Fidelity offers retirement plan education, guidance, assistance

Faculty and staff interested in receiving help with reviewing their retirement accounts have retirement planning experts available at no cost through Fidelity as part of Purdue’s retirement program.

“For more than 10 years, the university has partnered with Fidelity to offer a full range of retirement planning services,” said Candace Shaffer, associate vice president of benefits and payroll in Human Resources. “Fidelity retirement planning experts meet faculty and staff where they are on their retirement planning path and help them create a plan to achieve their retirement goals.”

In 2011, Fidelity became Purdue’s official provider of education, guidance and assistance related to retirement plan investments and decisions.

For those with pre-2011 retirement funds in a TIAA account, or other tax-deferred annuity vendors in place prior to the 2011 transition, similar services for those plans remain available from those vendors. Employees hired prior to 2013 with a Public Employees’ Retirement Fund plan may also continue to receive assistance from the Indiana Public Retirement System.

Fidelity is the only retirement planning provider endorsed by Purdue.

Other organizations may reach out to Purdue employees by phone or email to advertise their retirement services and imply they serve Purdue’s retirement programs in an official capacity; however, the university does not have business relationships with, nor does it endorse, other financial advisors, including those who state they are associated with Fidelity.

Employees who receive unsolicited communications from other organizations are advised to clearly inform the callers that they wish to be removed from the call list. Faculty and staff should also remain vigilant of targeted spam email they may receive from unknown or unfamiliar organizations offering retirement planning services.

“Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, and our partnership with Fidelity is in place to help our employees navigate retirement planning more easily,” Shaffer said. “Faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of the expertise Fidelity offers regarding Purdue’s plan offerings and investments, before they consider paying additional fees for outside assistance.”

Fidelity’s guidance is objective, according to Shaffer, who points out that there are no Fidelity funds included in the first three investment tiers of Purdue’s retirement plan platform.

Fidelity offers free, confidential consultations to all interested faculty and staff. Employees are welcome to bring a spouse or anyone involved in their financial planning to the virtual or in-person appointment.

During an appointment, Fidelity representatives can guide participants in a variety of ways, including:

• Outlining steps to start saving for retirement
• Reviewing investment options
• Assessing if the participant is on track with his or her retirement goals
• Creating a retirement income plan
• Assisting with account rollovers and consolidating retirement accounts from multiple financial investment sources

Watch the “Retirement Planning — How You Benefit From a Fidelity Consultation” video for more information on what to expect from a consultation with a Fidelity retirement planner supporting Purdue’s retirement plans.

To make an appointment, call 800-642-7131 or schedule online. Employees at the regional campuses also can schedule for their respective campuses via the same number and link.