YOU HAVE FOUND OUR OLD WEB SITE. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR NEW AND IMPROVED SITE!     How Envoy Hurts Teachers Envoy Plans Services is a third party administrator (TPA) that has been "hired" by numerous school districts in Orange County, California to "administer" 403(b) and 457(b) plans. In exchange for not charging school districts directly Envoy charges vendors. The concern of 403(b) advocates is that such an arrangement discourages low-cost providers from offering services in districts where Envoy operates. On February 18, 2004 the California Attorney General ruled against this arrangement. The letter below is from a teacher in a school district that has "contracted" with Envoy.     February 25, 2004   It was with great joy that I read the recent ruling against Envoy posted on 403(b)wise. I am employed by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District, one of the districts that has chosen to "take advantage" of Envoy's "services." While the district is currently revising its restrictive practices regarding 403(b) plans (in light of the recent ruling), no such revisions have been applied to the 457(b) policies.   I was told this afternoon that if I change the amount of money I am currently contributing to my 457 (b) plan, I will have to use Envoy and choose one of the two unsatisfactory products they offer. Prior to the emergence of Envoy, formerly Trust Services of America, our district would only allow us to use the Orange County Teachers' Credit Union (OCTFCU) for our 457(b) plans. While their investment options are also meager, they are definitely more acceptable than Envoy's offerings. I have about $6,000.00 in a CD that has come to term in my 457(b). While this is the poorest investment possible, I "parked" my money there last year with the hopes more low-cost, high-performing funds might become available, like Vanguard or even Fidelity. No such luck. I am so frustrated that financially devastating restrictions are being placed on my own money. This I do not understand and cannot accept.   Teacher Saddleback Valley Unified School District     Home | Disclaimer | © 2004 bWise Guys, LLC. All rights reserved.				More Information Envoy Background Orange County Mess State of California Rules Against Envoy