A 403(b) plan is a retirement savings account offered by certain employers—typically schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and religious organizations—that lets you set aside money before taxes are taken out of your paycheck. If your employer offers one, you may wonder how it compares to other retirement accounts, what you can contribute each year, or what happens to your money if you leave your job. This section answers common questions about how 403(b) plans work and what rules govern them.
The articles here explain contribution limits and catch-up options for older savers, the difference between traditional and Roth 403(b) accounts, how loans and withdrawals function, and what happens to your account when you change employers. You'll also find information about vesting schedules, investment choices, and how 403(b) plans differ from 401(k)s and IRAs.
- How 403(b) Contributions Reduce Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How 403(b) Contributions Reduce Your Taxable Income
- Rolling a 401(k) Into a 403(b): What You Need to KnowLearn about Rolling a 401(k) Into a 403(b): What You Need to Know
- Moving Money From a 403(b) to an IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money From a 403(b) to an IRA: What You Need to Know
- Borrowing Against Your 403(b): What You Need to KnowLearn about Borrowing Against Your 403(b): What You Need to Know
- How to Borrow From Your 403(b) and What It CostsLearn about How to Borrow From Your 403(b) and What It Costs
- How to Borrow From Your 403(b) Without Paying a PenaltyLearn about How to Borrow From Your 403(b) Without Paying a Penalty
- Contributing to Both a 403(b) and 457(b) Plan in the Same YearLearn about Contributing to Both a 403(b) and 457(b) Plan in the Same Year
- Can You Withdraw From Your 403(b) While Still Working ThereLearn about Can You Withdraw From Your 403(b) While Still Working There
- Withdrawing From Your 403(b) To Buy a House: What You Need To KnowLearn about Withdrawing From Your 403(b) To Buy a House: What You Need To Know
- Can You Contribute to Both a 403(b) and a 457 Plan in the Same Year?Learn about Can You Contribute to Both a 403(b) and a 457 Plan in the Same Year?
- Rolling a 401(k) Into a 403(b): What You Need to KnowLearn about Rolling a 401(k) Into a 403(b): What You Need to Know
- Moving Money From a 401(k) Into a 403(b)Learn about Moving Money From a 401(k) Into a 403(b)
- Rolling Your 403(b) Into a 401(k): What You Need to KnowLearn about Rolling Your 403(b) Into a 401(k): What You Need to Know
- Rolling a 403(b) Into an IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Rolling a 403(b) Into an IRA: What You Need to Know
- Moving Money From a 403b to a 401k: What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money From a 403b to a 401k: What You Need to Know
- Moving Money From a 403(b) to an IRA: What You Need to KnowLearn about Moving Money From a 403(b) to an IRA: What You Need to Know
- Do Government Employees Have Access to 403(b) Plans?Learn about Do Government Employees Have Access to 403(b) Plans?
- Taxes on 403(b) Withdrawals After Age 60: What You OweLearn about Taxes on 403(b) Withdrawals After Age 60: What You Owe
- Does ILTexas Offer a 403(b) Match?Learn about Does ILTexas Offer a 403(b) Match?
- How a 403(b) Plan Works: Contributions, Growth, and WithdrawalsLearn about How a 403(b) Plan Works: Contributions, Growth, and Withdrawals
- What Happens to Your 403b When You Stop WorkingLearn about What Happens to Your 403b When You Stop Working
- How Much to Put Into Your 403(b) Each MonthLearn about How Much to Put Into Your 403(b) Each Month
- How Much You Need in Your 403(b) to RetireLearn about How Much You Need in Your 403(b) to Retire
- How Much to Contribute to Your 403(b) Each PaycheckLearn about How Much to Contribute to Your 403(b) Each Paycheck
- How Much To Contribute To Your 403(b) Each YearLearn about How Much To Contribute To Your 403(b) Each Year
- How Employer Matching Works in 403(b) PlansLearn about How Employer Matching Works in 403(b) Plans
- A 403(b) and a Roth IRA Are Not the Same Thing — Here's What's DifferentLearn about A 403(b) and a Roth IRA Are Not the Same Thing — Here's What's Different
- Is a 403(b) the Same Thing as an IRA?Learn about Is a 403(b) the Same Thing as an IRA?
