VASS Announces New Financial Wellness Benefit for Superintendent Members

Your financial well-being is essential to your ability to confidently perform your duties as a Superintendent and to help maintain a high-quality life. To that end, VASS members are now eligible for a variety of important financial planning services at reduced rates, including two complimentary hours of financial consultation paid by VASS through a special arrangement with VASS Partner TCG, a HUB International Company (TCG). This benefit is only available to VASS members and those who are named a Superintendent! To access these complimentary member benefits, please complete this short linked form.

The TCG team supporting you includes Senior Vice-President Mason Moses and Vice President Eric Williams. Mason specializes in serving superintendents by consulting on executive compensation and is a former school board member and school administrator. Since 2015 Mason has worked on over 500 superintendent contracts across the country. Eric provided financial and instructional leadership during his fourteen years as superintendent, including service as superintendent in Loudoun County and York County. Eric levarages his understanding of the unique needs of superintendents in helping them develop and implement their own financial and retirement plans that financially empower them to live the lives they desire.

As we begin a new school year, there has never been a better time to take advantage of the following services designed to support your career and personal financial well-being:

Financial and Retirement Planning

A financial plan is a strategic plan for one’s financial life. Owning your goals and developing a strategy to achieve them is a critical part of becoming financially well. Understanding how your pension, retirement savings, and other aspects can work together to give you the ability to make decisions effectively about your financial future. For educators, that does not mean just saving. It means knowing which VRS benefit and health care option is right for you and being confident that you have appropriately completed each of the VRS forms.

Contract Compensation Analysis

TCG works collaboratively with VASS General Council Micah Schwartz to provide a comprehensive compensation analysis to determine if a market adjustment to the Superintendent’s compensation is appropriate and work with the superintendent (or finalist) to determine which benefits are appropriate for the agreement and are aligned with the long-term financial goals of the superintendent.

Contract Implementation Support

Having a good contract is important, but if it is not implemented correctly, it can create several issues for the superintendent and/or district. TCG can work with the district’s business office to ensure that the contract is properly implemented regarding its impact on VRS and that any deferred compensation plans are compliant with applicable IRS statutes.

Investment Management

Saving and investing are not the same actions. One is for expenses in the short-to-medium term, while the other is for long-term wealth building, as it is important to make sure each dollar intended for the future is put in the appropriate investment bucket. Similarly, not every investment is the same. Some 403(b)/457b products may be appropriate for you, but others may carry high fees and surrender penalties that do not fit your needs.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is more than just creating a will. Estate planning ranges from establishing trusts and creating a power of attorney, to planning to reduce your taxable estate, to planning charitable gifting. TCG advisors can help incorporate estate planning into your overall financial planning and coordinate with outside attorneys to help set up any legal documents.

Tax Planning

A key component of financial planning is gaining tax efficiency. TCG advisors work with you using a holistic approach that incorporates your wealth management goals to help you retain as much of your earned income as possible.

To request an initial consultation and begin accessing these services, please complete this short online form. Membership will be verified after services are rendered.

These benefits are intended to help assure your long-term success and well-being. Your job is a big job and you are responsible for leading many others, including yourself and your family. VASS and TCG are here to support you and look forward to helping you be successful personally and professionally.