California educators may enter retirement with a valuable pension, but a pension may not cover every expense, family responsibility, or legacy goal. At Peak...
How Are Inherited CalSTRS and Pension Benefits Taxed in California for Surviving Spouses?
Losing a spouse brings emotional and financial decisions that can feel overwhelming. If the deceased spouse was a California educator, the surviving spouse...
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance: Which Is Better Suited for a California Teacher’s Financial Situation?
Life insurance can protect the people who depend on a California teacher's income. Term life may provide a larger death benefit for a limited period at a...
How Can You Review and Update Beneficiary Designations on CalSTRS, 403(b), and Life Insurance Accounts?
Beneficiary designations determine who may receive certain financial benefits after your death. For California educators, these instructions can affect...
How to Build a Six-Month Emergency Fund on a California Teacher’s Salary
Building a six-month emergency fund can feel difficult when housing, food, insurance, transportation, family needs, and classroom expenses already compete for...
Managing Credit Card Debt While Teaching: Practical Strategies for Educators at Every Income Level
Teaching is meaningful work, but managing household finances on an educator’s income can sometimes feel difficult. Credit card balances may build after an...
Income-Driven Repayment Plans for California Educators With Student Loans: What Changed and What Didn’t?
Federal student loan repayment has changed significantly, leaving many California educators unsure about which information still applies. Some repayment plans...
How Divorce Affects a California Teacher’s CalSTRS Benefits and What a DRO Can Do?
Divorce can change more than your household finances. If you are a California teacher with CalSTRS benefits, it can also affect the retirement income you have...
How Much Life Insurance Does a California Educator Actually Need?
California educators often ask us for one dollar amount or a quick salary multiple. The honest answer is that no single number works for every teacher,...