Icons of art and sport will share their inspiring stories and motivational tips during Fidelity Investment's autumn "Women Talk Money" webinar series. 

Ilona Maher, Team USA rugby player and Olympic bronze medalist, will offer insights about her successful transition from elite athlete to breakthrough entertainer during the "Start Where You Are: Build Your Momentum" event Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 2-2:45 p.m.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Mariska Hargitay, Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress, producer and director, will headline the "A Balancing Act: Own Your Peak Earning Years" webinar from 2-2:45 p.m. 

Participants at both events can expect to gain practical tools to make the most of their careers and financial goals while learning from Maher's and Hargitay's experiences, starting before they became internationally renowned.  

Learning the Fidelity and TIAA Way

Fidelity Investments and TIAA, U-M's longtime partners in administering its Retirement Savings Plans, offer monthly webinars and other educational forums to increase your knowledge about all things financial. These events can help you learn more about a subject that interests you, or freshen your existing knowledge about ever-changing money matters.

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

Insights Live: Planning a fulfilling retirement
Part 1: Thursday, Oct. 8 – noon-12:45 p.m.

This three-part series will address fundamental retirement questions, such as: How do you know if you’re ready to retire? How much savings is enough? Speakers will then focus on lifestyle, emotional readiness and striking a balance between purpose and pleasure in retirement.

Topics will include:

• How to estimate cost of living and retirement income needs
• Ways to enjoy your savings while also keeping an eye on financial security
• Whether to move – to a new state, to be near children or for less maintenance
• How to transition from finding your identity through work
• Ways to remain socially engaged, including volunteer opportunities

Insights Live: Strategies to create a 'retirement paycheck'
Part 2: Thursday, Oct. 15 – noon-12:45 p.m.

During this segment, retirement specialists will discuss strategies for developing a stream of income that can support your lifestyle while addressing rising healthcare costs, longevity and inflation — while keeping an eye on taxes.

Topics will include:

• Strategies to help manage taxes on account withdrawals
• How to make decisions around your required minimum distributions (RMDs)
• How to weigh the pros and cons of a Roth conversion
• Adjusting your asset allocation to help account for inflation, risk tolerance or volatility
• Options to support your retirement income, including annuities or bonds

Insights Live: Ask Fidelity anything on retirement planning
Part 3: Wednesday, Oct. 21 – 2-2:45 p.m.

During this final installment in the three-part series about designing and funding your retirement, you can ask questions about retirement topics in a live setting. 

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

TIAA

What no one ever told you about job pay and benefits
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – noon-12:30 p.m.

Starting your career can be exciting —but it can also feel overwhelming. The financial foundation you build today can shape your future. During this session, you'll learn skills to help you manage money with confidence, build healthy financial habits and plan for the long term.

Topics will include:

• What to look for in job-related benefit packages
• How short-term spending plans support long-term goals
• Traditional (pre-tax) vs. Roth (after-tax) contributions
• The importance of building an emergency fund

What is an annuity? Know the basics
Wednesday, Oct. 21 – 11-11:30 a.m.

Annuities have been around for a long time, but many people don't fully understand them. This webinar will demystify annuities by explaining what makes them unique, how they provide reliable retirement income, and how they help manage long-term financial risks.

Topics will include:

• What an annuity is and how it works
• How annuities address key retirement risks
• Common misconceptions about annuities
• How annuities can support lasting financial security

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.