Austin ISD 403(b) Approved Vendors (2026 Guide)
TCG runs the Austin ISD 403(b) and 457(b). Here is how to enroll, where the real vendor list lives, and how to avoid the fee traps on a roughly 50-vendor menu.
Who Administers the Austin ISD 403(b)?
Austin ISD lists its 403(b) and 457(b) plans with Trusted Capital Group (TCG) on the district's official benefits vendor table, at 800-943-9179 and tcgservices.com/enroll. TCG is an independent fee-based third-party administrator headquartered in Austin.
Enrollment is two steps: open an account with a company on the district's approved vendor list, then set your payroll contribution through TCG's enrollment portal. One without the other moves no money.
For district-side benefits questions, the AISD Benefits and Leave Office can be reached at 512-414-2297, and the district's benefits page lives at austinisd.org/hc/benefits.
Which Vendors Are Approved at Austin ISD?
The official approved vendor list is maintained by TCG, the district's plan administrator, and is available through TCG's participant portal. What is publicly documented:
- Austin ISD runs a large multi-vendor menu. The independent 403bwise directory shows roughly 50 available 403(b) companies for the district, including National Life Group (Life Insurance Company of the Southwest), Equitable, Horace Mann, Lincoln Investment, Security Benefit, Vanguard, Victory Capital, and Voya Financial.
- A large Roth 403(b) subset is also available, including National Life Group, Equitable, Horace Mann, Lincoln Investment, Security Benefit, Vanguard, and Voya Financial, per the same directory.
Sources: Austin ISD Benefits and Leave, benefits vendor table (TPA and enrollment); 403bwise Austin ISD directory (vendor menu). Checked July 2026. The official list is maintained by TCG; confirm before opening an account.
National Life Group at Austin ISD: listed, and we confirm before setup
National Life Group appears on the independent 403bwise vendor directory for Austin ISD, for both traditional and Roth 403(b). Because TCG maintains the district's official list, Life Gateway verifies current availability with TCG as the first step of any account setup, before you sign anything.
Book a Free 403(b) Fee ReviewHow to Compare Vendors on a 50-Company Menu
A long approved list is not a ranking, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Many 403(b) products sold in K-12 plans are annuities, and some carry surrender charges of 5 to 10 percent if you move your money in the early years. A difference of just 1 percent in annual fees can reduce a final balance by 25 percent or more over a 30-year career.
- Ask for the full fee schedule in writing: expense ratios, mortality and expense charges, account maintenance fees, and any per-transfer costs.
- Check the surrender period before you sign: know exactly how many years your money is locked in and what leaving early would cost.
- Remember the 457(b) option: it has its own separate IRS contribution limit and no 10 percent early withdrawal penalty, which matters if you plan to retire before 59 and a half.
For a deeper walkthrough of the fee traps common in educator plans, read our guide on avoiding high 403(b) fees.
Plan Your Full Retirement Picture
Changing districts, moving states, or weighing a Roth move? Read changing districts or states and the 403(b) to Roth IRA conversion guide.
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Who administers the Austin ISD 403(b) plan?
Austin ISD's official benefits vendor table lists Trusted Capital Group (TCG) for the district's 403(b) and 457(b) plans, at 800-943-9179 and tcgservices.com/enroll. For district-side benefits questions, the AISD Benefits and Leave Office is at 512-414-2297.
Which 403(b) vendors are approved at Austin ISD?
The official approved vendor list is maintained by TCG, the district's plan administrator. The independent 403bwise directory shows roughly 50 available 403(b) companies for Austin ISD, including National Life Group, Equitable, Horace Mann, Lincoln Investment, Security Benefit, Vanguard, and Voya Financial. Confirm the current official list with TCG before opening an account.
Is National Life Group available in the Austin ISD 403(b)?
National Life Group (also known as Life Insurance Company of the Southwest) appears on the independent 403bwise vendor directory for Austin ISD for both traditional and Roth 403(b) accounts. Because TCG maintains the district's official list, Life Gateway confirms current availability with TCG as the first step of any account setup.
How do I start or change 403(b) contributions at Austin ISD?
Open an account with an approved vendor, then set your contribution through TCG's enrollment portal at tcgservices.com/enroll or by calling 800-943-9179. Contribution changes and distributions also go through TCG directly.
Life Gateway is an insurance-licensed financial services firm. This guide is educational, compiled from publicly available district, administrator, and directory sources as of July 2026, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Austin ISD or TCG. The official approved vendor list is maintained by TCG and changes over time; always confirm current details before acting.
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