Understanding Your Fees, Investment Options and Alternatives
403(b) Retirement Plans
If you participate in a 403(b) retirement plan through a school, nonprofit organization, or other eligible employer, you may have more choices than you realize.
Many 403(b) participants are invested in variable annuity products that may include insurance-related expenses, investment expenses, administrative costs, and potential surrender charges. Depending on the contract and investment options selected, these costs can significantly affect long-term retirement savings.
A 403(b) already provides tax-deferred growth. Because a variable annuity also provides tax deferral, it is important to understand what additional benefits you are receiving in exchange for the annuity's additional costs and restrictions.
In some plans, participants may have access to lower-cost, open-architecture investment options, including mutual funds with institutional pricing and no sales commissions.
We can help you understand what you currently own, what you are paying, and what alternatives may be available within your employer's 403(b) plan.
Many 403(b) participants are invested in variable annuity products that may include insurance-related expenses, investment expenses, administrative costs, and potential surrender charges. Depending on the contract and investment options selected, these costs can significantly affect long-term retirement savings.
A 403(b) already provides tax-deferred growth. Because a variable annuity also provides tax deferral, it is important to understand what additional benefits you are receiving in exchange for the annuity's additional costs and restrictions.
In some plans, participants may have access to lower-cost, open-architecture investment options, including mutual funds with institutional pricing and no sales commissions.
We can help you understand what you currently own, what you are paying, and what alternatives may be available within your employer's 403(b) plan.
Your retirement plan may offer more choices than you realize.
What Should You Review in Your 403(b)?
Things to consider when reviewing your 403(b):
• What are the total fees and expenses you are paying?
• Are there surrender charges or other restrictions?
• What investment options are available through your employer's plan?
• Are lower-cost mutual fund or institutional investment options available?
• Does your current investment allocation still fit your retirement goals?
• Can you work with an independent financial advisor while keeping your money in your employer's 403(b) plan?
A 403(b) review can help you better understand your current plan, your investment choices, and whether other options available through your employer may better fit your needs.
• What are the total fees and expenses you are paying?
• Are there surrender charges or other restrictions?
• What investment options are available through your employer's plan?
• Are lower-cost mutual fund or institutional investment options available?
• Does your current investment allocation still fit your retirement goals?
• Can you work with an independent financial advisor while keeping your money in your employer's 403(b) plan?
A 403(b) review can help you better understand your current plan, your investment choices, and whether other options available through your employer may better fit your needs.
How We Can Help
We can help you evaluate your current 403(b) plan, understand the fees and investment options available to you, and determine whether your current strategy still fits your retirement goals.
Depending on your employer's plan, you may be able to work with an independent financial advisor while keeping your assets within the 403(b). We can help you understand the choices available to you and determine which approach may be appropriate for your situation.