Ready to Retire from Michigan State University?
Specialized financial planning for MSU faculty and staff navigating the transition from campus to retirement.
You're an Expert in Your Field. That Doesn't Mean You're an Expert in MSU's Retirement System.
Between your 403(b), 457 plan, TIAA contracts, annuity calculations, and healthcare transitions, MSU's benefit structure is complex. Your HR department can explain your options. Your colleagues can share what they did. But neither can tell you what's right for YOUR situation.
That's Where We Come In.
for over 25 years, we've specialized in retirement planning for Michigan's university and state employees. We understand the intricacies of 403(b) and 457 plans through Fidelity (and beyond), TIAA contracts, and state healthcare transitions. We've guided many of MSU faculty and staff through the exact decisions you're facing right now.
The Retirement Questions Keeping You Up at Night
Can I afford to retire and maintain my lifestyle?
How should I coordinate my 403(b), 457, and TIAA Traditional to minimize taxes in retirement?
What happens to my healthcare benefits when I retire, and how do I bridge to Medicare?
Should I take the lump sum or annuity option from TIAA?
When should I claim Social Security?
How do required minimum distributions (RMDs) affect my retirement income strategy?
Who We've Helped
Mid-Career Faculty: The Associate Professor
Who They Are: An associate professor in her early 50s with 15 years at MSU, actively contributing to both her 403(b) and 457 plans. She's on track for retirement but wasn't sure if she was optimizing her contributions or investment strategy for the next decade.
Problem They Faced: She had been auto-enrolled in her retirement accounts years ago but had never revisited her investment allocations or confirmed whether she was contributing enough. She also wasn't sure how her TIAA Traditional would work alongside her retirement accounts or when would be the optimal time to retire.
Questions We Helped Answer:
- Am I contributing the right amounts to my 403(b) and 457?
- Should I adjust my investment strategy as I get closer to retirement?
- What will my TIAA Traditional actually pay me, and how do I factor that into my retirement income plan?
- When is the best time to retire based on my TIAA Traditional calculation and years of service?
Who We've Helped
Pre-Retirement Faculty: The Retiring Dean
Who They Are: A dean in his early 60s, two years from planned retirement, with significant assets in TIAA and questions about healthcare, Social Security timing, and whether he could actually afford to stop working.
Problem They Faced: He knew he wanted to retire at 65 but wasn't confident in the numbers. He had multiple TIAA accounts accumulated over his career, wasn't sure whether to take the lump sum or annuity option, and was concerned about the gap between MSU healthcare and Medicare eligibility.
Questions We Helped Answer:
- Should I take the TIAA lump sum or annuitize my account?
- What's the most tax-efficient way to draw income from my 403(b), 457, and TIAA Traditional?
- How do I bridge healthcare coverage from age 63 to 65 when Medicare kicks in?
- When should I claim Social Security to maximize my lifetime benefits?
- Do I have enough savings to maintain my lifestyle in retirement?
Why MSU Faculty Choose Us
We're Not TIAA. We're Not Fidelity. And That's the Point.
TIAA, Fidelity, and Voya are excellent at what they do, managing retirement plan investment options. But they have a built-in conflict: they want to keep your money in their products, whether or not that's the best strategy for you.
We're different:
- Fiduciary Obligation: We're legally required to act in your best interest, not push proprietary products
- MSU Expertise: We've guided hundreds of MSU faculty through retirement transitions and understand the university system inside and out
- Comprehensive Planning: We don't just manage investments; we coordinate ALL aspects of your financial life including taxes, healthcare, Social Security, and estate planning
- Independent Advice: We can objectively evaluate whether keeping money in TIAA makes sense or if rolling it over is better for your situation
- Locally Owned & Operated: We're based in Lansing with both in-person and virtual meeting options available
- Life Planning Focus: Through our partnership with the Kinder Institute, we help you connect your money to what matters most in your life
The Podcast Episodes You Need
Have financial planning questions? These specific episodes of Kitchen Table Finance are for you:
Ready to Get Clear on Your MSU Retirement Options?
Schedule a complimentary discovery call to discuss your situation, ask questions, and learn how we can help you create a retirement plan that supports the life you want to live.