Called Guide to Personal Savings, it emphasizes taking control of ones financial health and not losing sight of preparing for retirement, regardless of ones age.
Last year, Fidelity conducted 1.3 million financial guidance interactions with Americans, and we anticipate the number of investors in need of help this year will be greater, said Kathleen A. Murphy, president of personal investing at Fidelity. The volatility of the market has left many Americans uncertain of how to tackle short- and long-term financial goals. In response to this tremendous need for financial guidance, weve launched a national program that harnesses new and existing Fidelity resources to help Americans navigate their way through the crisis, get back on track with their finances and feel more secure about the future.
The seminars, which will be free and held at the firms brokerage centers through the end of the month, will cover such topics as Quarterly Market Updates, Wise Choice for Your 401(k), Building a Retirement Roadmap and Putting Your Financial Future on Track. They will not only cover retirement but also mortgages, credit cards, college savings, auto loans and emergency funds. For investors in 401(k) plans administered by Fidelity, the firm will be working with employers to offer in-person seminars at their offices in major cities.
Our research shows that 83% of Americans have not sought financial help in the past 12 months, primarily because they couldnt afford it, believed it wouldnt help or thought such guidance was for the affluent only, Murphy added. We want everyone to know that financial help is available to them, at no cost, whether youre a Fidelity customer or not.
In 2008, Fidelity conducted 1.3 million interactions with customers, either in person, over the web or on the phone.
