#1 – Dan Otter is a teacher and LONG time crusader for better 403(b) plans and increased education among teachers about 403(b)’s.  Dan has either been through or heard it all when it comes to 403(b) issues.  As is the case with most teachers Dan was approached in his classroom early in his career by an insurance salesman pitching an expensive and inappropriate annuity-based retirement plan.  Dan has a book and podcast on the topic of 403(b) and manages the forums at his website 403bWise.com where teachers share and discuss their experiences with 403(b) retirement plans. The media frequently cite him for his experience and knowledge about teacher retirements.

#2 – Andrew Hallam writes at AndrewHallam.com and is a former teacher and long-time student of investing.  Andrew amassed over $1 million before the age of 40 and wrote a book about it.  He continues to write about investing and retirement on his website.

#3 – Steve Schullo is the webmaster of this website, the author of two books and a retired Los Angeles Unified School District teacher who writes at LateBloomerWealth.  Steve is frequently cited by media outlets for his experience and wisdom about the 403(b) situation facing teachers (high fees, low returns) and continues to be a staunch supporter of a better system for teacher retirement systems. Books: Late Bloomer Millionaire and Fighting Powerful Interests: Educators Challenge Tax-sheltered Annuities and WIN! (free pdf download from Steve’s blog).

#4 –  Ed Mills is known as the “Millionaire Educator” and writes at MillionaireEducator.com.  Ed and his wife have amassed nearly $1 million at the time of this post…on a teacher’s salary.  Ed and his wife have used an amazing technique for saving and investing as well as taught overseas for a few years to amass enough money that they could put a huge portion of their salaries directly into their retirement accounts.  They now regularly transfer school districts to roll their 403(b)’s into IRA’s with Vanguard (who I heartily endorse).

• Read how teachers, Ed Mills and his wife, accumulated $1 million in 16 years! Yes, it can be done as public school teachers with one child. Click here.

#5 – Tony Isola is a former teacher and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who writes at TonyIsola.com.  Tony is a fired up advocate for teachers who is heated about the 403(b) options provided to most teachers.  Tony knows both teaching and investing and provides a unique voice from someone working tirelessly on your behalf.

#6 – Dave Grant is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who writes at FinanceforTeachers.com  Dave is married to a teacher and shares a similar story about the 403(b) market available to teachers.  Dave is a speaker and author as well as a trustworthy teacher advocate.  Dave is experienced in dealing with a broad range of financial options for teachers and is available to come speak at schools in the Chicagoland area.

#7 – Scott Dauenhauer is another Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who writes his blog Teachers Advocate: http://teachersadvocate.blogspot.com/ He is one of the brains that created the best 403(b) in California under the guidance of the state’s teacher pension system: Pension2. He just released his 2^nd book for financial advisors who want to work with k-12 public school teachers: Wild West: Providing Fiduciary Advice to Public School Employees

#8 – Ed LaFave early in my career as a software engineer I was taken advantage several times by financial institutions. Eventually, enough was enough and he learned how to invest on his own. I’ve been paying it forward by spreading that knowledge ever since. His wife works for OCPS (Florida teacher) and we went through the nightmare of setting up her 403b in March of 2017. We’re now committed to preventing OCPS employees from being victimized by that same process. https://educatorsfightingforfairness.wordpress.com/floridas-best-403b-457b-vendors/