RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan™
A smart way to build your future
With the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan, you can create a strategy you’ll feel more confident about. Offered through an exclusive partnership with Nationwide® and the RBFCU Retirement Program, this option is available to Texas K-12 school employees and certain tax-exempt organizations served by RBFCU. Not a school employee? Visit RBFCU Investments Group.
Schedule an appointment | Take a closer look | Review plan costs | Explore 403(b)s and 457(b)s | Enroll online now | Why Nationwide | Our fiduciary responsibility | Manage your account | Contact us
Benefits and Features
The RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan offers diversified investment options with a variety of investment companies on one platform.
Additional benefits include:
- Competitive fixed-rate option
- No front- or back-end sales charges
- No transfer fees*
An Array of Investment Options
Through the plan, you have the option to invest in several leading mutual fund companies, including (but not limited to):
- American Funds
- Blackrock
- Dimensional (DFA)
- Fidelity
- Franklin Templeton
- J.P. Morgan
- Oppenheimer
- PIMCO
- Vanguard
Convenient Enrollment Process
As a dedicated Texas K-12 school employee, your time is not only valuable but also limited. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to enroll in the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan.
To get started, simply request to schedule an appointment with one of our financial advisors.
Prefer to go DIY on our digital platform? Enroll online now.
RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan
| Annual fee | $3 |
|---|---|
| Asset-based management fee | 1.06% |
| Sales charge | None |
| Transfer fees | None |
In Texas, every school district offers the option of 403(b) retirement plans to educators, administrators and staff. Some may also offer 457(b) plans. With the help of our drop-down chart, you can explore the two types of retirement plan products available through us for Texas K-12 employees. Questions about your options? Contact us.
Compare 403(b) and 457(b) plans
Traditional 403(b)
At-a-glance
• Tax-sheltered plan
• Pre-tax contributions
• Reduces taxable income
• Taxes deferred until funds are withdrawn
Overview
A Traditional 403(b) is a tax-sheltered plan that allows employees of educational institutions and certain tax-exempt organizations to save pre-tax dollars for retirement.
It works much like a Traditional 401(k) in terms of taxes and loans and can offer another way to save for retirement.
Taxes
Contributions are made to your 403(b) before taxes are taken from your paycheck, reducing your taxable income. Taxes are paid on withdrawals, typically in retirement.
Withdrawals
You may make a withdrawal from your 403(b) at age 59½, upon severance from employment, or in the case of hardship, disability or death. These distributions are taxable at current tax rates as ordinary income. Penalties may apply to withdrawals taken before the allowable age.
Loans
If the plan allows, a loan may be taken against your 403(b) funds regardless of your employment status. Repayment terms and interest rates are determined by your investment provider. Certain rules may apply.
Roth 403(b)
At-a-glance
• Tax-sheltered plan
• After-tax contributions
• Does not reduce taxable income
• Earnings grow tax-free, with conditions (see below)
Overview
A Roth 403(b) is a tax-sheltered plan that allows employees of educational institutions and certain tax-exempt organizations to save post-tax dollars for retirement.
It works much like a Roth 401(k) in terms of taxes and loans and can offer another way to save for retirement.
Taxes
Contributions are made to your Roth 403(b) after taxes are taken from your paycheck, allowing your earnings to grow — and withdrawals to be taken — tax-free if the account has been open for at least five years, and you are age 59½ or older. Roth 403(b) money is subject to required minimum distribution rules.
Withdrawals
You may make a withdrawal from your Roth 403(b) at age 59½, upon severance from employment, or in the case of hardship, disability or death. Penalties may apply to withdrawals taken before the allowable age.
Loans
If the plan allows, a loan may be taken against your Roth 403(b) funds regardless of your employment status. Repayment terms and interest rates are determined by your investment provider. Certain rules may apply.
Traditional 457(b)
At-a-glance
• Deferred compensation plan (DCP)
• Pre-tax contributions
• Reduces taxable income
• Taxes deferred until funds are withdrawn
• Offered by some (but not all) Texas school districts
Overview
A Traditional 457(b) is a DCP that allows employees of educational institutions and certain tax-exempt organizations to save pre-tax dollars for retirement.
It works much like a Traditional 403(b) plan in terms of taxes and loans and can offer another way to save for retirement.
Taxes
Contributions are made to your 457(b) before taxes are taken from your paycheck, reducing your taxable income. Taxes are paid on withdrawals, typically in retirement.
Withdrawals
Regardless of age, you may withdraw from your 457(b) when you leave your employer, or in the case of death or an unforeseen emergency. You may be required to pay income tax on the amount withdrawn.
Loans
If the plan allows, a loan may be taken against your 457(b) funds regardless of your employment status. Repayment terms and interest rates are determined by your investment provider. Certain rules may apply.
Roth 457(b)
At-a-glance
• Deferred compensation plan (DCP)
• After-tax contributions
• Does not reduce taxable income
• Earnings grow tax-free, with conditions (see below)
• Offered by some (but not all) Texas school districts
Overview
A Roth 457(b) is a DCP that allows employees of educational institutions and certain tax-exempt organizations to save after-tax dollars for retirement.
