


In January, CIRI organized a series of financial planning seminars and workshops led by expert financial advisors to offer shareholders ideas and options to best utilize their recent special distribution. Seminars were held in Anchorage, Kenai, and Seattle. Shareholders in the Anchorage area were invited to attend workshops and seminars at the Egan Civic and Convention Center where approximately 231 shareholders and 61 guests attended. On the first floor of the Egan Center, National Bank of Alaska Wells Fargo, TIAA-CREF and CIRI non-profit organizations set up information tables. Seminar topics covered how to purchase a home; introduction to investing, basic banking and money management skills; and the potential effects of the distribution on social services and income taxes. In addition, shareholders had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a TIAA-CREF financial planning advisor who answered their individual questions and offered advice on what investment options would work best for them. Pita Benz, CIRI¹s director of special projects and organizer of the event, said, ³Our goal was to give shareholders information and resources they can use when making decisions on how to manage and invest their special distribution money. It was an opportunity for them to take some time to make plans, set goals and timelines, and to get a better sense of the big picture from a personal financial level.² CIRI shareholder Carmen Bydelek, who was glad that CIRI provided the seminars, said, ³They offered me an opportunity to learn more about what financial options are out there. The one-on-one meeting with an advisor was informative and helpful.² Shareholders interested in obtaining financial consulting are encouraged to call TIAA-CREF at 1-877-276-9429.
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