Tag: Higher Education

Understanding TIAA’s Hidden Nuances (Ep. 2)

Understanding TIAA’s Hidden Nuances (Ep. 2)

Many higher education and medical professionals depend on TIAA for their retirement savings, yet most don’t fully understand the fine print.

From liquidity restrictions to overlooked contract details, the consequences of not asking the right questions can be costly.

This week, Greg Shepard breaks down the most common misunderstandings about TIAA Traditional and explains why a personalized approach is critical.

His mission is clear: simplify the complexities so you can make informed decisions well before retirement.

Greg discusses:

  • Why TIAA’s complexities often only become clear close to retirement
  • The importance of knowing whether your TIAA Traditional funds are liquid or illiquid
  • How over-concentration in TIAA Traditional can derail retirement plans
  • Why contract details are often missed and how to find them
  • The need for customized strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
  • And more!

Connect with Greg Shepard: 

Meet the Man Behind the Mic: Introduction to TIAA Simplified’s Greg Shepard (Ep. 1)

Meet the Man Behind the Mic: Introduction to TIAA Simplified’s Greg Shepard (Ep. 1)

Most people believe their retirement plan is on autopilot. But what if the fine print in your TIAA Traditional account could derail everything at the finish line?

In the premiere episode of TIAA Simplified, Greg Shepard shares how helping higher ed professionals navigate their TIAA investments has completely reshaped his approach to advising. 

These aren’t just account balances and allocations. They’re emotional, high-stakes decisions often made without the right information. Greg dives into the real stories of confusion, frustration, and life-altering revelations that sparked his mission to bring clarity to this overlooked topic.

Greg discusses:

  • How years of traditional financial advising felt empty until he began helping TIAA participants with their most pressing questions
  • The overlooked restrictions inside TIAA Traditional and how they catch people off guard near retirement
  • Why even highly intelligent professionals struggle to understand the mechanics of their plan
  • What pushed Greg to start making videos and podcasts that became lifelines for people in need of answers
  • The urgency of asking the right questions well before retirement to avoid irreversible planning mistakes
  • And more!

Connect with Greg Shepard: