Welcome to my blog where I like to crack wise about the 403(b). For 19 years, I wrote an on‑again, off‑again blog called Wise Cracks (see archived posts here). I tried to mix humor with the serious business of improving the 403(b) for teachers.
I plan to do the same with this column, but I plan to do it more frequently. I will do this under the more generic name "Dan's Blog." I chose this new name because it fits better on the home page. That's a joke. But what I write about, hopefully, won't be.
403(b) Audit
March 19, 2024
How industry hooks educators on high-cost plans.
Barbara O'Neill: Give Yourself a 403(b) Plan Checkup
March 12, 2024
Ten items to examine.
Contrast in Caring About Educators
March 5, 2024
Super superintendent and an industry lackey.
403bwise Remarks on Illinois Single Vendor Legislation
February 27, 2024
Legislator who was burned as an educator introduces SB2568 to improve 403(b) plan in state.
F.I.R.E or I.C.E.?
February 20, 2024
Healthy counter to F.I.R.E.?
Barbara O'Neill: 8th and 9th Inning 403(b) Strategies
February 13, 2024
It's never too late to make meaningful changes to a 403(b) plan.
403bwise Facebook Tsunami
February 6, 2024
Something is happening here.
Meta Effect of Being Non-ERISA
January 30, 2024
Lack of fiduciary protections doom educators.
Education Consortium Throws Teachers Under the Bus
January 23, 2024
Who thought it was a good idea to put a red-rated 403(b) vendor in charge of a 403(b) plan?
Barbara O'Neill: Spotlight on CalSTRS Pension 2
January 16, 2024
Closer look at this green-rated vendor
Things We Liked in 2023
January 2, 2024
Much to celebrate
Barbara O'Neill: Green+ Vendors Fidelity and Vanguard
December 12, 2023
Spotlight on low-cost leaders.
Picturing the 403(b)
December 5, 2023
A few more images come to mind.
The K-12 403(b) in One Image
November 28, 2023
Leading participants to slaughter.
Rollover Chart
November 21, 2023
Can this plan be rolled over into that plan?
Morgan Housel Does It Again
November 14, 2023
Same as ever.
Barbara O'Neill: 2024 Changes Affecting 403(b) Participants
November 7, 2023
It's not just increased contribution rates.
403(b) Trick or Treat? 🎃
October 31, 2023
What's in your 403(b) vendor bag?
NJ District Goes from C to F
October 24, 2023
School district goes backwards.
Michigan 403(b) Plan Goes From F to C
October 17, 2023
Advocacy made it happen.
Barbara O'Neill: How to Use Aspire Non-Advisor 403(b) Option
October 10, 2023
Pros and cons; step-by-step; user experience.
NJ School Throws Teachers Under the Bus
October 3, 2023
What not to do.
The Real Cost of K-12 403(b) Enrollment
September 26, 2023
Dirty little secret about K-12 403(b) enrollment: it's a loss leader which incentivizes agents to upsell.
NTSA to School Officials: You Don't Have to Do the Right Thing
September 19, 2023
Lobbying group says the quiet part out loud.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) Savings and Concurrent Financial Goals
September 12, 2023
How to set up short, intermediate and long term goals.
Will You Live to 100?
September 5, 2023
Will you have enough to sustain you in retirement?
Latest District 403(b) Plan Grade Data
August 22,2023
More than 4,500 school districts graded.
Barbara O'Neill: When to Say No to a 403(b) Plan
August 15, 2023
403(b) plan red flags and alternatives.
California: You Also Have a 403(b) Problem...
August 8, 2023
But You Also Have a Solution
Texas: You Have a 403(b) Problem
August 1, 2023
Texas-sized vendors lists hurt participants.
Student Loan Forgiveness is Alive and Well for Educators
July 25, 2023
What you need to know.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) Plans and Social Security
July 18, 2023
Sadly, many 403(b) plan participants are excluded.
403bwise Facebook Group Hits 12K
July 11, 2023
So many educators helped.
Miss403bHelpful?
June 27, 2023
The dynamic Yanely Espinal.
One Weird Trick to Give Teachers a $360,000 Bonus
June 20, 2023
At minimal cost to a school district.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) Plans and Pensions
June 13, 2023
the 3-legged stool
NTSA Spikes Ball on 457(b) Legislative "Win"
June 6, 2023
Legislators give teachers the stiff arm.
Scott Dauenhauer: NTSA Goes Cherry Picking
May 31, 2023
Teachers left with a basketful of pits.
Retirement Savings Challenge Gets Personal
May 23, 2023
My son starts first workplace savings plan.
