Conversations about Retirement: What Do I Do Now?

Leading Retirement Experts Offer Strategies to Help Achieve 2009 Retirement Goals

NEWARK, N.J. -- Many Americans, particularly those within the Retirement Red Zone -- the five years before and after retirement -- are facing a new reality, with significant declines in their 401(k) plans and retirement portfolios as a result of the recent stock market meltdown. They want to know -- what do I do now? And now more than ever, Americans are seeking professional guidance as they face significantly reduced retirement nest eggs and the prospect of a smaller retirement income stream.

In response to the need for information during these unprecedented times, Prudential will host the first webinar in a series of Conversations About Retirement, featuring industry-leading retirement specialists who will address The Four Pillars of U.S. Retirement.

"Traditionally, retirement security has been thought of in terms of the three-legged stool -- that is, Social Security, workplace-provided programs and personal savings," said Christine Marcks, President of Prudential Retirement. "At Prudential, we've added a fourth pillar, Retirement Choices, to capture the lifestyle and financial considerations that impact retirement security and take on even greater significance in difficult market conditions."

Conversations About RetirementOWhat Do I Do Now? will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. The live webinar is free, and open to anyone interested in learning tips and understanding the choices and tools that are available to help rebuild their retirement savings. Interested individuals can participate by visiting http://www.prudential.com and clicking on the Conversations About Retirement banner to sign up.

The panel of retirement specialists will provide insights into strategies Americans can employ with respect to each of The Four Pillars:

* Social Security: James Mahaney, MSFS, CPC, ChFC, Vice President, Institutional Income Innovation, Prudential Retirement;

* Workplace-Provided Programs: James Kalamarides, Senior Vice President, Retirement Solutions, Prudential Retirement;

* Personal Savings: Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, "The Money Coach(TM)", Personal Finance Expert;

* Retirement Choices: Jean Cheng Setzfand, Director of Financial Security, AARP.

James Cornell, Senior Vice President, Prudential Retirement, will moderate the discussion and field questions from participants.

"Now, more than ever, it is important that Americans take a steady, reasoned approach when it comes to making financial and lifestyle decisions that will impact their ability to retire with a comfortable income or help maximize their income if they have already retired," said Marcks. "This webinar will provide a variety of perspectives about the pillars of retirement security and offer solutions that we believe will help people make informed financial decisions to achieve a more-secure retirement."

Prudential Retirement delivers retirement plan solutions for public, private, and non-profit organizations. Services include state-of-the-art record keeping, administration, investment management, comprehensive employee investment education and communications, and trustee services. With nearly 85 years of retirement experience, Prudential Retirement meets the needs of nearly 3.5 million defined contribution participants and defined benefit participants and annuitants. Prudential Retirement has $150.5 billion in retirement account values as of September 30, 2008.

Retirement products and services are provided by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, for Internet use: (California Certificate of Authority # 08003), Hartford, CT, or its affiliates. Prudential Retirement is a Prudential Financial business. Lynette Khalfani-Cox and Jean Cheng Setzfand are not affiliated with Prudential.

Prudential Financial, Inc., a financial services leader with approximately $602 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2008, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company's well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential's businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

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