After Class by
For teachers, faculty, administrators & school staff

You teach the lessons. We help plan what comes after class.

Financial planning and investment management built for educators, from your pension and 403(b) to the day you leave the classroom.

Build My Retirement Plan   See How We Help

Start here

Do you know what's inside your 403(b)?

Most educators enroll in a 403(b) on their first day and rarely look at it again. Three questions are worth asking.

Life after class

Your pension is only one piece of your retirement.

Most educators are handed a pension, a 403(b), maybe a 457, and Social Security questions, with very little guidance on how they fit together.

We help you bring every piece into one clear strategy, so you know where you stand today and what comes next.

Teacher leading a class
Pension+403(b)+457+Social Security+Investments=Your retirement

Ways to work with us

You don't need all three. Start where it makes sense for you.

01 · Foundation

Foundation Plan

Build your roadmap.

$3,000+

A comprehensive, one-time financial plan built around your life as an educator.

We'll bring together your pension, 403(b), 457, taxes, investments and retirement goals, and give you a clear roadmap for what comes next over the course of three meetings, plus an implementation check-in.

Details
02 · Plan

Ongoing Planning

Keep your strategy current.

Continued financial planning as your career, family and goals evolve, from your working years through retirement.

Pension and retirement planning, tax strategy, investment guidance and ongoing access to your advisor.

Details
03 · Invest

403(b) & 457 Investment Management

Put your retirement savings to work.

Professional management of your workplace retirement savings.

We build, monitor and adjust your investment portfolio based on your goals, risk tolerance and time until retirement.

Details

How it works

Book a call

A no-cost conversation about where you are and where you want to be.

Tell us where you work

Your school district, college or university. We'll look up the retirement plans and options available to you.

Get your plan

We review your accounts, pension and taxes, and build a clear plan you can act on.

Stay on track

Your plan evolves with you.

As your career, family and goals change, we're here to help, from your working years through retirement.

Your employer, your options

Tell us where you work.

Every school district, college and university can have different retirement plans, providers and investment options.

Tell us where you work and we'll help you understand the retirement benefits and options available to you.

A Cortez Wealth advisor meeting with a client
Why After Class

An advisor, not a salesperson

We sit on your side of the table. Our only job is helping you make clear, confident decisions about your future, with every recommendation made in your best interest.

Fiduciary

As a registered investment adviser, we're required to act in your best interest when we give investment advice.

Transparent fees

Our advisory fees are clearly disclosed, so you'll understand what you pay for financial planning and investment management.

Educator-focused

Pensions, 403(b)s, 457s and district plans are the center of our work, not an afterthought.

Virtual meetings

Based in El Paso and serving educators through convenient virtual meetings.

Fee calculator

What could your 403(b) fees be costing you?

  • Balance$100,000
  • Years until retirement20
  • Current estimated cost3.00%
  • Lower-cost managed portfolio1.00%
Potential difference at retirement
$85,000
approximately
Calculate My Fees →

Hypothetical example for illustration only. Assumes a $100,000 balance, a constant 6% annual return before costs, costs deducted annually, and no additional contributions, withdrawals or taxes; the lower-cost figure is intended to include fund and advisory costs. It does not represent any specific investment or product, or reflect the value of any insurance guarantees. Actual results will vary.

Learn before you decide

Annuity or Investment Portfolio?

What you're paying for inside your 403(b), how costs add up over a career, and when an annuity can still make sense.

Compare Your Options

Free Educator's 403(b) Checklist

The questions every teacher should ask about their 403(b), 457 and pension. Print it or save it as a PDF.

Get the Free Guide

403(b) or 457?

Withdrawal rules, tax treatment and which to fund first. Straight answers in our FAQ.

Learn the Difference

You've planned hundreds of lessons.

Let's plan what comes after class.

Bring us your pension, 403(b), 457 and retirement questions. We'll help you understand where you stand and what comes next.

Get My 403(b) Review