It works much like a Roth 403(b) plan in terms of taxes and loans and can offer another way to save for retirement.
Taxes
Contributions are made to your Roth 457(b) after taxes are taken from your paycheck, allowing your earnings to grow — and withdrawals to be taken — tax-free if the account has been open for at least five years, and you are age 59½ or older. Roth 457(b) money is subject to required minimum distribution rules.
Withdrawals
Regardless of age, you may withdraw from your Roth 457(b) when you leave your employer, or in the case of death or an unforeseen emergency.
Loans
If the plan allows, a loan may be taken against your Roth 457(b) funds regardless of your employment status. Repayment terms and interest rates are determined by your investment provider. Certain rules may apply.
Enroll online now
Enrollment is a snap with the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan’s convenient process.
- Visit nationwide.com/RBFCU.
- Start your 403(b) or 457(b) account by clicking “Get started.”
- Contact your school district’s Third Party Administrator to begin a payroll deduction.
Why Nationwide
Unlike a federally insured account, mutual funds containing stocks, bonds and other investments are not guaranteed. Their performance depends on the health of different financial markets and the results of the mutual fund portfolio manager as well as fees and other expenses.
In light of overall performance, investment options and low costs, the RBFCU Retirement Program elected to work with Nationwide in order to create the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan. Nationwide is the choice of a large portion of the nation’s independent investment advisors for their clients' tax-advantaged retirement assets, including variable annuities, 401(k) plans and IRAs.
Our fiduciary responsibility
The RBFCU Retirement Program has a fiduciary responsibility to you. This simply means we want to ensure the mutual fund choices in our line-up meet your needs, not ours.
To provide this fiduciary protection, we’ve partnered with LeafHouse Financial. As an investment fiduciary, their focus is to prudently select, evaluate and monitor investments that are solely in your best interest. This is done so that you can plan your future with more confidence and peace of mind.
Do you already have an RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan account? Make the most of it by logging into the Nationwide website to manage account details and build knowledge and confidence about your retirement plan.
Once you log in, you can:
Account Management
- Update your personal profile and preferences.
- View your balance and transaction history.
Resources
- Access beneficiary information, statements and tax documents.
- Use educational tools and calculators.
- Research funds and investment options.
Learning
- Read newsletters about the market, investing and how to better position yourself to make progress with your financial goals.
- View presentations that can help you make more informed decisions about investing and retirement planning.
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What will my income be after I retire?
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What will my expenses be after I retire?
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What is the difference between a 457(b) plan and a 403(b) plan?
Both types of plans are tax deferred, but the 457(b) lets you start withdrawing money from your account as soon as you stop working for the sponsoring employer, no matter your age. In certain situations — such as death, disability or an unforeseen emergency — withdrawals may also be allowed earlier if specific requirements are met.
Meanwhile, 403(b) plans allow standard, penalty-free withdrawals at age 59½, as well as limited early withdrawal exceptions.
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Can I transfer my 403(b) plan at any time?
Yes. If you are still employed, you may transfer your 403(b) between eligible 403(b) providers. If you are no longer employed or otherwise meet a qualifying event, you become eligible to roll funds over to an IRA or other eligible retirement plan.
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What if I’m interested in retirement planning — but do not work in K-12 education?
Individuals in search of financial planning strategies and solutions who are not currently employed in K-12 education may wish to visit RBFCU Investments Group, which serves RBFCU credit union members and non-members alike.
This page was last updated in April 2026.
DISCLOSURES
Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.
All products and services under the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan™ are offered through Nationwide, which is not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Ameriprise does not sponsor or endorse, and has no direct interest in, the RBFCU Freedom Retirement Plan.
*RBFCU Retirement Program does not charge transfer fees; however, fees may be applied by another financial institution for incoming or outgoing transfers. Other fees may apply.
Ameriprise Financial Services has a partnership with this financial institution to provide financial planning services and solutions to clients. The financial institution is not an investment client of Ameriprise but has a revenue sharing relationship with us that creates a conflict of interest. Details on how we work together can be found on ameriprise.com/sec-disclosure.
Ameriprise Financial Services partners with financial institutions to provide investment advisory, brokerage and insurance services to their clients. This is a contractual relationship, which earns the financial institution compensation from Ameriprise for successful referrals. In most cases, the financial institution also receives a majority of the commissions and fees generated by Ameriprise financial advisors for the services noted above. This applies as long as the referred client maintains a relationship with Ameriprise. Non-licensed employees of the financial institutions may receive incentives from their employer for referring clients to Ameriprise. These incentives create a conflict of interest.
Ameriprise Financial is not affiliated with the financial institution.
RBFCU Retirement Program, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, is a division of RBFCU Investments Group LLC.
The selection, monitoring, and replacement of investment options for the Nationwide Freedom Retirement Plan are made by Leafhouse Financial which is not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.
A Roth IRA is tax free as long as investors leave the money in the account for at least 5 years and are 59½ or older when they take distributions or meet another qualifying event, such as death, or disability.
Be sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of an IRA rollover or transfer before implementing. As with any decision that has tax implications, you should consult with your tax adviser prior to implementing an IRA rollover or transfer.
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.
Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.