resource is an editable Google Slides presentation that is a comprehensive look at the retirement plans available to teachers. It can be used to help educate colleagues about investing. It can also be used to educate your employer about the need to offer quality 403(b) and 457(b) investment choices. Next is a section of key 403(b) issues explained in 3 slides. Below that are short videos, must-read articles, a 403(b) savings calculator, a teacher-created education and advocacy presentation, and a story about how one New York teacher helps educate colleagues. We will continue to build out this toolbox. 

Featured Slide Deck (Google Slides)

3-Slide Explainers (Google Slides)

Podcast series: "Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b)"

  • Teachers describe in this compelling 5-part series how they have been taken advantage of in their 403(b). It's a must-share with colleagues, benefits officials, administrators and school board members
  • Available on all major podcast outlets and at 403bwise.org/burned
  • Please subscribe, listen, rate and share

Vendors Offering Low-Cost Investments

  • Aspire Financial Services (non advisor)
  • CalSTRS Pension2 (only in California)
  • Fidelity Investments
  • MissionSquare (formerly ICMA-RC)
  • T. Rowe Price
  • Vanguard
  • WEA Member Benefits

Note: In certain situations Lincoln Investments, PlanMember and Security Benefit can offer decent choices. Read: When Bad Vendors Offer Good Investment Choices

Does Your District Offer Equitable Financial?

  • If so share with them the news that the SEC fined this company $50 million dollars 
  • Link to SEC announcement

403bcompare.com: Resource for finding investment costs

Created by the state of California to foster fee transparency, this database can be an excellent tool if you know where to look for all of the fees. Here's a short video and a short story on how to use 403bcompare.com 

403(b) Fee Calculator

Form Letter to Use with School Officials (Google Document)

Videos

Must-Read 403(b) Articles

Charts

Teacher Created Presentations

A New York School District Does 403(b) Education Right

Learn how 40 newish teachers got wise to the 403(b).

Advocates Wanted

We are looking for teachers who would like to participate as 403bwise Super Advocates. If you would like more information, let us know by sending us a message from our Contact page.

Related Podcast:

Fight for Better 403(b) Super Advocate teacher Chris Nye educates colleagues and has helped get T. Rowe Price and Vanguard on vendor list. Listen Now »

Related Podcast:

Saying No to No Undaunted by roadblocks, a 30-year-old Speech Language Pathologist adds a better 403(b) vendor to her employer's offerings. Listen Now »

Related Podcast:

Fire in the Belly New Jersey teacher says no to bad 403(b) choices and yes to educating colleagues about saving for retirement. Listen Now »