What happens when the most educated people in the room have no idea what's in their own retirement accounts?

Retirement planning for educators looks nothing like it does for everyone else. Between layered 403(b) contracts, fixed annuities with strict liquidity rules, and pensions that interact with Social Security in unexpected ways, the complexity is real… and largely underserved.

Kevin Roche, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Authenticity Financial, worked inside TIAA before going independent. He now specializes in helping educators untangle their retirement accounts, understand what they actually own, and build a tax-efficient strategy for the long term.

Listen in as Kevin breaks down how TIAA Traditional's liquidity restrictions work, why the timing of your pension and Social Security elections changes your tax picture for life, and how to turn the gap between retirement and age 70 into a powerful planning opportunity.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why 403(b) plans are far more complex than a standard 401(k).
• How TIAA Traditional's six versions differ and why liquidity rules matter.
• What the 5-, 8-, and 10-year payout schedules mean for your flexibility.
• How pensions and Social Security timing change your tax picture for life.
• What the "low tax corridor" is and how to use it strategically.
• Why 457 plans are an underutilized tool for higher-earning educators.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “Going to a financial planner is like going to a doctor. If you wait until there's a crisis, you're probably going to get bad news. You’ve got to go when you think you don't need it, and that's when you're going to make sure you probably are in good shape.” - Kevin Roche
• “It's almost like when you first sit down to create a puzzle. You’ve got to dump all the pieces out, and then you lay them all out… look for the corners and the edges, and you start putting them together.” - Kevin Roche
• “It's not just about managing income, it's about managing taxes as well. It's about managing investments.” - Kevin Roche

Resources:

• Kevin Roche: LinkedIn | Farther Financial | Email
• Genevieve George: Website | LinkedIn
• Authenticity Financial
• Longevity Science Foundation
• TIAA

Connect with Us:

If you're ready to stop avoiding your finances and start building the future you deserve, schedule a free call with me at pelicanfinancialplanning.com and let’s create your personalized financial plan together.

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