Serving 85+ Households Nationwide · Fiduciary Financial Advisor
A Financial Plan Built for Teachers
Teaching in Michigan comes with a real pension through MPSERS, but understanding how it actually works, what it will pay, and whether supplementing it with a 403(b) makes sense requires analysis most teachers never get. Add PSLF eligibility for those with federal student loans and summer cash flow planning, and the financial picture is more complex than the income level suggests.
The Financial Challenges Teachers Face
These are not generic financial planning issues. They are specific to your profession, your income structure, and the decisions you are likely facing right now.
Understanding your MPSERS pension and what it will actually pay
MPSERS provides a defined benefit pension, but calculating what you will actually receive at retirement requires knowing your hire date, plan tier, final average compensation, and years of service. Most teachers underestimate or overestimate their pension significantly. We model your actual projected benefit so your plan is built around reality, not a rough guess.
Deciding how much to save in your 403(b)
Even with a pension, saving in a 403(b) is worth doing, especially if you are in an earlier MPSERS tier with lower multipliers or if you want to retire before the pension is fully accessible. The right contribution amount, fund options, and the Roth vs. traditional 403(b) question all depend on your specific tax situation.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness for educators
Michigan public school teachers are among the most common PSLF-qualifying borrowers in the country. If you have federal student loans and have been making payments on an income-driven plan, you may be closer to forgiveness than you realize. We verify your eligibility, check your payment count, and catch any mistakes that would reset your clock before they happen.
Managing cash flow through summer
Whether your district spreads your pay across 12 months or pays you over the school year only, summer cash flow needs a plan. Many teachers find themselves short in August before contracts resume. A system that smooths income across the full year keeps your savings goals from stalling when school is out.
A financial advisor who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm specifically for young professionals to give them clarity and direction with their finances.
Meet ChrisWhat a Financial Plan for Teachers Covers
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm built for young professionals. No asset minimums. No commissions. A real plan built around your actual situation.
What clients say about working with Chris
"I'm so glad I started working with Chris early on in my career. He worked with me to create a plan that's unique to my financial goals and helped me get started with investing and planning for retirement."
"Chris has always been on top of his work and has helped me better my financial future. He truly cares about his clients and is continually trying to improve. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for financial growth and guidance."
"Working with Villaire Financial has been great. I wouldn't have started investing my money if it wasn't for Chris, and I'm glad I did. Chris is easy to communicate with and really understands how to help Gen Z put their money in the right places."
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided. Individual experiences and results will vary.
Common Questions from Teachers
Do Michigan public school teachers qualify for PSLF?
Yes. Michigan public school teachers work for government entities and qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The key requirements are having Direct Loans, being enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan, and working full-time. Meet those conditions, make 120 qualifying payments, and your remaining balance is forgiven tax-free.
Should I contribute to a 403(b) if I already have the MPSERS pension?
In most cases, yes, especially if you are in one of the hybrid MPSERS plans with lower defined benefit multipliers, if you want to retire before your pension is fully accessible, or if you want flexibility the pension does not provide. How much to contribute depends on your pension tier, years of service, and other financial goals.
How is the MPSERS pension calculated?
MPSERS pension benefits are based on your tier, final average compensation (your three highest-earning consecutive years), and years of credited service. Newer hires are generally in the Pension Plus plan, which combines a reduced defined benefit with a defined contribution component. The formula varies significantly by hire date and tier.
Can I retire early and still receive my pension?
That depends on your tier and years of service. Under most MPSERS plans, full retirement requires meeting an age-and-service combination. Early retirement is possible in some cases but results in reduced benefits. We model your specific pension terms to identify the earliest financially sensible retirement date based on your goals.
What does fee-only financial planning cost for a teacher?
At Villaire Financial, the one-time onboarding fee is $250. Ongoing financial planning is $75 per month, waived once you reach $100,000 in managed assets. No commissions, no asset minimums. A teacher with $30,000 in a 403(b) and $40,000 in student loans is exactly the kind of client this firm was built for.
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
No sales pitch, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your financial situation and what working together would look like. The call is free and there is no pressure to move forward.
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