Barbara O'Neill: Retirement Planning Tools for 403(b) Plan Participants
May 16, 2023
Keys resources.
NTSA Working to Wreck K-12 457(b) Plans
May 9, 2023
Sponsoring toxic 457(b) legislation in Illinois.
California Proposing Modest Annuity Reform (so of course the industry is freaking out)
April 25, 2023
Reaction of annuity sales agents tells you all you need to know about bill.
Barbara O'Neill: Key 403(b) Plan Resources
April 18, 2023
Where do plan participants get the information that they need? They use 403(b) plan resources.
Taylor Swift Sings About Dumping Equitable
April 11, 2023
I wake up every morning with a sinking feeling. Thinking 'bout that 403(b) I just can't seem to leave.
Happy 4.03(b) Day
April 3, 2023
How did you spend it?
Retirement Savings Simplified
March 28, 2023
Our maze of work-based retirement plans is a mess. There is a fix.
Barbara O'Neill: Managing a 403(b) Over Time
March 21, 2023
Simple steps to keep your 403(b) humming.
Why Are School Districts Still Offering Equitable 403(b) Products?
March 14, 2023
What a deal: $50 million SEC fine + high costs + surrender charges
NTSA Works Against Teachers Best Financial Interests
March 7, 2023
Concrete examples of how organization works to keep K-12 403(b) in the Dark Ages.
Does Your 403(b) Plan "Check" Out?
February 28, 2023
We've made finding the good vendor choice much easier.
NTSA and the Big Lie
February 21, 2023
Do as we say not as we do.
Barbara O'Neill: Where to Stash the Cash
February 14, 2023
Review of 403(b) plan investment products
Secure Act 3.0
February 7, 2024
Saving for retirement simplified.
K-12 403(b) Word Cloud
January 31, 2023
It's not great.
SECURE 2.0 (pt 2)
January 24, 2023
Provisions most applicable to 403(b) and educators.
SECURE 2.0 (pt. 1)
January 17, 2023
Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement or Exasperation? Provisions that are applicable to educators but not game changing.
Barbara O'Neill: Twelve 403(b) Plan New Year's Resolutions
January 10, 2023
Key steps to take to power your 403(b) in 2023.
2023 Money Moves for Educators
January 3, 2023
Three simple financial moves to consider.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) Plan Foundations — The Six Ds
December 20, 2022
The Six Ds: Defined Contribution, Decisions, Deductions, Deposits, Diversification (investment, tax, and time), and Dollar-Cost Averaging.
LAUSD Has a 403(b) Problem
December 13, 2022
Too much money going to high cost plans.
New Jersey 403(b) Bermuda Triangle
December 6, 2022
Three roadblocks to 403(b) saving in Garden State.
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle
November 29, 2022
A blueprint to build wealth over time.
Latest TDS Phishing Expedition
November 22, 2022
Tax Deferred Services blankets teacher email inboxes with deceptive message.
Tweets We Would Love to See
November 15, 2022
Fake corporate Tweets gave us some ideas.
The Financial Wisdom of Morgan Housel
November 8, 2022
Distilling what's important.
Updated District 403(b) Plan Grade Data
November 1, 2022
The song, err, data remains the same.
Boom! 403(b) Contribution Limits Are Going Up!
October 25, 2022
See how next year's limits compare to years 2000 to 2022.
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle Getting Money Out of a 403(b)
October 18, 2022
Accessing your account
New Look for 403bwise
October 11, 2022
We think home page is now more attractive and easier to navigate.
Kentucky Deferred Comp is on Your Side
October 4, 2022
Zero reason for Kentucky educators to use the 403(b).
Equitable Beats Vanguard At This One Thing
September 27, 2022
Of course it's dubious.
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle 403(b) Plans Aren't Just For Teachers
September 20, 2022
Tips for K-12 school staff and non-profit organization employees
School Districts Who Are Improving Their 403(b) Plans
September 13, 2022
And we are improving our ratings information.
School Districts That Don't Levy 403(b) Tax
September 6, 2022
126 school districts do the right thing.
NTSA Puts the Tax in the K-12 403(b)
August 30, 2022
Organization fights single vendor K-12 403(b) plans.
The K-12 403(b) Tax
August 23
Costs educators thousands of dollars.
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle FINDing Financial Independence
August 16, 2022
Step-by-step guide.
"Fine" 403(b) Companies
August 9, 2022
403(b) providers who have been forced to pay a fine for nefarious business practices.
Educators to Equitable: Drop Dead!
