Scott and Dan discuss the proposed AXA/Equitable and Corebridge merger.

• Three ways the Corebridge/Equitable merger could shake up the annuity market
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

403(b) super advocates Steve Schullo, Karl Fisch, and Scott Dauenhauer have been driving electric vehicles for years. They share their experiences and offer tips for those considering EVs.

• Karl's EV data
• Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

We dig into how to move money to a better employer vendor. In the 403(b) world this is called an "exchange." In the 457(b) world this is called a "transfer."

How to intiate an exchange/transfer from one employer vendor to another

1. Determine compliance administrator
2. Determine if exchanges/transfers are permitted (almost always are)
3. Determine what new vendors are available (see 403bwise rating system)
4. Contact current vendor and ask for paperwork for an "exchange-out" "or "transfer out"
5. Open account with new vendor
6. Ask new vendor if exchange/transfer paperwork is needed
7. Check if compliance administrator requires paperwork
8. Follow all instructions carefully. Exited vendor often unhelpful. Stay on top of process.

• Support for exchange/transfer process: The 403bwise Facebook Group
• Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Employers can contribute to a 457(b) but their additions count against the contribution limit. We discuss a workaround: adding a 401(a) plan, which surely Fonzie would give two thumbs up.

• What Are 401(a) Plans?
• Join Us on April 5, 2026 for a Special Announcement. Info here
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

With an assist from the Wealthy Custodian, a California fin lit teacher teaches and learns key fin lit concepts.

• Next Gen Personal Finance
• The Wealthy Custodian
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

The Ohio 457(b) is superb. Why did the Ohio ASBO create a low-quality 457(b) to compete with the great Ohio state plan?

• Doh! ASBO (Substack write up with charts)
• The Excellent Ohio 457(b) Plan (pod)
• Pablo Torre Finds Out
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Nothing presented or discussed is to be construed as investment or tax advice. This can be secured from a vetted Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Technology teacher Daniel Picard describes how his small district explored starting a 403(b) but found the state-run MaineStart 457(b) a far superior choice.

• MaineStart 457(b)
• 403bwise MaineStart Grade
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management

Former teacher Danny Kofke and fiduciary Eric Hansen are principals in the Southern Education Retirement Consortium, an investment collective that serves the K-12 market. They discuss the consortium model which allows small to medium-size schools to band together to get favorable 403(b) pricing and services.

• Souther Education Retirement Consortium (SERC)
• Learned by Being Burned (short pod series about K-12 403(b) issues)
• 403bwise.org
• Meridian Wealth Management