Understand the options inside your 403(b)

Your 403(b) may hold more choices than you realize

Not all 403(b) accounts are the same. See what’s inside yours.

Knowing how your 403(b) account works, how your contributions are treated, and what choices you have allows you to ask more informed questions when planning your next decision.

Schedule a 403(b) Review

Start with what you have

The name “403(b)” does not tell you the whole story.

Your employer's 403(b) plan offers a framework, but your specific 403(b) account determines the details that matter—like growth potential, fee structures, tax flexibility, and accessibility. Understanding these mechanics is the first step toward getting the most out of your plan.

Three places to look more closely

Different questions reveal different parts of your 403(b) account.

01

Understanding how annuity features work inside a 403(b)

Learn how fixed-indexed and variable annuities differ in growth potential, market exposure, contract costs, and lifetime income guarantees.

Compare annuity approaches
02

Pay taxes now or later?

See how Traditional pretax and Roth post-tax contributions differ in paycheck impact, growth potential, and retirement withdrawals.

Explore the tax pathways
03

What choices apply to the 403(b) you already have?

Learn how to review your current plan terms, fee structures, access features, and options before making any changes

Review existing-account choices

Your options can change with you

The questions worth asking may shift over time.

Career stage is only one part of the picture. Income, family priorities, time horizon, comfort with market changes, and retirement objectives can all shape what deserves attention.

01 / Life stage

Getting Started

Learn what your 403(b) plan makes available, how payroll contributions work, and what type of 403(b) account you are opening.

Questions worth reviewing

  1. Which 403(b) providers and account types does your employer’s 403(b) plan make available?
  2. Does the plan permit Traditional contributions, Roth contributions, or both?
  3. What account terms, fee structures, access rules, and contribution choices should be understood before beginning?

02 / Life stage

Building Along the Way

Schedule annual reviews to revisit your payroll contributions, account features, costs, time horizon, and whether your current approach still aligns with your retirement goals.

Questions worth reviewing

  1. Does your current contribution reflect your current income, or is it still set to where you started years ago?
  2. How long has it been since you checked your 403(b)? Product features, crediting methods, and fees change—and new options may be available.
  3. If you’ve changed districts or accumulated different accounts over time, do you know how your current 403(b) aligns with your pension and overall retirement strategy?

03 / Life stage

Approaching Retirement

Shift your focus from accumulating savings to structuring lifetime income, evaluating guarantees, and coordinating tax-efficient withdrawals alongside your pension.

Questions worth reviewing

  1. Do you know your account's exact distribution options—such as guaranteed lifetime income payouts, systematic withdrawals, or lump-sum access?
  2. Which account guarantees, market protection features, or access rules apply as you get closer to your target retirement date?
  3. What is your tax strategy for withdrawals, and how will taking money out of your 403(b) affect your overall retirement income?

Take the next step with clarity

Ready to see what’s inside your 403(b)?

Whether you're starting out, mid-career, or approaching retirement, a brief account review brings your options, features, and key questions into clear view.

Schedule a 403(b) Review