403(b) services

Let Vanguard help pave your road to retirement

Selecting an investment provider can be difficult. With Vanguard, your needs are our number one priority.

Ready to set up your plan?

Call 800-569-4903
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time

Call 877-859-5756
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time

How to get started with your plan

Fill out an application

Your plan sponsor has established your company's plan, but we don't have any information about you, such as your name, address, and Social Security number.

Fill out my 403(b) plan application

Sign up for account access

Your plan sponsor has established your company's plan and has set up your individual account. If you haven't already done so, sign up for online account access so you can manage your account. Then click Enroll now next to your 403(b) account to start investing.

Sign up for web access

Start saving now

Your plan sponsor has established your company's plan and has set up your individual account. You've set up online account access—now it's time to save! Simply log in and click Enroll now next to your 403(b) account.

Log in to my 403(b) plan account

Choose trust & experience

We've been helping employees reach their retirement goals through a variety of plans—IRAs, 401(k) plans, and of course, 403(b) plans.

With Vanguard 403(b) Services, you can build for your future through low-cost mutual funds and an easy-to-manage plan that offers premier services.

Find out why Vanguard's different

IRA (individual retirement account)

A type of account created by the IRS that offers tax benefits when you use it to save for retirement.

401(k) plan

A type of employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars by deferring salary. Many plans offer a variety of investment options, and employers often match a percentage of employee contributions.

Mutual fund

A type of investment that pools shareholder money and invests it in a variety of securities. Each investor owns shares of the fund and can buy or sell these shares at any time. Mutual funds are typically more diversified, low-cost, and convenient than investing in individual securities, and they're professionally managed.

Plan participant

Anyone who contributes to a retirement plan, or is retired and receiving benefits from it.

Portfolio

The sum total of your investments managed toward a specific goal.

Index fund

A type of mutual fund that seeks to track the performance of a particular market index (sometimes referred to as a "benchmark"), like the popular S&P 500 index, Nasdaq, or Dow Jones Industrial Average, by buying all or a representative sample of the securities in the index it tracks.

Market sector

An area of the economy whose businesses share certain characteristics.

Roth IRA

A type of IRA that allows you to make after-tax contributions (so you don't get an immediate tax deduction) and then withdraw money in retirement tax-free as long as you meet the requirements.

Beneficiary

A person or organization designated to receive the proceeds of an investment account (or an insurance policy, a pension, or an annuity contract) after the owner dies.

Stay on track with target retirement funds

Many plans use target retirement funds as the "default" investment for newly enrolled plan participants. Vanguard Target Retirement Funds are a practical, cost-effective choice if you're not sure how to invest, or you simply don't have the time or interest to choose a mix of mutual funds for your portfolio.

If you invest in a Target Retirement Fund, pick the fund with the date closest to your retirement. The fund invests in Vanguard index funds, giving you access to thousands of U.S. and international stocks and bonds, including exposure to major market sectors.

Learn more about target retirement funds

Want more choices?

If your plan allows, you may also be able to select from a diversified lineup of low-cost funds—or even funds from other companies to meet your investment goals.*

See the funds offered by Vanguard 403(b) Services

Keep your costs low

You know exactly what you're paying for with Vanguard 403(b) Services. We only charge what's necessary to run our funds and we never hide our fees.

Lower your 403(b) plans fees & fund costs at Vanguards

See how Admiral™ Shares can help lower your costs even more

Save time with convenient services

With Vanguard 403(b) Services, you get services and options that make saving convenient and efficient.**

  • The ability to contribute through payroll deductions so you never forget to save.
  • The opportunity to elect automatic contribution rate increases.
  • Loan services (if your plan allows).
  • Roth 403(b) contributions (if your plan allows).

Manage your account online

Our secure plan participant website gives you the tools you need to transact on and monitor your investments and account information.

  • Readily access your account information, such as the balance, performance, and transactions.
  • Set your savings goals, contribution rates, and your investment allocation.
  • Generate statements on demand and select the level of detail.
  • Manage beneficiaries.

Do you have other 403(b) plan accounts?

If you have 403(b) plan accounts with other providers, you may be able to move your assets and consolidate your retirement savings at Vanguard.

You have a few choices for transferring 403(b) assets. We're here to help you understand your options, determine what's best for you, and guide you through the transfer.

Is it time for a 403(b) rollover?

Make retirement saving easy

If you don't know how to start saving for retirement, we can help you figure out how much you'll need and how to balance all your savings goals.

Get the basics about saving for retirement

Consolidate your accounts

Consider moving accounts you hold elsewhere to Vanguard. You'll enjoy more control of your portfolio now and get a clear picture of your investment strategy.

Transfer accounts to Vanguard

Use our handy tools

You're putting money away for your future, but how do you know if it will be enough?

See if you'll have enough to retire

We're here to help

Plan participants

Call 800-569-4903

Existing plan sponsors

Call 877-893-5426

Prospective plan sponsors

Call 877-859-5756

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time

Already a plan participant? Log in to access your account.

Log in

New to Vanguard? Get started >

We're here to help

Plan participants

Call 800-569-4903

Existing plan sponsors

Call 877-893-5426

Prospective plan sponsors

Call 877-859-5756

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time

Already a plan participant?
Log in to access your account.

Log in

New to Vanguard? Get started >

*Vanguard average mutual fund expense ratio: 0.09%. Industry average mutual fund expense ratio: 0.54%. All averages are asset-weighted. Industry average excludes Vanguard. Sources: Vanguard and Morningstar, Inc., as of December 31, 2022.

**Retirement plan recordkeeping and administrative services are provided by The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI). VGI has entered into an agreement with Newport Group, Inc., to provide certain plan recordkeeping and administrative services on its behalf. Custodial services are provided by Newport Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Newport Group, Inc. Newport Group, Inc., and Newport Trust Company are not affiliated with The Vanguard Group, Inc., or any of its affiliates.
 

For more information about Vanguard funds or ETFs, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.
 

Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date.

Fund suggestions are based on an estimated retirement age of approximately 65. Should you choose to retire significantly earlier or later, you may want to consider a fund with an asset allocation more appropriate to your particular situation.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.