Teachers
Certificated staff in CalSTRS who want to know whether the pension alone will cover the life they plan.
California Educators · 403(b) Planning
A considered approach to your retirement beyond the pension.
Julio Benenati, Managing Director, Southern California at National Brokers Group, works with teachers and school staff across California. He helps them understand how a 403(b) with fixed indexed annuities can work alongside a CalSTRS or CalPERS pension.
Who we serve
Educators throughout California
Classified staff
Office, instructional aide, transportation, nutrition, and maintenance staff, usually in CalPERS.
Approaching retirement
People in their 50s and 60s who are looking at catch-up contributions and turning savings into income.
Based in Southern California. Consultations for clients anywhere in California are held on Zoom.
The fundamentals
403(b) basics
What it is
A retirement savings plan for public school employees. Contributions come out of your paycheck and grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them.
2026 contribution limits
$24,500 a year. Age 50 and up may add $8,000. Ages 60–63 may add $11,250 instead. A 15-year service catch-up may apply if your plan allows it. Source: IRS, 2026.
You select the provider
Each district keeps a list of approved 403(b) vendors. The provider you choose shapes your options and costs.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Withdrawals before age 59½ may also face an IRS penalty.
Your pension and your 403(b)
CalSTRS, CalPERS, and the 403(b)
| Feature | CalSTRS | CalPERS | 403(b) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Teachers & certificated staff | Classified school staff | Eligible district employees |
| Structure | Defined-benefit pension | Defined-benefit pension | Individual retirement account |
| Participation | Required | Required | Voluntary; you choose the provider |
Your pension is set by a formula. A 403(b) is savings you add on your own, and it can help close the gap between your pension and what you will spend.
For your official pension estimate, see calstrs.com or calpers.ca.gov.
Due diligence
Review your district’s approved vendors
403bCompare.com is California’s official 403(b) comparison site, provided by CalSTRS.
Find your employer
See which vendors your district has approved.
Compare products
Review fees, returns, and services side by side.
Review together
Julio goes through the comparison with you, line by line.
Process
How Julio works with you
01 · Review
Your pension estimate, your current 403(b), and your timeline.
02 · Compare
Fixed indexed annuity options available in your district, including surrender periods, crediting methods, caps, and fees.
03 · Implement
If it fits your goals, help with the application and payroll setup. There’s no obligation.
Carriers
Insurance carriers
Julio offers fixed indexed annuities from these carriers where they’re approved in your district.
Security Benefit
Fixed indexed annuities · availability varies by district
Brighthouse Financial
Fixed indexed annuities · availability varies by district
Fixed indexed annuities are not securities and do not invest directly in any index. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Carrier names are trademarks of their owners.
Planning tool
How long will my savings last?
A quick estimate based on your savings, your monthly spending, and your pension.
This tool is for learning purposes only. It leaves out taxes, inflation, Social Security, and the way returns move up and down over time, so your real experience will differ. Nothing here is a prediction or promise of any outcome, and it does not illustrate or describe any annuity product.
Questions
Frequently asked
I have a CalSTRS pension. Do I need a 403(b)?
That depends on the income you’ll want in retirement. A review compares your pension estimate with that goal.
What is a fixed indexed annuity?
An insurance contract. Interest is credited based in part on how a market index performs, within limits such as caps or participation rates. Your money is not invested in the market or the index. Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer, and surrender charges may apply.
Is there a cost to meet?
The consultation is complimentary. If you buy an annuity, Julio is paid a commission by the insurance company, and he’ll explain how that works.
Can I change providers later?
Often, yes, but some contracts have surrender charges. These are reviewed before any change.
Where do you work?
Julio is based in Southern California and meets with educators throughout the state by Zoom.
Schedule
Schedule a Zoom consultation
Prefer to call? (714) 998-9999 · julio@nationalbrokersgroup.com