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.
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.
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.
In a bit of a surprise, Vanguard announced they will no longer be the record keeper of their small market 403(b) plans (less than $20 million). The firm also rolled out plan fee changes.
How The New Vanguard 403(b)7 Helps and Hurts
We interview Doug Lynam, director of Educator Retirement Services for Long View Asset Management. Doug was featured in a June 9, 2017 NY Times piece by one of our favorite writers Ron Lieber. Story was titled The Monk Who Left the Monastery to Fix Broken Retirement Plans.
The Monk Who Left the Monastery to Fix Broken Retirement Plans
An AXA 403(b) was not music to the ears of Elementary music teacher and his teacher wife. They have successfully moved to a lower cost option.
Scott helps Dan and his wife consolidate their many retirement savings plans from past and present employers.
Dan interviews a New Jersey teacher and his wife who are getting their financial lives in order. They discuss tackling debt, sharing money management duties, working multiple jobs, and, of course, being stuck with a bad 403(b).
David Martin, Vice President, Client Analytics and Research, Fidelity Investments, discusses the 2017 Higher Education Faculty Study.
Key takeaways:
Retirement Readiness Survey for Higher Education Professionals
Micah Hauptman is the financial services counsel at the Consumer Federation of America. Micah and his organization are fighting to save the Department of Labor’s Conflict of Interest Rule (a.k.a. the fiduciary standard) which is under assault by the Trump administration.
Conflict of Interest Rule Fact Sheet
Email comments to: EBSA.FiduciaryRuleExamination@dol.gov. Include RIN 1210-AB79 in the subject line of the message.
To President-Elect Trump: What If Everything You’ve Been Told About the DOL Fiduciary Rule Is Wrong?
The Committee For The Fiduciary Standard
We discuss the latest NY Times 403(b) article When Teachers Face the Task of Fixing Their Retirement Accounts. We also speak with Connecticut state representative Matthew Lesser (D) who is trying to improve 403(b) plans in the state.
Christina and Matt, two New York educators who live in Connecticut, discuss past investing mistakes, steps they are taking to save better, and they have questions about saving for college.
Beer
Misty Mountain IPA by Back East Brewery of Bloomfield, CT
Hurricane Kitty by Keegan Ales of Kingston, NY
Saturday Morning Cartoons Breakfast Cereal Milk Stout by Brew Rebellion of San Bernardino, CA
Double White by Marble Brewery of Albuquerque, NM
In episode 18, Ed Mills, a.k.a. "The Millionaire Educator" described how he and his teacher wife socked away more than $100,000 in 2015. In this episode, Ed describes how he and his family did what many dream of doing.
Accessing money prior to age 59 1/2