U.S. Labor Department to host workshop in Oxon Hill, Md., to help Americans chart retirement finances

Washington – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will host a free retirement planning workshop on Jan. 13, 2010, at the Oxon Hill Public Library in Oxon Hill, Md., to help the public understand how much they will need for a financially secure retirement and ways to close the retirement savings gap. Department of Labor representatives will be joined by a representative from the Social Security Administration.

The workshop is targeted to people who are approximately 10 to15 years from retirement. Scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. EST, the workshop will discuss important steps for retirement planning. Topics will include:

• Savings, 401(k) plans, home equity and other assets.
• Social Security benefits.
• Current spending and expenses.
• Expenses in retirement.
• Steps to fill the gap in retirement savings.

The workshop parallels EBSA's publication "Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement Planning." A series of interactive online worksheets included in the publication are designed to help individuals calculate their incomes, savings and projected expenses in retirement as well as the assets designed to last during retired years.

Registration is required on a first come, first served basis. Contact Pat Humphlett to register for the workshop at 202-693-8660.

The worksheets are available online at: www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/nearretirement.html. Free copies of the entire publication also are available by calling EBSA's toll-free number at 866-444-3272.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7828 or TTY 202.693.7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.