MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at 847-491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

October 6, 2004

Financial Workshops Begin Oct. 7

Fall 2004 Financial Planning Workshops are underway on the Chicago and Evanston campuses.

The series provides financial topics to enrich financial planning by faculty and staff members.

The following workshops are scheduled for October:

• “First Northern Credit Union (FNCU) Summary of Services,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 7), Abbott Hall, Room 850, Chicago. This seminar provides a general overview on what type of organization FNCU is, membership processes and fees. Service options and benefits of membership are also covered.

• “Mapping a Course for the Future -- Tuition Planning,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 7), Norris University Center, Michigan Room, Evanston. This session, co-sponsored by the Financial Aid Office and the Benefits Division, will look at financial aid options for college and summarize the key features of Northwestern’s tuition plan.

• “Understanding Investments with Fidelity and TIAA-CREF” and “Fidelity Investments,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, Norris Center, Northwestern Room, Evanston, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, Abbott Hall, Room 850, Chicago; and ”TIAA-CREF,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, Norris Center, Indiana Room, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, Abbott Hall, Room 850, Chicago. These investment workshops will provide a solid understanding of the fundamentals of investing, covering basic investment terminology, the nature of various investments, and the characteristics of financial markets. Participants will learn how to use basic investment strategies to achieve their financial goals including compounding interest, dollar cost averaging, portfolio re-balancing and minimizing taxes.

• “Social Security and Financial Planning,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday (Oct. 11), Norris Center, Purdue Room, Evanston, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 13), Abbott Hall, Room 850, Chicago. A Social Security Administration representative will summarize how one’s retirement income is calculated and provide a timeline and practical suggestions to help plan and prepare for retirement.

• “CNA Long Term Care Insurance,” noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday  (Oct. 13), Norris Center, Purdue Room, Evanston, and noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 20), Abbott Hall, Room 850, Chicago. This workshop will provide basic information about the various types of costs of long term care arrangements available should individuals become unable to care for themselves due to illness or injury. A CNA representative will address the benefits of long term care insurance and discuss the specifics of the long term care plan offered at Northwestern through CNA.

More financial planning workshops will be offered in November and December.

To view the Work/Life Educational Series Fall 2004 Workhops booklet online go to http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/news/fall%2004%20worklife%20final1.pdf.

Registration for fall financial planning workshops may be done online at https://aquavite.northwestern.edu/wsreg/show_courses.cgi under “benefits” or call (847) 491-7513.