Los Angeles Unified 403(b) Approved Vendors (2026 Guide)
All 15 approved LAUSD vendors straight from the CalSTRS 403bCompare registry, plus how the plan is run and how to enroll or switch.
Who Administers the LAUSD 403(b)?
Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school district, lists TSA Consulting Group (TSACG) as third-party administrator for its 403(b) plan, with Voya Financial serving the companion 457(b). A Retirement Investment Advisory Committee that includes labor union representatives, Board of Education appointees, and Benefits Administration staff oversees both plans.
California educators have an advantage most states lack: 403bCompare.com, a public registry run by CalSTRS. Every vendor that wants to sell a 403(b) in a California school district must register its products and fees there, and the LAUSD employer page shows exactly which vendors the district has approved. Before you sign anything, look the product up.
Enrollment takes two steps: open an account with an approved vendor from the list below, then submit a salary reduction agreement so district payroll can begin deductions. Redirecting future contributions to a different approved vendor works the same way; moving an existing balance requires a separate exchange or rollover.
The LAUSD Approved Vendor List
Fifteen vendors are approved for the LAUSD 403(b), and the plan permits Roth 403(b) contributions. The lineup spans low-cost index fund providers, the CalSTRS-run Pension2 program, and a range of insurance-company annuity platforms with very different fee structures.
| Approved Vendor | Vendor ID (403bCompare) |
|---|---|
| Ameriprise Financial Inc. | 1041 |
| Brighthouse Financial | 1073 |
| CalSTRS Pension2 | 1097 |
| Corebridge Financial | 1117 |
| Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company | 1067 |
| Horace Mann Life Insurance Company | 1014 |
| Invesco (formerly OppenheimerFunds) | 1121 |
| Lincoln Investment, LLC | 1068 |
| The Lincoln National Life Insurance Co (Lincoln Financial) | 1029 |
| Metropolitan Life Insurance Company | 1024 |
| National Life Group (through Life Insurance Company of the Southwest) | 1036 |
| PlanMember Services Corp | 1127 |
| Security Benefit | 1022 |
| TIAA | 1023 |
| The Vanguard Group | 1102 |
Source: 403bCompare.com (CalSTRS), Los Angeles Unified School District employer page. Verified July 2026. Roth eligible: Yes. Vendor lists change; confirm on 403bCompare before opening an account.
National Life Group is approved at LAUSD
National Life Group, through member company Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, is on the LAUSD approved list. That means LAUSD educators can set up a 403(b) with Life Gateway directly, funded by normal payroll deduction. We will handle the account setup and the salary reduction agreement with you step by step.
Book a Free 403(b) Fee ReviewHow to Compare 15 Vendors Without Drowning
An approved list tells you which companies the district allows. It does not tell you which product fits you, and it is not an endorsement of any product. 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.
- Use 403bCompare first: every approved vendor's products, fees, and surrender schedules are published there. Ten minutes on the registry beats an hour of sales calls.
- Check the surrender period before you sign: know exactly how many years your money is locked in and what leaving early would cost.
- Match the product to your pension and timeline: guaranteed-income features are priced differently at every vendor, and the right fit depends on your CalSTRS pension, your retirement date, and how much risk your other savings already carry.
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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Which 403(b) vendors are approved at LAUSD?
As of July 2026, the CalSTRS 403bCompare registry lists 15 approved 403(b) vendors for Los Angeles Unified School District, including Ameriprise Financial, Brighthouse Financial, CalSTRS Pension2, Corebridge Financial, Equitable, Horace Mann, Invesco, Lincoln Investment, Lincoln Financial, MetLife, National Life Group (through Life Insurance Company of the Southwest), PlanMember Services, Security Benefit, TIAA, and Vanguard. Roth 403(b) contributions are permitted under the LAUSD plan.
Is National Life Group an approved vendor at LAUSD?
Yes. National Life Group, through member company Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, appears on the LAUSD approved vendor list in the CalSTRS 403bCompare registry. LAUSD educators can open and fund a National Life Group 403(b) through normal payroll deduction after submitting a salary reduction agreement.
Who administers the LAUSD 403(b) plan?
LAUSD Benefits Administration lists TSA Consulting Group (TSACG) as third-party administrator for the district's 403(b) plan, with Voya Financial serving the companion 457(b). A Retirement Investment Advisory Committee that includes labor union representatives oversees both plans. Confirm current administrator details with LAUSD Benefits Administration.
How do I enroll in the LAUSD 403(b)?
Open an account with a vendor from the LAUSD approved list first, then submit a salary reduction agreement so district payroll can begin deductions. You can compare every approved vendor's products and fees side by side for free at 403bCompare.com, the registry run by CalSTRS.
Life Gateway is an insurance-licensed financial services firm. This guide is educational, compiled from publicly available district and registry documents as of July 2026, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Los Angeles Unified School District or CalSTRS. Vendor lists and plan rules change; always confirm current details with the district, its plan administrator, or 403bCompare.
Cut the 15-Vendor List Down to Your Best Fit
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