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Tools, resources and calculators for employers and participants.
 
  Annuities
Do Annuities Make Sense in a 403(b)?
The low down on annuities inside a 403(b). [403(b)wise]

On the Annuities Alert
When it comes to variable annuities the SEC and NASD say: Watch your back. [The Washington Post]
 
Variable Annuities: Beyond the Hard Sell
Excerpt: "Investing in a variable annuity within a tax-deferred account ... may not be a good idea." [NASD Investor Alert]
 
10 Questions to Ask Before Buying a 403(b) Fixed Annuity [403(b)wise]
 
Variable Annuities: What You Should Know [SEC]
 
Making Sense of Annuities
Detailed information on annuities from Frank Armstrong, president of Investor Solutions, and author of "The Informed Investor." [Frank Armstrong]
 

Books
Teach and Retire Rich
Easy-to-read guide to wealth building for educators by 403(b)wise. [403(b)wise]
 
Consumer Reports Financial Information [Consumer Reports]
 
Common Sense On Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor [John Bogle]
 
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio [William J. Bernstein]
 
Nine Steps to Financial Freedom [Suze Orman]
 
The Average Family's Guide to Financial Freedom [Bill and Mary Toohey]
 

Calculators
Comprehensive List of Calculators
Mortgage to retirement calculators. [Mortgageloan.com]
 
403(b) Contribution Calculator
Powerful, easy-to-use 403(b) calculator. [Dinkytown Calculators]
 
Minimum Distribution Calculator
Generally, you must begin taking minimum distributions from your 403(b) by the April 1st following the year you reach age 70 1/2, or the April 1st following the year you retire, if later. [TIAA-CREF]
 
How Much is That Fund Costing You?
Input fund ticker symbol and account balance to find out fund's total cost. Click "details" to learn historical returns, comparison to benchmarks, and a break down of fund costs including loads and 12b-1 fees, etc. [FOLIOfn]
Find fund ticker symbols here.
 
Inflation Calculator
This CPI inflation calculator uses the average Consumer Price Index for a given calendar year. This data represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households. [EF Moody]
 

Employer
Employer Get Wise Guide for the New 403(b) Regs
New regs offer employers unique opportunity to drastically improve their plan. [403(b)wise]
 
IRS 403(b) Plan Checklist
This "quick tool" is designed to help employers keep their plan in compliance. [IRS]
 
2007 403(b) ERISA Checklist
Compliance checklist for DB, DC and 403(b)Plans subject to ERISA. [Prudential]
 
Benefits Officials: Stop Acting Like 98-pound Weaklings
Coming 403(b) regulations offer opportunity to get tough with vendors on pricing. [403(b)wise]
 
Employer Guide to Retirement Plan Fees
Clear, comprehensive guide to fiduciary responsibility and plan fees; includes glossary of terms. [The Standard]
 
Target Funds + Auto Enroll + Auto Increase = Homerun
Vanguard says putting all three in place gives employers best chance to help employees effectively save for retirement (free login). [Plan Sponsor]

School Districts Would Be Wise to Adopt a 403(b) Plan Document
School business official explains how a plan document benefits employer and employee. [403(b)wise]
 
Less is More (free login)
Survey: Road to DC happiness includes fewer investment options, advice. [Plan Sponsor]

403(b)wise Will Speak to Your Group
403(b)wise founder and teacher Dan Otter will get your group 403(b) wise! [403(b)wise]
 
Is Your 403(b) New School or Old School?
The 403(b) is a-changing. Is your plan still old school? [403(b)wise]
 
403(b) and 457 Side-by-Side Comparison from the IRS (pdf)
Compare features of retirement plans (including 401(k) plans) for tax exempt and government employers. [IRS]
 
Fiduciary Education Campaign
New government program to educate employers about fiduciary duties. [Department of Labor]
 
Employers are Paying Closer Attention to 401(k) Fees
Excerpt: "A survey by Deloitte & Touche revealed a disconnect between what employers thought about expenses and what they actually knew." [Dow Jones News Service]
 
Limit Number of 403(b)/457(b) Vendors Through RFP Process [403(b)wise]
 
The RFP Process [403(b)wise]
 
Selecting Vendors for Your Defined Contribution Plan [Shultz, Collins, Lawson, Chambers, Inc.]
 