August 2, 2022
How can school districts justify keeping this company?
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle 403(b)s, 457(b)s, 401(k)s, IRAs, and More
July 26, 2022
Where to invest.
New Jersey's Bad 403(b) Bill
July 19, 2022
Locks in high-fee vendors; prevents single vendor.
LAUSD Teacher on F.I.R.E.
July 12, 2022
Educator trades classroom for ski slopes.
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) LifecycleGuest Blog: Who Wants to Be a 403(b) Millionaire?
June 28, 2022
Steps to take.
AXA/Equitable is Who We Thought They Were
June 21, 2022
Interview with former employee confirms fears.
Barbara O'Neill: Fifteen 403(b) Plan Errors
June 14, 2022
And how to avoid them
National Life Group Hypocrisy
June 7, 2022
Vanguard for us. Garbage for you.
403(b) Honor Roll
May 31, 2022
Wisconsin leads the way with more than 60 A-rated plans.
2021 California Teacher Retirement Pension Payout Data
May 24, 2022
12,785 teachers retired in 2021. What was their annual pension payout?
Barbara O'Neill: The 403(b) Lifecycle Catch Up Strategies for Late 403(b) Plan Savers
May 17, 2022
There is still time and options.
Equitable Says It Appreciates Teachers
May 10, 2022
It sure has a funny — and costly — way of showing it.
Single Vendor Plans Can Stink
May 3, 2022
This one sure does.
403(b) Plan Goes from F to a C
April 26, 2022
It's so easy to do.
Power of AARP
April 19, 2022
Organization has reach.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) and Income Taxes
April 12, 2022
Tax impact of 403(b) plans.
The 403(b) Can Be Fixed
April 6, 2022
Here's how others have done it.
Great 8 ? + Big Fat F
March 29, 2022
In a state with much to cheer, one Indiana 403(b) plan goes from D to F.
The K-12 403(b): It's Brutal Out Here
March 23, 2022
The K-12 403(b) might be worse than adolescence.
403(b) Agents Dish on How They Hook Teachers
March 15, 2022
The most expensive Starbucks coffee ever.
New Pod Series: Learned by Being Burned
March 8, 2022
Teachers share how they were sold high-cost 403(b) products and how they are fighting back.
Barbara O'Neill: The Importance of Asset Allocation
March 1, 2022
How to achieve it in 6 steps.
Balance
February 22, 2022
How to Invest and spend for happiness, health and wealth.
5 Steps Educators Need to Take to Ensure a Successful Retirement
February 15, 2022
Important checklist.
California School Districts Can Go Single Vendor
February 8, 2022
1982 lawsuit paved the way.
Is a Health Savings Account Right for You
February 1, 2022
Pros and cons.
I Want My NEA Direct Invest
January 25, 2022
Here's how to get it.
Plan Rating Project Update
January 18, 2022
School districts are failing their employees.
Barbara O'Neill: 403(b) Plans and Age 72
January 11, 2022
ABCs of RMDs and RBDs.
Most Read Stories of 2021
December 28, 2021
People really want out of bad 403(b) plans.
Green Light for Single Vendor 403(b) Plans In California
December 21, 2021
UC and Cal State systems show the way.
California Dreaming (of Better 403(b) Plans)
December 14, 2021
Arcane state legislation is to blame for bloated K-14 403(b) vendor lists.
Chicago Public Schools Goes Single Vendor
December 7, 2021
Excellent pricing achieved.
Barbara O'Neill: Death and Your 403(b)
November 30, 2021
You can't take it with you.
Did AIG Just Endorse Single Vendor K-12 403(b) Plans
November 16, 2021
Are those pigs in the sky?
One Thousand More Reasons to Contribute to a 403(b)/457(b)
November 9, 2022
2022 contribution limits rise.
Florida District 403(b): A Closer Look
November 2 2021
Does Broward deserve an F?
Barbara O'Neill: Million Dollar 403(b) Mistake
October 26, 2021
What could have been.
Bad K-12 403(b) Vendor Lists
October 19, 2021
C's, D's and F's
403bwise K-12 403(b) Plan Rating Project
October 12, 2021
Is your district on the list? If so, does it make the grade?
What's Cooking at 403bwise?
September 28, 2021
It's gonna get hot.
5000 Strong
September 21, 2021
Nobody comes here anymore, it's too crowded.
403bwise Teacher Lounge Makeover
September 14, 2021
Real education.
Florida District Prioritizes Furniture Over Teacher Retirement Plans
September 7, 2021
Not an Onion story.
