Several years ago a bill was introduced in the California legislature to allow California Public Schools the ability to choose a single vendor for their 403(b) plans (they can actually do this already if the platform is mutual fund based). There were several companies against the Single Vendor option (which lowers costs and increases services, and should allow economies of scale to benefit the employer and employees) and VALIC was one of them. The bill was basically watered down and turned into a disclosure database which became www.403bcompare.com, a landmark in and of itself.

It appears that VALIC has had a change of heart and now fully endorses the Single Vendor concept. The attached Press Release announces that AIGVALIC will be taking over the 403(b) and 457(b) programs in Richmond, VA Public Schools. I'll be following this development to see how AIGVALIC responds in California.

Scott Dauenhauer, CFP, MSFP