Self-guided Planning

You may already have a firm idea of what you need— either way, thousands of educators plan their own retirements across the nation each year.
Begin Enrollment

Why open a Self-guided Retirement Account?

Automate your savings

Set a schedule and create a routine that will help you consistently contribute to your accounts, big or small.

Choose your investment limit

Customize how much or how little you prefer to invest based on your current salary, life-events or changes in long-term plans.

Save pre-tax or post-tax

Depending on which programs you choose to enroll in, choose between pay tax up front or down the line.

Mutual and Index funds

Whether you prefer passive or active management, or a combination of both, quickly put your investments to work.

Compare Self-guided Plans

403(b) Plans

Build your retirement savings with the convenience and flexibility of a 403(b) retirement plan.

Features & Benefits
  • Automated payroll deduction (where available)
  • Contribution maximum of $22,500 annually
  • Pre- and post-tax options
  • Rollovers available
  • Not available in all school districts
  • Minimum monthly contribution of $100
Learn More
Traditional & Roth IRAs

Give your retirement savings a boost with an individual retirement account.


Features & Benefits
  • Completely portable (maintain account no matter where you work)
  • Contribution maximum of $6,500 annually
  • Rollovers available
  • Available to all educators and their family members
  • Minimum monthly contribution of $100
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What to Expect During the Enrollment Process

step 1
Sign-in with NEA Member Benefits

Choose whether you want to work with a financial professional or enroll in a self-guided retirement plan. Your information will be shared with our partner Security Benefit to make enrollment easier for you.

step 2
Online enrollment with Security Benefit

Confirm your information and your earlier choices. Then, choose whether you would like to enroll in a 403(b) plan or an IRA. If you choose to work with a financial professional, Security Benefit will connect you with a NEA Retirement Specialist in your area.

step 3
Complete Enrollment in your Retirement Account

After all your online forms are complete, you’ll need to establish contributions into your new account. You can also rollover or consolidate accounts. If you choose to work with a financial professional, you’ll set up an account with that NEA Retirement Specialist.

The NEA Retirement Program is trusted by educators
We are proud to partner with Security Benefit as the provider of our NEA Retirement Program. Security Benefit has a long track record of helping educators achieve their retirement goals.
130+
years
of experience and insight for building financial futures
Top 5
provider
of 403(b) plans for educators in the U.S.†
20+
years
of partnership with NEA Member Benefits, with over 3 million members
Become an Empowered Investor
Explore our library of online tools and articles about retirement planning topics. Get the information you need to create the future you deserve.
Retirement Learning Center
Become an Empowered Investor
Explore our library of online tools and articles about retirement planning topics. Get the information you need to create the future you deserve.
Retirement Learning Center

Thinking ahead to tomorrow, today

Become an expert on your own retirement

Don’t let retirement expense come as a surprise — create a realistic spending plan that will help identify the level of funding you’ll need to build a retirement you’ll truly enjoy.

Stay ahead on the latest retirement programs

Explore our library of articles to get an even better understanding of what NEA Member Benefits has to offer when it comes to retirement planning. Get the details you need to make the decisions you want for your future.

Visit the Learning Center
Ready to get started?
Start Planning Now

 

If you have questions, please call Security Benefit at 1-888-988-7910

Mutual Funds and Index Funds

Mutual funds give you affordable access to professionally managed holdings without excessive fees.

What are Index Funds?

An index fund is a type of mutual fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

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What are Mutual Funds?

An mutual funds is a type of index fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

Learn More
What are Target Date Funds?

An index target is a type of mutual fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

Learn More
What are Index Funds?

An index fund is a type of mutual fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

Learn More
What are Mutual Funds?

An mutual funds is a type of index fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

Learn More
What are Target Date Funds?

An index target is a type of mutual fund that helps provide a high level of diversity for a portfolio by letting you invest into a fund that contains multiple companies, while also maintaining low operating expenses and turnover.

Learn More