CalSTRS Pension Data
May 1, 2023
Snapshot of retiree pension payout.
Principal Who Cares About His Staff’s Financial Future
August 17, 2021
Staff gets wise to saving for retirement.
Dear New Teachers
July 27, 2021
A few words I wish I had heard all those years ago.
Thank You, Ron Lieber
July 20, 2021
Difference maker.
NGPF-403bwise Collaboration
July 13, 2022
Two great financial literacy initiatives.
California Teacher Retiree Data
June 22, 2021
Includes average age, years of service, and monthly benefit information.
How to Make Money in the U.S. Stock Market
June 15, 2021
It's shockingly simple.
Aspire Makes Sense
June 8, 2021
Aspire Financial Services: A 403(b)/457(b) Solution
Thrown to the 403(b) Wolves
May 25, 2021
Some school districts make employees meet with high-cost 403(b) sales agents.
The Wisdom of Michelle Singletary
May 18, 2021
Money. Kids. Teachers. Financial crisis.
457(b): Savings Plan Unicorn?
May 11, 2021
It's real. I have seen it. I have used it.
Save What?!
April 27, 2021
How much should teachers save for retirement?
Four Who Have Retired
April 13, 2021
Two teachers, a custodian and former account executive share their story.
Updated How to Get Out of a Bad 403(b) Plan
April 8, 2021
Teacher driven improvement.
The Power of State Based 457b and 403b Plans ?
March 24, 2021
When assets are huge costs are low.
Lights, Camera, Kids?
March 9, 2021
New 457(b) video is a family affair.
Women & Personal Finance
March 2, 2021
Honest conversations.
More (403(b) Vendors) Is Less
February 23, 2021
California school district 403(b) vendor lists are huge.
Amazing Women
February 16, 2021
Lucky to know these four.
Mutating 403(b) Phish
February 9, 2021
It's getting worse.
Speech & Retire Rich
February 2, 2021
SLPs are getting financially wise.
All the Small Things
January 26, 2021
Small financial moves can have a big impact.
403(b) Sales Shark Repellent
January 19, 2021
Saving pre-service teachers from the sales sharks.
Teachers Teaching Teachers...
January 12, 2021
About how to save for retirement.
Getting Better 403(b) Choices
January 5, 2021
Three teachers share how they did it.
Book Club of One
December 22, 2020
Books I read in 2020.
$65,000 Question
December 15, 2020
Does this add up?
Arrested Development
December 8 2020
Owner of major 403(b)/457(b) compliance firm booked.
How to Use 403bcompare.com
December 1, 2020
Fee transparency (if you know where to look).
403bwise On-Demand Events
November 24, 2020
Get wise anytime anywhere.
How to Get Out of AXA/Equitable
A crowd-sourced resource.
403bwise Will Come to You
November 10, 2020
Customized events to help colleagues get 403(b) and 457(b) wise!
Pittsburgh 403(b) No Longer the Pits
November 3, 2020
Teacher-advocate made it happen.
Welcome to the Hotel AXA/Equitable
October 27, 2020
It's not such a lovely place.
403(b) "How It Started. How It Ended" Stories
October 20, 2020
Happy endings.
Teachers Helping Teachers
October 13, 2020
The 403bwise Facebook flywheel.
457 Heaven
October 6, 2020
457(b) > 403(b)? Maybe.
Making 403(b) Lemonade
September 29, 2020
403bwise community answers the call.
403(b) Lemon Challenge
September 22, 2020
Is there a California school district without at least one low-cost 403(b) vendor?
Dear Employer...
September 15, 2020
Here is why we need better 403(b) vendor options.
Got Vanguard? How about Aspire? Quickly find out.
New 403bwise resource.
Gone Phishing
September 1, 2020
We caught some whoppers.
What’s That Phishy Smell in Your Inbox?
August 18, 2020
You've got deceptive email.
Back-to-School Saving for Retirement Checklist for Teachers
August 11, 2020 (updated 8.28.23)
10 must checks.
AIG Settlement Shows K-12 403(b) Not A-okay
August 2, 2020
What don't we know?
K-12 403(b) Fees are Bigger in Texas
July 27, 2020
No masking the problem.
Hamilton Sings About the 403(b)
July 21, 2020
How does a bastard, orphan, grandfather to the 401(k)...
The Wealthy Custodian
July 14, 2020
Healthy, wealthy and wise.
403(b)ill of Rights
July 4, 2021
We the people of the K-12 403(b) plan...
CITs in the 403(b)?
June 23, 2020
Music to 403(b) participant ears?
Year One
June 16, 2020
We have been busy.
