The age of the webinar is here. Whether you had your employee orientation through Zoom or attend an online book club, digital learning has become ingrained in our culture.

Though common, are financial webinars actually helpful? Be aware: Not all are beneficial. 

Financial Webinar Positives

• Many are free. The no-cost webinar is a great way to learn more about all things money-related.
• No travel required. On-demand webinars are even better; learn at your convenience.
• Valuable resource to learn the basics about budgeting, retirement plans, emergency funds, and more.

Financial Webinar Negatives

• "Experts" who aren't experts. Before you register for any webinar, consider who's hosting it and research the individuals' and companies' credentials.
• The covert sales pitch. Some "free" webinars can be a ruse for pitching a product or service.
• Forum for scammers. The same rule for the old telephone and snail-mail pitch is true for webinars: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your homework before you commit money, data or personal information through a webinar. 

Learning the Fidelity and TIAA Way

Fidelity Investments and TIAA, U-M's longtime partners in administering its Retirement Savings Plans, are firmly in the positive column. Both companies offer several live and on-demand events each month with a variety of topics. These events can help you learn more about a subject that interests you, or freshen your existing knowledge about the ever-changing financial world.

Fidelity and TIAA are both regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They also follow rules set by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the U.S. Department of Labor for retirement accounts. 

Upcoming Fidelity and TIAA webinars are listed below. All are free of charge and take place on Eastern Time.  

Fidelity

Starting Small: How to Start Investing for the Price of a Coffee
Thursday, July 16 – noon-1 p.m.

Investing can seem overwhelming when you’re just starting out, but it doesn’t have to be. Topics will include which trading strategies may make sense as you start small and work to build your investment portfolio. Once you decide on a strategy, learn how Fidelity can help with research and placing trades.

Following the Fundamentals 
Tuesday, July 28 – noon-1 p.m.

During this interactive webinar, a Fidelity specialist will utilize tools and resources to view the overall market, sectors and industries. You'll learn how to use this information to make investment decisions, including screening for stocks and ETFs. This live event will include your questions; submit when you register. 

To view more educational events, go to the Fidelity Special Events Learning Center web page. 

TIAA

Investing for Beginners: Start Your Wealth Journey
Tuesday, July 7  – 11 a.m.

Investing isn’t just for the wealthy. Even small, consistent contributions can grow significantly over time. During this session, you'll discover fundamentals to help you start investing with confidence, including:

• How investing works and where to begin
• The power of time and compound growth
• What to consider when selecting investments
• Understanding risk vs. reward

Steps to Secure Your Income in Retirement: A Mid-Career Check-In
Wednesday, July 22 – noon

Only 34% of non-retirees think their retirement savings plan is on track. A check-in at this stage of your career can help you take action now to set yourself up for greater financial security later. During this webinar, you'll learn to:

• Set financial priorities
• Optimize your savings and investments
• Make a plan for lifetime income

To explore TIAA's webinar library, go to the TIAA Webinars web page. 

Check In to Check Out

Events are great ways to increase your financial knowledge, but they can't replace personal connection with your TIAA or Fidelity retirement specialist. You can meet with a strategist virtually, by phone or in person for optimal convenience. Evolving technology allows them to screen-share so you can see your account information in real-time.  

To schedule your one-on-one appointment:

• Visit the Fidelity Scheduler web page or call (800) 642-7131, weekdays from 8 a.m. to midnight. Fidelity offers appointments exclusively for U-M employees every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visit the TIAA scheduling web page or call (800) 732-8353, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Help at MHealthy

MHealthy also offers several resources to assist faculty and staff with improving their financial well-being. These include education programs and resources, coaches, and immediate assistance for those who need help now.