Ready to invest in a 403(b)?
Call 877-859-5756
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time
Ready to invest in a 403(b)?
Call 800-569-4903
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time
What makes Vanguard different?
As an experienced provider, our disciplined investing approach, client-first focus, and premier services can lower your investing costs.
A singular focus
At Vanguard, the focus truly is on you, whether you're an employer looking to offer a 403(b) plan to help employees save for retirement or an employee trying to decide among multiple providers.
We can say that because we don't have outside owners. Vanguard (the company) is owned by the Vanguard funds, which are owned by our investors. So our structure naturally puts you first.
High-quality funds
Are you a hands-off investor who prefers to let just one mutual fund help you reach your savings goals? Or do you like to assemble your own portfolio of mutual funds?
At Vanguard, you can select from:
- Vanguard Institutional Target Retirement Funds, our lowest-cost target retirement funds, which offer a complete portfolio in a single fund. There is no minimum investment.
- A diversified lineup of low-cost funds selected by your plan.
Diversification
The strategy of investing in multiple asset classes (like stocks, bonds, and cash) and among many securities in an attempt to lower overall investment risk.
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.
Portfolio
The sum total of your investments managed toward a specific goal.
An enviable cost advantage
The Vanguard average expense ratio for mutual funds is 82% less than the industry average.* And our 403(b) fees are clear and straightforward, so you always know exactly what you're paying.
Lower your 403(b) plan fees & fund costs at Vanguard
See the difference low-cost mutual funds can make
Another way we keep costs low
Vanguard 403(b) Services has the added benefit of offering access to additional cost savings through the Admiral™ share class of our mutual funds with no minimum investment required.
Expense ratio
The annual operating expenses of a mutual fund or ETF (exchange-traded fund), expressed as a percentage of the fund's average net assets. It's calculated annually and removed from the fund's earnings before they're distributed to investors, directly reducing investors' returns. For example, if you had $10,000 invested in a fund with an expense ratio of 0.20%, you'd pay about $20 a year out of your investment returns.
Enjoy complete support for your plan
Whether you're a plan sponsor or participant, Vanguard 403(b) Services offers robust services and features that go beyond the basics to meet your needs.
Get assistance from an assigned client services team, use online plan management and reporting tools, and partner with third-party administrators (TPAs) if you want.**
Separate, secure websites for plan sponsors and participants customize each online experience.
Plan sponsors. Construct a well-designed plan that's easy for you to manage and provides resources to help your participants maximize their savings.
Explore the features of Vanguard 403(b) Services for plan sponsors
Plan participants. Use intuitive online features to contribute to your plan and monitor how you're doing.
Explore the features of Vanguard 403(b) Services for plan participants
Plan sponsor
An employer that establishes a retirement plan to benefit its employees.
Plan participant
Anyone who contributes to a retirement plan, or is retired and receiving benefits from it.
Third-party administrator (TPA)
An individual or organization hired by a plan sponsor to run the retirement plan selected by the sponsor.
The catalyst for low-cost investing
Keeping costs low is the foundation of our existence, starting with our first mutual fund in 1975—Vanguard 500 Index Fund. Now the momentum is a driving force in the industry. That's The Vanguard Effect®.
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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.
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.
*Vanguard average expense ratio: 0.10%. Industry average expense ratio: 0.55%. All averages are asset-weighted. Industry averages exclude Vanguard. Sources: Vanguard and Morningstar, Inc., as of December 31, 2021.
**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.
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.
Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.
Vanguard is investor-owned, meaning the fund shareholders own the funds, which in turn own Vanguard.
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.