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2008 Annual Conference

More than 54 NAGDCA members served as speakers and over 78 guests joined us for the week. Overall, the conference was a great success with delegate comments including "Great conference in every facet." and "Absolutely the best!"

Senator Benjamin Cardin, MD kicks off the 2008 NAGDCA Annual Conference!!!

Attendees listened intently during the Opening Session as Senator Benjamin Cardin gave his opening address.

NAGDCA members at the President’s Reception which featured work by a local artist.

Members taking advantage of the Cyber Café sponsored by Fidelity Investments.

General Session on The ’DB-izing’ of DC Plans. (Moderator: Craige Stone, State of Utah. Featured speakers: Richard Davies, AllianceBernstein; Rod Crane, TIAA-CREF; Tim Berry, State of Indiana.)

NAGDCA’s session on Stable Value, one of NAGDCA’s ten educational breakout sessions. (Moderator: Polly Scott, State of Wyoming. Featured Speakers: Anthony Camp, ING; Chris Tobe, NEPC; Michael Wyatt, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.)

What a final night event!

NAGDCA and the ANC Foundation recognizes the following 2008 Scholarship Recipients.

Full Scholarship Winner - Stephanie Chapman (University of Georgia)

Chapman was selected by the ANC Foundation Board based on her demonstrated knowledge on retirement planning and commitment to the industry. Chapman received tuition to pursue her designation as a Certified Retirement Counselor CRC®, $1,000 to be used toward educational expenses for the upcoming school year, and all-expense paid travel to the 2008 NAGDCA Annual Conference.

A travel stipend and conference registration were also awarded to the following students: Jason Eagle (University of Georgia), George Williams James (University of Georgia), Nathan Kline (Virginia Tech University), Amanda Minter (University of Georgia), Brianna Sell (University of Georgia)

Applications for the 2009 Scholarship Program will be accepted in Spring 2009.

The ANC Foundation in partnership with the International Foundation for Retirement Education (InFRE), developed the criteria for the scholarship. To be considered, applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student at a university or college, be a junior or senior, be enrolled to continue university studies for the following semester, and be a U.S. citizen.

The scholarships commemorate the lifework of Arthur N. Caple, former Executive Director of the State of Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans and NAGDCA Past President, who passed away three years ago.

For additional information about the scholarship program or to make a donation please visit the ANC Foundation website at www.caplefoundation.org.

The Arthur N. Caple Foundation was formed to advance knowledge in the field of public sector retirement security. The Foundation, established in 2006 as a supporting organization of the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA), supports both individual educational opportunities and research to expand knowledge related to the importance of retirement readiness. To accomplish its mission, the Foundation operates under the following principals:

• Retirement Education - The Foundation is to provide higher education students with funding to study financial or retirement planning and to create opportunities for the students to participate in related learning opportunities.
• Research and Information Exchange - The Foundation supports research, information sharing and collaborative endeavors that further retirement readiness and expand knowledge of retirement issues and solutions.

2007-2008 NAGDCA President, Mindy Harris, presents Stephanie Chapman, a student at the University of Georgia, with a check for the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship

Student Mentoring Program
Along with the presentation of the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship, 16 students from five different universities participated in the 2008 NAGDCA Student Mentoring Program. With the surge of financial planning programs found in universities throughout the United States, it has been a goal for NAGDCA to reach out to these individuals and introduce them, early on, to the benefits of NAGDCA and its membership. For the fourth year, NAGDCA has provided the Student Mentoring Program at the Annual Conference, and it was another great success. With the help of the International Foundation for Retirement Education (InFRE), NAGDCA paired 16 students, representing five universities (Texas Tech University, the University of Georgia, Virginia Tech, the University of Colorado at Denver, and Elizabeth City State University), with two mentors from both the industry and government sector of the defined contribution community.

Some of the students who were in attendance at the 2008 Annual conference.

The students and their mentors attended a specially planned session that introduced the students to NAGDCA and its many benefits, while opening a channel of communication between the students and their mentors. Mentors were also encouraged to take some time out of their busy conference schedules and help the students network with fellow attendees, offer themselves as future resources, and provide onsite support for the students while at the conference.

Students were invited to attend sessions with their mentors to gain a better understanding of current issues.

The students and mentors were both polled on their experience, and from the responses that were received, this program will continue to expand and develop in years and conferences to come.

Join NAGDCA, and its members in recognizing National Save for Retirement Week (October 19-25, 2008).

NAGDCA would also like to hear what your plan has done to promote this very important week. Please send your information and sample materials to Tracy Tucker (ttucker@amrms.com).

A NAGDCA task force has been hard at work, creating promotional materials for plan sponsors to utilize during National Save for Retirement Week. The materials are downloadable and can be personalized. Please visit http://www.nagdca.org/retirementweek/ for information on the National Save for Retirement Week.