http://www.talkaboutretirement.net/other-business-finance/how-good-is-a-403b-retirement-plan-compared-to-the-others/ Issues concerns retirement and retired living Mon, 21 May 2012 11:04:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://www.talkaboutretirement.net/other-business-finance/how-good-is-a-403b-retirement-plan-compared-to-the-others/#comment-41 digdowndeepnseattle Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:52:21 +0000 http://www.talkaboutretirement.net/other-business-finance/how-good-is-a-403b-retirement-plan-compared-to-the-others/#comment-41 only real difference these days is who offers it. typically a 403b is offered by non-profits, governments, and educational facilities. In some cases they are exactly like a 401k and are protected by ERISA (federal law) and in other cases they don't have the same level of protection. They don't have the same level of protection because the offering institution is simply a conduit for the investment house and the individual rather than the company. Thus they (the offering institution) have no obligation to educate or ensure that the investment is appropriate....they simply forward the money and all responsibility lies on the individual. Often times these types of arrangements are more expensive than others because the mutual fund companies have to create educational and sales opportunities with multiple individuals instead of for a company..... only real difference these days is who offers it. typically a 403b is offered by non-profits, governments, and educational facilities. In some cases they are exactly like a 401k and are protected by ERISA (federal law) and in other cases they don’t have the same level of protection. They don’t have the same level of protection because the offering institution is simply a conduit for the investment house and the individual rather than the company. Thus they (the offering institution) have no obligation to educate or ensure that the investment is appropriate….they simply forward the money and all responsibility lies on the individual. Often times these types of arrangements are more expensive than others because the mutual fund companies have to create educational and sales opportunities with multiple individuals instead of for a company…..

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