My sister is finally starting to see the light and wants to start making contributions to a 403B at the smallish non-profit where she works. However, she read me the list of providers that mgmt gave her and it was loaded with the likes of Merrill Lynch, Prudential, Paine Webber, VALIC, etc. The only real palatable choice was Fidelity. I have vague recollections that 403Bs are "special" in that you are somehow free to go to another provider, but I don't really know how this works. I'd like to get her set up with TIAA-CREF. Can anyone enlighten me on using an "off the list" provider?

I have vague recollections that 403Bs are "special" in that you are somehow free to go to another provider, but I don't really know how this works. I'd like to get her set up with TIAA-CREF. Can anyone enlighten me on using an "off the list" provider?

www.403bwise.com has some good information on 403(b)'s.

This is the link to their article, "How to Transfer 403(b) Money (a.k.a. 90-24 Transfer)": http://www.403bwise.com/wisemoves/transfer403b_bm.html

If Fido is a choice, I would stay there. I like TIAA-CREF a lot better, but it maybe cumbersome to transfer.

buzman

However, she read me the list of providers that mgmt gave her and it was loaded with the likes of Merrill Lynch, Prudential, Paine Webber, VALIC, etc. The only real palatable choice was Fidelity

From Fidelity: SPARTAN 500 INDEX

That's where my 403(b) money is.

It's got a 0.40% expense ratio, so it's no Vanguard, but it's not too shabby.


TW