Houston ISD 403(b) Approved Vendors (2026 Guide)
How the HISD voluntary 403(b) and 457 plans work, where the official provider list lives, and how to enroll through Retirement Manager.
How the HISD 403(b) and 457 Plans Work
All active Houston ISD employees are eligible for the district's voluntary 403(b) and 457 retirement plans, funded by before-tax payroll deductions to providers on the district's active list. The HISD Benefits Department administers the program, and Corebridge Financial (through The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, VALIC) maintains dedicated HISD plan pages for both the 403(b) and the 457(b).
Enrollment is a two-step process. First, open an account directly with a company on HISD's active providers list. Second, create a login at Retirement Manager (myretirementmanager.com), the system HISD uses to set, stop, or change payroll contribution amounts. Without the Retirement Manager step, no money moves.
For plan questions or the current official provider list, contact the HISD Benefits Department at 877-780-HISD or BenefitsOffice@houstonisd.org.
Which Vendors Are Available at HISD?
HISD keeps its official active-provider list inside the Benefits Department rather than on a single public page, so treat any list you find online, including this one, as a starting point to confirm. Two things are well documented:
- Corebridge Financial (VALIC) is a confirmed HISD provider with dedicated district plan pages for the 403(b) and the 457(b).
- The independent 403bwise directory lists roughly 30 available 403(b) vendors for HISD, including National Life Group, Equitable, Fidelity Investments, Horace Mann, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, Security Benefit, and Voya Financial, plus a shorter 457(b) lineup of Corebridge Financial, Security Benefit, and TCG Administrators.
Sources: Houston ISD employee FAQ; Corebridge Financial, Houston ISD 403(b) plan page; 403bwise Houston ISD directory. Checked July 2026. The official active-provider list is held by HISD Benefits; confirm before opening an account.
National Life Group at HISD: listed, and we confirm before setup
National Life Group appears on the independent 403bwise vendor directory for Houston ISD, for both traditional and Roth 403(b). Because the district's official list lives with HISD Benefits, Life Gateway verifies current availability directly with the district as the first step of any account setup, before you sign anything.
Book a Free 403(b) Fee ReviewHow to Compare Vendors on a Big-District List
A long provider list is not a ranking. It does not tell you which product fits you, 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 option: the 457(b) 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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Read the update →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Houston ISD offer a 403(b) plan?
Yes. All active HISD employees are eligible to participate in the district's voluntary 403(b) and 457 retirement plans through before-tax payroll deductions to active HISD plan providers. Once an account is established with a provider, employees manage their contributions through the Retirement Manager system at myretirementmanager.com.
Which vendors are available in the Houston ISD 403(b)?
Houston ISD maintains an active providers list through its Benefits Department. Corebridge Financial (VALIC) hosts dedicated HISD 403(b) and 457(b) plan pages and is a confirmed provider. The independent 403bwise directory lists roughly 30 available 403(b) vendors for HISD, including National Life Group, Equitable, Fidelity Investments, Security Benefit, and Voya Financial. Confirm the current official list with HISD Benefits at 877-780-HISD before opening an account.
Is National Life Group available in the Houston ISD 403(b)?
National Life Group appears on the independent 403bwise vendor directory for Houston ISD for both traditional and Roth 403(b) accounts. Because HISD's official active-provider list is maintained internally by the Benefits Department, Life Gateway confirms current availability directly with HISD as part of any account setup.
How do I start or change 403(b) contributions at HISD?
First open an account with a financial services company on HISD's active providers list. Then create a login at Retirement Manager (myretirementmanager.com) to set or change your payroll contribution amount. For help, contact the HISD Benefits Department at 877-780-HISD or BenefitsOffice@houstonisd.org.
Life Gateway is an insurance-licensed financial services firm. This guide is educational, compiled from publicly available district, provider, and directory sources as of July 2026, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Houston ISD. The district's official active-provider list is maintained by HISD Benefits and changes over time; always confirm current details with the district before acting.
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