Retiring from the Classroom – Planning for Educators
Educators and public employees face a unique retirement landscape. Your pension plays a central role, Social Security benefits may be limited or unavailable, and your supplemental savings options often come through complex 403(b) or 457 vendors. We help you navigate each piece with clarity, offering specialized guidance rooted in years of working with Utah and Colorado public employees.
The Complexities Behind Educator Retirement
Teachers and public employees often have retirement structures that differ significantly from traditional private-sector plans. Pension eligibility, payout rules, and supplemental plans all play a role — and each choice affects your long-term income.
Pension Gaps
Many educators rely on state pensions such as URS or PERA. These systems can include vesting periods, contribution caps, and limited inflation adjustments. In states like Utah, teachers do not pay into Social Security, which means your pension becomes your primary lifetime benefit — making proper planning essential.
403(b)/457 Options
Beyond the pension, educators typically access supplemental savings through 403(b) or 457 plans. Vendor menus can be overwhelming, and many educators unknowingly choose high-fee products that reduce long-term growth. We help you evaluate these options, avoid common pitfalls, and select strategies that support your retirement goals.
Maximizing Your Pension and Benefits
Understanding your pension is the foundation of successful educator retirement planning. We walk you through URS or PERA rules, explain payout options, and show how your pension interacts with personal savings, spouse benefits, and Social Security (if applicable).
Utah Educators – Navigating URS
Utah educators face key decisions around URS Tier 1 vs. Tier 2, service credits, and payout options. We’ve guided many Utah teachers through these choices and helped them create retirement income strategies that protect long-term financial stability.
Colorado Educators – Navigating PERA
For PERA participants, we help compare benefit paths, evaluate survivor options, and understand the long-term trade-offs between refund, rollover, and lifetime payout choices.
Making Smarter Choices With Your Supplemental Savings
Your supplemental savings often determine whether your pension is enough. We help you review 403(b) and 457 vendors, analyze investment options, and choose the right mix of contributions to strengthen your retirement foundation.
Tax-Sheltered Annuities & Investments
We explain the basics of 403(b) plans, outline low-cost investment options, and help you avoid unnecessary annuity fees that can erode returns. Our goal is to ensure every dollar works efficiently for your future.
Your Pension Review Starts Here
Whether you’re five years away or thinking ahead early in your career, a focused pension and 403(b) review helps you understand what’s possible. We provide complimentary sessions for educators and public employees, including:
- Pension Analysis
- 403(b) or 457 Review
- Personalized Retirement Roadmap
I’m a teacher — do I need a financial advisor if I have a pension?
Yes. A pension is only one source of retirement income. We help coordinate it with your 403(b)/457, Roth IRA, health coverage, and long-term income plan to create stability.
Will my Utah teacher’s pension be enough to retire on?
Most pensions replace only part of your income. We analyze your projected benefit and help determine how much additional savings you need for a secure retirement.
What happens to my pension if I move states or leave teaching?
Portability varies by system. We help you evaluate URS or PERA rules, understand refund/rollover options, and choose the most beneficial path during a career change.
Do you work with non-teaching public employees too?
Absolutely. We help municipal employees, state workers, and other public professionals navigate URS, PERA, and employer-sponsored benefits.
