Sample Case Study for 403bCheckup.com
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Maria’s 403(b) Review
Identifying High Fees and Making Straightforward Improvements
A real-world example of how a quick review helped an educator save tens of thousands
Participant Profile
Maria R., 48 — Elementary school teacher with 22 years of experience in a Long Island, New York public school district.
Contributes ~$5,200/year (8% of salary) to her 403(b) via a variable annuity vendor. Also has NYSTRS pension and basic group term life insurance.
The Situation
Maria noticed slower-than-expected growth in her 403(b) even in strong markets. She suspected high fees from her variable annuity but didn't know how to verify or improve it. Her group life coverage also raised questions.
The Discovery
Maria found 403bcheckup.com and scheduled a free, no-obligation 10-minute 403(b) + group life review. The process was quick and required no upfront paperwork.
The Quick Review
- Combined fees: 1.85% (M&E charges ~1.2–1.25% + admin + fund expenses)
- Performance lagged benchmarks by 2–3% annually after fees
- Allocation too conservative for her time horizon
- Group life had gaps and higher premiums than alternatives
The advisor explained everything clearly with no sales pressure.
Actions Taken
- Transferred portion of balance to lower-cost approved vendor (fees reduced to under 0.60%)
- Shifted to diversified, low-cost index-based investments
- Optimized group life coverage for better protection at lower cost
All changes made within district’s approved list (e.g., via OMNI) — no disruption to payroll.
Projected Outcomes
$85,000+
Fee savings over 15 years
25–30%
Higher ending balance
✅
Greater clarity & confidence
(Based on conservative 7% annual return assumption)
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Why This Matters for Educators
Variable annuities are common in school 403(b) plans — often carrying total fees of 1.5–2.5%+. Lower-cost options frequently exist on the same approved vendor lists.
A short, unbiased review can unlock significant long-term gains while staying fully compliant.