Lesson

Retirement Plans

11-12th Grades

45 min

Summary

Total compensation isn't just wages or salary earned. Explore how employer-sponsored retirement plans, matches, and payroll deductions quietly build wealth over a career.

Activities

Bellringer: Free Money

Pose the $40,000 salary and 5% match scenario.
Let students calculate the free money before revealing $2,000.

5 min

Instruction

Define 401(k) and 403(b), employer match, and vesting.
Cover tax-deferred vs. tax-free and what happens when you leave a job.

10 min

Discussion: Raise or Match?

Have students debate a 4% raise versus a 4% 401(k) match.
Push them to weigh taxes, interest, and future value.

10 min

Activity: Retirement Game & Posttest

Play The Elephant in the Room for 20-25 minutes.
Finish with the posttest and vocab review if time allows.

18 min

Wrap-Up & Assessment

Why is an employer matching your 401(k) contribution considered "free money"?
What is the difference between a 401(k) and a 403(b)?

2 min

Est. Time	Activity	Description
5 min	Bellringer: Free Money	Pose the $40,000 salary and 5% match scenario. Let students calculate the free money before revealing $2,000.
10 min	Instruction	Define 401(k) and 403(b), employer match, and vesting. Cover tax-deferred vs. tax-free and what happens when you leave a job.
10 min	Discussion: Raise or Match?	Have students debate a 4% raise versus a 4% 401(k) match. Push them to weigh taxes, interest, and future value.
18 min	Activity: Retirement Game & Posttest	Play The Elephant in the Room for 20-25 minutes. Finish with the posttest and vocab review if time allows.
2 min	Wrap-Up & Assessment	Why is an employer matching your 401(k) contribution considered "free money"? What is the difference between a 401(k) and a 403(b)?

Lesson Prep

Retirement: The Elephant in the Room

Students practice saving for retirement over 40 years.

Retirement: The Elephant in the Room Posttest

See what students learned in Retirement: The Elephant in the Room.

Retirement: The Elephant in the Room

Students practice saving for retirement over 40 years.

Game

45 min

Retirement: The Elephant in the Room Posttest

See what students learned in Retirement: The Elephant in the Room.

Quiz

5 min

Class Presentation

Includes a 17-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.

Presentations, Ready to Go

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Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout

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