403b

A 403(b) plan is a retirement savings account offered by certain employers—typically schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and religious organizations. Like a 401(k), it lets you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes are taken out, and that money grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it in retirement. Understanding how your 403(b) works means knowing what you can contribute each year, how investment choices work, and what happens to your money if you leave your job.

These articles explain the mechanics of 403(b) plans: how contribution limits compare to other retirement accounts, what the vesting schedule means for your employer match, how to evaluate your investment options, and what rules govern withdrawals and rollovers. You'll also find information about catch-up contributions if you're age 50 or older, and how to think through decisions like whether to roll your balance to an IRA when you change employers.