403bwise Palooza
Events? We got 'em.
Minneapolis and What We Teach
June 2, 2020
Time for truth.
When Bad 403(b) Vendors Offer Good Investing Choices
May 26, 2020
Sheep in wolf's clothing.
Pennsylvania 403(b) Unicorn
May 18, 2020
Should be a herd.
Hey Pennsylvania K-12 Teachers: The Insurance Industry Just Made Your 403(b) Plans Worse
June 5, 2019
Act 5 hurts teachers.
Aspire to be in the 403(b) Vanguard
May 12, 2020
Learn how to get better 403(b) vendor choices.
K-12 Benefits Officials Fail This Test
May 5, 2020
It should be easy.
403(b) Zoom Boom
April 27, 2020
We are teaching up a storm.
Crisis Mandates School Districts Fix 403(b) Now
April 21, 2020
Low hanging fruit as teacher furloughs and layoffs loom.
403(b) Escape Hatch?
April 14, 2020
Thanks to CARES Act 403(b) help may be on the way.
In Praise of Teachers
April 7, 2020
Quarantine reveals what many teachers alway knew.
403bwise Turns 20
March 31, 2020
An amazing journey.
Teachable Moment
March 24, 2020
So that just happened.
Historical Perspective
March 17, 2020
A look back.
The Annuity Letter (Annotated)
March 10, 2020
A fiduciary advisor responds to an annuity huckster.
Annuity Huckster Outbreak
March 4, 2020
No crisis off limits for some.
Model 403(b) Education
February 26, 2020
Forty teachers get wise to the 403(b).
Keeping it
February 20, 2020
100 podcasts strong.
The Most Important Class
February 12, 2020
Sadly, most will never take.
700 Club
February 5, 2020
403bwise Facebook group is exploding (in a good way).
When They Go Low
January 29, 2020
We enlist our creative friends.
Banned by the NTSA
January 24, 2020
Truth tellers not welcome.
Lights, Camera, Advocacy Action!
January 22, 2020
403(b) explainer and advocacy video.
Headline I Want to See: Is the Vanguard 403(b) getting too big to be healthy for the financial system?
January 17, 2020
That will be the day!
Power of 403(b) Group Contracts
January 15, 2020
It's simple economics.
The Wall Street Journal Impeaches the NEA
January 7, 2020
Teachers should too.
How the TPA Grinch Stole the 403(b)
December 25, 2019
And the Grinch put his hand to his ear...
Big Hurray for UTLA!
December 10, 2019
A union that gets importance of helping teachers.
What a Thanksgiving Game!
December 3, 2019
Roll, baby, roll!
Quid Pro Quo, Dano? Why Would Dan Flynn Gut 403(b) Cost Caps?
November 19, 2019
We have questions.
Thanks to Dan Flynn, Texas Teachers Can't Win
November 12, 2019
More nonsense than you can shake a stick at.
School Districts: You Got the 403(b) Power
November 6, 2019
Take 403(b) control from vendors.
403(b) Gaslighting 101
October 29, 2019
Fees don't matter. Single vendor plans reduce participation.
For What It's Worth 2019
There's something happening here.
An Even Fishier Smell in the Teachers' Lounge
October 15, 2019
ValuTeachers hires ex-teachers to sell high cost 403(b)s.
Dodgers Are Part of the K-12 403(b) Problem
October 9, 2019
Baseball, hot dogs, and high cost annuities.
Why K-12 403(b) Plans Stink
October 2, 2019
It starts with ERISA.
DC Travel Blog: Adventures in 403(b) Advocacy
September 17-20, 2019
Dan and Scott go to Washington DC
The NTSA Released a 403(b) Plan Enhancement Guide
September 11, 2019
It is as conflicted as you would expect
K-12 403(b) Isn’t Just for Teachers
September 5, 2019
Don't forget school support personnel.
There is Still a Fishy Smell in the Teachers' Lounge
August 20, 2019
Beware the free lunch.
California K-12 Teachers Have Great 403(b) Choices.
They Just Don't Know It.
August 14, 2019
Vendor lists are long but there is at least one diamond in the rough
Blowing Smoke: More Weak K-12 403(b) Multi-Vendor Arguments
August 6, 2019
Industry defends broken K-12 403(b) system.
More Adventures in Bad K-12 403(b) Policy as Texas Tells Pennsylvania: “Hold My Beer.”
July 29, 2019
Texas strips away 403(b) protections
Big News at 403bwise
July 4, 2019
Welcome to the redesigned 403bwise. And it’s not just our look that has been updated.