In the wake of the SEC's settlement with Equitable Financial we are getting a lot of inquiries about how to find the right kind of financial advice.
Fifty million more reasons to hate Equitable Financial after the Securities and Exchange Commission fined the firm $50 million for "materially misleading statements and omissions concerning investor fees."
We discuss settlement and ask the question: Why would any school district continue to let this firm sell financial products to its employees?
Student loan expert (and former teacher) David Gourley discussed a time-sensitive student loan provision that could save borrowers thousands of dollars.
Prior to event he asked for volunteers to share their loan data sets. He analyzed three submissions. During the event he announced that these three educators would save $14,000, $23,000, and $50,000 respectively.
David also answered lots of student loan questions.
Educators in several states have access to a 401(k). We discuss the similarities and differences between the 403(b) and 401(k), and we ask the question: Should all educators have access to a 401(k)?
In language eerily similar to Pennsylvania's Act 5, which prevents school districts from going single vendor, proposed New Jersey legislation would require large school districts to have at least three 403(b) vendors.
We speak with “Izzy” Tannenbaum, partner at Withum, a tax advisory and public accounting firm. Izzy supports the intent of the bill but acknowledges it contains flaws.
Sponsors of Bill A1974
Resources
Recently retired 49-year old LAUSD veteran talks teaching, saving for an early retirement, and what's next.
Security Benefit releases dubious "study" that to the surprise of no one supports its sales-agent based approach.
Vendors like AXA/Equitable and National Life Group sell high-cost products to educators but make excellent low-cost retirement plans available to their employees. We look at these firm's 401(k) plans.
Part 2 of interview with former AXA/Equitable vice president for business development. Topics covered include: firm's feelings toward 403bwise.org; company name change; importance of ASBO; key markets; where firm will be in 10 years.
Former AXA/Equitable vice president for business development dishes on firm that dominates the K-12 403(b) market in terms of market share and participant anger (part 1 of 2).
Former teacher teaches executive function techniques to middle school, high school and college students.
Student loan experts David Gourley and Mychal Eagleson, CFP® discuss a time-sensitive student loan provision that could save borrowers thousands of dollars.
At what price point does it make sense to invest in a taxable brokerage account over a pre-tax 403(b)?
Terry Slack is a Superintendent (known as District Administrator in Wisconsin) who gets the importance of offering a low-cost 403(b). His district's A-rated single vendor plan has a 75% participation rate. We talk with Terry about why and how he prioritizes employee wellness.
The market is off close to 13% year-to-date. We discuss why this might not be such a bad thing.
iBonds are paying eye-popping rates. We discuss.
We profile teacher Barb Besal who narrated Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b), and veteran journalist Steve Buel who researched, reported and wrote the series.
Teacher and member of state task force on financial literacy, Michele Bentivegna, talks teaching financial literacy.
Retirement plan bill that passed the House on a 414-5 vote and is expected to be signed into law brings significant changes to retirement plans. We discuss.
Scott's out this week, but Dan has two important announcements.
We share our ratings for 3,041 school district 403(b) plans. We read the names of the school districts who earned a B or an A.
We speak with Morningstar's director of personal finance, co-host of The Long View podcast, and author of 30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances, and the book Morningstar Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success.
One of our least favorite companies looks to be in some hot water with the SEC.
Learned by Being Burned: Teachers and the K-12 403(b). The short series that explores the dysfunctional world of supplemental retirement plans, the maddening industry behind them, and the growing movement to fix what is broken.
We share big news that has been two years in the making.