Pursue your financial future with confidence
A 403(b) plan is a retirement savings plan designed specifically for employees of public school districts, higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations. It is similar to a 401(k) plan, providing a tax-advantaged way for employees to save for their retirement*.
A 403(b) plan offers tax benefits, flexible investment options, and can help bridge gaps in Social Security and pension coverage.
Many educators are discovering the benefits of saving for retirement and how a 403(b) plan can enhance their financial security at any stage of their career. By utilizing a 403(b) plan, educators can effectively bridge the gap between pension and Social Security benefits and achieve the income they desire for a comfortable retirement. Here’s how an Equitable 403(b) can help turn your rewarding career into a comfortable retirement:
Working with an Equitable Advisors Financial Professional can make planning for retirement easier. In fact, according to a recent study, many K–12 employees who work with a financial professional have measurably better outcomes and demonstrate more effective financial behaviors.3 Learn more
Pretax contributions are deducted from your gross income, reducing your taxable income for the year, and potentially lowering your tax bracket. Your earnings grow tax-deferred until you withdraw the money. Learn more
Thanks to the power of compound interest, every dollar you put in has the potential to grow. Start investing as early as you can to help put you on the path to building financial independence.
In 2025, the maximum contribution limit on a 403(b) retirement savings plan is $23,500. Learn more
An RMD is a mandatory withdrawal that individuals must take from their retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs, 403(b)s and other tax-deferred retirement plans, starting at age 73 (or 70½ if you reached that age before January 1, 2020). Learn more
*A 403(b) plan, often referred to as a tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) plan, is a retirement plan available specifically to employees of public schools and certain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations – i.e., non-profit organizations. By comparison for context, a 401(k) plan is a qualified plan available specifically to employees of for-profit companies. While they have similarities, 403(b) plans and 401(k) plans are not interchangeable or entirely comparable.
1 LIMRA, Not-for-Profit Survey, Q2 2024 results, based on 403(b) plan participants and contributions. Survey results include Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) and Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America) issued plans.
2 This applies specifically and exclusively to Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial).
3 Equitable Value of the Advisor Study, 2022. Independent research conducted by Zeldis Research Associates, and commissioned by Equitable, highlights the financial benefits K–12 educators can gain by working with a financial professional with respect to their 403(b) account. These responses reflect anonymous individual opinions from the survey and are not intended as predictions of any product/investment performance, may not represent the experience of any other plan participant, and should not be relied upon as basis for any purchase decision. Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) and its affiliates do not guarantee the accuracy or applicability of the information included in these responses. These responses were collected by Zeldis Research, a third-party vendor not affiliated with Equitable Financial or its affiliates.
4 Based on 2023 federal tax tables, assuming married filing jointly (source: irs.gov). Figures do not take into account any other sources of income, state or local income taxes, tax credits or deductions.
5 This assumes a hypothetical 7.5% return and there are no withdrawals. Withdrawals are subject to ordinary income tax and, if made before age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax. This example is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to represent an expected or guaranteed rate of return for any investment vehicle. This example does not take potential taxes, investment management fees or product-related charges into account. Your rate of return will vary. Amounts are fully taxable upon withdrawal and the accumulation values illustrated will be reduced, based on an individual’s tax rate.
Equitable Financial and Equitable America do not provide tax or legal advice and are not endorsed or affiliated with any school district, state agency or pension plan.
Equitable is the brand name of the retirement and protection subsidiaries of Equitable Holdings, Inc., including Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (Equitable Financial) (NY, NY); Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America (Equitable America), an AZ stock company with an administrative office located in Charlotte, NC; and Equitable Distributors, LLC. The obligations of Equitable Financial and Equitable America are backed solely by their claims-paying abilities. Equitable Financial and Equitable America do not provide tax or legal advice and are not endorsed or affiliated with any school district, state agency or pension plan.
GE-7197060.1 (09/2024) (Exp. 09/2026)
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