3:46 p.m., Feb. 21, 2011----It's never too soon to start planning your financial roadmap, and to make the process easier the Office of Human Resources is offering a variety of financial planning, retirement and workplace savings seminars for UD employees March 7-10.

The series is being presented in cooperation with TIAA-CREF, Fidelity Investments and the Delaware Employees' Pension Plan.

“The University of Delaware is well known as a family-friendly employer, so we're particularly pleased to build on that strength by offering our employees this important and valuable information that will help them shape financial decisions for themselves and their families,” said J.J. Davis, vice president for finance and administration.

Seminar topics will include:

-- investment basics and the benefits of investing,
-- an overview of the state employees' pension plan,
-- determining an investment strategy,
-- growing financially strong with smart investing,
-- investment strategy and asset allocations,
-- online tools and services for your retirement income plan and
-- UD retiree benefits.

In conjunction with the series, special sessions will provide information on 529 College Savings Plans, which are voluntary tax-advantaged investment tools designed to encourage saving for future higher education costs for a designated beneficiary.

Earnings within such plans grow tax-deferred, and distributions are federal income tax free. Participants will learn how to take advantage of these federal tax breaks, and after July 1, 2011, benefits-eligible UD employees will be have the ease and convenience of payroll deduction to make contributions to such a plan.

Information on registration, dates, times and locations is available on a special Human Resources website.

Questions? Send email to [ben-serv@udel.edu] or call 831-2171.