Wealth with Intention
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403(b) for Teachers in 2026: Limits, Fees, and 6 Questions to Ask
By Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®. Last updated September 2026 with the current IRS limits.
I started my career as a teacher. I'm also a mother of three, which means I'm around educators constantly, and a good share of my clients are teachers or school administrators.
Here's what I've learned in all those conversations. Almost nobody knows what their 403(b) actually costs them. Not because teachers aren't smart about money. Because the fees are built into these products in ways that are really hard to see.
Two things changed recently that make this worth revisiting. The 2026 contribution limits went up meaningfully. And the Social Security rules that penalized public employees for decades were repealed, which changes the retirement math for a lot of educators.
The short version. The 2026 IRS limit for a 403(b) is $24,500, plus $8,000 more if you're 50 or older. If your district also offers a 457(b), you can contribute the full amount to both, which most teachers don't realize. Before you
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Leah Hadley, AFC®, CDFA®, MAFF®
Founder/Senior Wealth Manager
Leah Hadley is the founder of Intentional Wealth Partners and Intentional Divorce Solutions, sister companies based in Cleveland and serving clients nationwide. Intentional Wealth Partners provides financial planning and wealth management. She specializes in helping women and couples navigate major life transitions with confidence and clarity. She is also the author of Intentional Money: The Modern Woman's Guide to Building Wealth, Purpose, and Peace, host of the "Intentional Divorce Insights" podcast, and a sought-after speaker.
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