For women approaching retirement, TIAA Traditional decisions are not just about income — they are about longevity, survivor protection, and flexibility. This guide explains how to think through annuitization, joint-life benefits, Social Security timing, and the widow’s trap before making a decision you may not be able to reverse.

University of Michigan-Dearborn employees participate in the same strong University of Michigan retirement system as the Ann Arbor campus, with plans offered through TIAA and Fidelity. That includes the U-M Basic Retirement Plan, the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Account, and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. The challenge for most UM-Dearborn faculty and staff is the same as everywhere: the plans are generous but underused. This guide explains how the UM-Dearborn re...

Not every advisor who says they act in your best interest is truly fee-only or conflict-free. This guide explains what a fee-only fiduciary advisor is, how to verify one, and what University employees with TIAA and Fidelity accounts should ask before choosing retirement help.

University of Michigan employees have one of the most generous retirement benefit structures in the country, spread across the U-M Basic Retirement Plan, the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Account, and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, all offered through TIAA and Fidelity. The complexity is the problem: most U-M faculty and staff never fully use the plans, misunderstand TIAA Traditional, or leave money on the table in the SRA. This guide explains how the U-M plans wo...

University retirement plans at TIAA and Fidelity are often lower cost than retail IRAs, but that does not mean they are free. This guide shows where hidden fees live, how to calculate your real all-in cost, and how to reduce expenses without leaving your plan.

Happy Summer! Equity markets continue to trade near record highs despite no shortage of headlines that could unsettle investors. While daily market movements often appear driven by the latest economic report or geopolitical event, the underlying forces supporting equities have remained remarkably consistent. Corporate earnings continue to be one of the strongest supports for the market, with analysts expecting earnings growth across every major sector. As long as companies

Most financial advisors push rollovers because their business model depends on moving assets to an IRA. But for many University employees, rolling money out of TIAA or Fidelity can mean giving up valuable plan benefits. This guide explains why staying in-plan is often better and how professional retirement management can work without moving a dollar.

Many University employees have TIAA retirement accounts, but few fully understand what they own. This guide breaks down TIAA Traditional, CREF, Real Estate Account, fees, Transfer Payout Annuity rules, annuitization decisions, and how to coordinate TIAA with Fidelity inside your University 403(b), 401(a), or 457(b).

Most University employees know they have a 403(b). Most do not realize their University splits it into two coordinated accounts: a Basic 403(b) and a 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Account (SRA). The two share a single combined 2026 elective deferral limit of $24,500. The most common 403(b) mistake University employees make is funding only the Basic 403(b) at the default 5% and never opening the SRA, leaving roughly $19,500 of tax-advantaged space unused every year.