Educators - Dean LaPrade

The Best Teachers are Known for Having the Best Answers...

We pride ourselves on the relationships we've developed with local area educators, especially the members of the Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board.

...However, When it Comes to Retirement, Even the Best Teachers are Often Left Questioning!

Learn about the importance and balance of an educator's pension, social security benefits, and separate retirement savings below.

Serving Teachers for 23 Years!

If you are a teacher, administrator, faculty, or simply interested, use the links below to better familiarize yourself with the many layers of an educators' retirement.

Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board

We are proud to have many relationships with teachers administered through the Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board. The board facilitates the comprehensive retirement system for educators within the Constitution state. They provide easily accessible and timely information for educator pension benefits. Most Connecticut teachers have their pension through a Contributory Defined Benefit Plan. These teachers contribute a percentage of salary per year to the plan and receive a defined benefit upon retirement.

See the two helpful links below for more information:

CTRB Road to Retirement Overview

CTRB Benefit Estimator Worksheet

Others may have a 403(b) retirement savings plan. A 403(b) works very similarly to a private 401(k), however, 403(b)'s are designed for public school employees, church staff, non-profit organizers, etc. 403(b)'s offer certain advantages that 401(k)'s do not but with typically the same contribution limit.

CTRB Website

Do You Have a 403(b)?

Most teachers have a 403(b) qualified retirement savings plan. Contact us to see how we can help you get the most for your hard-earned savings!

Get More Out of Your 403(b)

Important Social Security Information

Social Security Fairness Act. What does it mean for you?

In January of 2025, President Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act, which passed with little resistence through Congress. The Act repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). These two previous provisions reduced social security income for receivers who met certain guidelines, specifically those who received a pension and did not contribute to social security up to the full crediting. Additionally, they affected survivors receiving full survivor benefits, in which the survivor was receiving a pension as well. Ultimately, these have now been repealed, allowing prior qualifiers to now receive more benefits than they may have had before.

SSA.Gov

The Repeal of the WEP and GPO

Many teachers may be affected with the repeal of the WEP and GPO. We have included some helpful links to provide some more general information. As always, please contact us with any questions aimed directly at your situation.

HorsesMouth - WEP and GPO: Repealed!

Kiplinger - SSFA Checklist

SSA.Gov