Thinking about retirement? NACo is and is doing something about it. In July NACo kicked off a Retirement Education campaign geared to the needs of county officials and employees. It is called “Growing Nest Eggs.” Since then, NACo’s Education Division has continued to work closely with NACo’s Deferred Compensation Committee and the International Foundation for Retirement Education to roll out the training nationally.

In Phase I of the training, county officials and retirement plan administrators learn why county governments are at the heart of retirement planning, why people do and do not save and invest, the ways county governments can approach retirement planning, and general tools people can use in building financial strength for retirement.

Where can county officials learn more? They can take advantage of this free training at pre-conference seminars, state-based sessions, and regional seminars. During the first year pilot, North Dakota, Arizona, Minnesota, Alabama, and Virginia are acting as host states. In several of these states, officials and retirement plan administrators from surrounding states will be invited to participate. Training strategies, venue types and materials are being tested in Phase I.

Next year in Phase II, the campaign will have training materials in place for plan administrators to use directly with county employees.

The training is neutral and does not promote any particular retirement plan. Instead, it offers general information about why and how to build financial strength. It is underwritten by funds from NACo’s Deferred Compensation Program offered by NACo through Nationwide Insurance Company to state associations of counties.

For more information contact Lois Kampinsky: 202/942-4267 or lkampins@naco.org.

(County Services News was written by Lois Kampinsky, education and training director.)