Start with a quick, no-cost review.

How a free retirement review works

A retirement review is simply a relaxed, one-on-one conversation about where you stand today and what your choices look like going forward. There is no test to pass and no homework due. You can meet with us over Zoom from your kitchen table or sit down in person — whichever feels more comfortable to you. Most reviews take somewhere between thirty minutes and an hour, depending on how many questions you have and how much you want to dig into. If you only have twenty minutes, we can work with that too. The pace is yours to set.

The goal of the meeting is clarity, not a sales pitch. We start by understanding your situation — how long you have been in the system, roughly when you would like to retire, and what a comfortable life after work looks like for you. From there we walk through the numbers together in plain language, without the jargon that makes this stuff feel harder than it needs to be. You are welcome to bring your spouse, a family member, or anyone who helps you make decisions.

You will walk away with a clearer picture of your own numbers, a straightforward explanation of the options available to you, and honest answers to the questions you came in with. There is no cost for the review and no obligation of any kind. If, at the end, you decide the next step for you is simply to keep doing what you are doing, that is a perfectly good outcome. Our job that day is to help you understand where you stand — the decision about what to do next always belongs to you.

Understand your 403(b)

If you work for a school district or another public employer, you may have access to a 403(b) — and its close cousin, the 457 — alongside your pension. These are voluntary retirement savings accounts. Money you contribute typically comes out of your paycheck before taxes, which can lower your taxable income today, and the account grows over the years until you begin drawing on it in retirement. Think of your pension as the foundation and a 403(b) or 457 as an extra layer you build on top of it.

Here is the part many educators never hear: not all of these accounts are created equal. They can carry very different fees, very different investment choices, and very different levels of service. Because a 403(b) is often set up quickly during a busy first year on the job and then never looked at again, it is common for people to have no idea what they are actually paying or how their money is invested. A review does not assume anything is wrong — it simply gives you a clear read on what you already have, so you can decide whether it still fits your goals.

For educators — Beyond the Classroom

Teaching is a calling, but it is also a career — and like any career, there comes a point when you start wondering what the next chapter looks like. Maybe retirement is a few years out and suddenly feels real. Maybe you are mid-career and want to make sure the choices you make now set you up well later. Maybe you are simply tired of feeling like your financial life is a subject nobody ever taught you. Beyond the Classroom is our resource for teachers who are thinking about what comes next and want clear, patient guidance instead of a sales script.

It is written for real educators in the California system, in plain language, and it meets you wherever you happen to be. You can explore Beyond the Classroom here whenever you are ready — there is no cost and nothing to sign up for.

Questions people ask us

Is the review really free?

Yes. The retirement review costs you nothing. There is no fee to book it, no fee during the meeting, and no fee afterward. We offer it because most educators have never had someone sit down and explain their pension and savings options in plain language — and a good first conversation helps everyone decide whether it makes sense to keep talking.

Do I have to buy anything?

No. There is nothing to purchase and nothing to sign. The review is informational. If, after we walk through your numbers, you decide you would like help with a particular next step, that is entirely your choice — and you are always free to think it over, talk it through with family, or simply do nothing. We would rather you leave with clear information than feel rushed into a decision.

What is the difference between CalSTRS and CalPERS?

Both are California public pension systems, but they cover different people. CalSTRS is the State Teachers’ Retirement System, which serves educators — teachers and many certificated school staff. CalPERS is the Public Employees’ Retirement System, which covers a broader range of state and local public employees, including a lot of classified school staff and other public servants. The two systems calculate benefits differently, so which one you are in matters for how your pension works. Part of the review is simply making sure you understand your own system clearly.

I’m years away from retiring — is it too early?

Not at all. In many ways, the earlier you understand how your pension and savings work, the more choices you have. Reviewing things now does not commit you to anything — it just means the decisions you make over the coming years are informed ones. And if retirement is close, a review helps you see clearly what to expect. There is really no wrong time to get a clear picture of where you stand.

I already have a 403(b) — why review it?

Because most people set up a 403(b) years ago and never looked at it again. A review does not assume anything is wrong with your account. It simply helps you understand what you already own — the fees you may be paying, how the money is invested, and whether it still lines up with your goals. You cannot make a good decision about an account you have never had explained to you, and that is all a review is meant to fix.

Can you help with a living trust?

Estate planning, including living trusts, is a common concern for people thinking about retirement, and it is a topic we are happy to talk through in general terms during a review. Setting up a trust itself is legal work handled by a qualified attorney, and we are not providing legal advice. What we can do is help you understand how the pieces fit together and point you in a sensible direction so you know what questions to ask.

What should I bring?

Bring your most recent CalSTRS or CalPERS statement, any 403(b) or 457 statements you have, and your questions. That is genuinely all you need. If you cannot locate a statement before the meeting, come anyway — we can still have a productive conversation and help you track down what is missing afterward.

Do you work with people who aren’t educators?

Yes. Much of our work is with California educators, but we also help other public servants and their families — people in CalPERS and folks who simply want a clear read on their retirement picture. If you are not sure whether we are a fit, the free review is a good, no-pressure way to find out.

Articles

Reading room for educators & public servants

Plain-language explainers on the retirement questions California educators ask us most. Educational only — not tax, legal, or investment advice.