2006 Annual Conference

The NAGDCA 2006 Annual Conference Committee developed a very successful conference this year. The conference held September 23-27 in Kansas City, Missouri, focused on the theme "Blazing the Trail to Retirement". Session topics centered on helping plan participants successfully reach their retirement goals.

More than 55 NAGDCA members served as speakers and over 45 guests joined us for the week. Overall, the conference was a great success with delegate comments including "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" and "The conference gets better every year".

Registration for the Annual Conference kicks-off!!!

NAGDCA government member speaks with a student attending the NAGDCA Annual Conference.

NAGDCA members at the President's Reception.

NAGDCA Member talking with two of the speakers for the Washington Report (Middle: Milly Stanges, ICMA-RC and Right: Susan White, NAGDCA Legislative Counsel.)

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

General Session on IRS Audits of Defined Contribution Plans. (Speakers: Mindy Harris, Multnomah County, OR, Moderator; Bob Architect, IRS; and Ed Salyers, IRS.)

NAGDCA Opening Luncheon sponsored by ING Financial Advisers, LLC.

NAGDCA members mingle during the GreatWest Reception.( Left: Wendy Young Carter, CitiStreet. Middle: John Barry, State of Maryland. Right: Cathie Eitelberg, The Segal Company.)

Press Breakfast announcing the National Save for Retirement Week sponsored by ICMA-RC.

One of NAGDCA's eight educational breakout sessions: Meeting the Retiree Healthcare Challenge.

NAGDCA members enjoying the final night event.

"Big money, Big money"

"Do we have a winner?"

NAGDCA Arthur N. Caple Scholarship and the Student Mentoring Program at the 2006 NAGDCA Annual Conference

NAGDCA/Arthur N. Caple Scholarship

NAGDCA has awarded the second Arthur N. Caple Scholarship to Jared Pickens, a senior at the Texas Tech University. NAGDCA, 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.

Pickens was selected by the NAGDCA Executive Committee based on his demonstrated knowledge of retirement planning and commitment to the industry. Pickens will receive tuition to pursue his designation as a Certified Retirement Counselor CRC®, $1,000 to be used toward educational expenses for the upcoming school year, and received all-expense paid travel to the 2006 NAGDCA Annual Conference.

NAGDCA President, Della Williamson, presents Jared Pickens, a student at Texas Tech University, with a check for the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship

Student Mentoring Program

Along with the presentation of the Arthur N. Caple Scholarship, students from three different universities participated in the 2006 NAGDCA Student Mentoring Program. With the surge of financial planning programs found in universities throughout the United States, it has been an increasing goal for NAGDCA to reach out to these individuals and introduce them, early on, to the benefits of NAGDCA and its membership. For the second 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 18 students, representing three universities (the University of Georgia, the Kansas State University, and Texas Tech University), with mentors from the industry and government sector of the defined contribution community.

Students and Mentors acknowledged during the opening session.

Students and NAGDCA Members mingle at the President's reception.

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.

Student poses a question to the General Session panel on Workforce Demographics.

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.

National Save for Retirement Week

NAGDCA is pleased to announce that a National Save for Retirement Week (October 22-28, 2006) resolution was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, September 13, 2006. The resolution was introduced by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND).

Many Americans have some form of retirement plan available to them, but with the lack of awareness and education, the process of saving for retirement can be perceived as somewhat cumbersome and frightening. The institution of a National Save for Retirement Week will provide the opportunity for plan administrators and plan sponsors to alleviate much of this perception through educational fairs, seminars and promoting the overall importance of planning and saving for a secure retirement.

The National Save for Retirement Week has been one of NAGDCA's leading initiatives for 2006. "We are very pleased the Senate passed the resolution to recognize Save for Retirement Week. It is an extremely important tool in heightening the awareness and importance of saving for one's retirement", stated Della Williamson, NAGDCA Past President. "It is with tremendous appreciation and thanks to Senator Smith and Senator Conrad that plan administrators and plan sponsors will now have a nationally recognized week to provide educational events and promotional activities for retirement plans across the country."

Please visit http://www.nagdca.org/retirementweek for information on the National Save for Retirement Week.