Can There Be Too Much Choice in a Retirement Savings Plan? [Vanguard]
 
The Fewer the Better
Streamlining investment choices can improve employee participation and decision making. [HR]
 
403(b) and 457 Fiduciary Liability
Employers take note: plan sponsors must act quickly to properly protect themselves against allegations of fiduciary liability. [403(b)wise]
 
Guidance on 403(b) Automatic Enrollment
New IRS guidance allows considerable flexibility. [Gardner Carton & Douglas]
 
A Look at Plan Fees for Employers
A resource to help employers better understand retirement plan fees and expenses. [Department of Labor]
 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974(ERISA) [US Department of Labor]
 

Financial Planner/Advisor Information
Investment Advisers: What You Need to Know Before Choosing One [SEC]
 
8 Things Your Financial Planner Won't Tell You [MSN]
 
Information on fee-only planners including how to locate one. [NAPFA]
 

IRS 403(b) Information
IRS 403(b) Plan Checklist
This "quick tool" is designed to help employers keep their plan in compliance. [IRS]
 
IRS Publication 571 in pdf format [irs.gov]
 
403(b) and 457 Side-by-Side Comparison from the IRS (pdf)
Compare features of retirement plans (including 401(k) plans) for tax exempt and government employers. [IRS]
 
IRS 403(b) FAQs
Topics include: part-time employees, hold harmless agreements, EGTRRA, common compliance errors and more. [irs.gov]
 
IRS 403(b)/457 Online Resource Guide
[irs.gov]

IRS Revenue Ruling 90-24
Exact IRS wording for 403(b) transfers. [Taxlinks]
 
IRS Home Page [irs.gov]
 
IRS Note: You may direct technical and procedural questions concerning retirement plans to a special IRS toll free number (877) 829-5500. The call center is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You may also email questions.
 

Mutual Funds
Invest Wisely: An Introduction to Mutual Funds [SEC]
 
What Every Investor Should Know About Mutual Funds
[AAII]
 
10 Simple Rules For Fund Investors [Washington Post]
 
Mutual FundAlarm [FundAlarm]
 
Fund Democracy [Fund Democracy]
 
Mutual Fund Screener [Money Magazine]
 
Mutual Fund Selector [Morningstar]
 
Willful Ignorance: The Mutual Fund Investor
Most mutual fund investors don't know how much they're paying to have their money managed. What's worse is that they mostly don't care. [MSNBC]
 
How Much is That Fund Costing You?
Input fund ticker symbol and account balance to find out fund's total cost. Click "details" to learn historical returns, comparison to benchmarks, and a break down of fund costs including loads and 12b-1 fees, etc. [FOLIOfn]
Find fund ticker symbols here.
 

Retirement
Retirement Clock Ticking
Top 10 ways to beat the clock and prepare for retirement. [US Department of Labor]

Retirement Storm Clouds
It's not the economy or the stock market, but faulty assumptions that could rain on your retirement. [Money]

Do We Have a Retirement Crisis in America?
A summary of the findings on the state of retirement income security in the United States. [TIAA-CREF Institute]

Many Retirees Select Lump Sum
Pros and cons of lump sum retirement payout vs. lifetime annuity. [USA Today]

Financial Birthdays of Note
As you approach retirement it's time to make a list of the financial birthdays that may be significant to decisions about your retirement plan money. [Fidelity]
 
State Activities: Retired Educators Associations (REAs) [AARP]
 
Taking Minimum Required Distributions
Includes definition of Minimum Required Distribution (MRD), rules, calculation methods, links to MRD calculators and more. [Fidelity]
 

Social Security Information
2003 Social Security Retirement Earnings Test
Many employers, including educational institutions, take advantage of the expertise of older workers by hiring their own former full-time employees or other retirees on a part-time basis. For retirees this may affect their Social Security benefits. [TIAA-CREF]

Social Security Home Page [Social Security Administration]
 
 

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