- How 403(b) Pretax Contributions Reduce Your Taxable IncomeLearn about How 403(b) Pretax Contributions Reduce Your Taxable Income
- A 403(b) and a Roth IRA Are Different Account Types — Here's HowLearn about A 403(b) and a Roth IRA Are Different Account Types — Here's How
- How a 403(b) Differs From a Traditional IRALearn about How a 403(b) Differs From a Traditional IRA
- Is a 403(b) Always an Annuity, or Can It Be Something Else?Learn about Is a 403(b) Always an Annuity, or Can It Be Something Else?
- A 403(b) Is Not an IRA — Here's What the Difference Means for Your MoneyLearn about A 403(b) Is Not an IRA — Here's What the Difference Means for Your Money
- How Much Can Your Employer Put Into Your 403(b) Plan Each YearLearn about How Much Can Your Employer Put Into Your 403(b) Plan Each Year
- Schools That Don't Offer 403(b) Plans and Your AlternativesLearn about Schools That Don't Offer 403(b) Plans and Your Alternatives
- When to Roll Over Your 403(b) Into an IRALearn about When to Roll Over Your 403(b) Into an IRA
- What a 403(b) Plan Is and How It WorksLearn about What a 403(b) Plan Is and How It Works
- How Much You Can Contribute to a 403(b) Plan Each YearLearn about How Much You Can Contribute to a 403(b) Plan Each Year
- How a 403(b) Plan Works: Retirement Savings for Teachers and Nonprofit WorkersLearn about How a 403(b) Plan Works: Retirement Savings for Teachers and Nonprofit Workers
- How a 403(b) Retirement Plan Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a 403(b) Retirement Plan Works and Who Can Use One
- How a 403(b) and 401(k) Differ in Employer, Contribution Limits, and Tax TreatmentLearn about How a 403(b) and 401(k) Differ in Employer, Contribution Limits, and Tax Treatment
- What a 403(b) Plan Is and How It WorksLearn about What a 403(b) Plan Is and How It Works
- How a 403(b) Account Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a 403(b) Account Works and Who Can Use One
- How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use One
- How a 403(b) Pension Plan WorksLearn about How a 403(b) Pension Plan Works
- How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use One
- How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a 403(b) Plan Works and Who Can Use One
- How a Roth 403(b) Works and Who Can Use OneLearn about How a Roth 403(b) Works and Who Can Use One
- 403(b) vs. 401(k): What's the Real Difference for Your RetirementLearn about 403(b) vs. 401(k): What's the Real Difference for Your Retirement
- How 401(k) and 403(b) Plans Differ: Employer Type, Contribution Limits, and Withdrawal RulesLearn about How 401(k) and 403(b) Plans Differ: Employer Type, Contribution Limits, and Withdrawal Rules
- 401(k) vs. 403(b): Which Retirement Plan Is WhichLearn about 401(k) vs. 403(b): Which Retirement Plan Is Which
- How a 403(b) Differs From a 401(k) and Why It Matters for Your RetirementLearn about How a 403(b) Differs From a 401(k) and Why It Matters for Your Retirement
- When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without Paying a PenaltyLearn about When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without Paying a Penalty
- How a 403(b) Retirement Plan WorksLearn about How a 403(b) Retirement Plan Works
- 401(k) vs. 403(b): Which Retirement Plan Do You HaveLearn about 401(k) vs. 403(b): Which Retirement Plan Do You Have
- When You Can Take Money Out of Your 403(b)Learn about When You Can Take Money Out of Your 403(b)
- When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without Owing TaxesLearn about When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without Owing Taxes
- When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without PenaltyLearn about When You Can Withdraw From Your 403(b) Without Penalty
- 401(k) vs. 403(b): How to Compare Plans Based on Your SituationLearn about 401(k) vs. 403(b): How to Compare Plans Based on Your Situation
- Should You Keep Contributing to Your 403(b) When the Market Is DownLearn about Should You Keep Contributing to Your 403(b) When the Market Is Down