Many school employees save through a 403(b), and annuities are among the most common products on district vendor lists. CalSTRS runs a site to compare them. We explain the options so you can weigh fees, features, and income.
Tell us about your 403(b) or retirement savings, and a licensed agent will follow up by phone or video.
By submitting, you agree a licensed insurance agent may contact you about annuity options.
California educators have a state-run tool for comparing 403(b) products. Here’s what to look at.
| What to check | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Your district's approved vendors | 403bCompare, run by CalSTRS | You can only contribute through listed vendors |
| Fees and expenses | Product details on 403bCompare | Fees reduce what your savings earn over time |
| Surrender periods | The annuity contract and disclosure | Early withdrawals may carry charges |
We help you read your district’s 403(b) vendor list.
We compare fees and surrender schedules across products.
We look at how annuity income would sit alongside CalSTRS benefits.
403bCompare is a state-sponsored website run by CalSTRS that helps California educators compare the 403(b) products their school district offers. It shows each product’s fees, performance, and services, plus your employer’s approved vendor list, and lets you compare products side by side.
It depends on what you want from the account. Annuities in a 403(b) can offer income features and fixed rates, but some carry higher fees or surrender charges than mutual fund options. Comparing products on 403bCompare and asking about every fee helps you weigh them against your goals.
Often, yes, through a transfer to another approved vendor or a rollover when you leave or retire. Your current annuity may have surrender charges if you move it early. We review your contract’s surrender schedule before you make a change.
A CalSTRS pension already provides lifetime income, so an annuity is often used to add flexibility or cover gaps rather than replace it. Some retirees use annuities for income before their pension starts or to plan for a surviving spouse. We look at your full picture first.
Your 403(b) balance stays yours. You can usually keep it with the current provider, transfer it to another plan, or roll it into an IRA, subject to any surrender charges. Leaving a district doesn’t by itself trigger taxes if you leave the money in a retirement account.
Tell us about your retirement savings, and a licensed agent will lay out options by phone or video.
Annuities are insurance products, not bank deposits, and are not FDIC insured. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Guarantee association coverage is subject to limits and conditions. Surrender charges may apply. We do not provide tax or legal advice.
