403(b) & 457(b)
Two plans. Two separate limits. Most educators use one.
Your district's 403(b) and its 457(b) are different plans. Maxing out one does not reduce what you can put into the other. Almost nobody hears this.
What you can use depends on your district
Three things to know- Your pension is not your only plan
- CalSTRS or CalPERS is one thing. A 403(b) or 457(b) is another — voluntary, funded from your own payroll. Neither reduces the other.
- Every district decides on its own
- Which providers you may use is a district decision, run through its payroll office or a third-party administrator. The district next door can offer a completely different list.
- Classified staff qualify too
- Eligibility usually reaches classified employees, not just certificated. California lists every registered 403(b) product on 403bCompare — the only registry of its kind in the country.
Ask about your own district
No obligationName your district and what you want to know. We will point you to where that district publishes its own plan documents.
Prefer to read first? Every registered California 403(b) product is listed publicly on 403bCompare.