PERSI Workshops

Workshops on Retirement & Financial Management

Wish you could save more for your children's education, a boat, great vacation or a more comfortable retirement? Don't know how you could save anything from a paycheck that doesn't seem big enough as it is? We hear you and have talked with thousands of people about it. You're not alone, and we can help you! PERSI's workshops provide you with the tools you need to become more financially secure. You'll see how to use your PERSI Base and Choice Plans, Social Security, Savings and many other tools to achieve your financial goals.

Our presenters are PERSI employees with strong financial planning and adult education backgrounds. They do not sell or endorse any product - their only interest is in providing you with high quality education to equip you to make well informed financial decisions.

The Workshops

We can offer three separate workshops across the state of Idaho. PERSI's "Planning for the Beach" reviews in detail PERSI Base and Choice Plans, combined with some financial basics. PERSI's "Cruisin' to the Beach,", focuses on getting your financial house in order. Each is conducted on-site at employer locations, making them convenient for you to attend.

For anyone within ten (10) years of retirement, PERSI offers "Retirement's a Beach," which is conducted at off-site locations in major cities throughout Idaho. For added convenience, "Retirement's a Beach" pre-retirement workshop schedule is available online using the following link: 2009 Schedule for RAB Workshops.

"Planning for the Beach" (PB)

Conducted at Employer's site

This FREE 1.5 hour workshop focuses on beginning the planning process required to achieve a comfortable retirement.... something that escapes nearly 87% of Americans according to a Harvard study. It covers in detail the basics of your PERSI Base and Choice Plans to get the maximum benefit from each. Sections are devoted to developing good financial discipline to avoid common pitfalls that frequently derail the retirement planning process such as living beyond our means, improper use of credit cards, debt and poor planning. You are provided with tools to effectively address each of these situations in addition to being introduced to the principles of the Time-Value of Money, Dollar Cost Averaging and Asset Allocation. You will go through an exercise to help you determine and achieve your specific retirement goals. It's fun and easy-to- follow steps needed to eliminate your concerns regarding financial security for your personal situation.

Topics Covered:

  • PERSI Base Plan
  • Snap Shot
  • Credit Card Basics & Debt Elimination
  • Rip's & Sandy's Stories
  • Calculating Present & Future Needs
  • Time Value of Money/Dollar Cost Averaging
  • Asset Allocation
  • PERSI Choice Plan Discussion
  • Retirement Assessment
"Cruisin' to the Beach" (CB)

Conducted at Employer's site

During this FREE 1.5 hour workshop you will review the basics of PERSI Base & Choice Plans, but focus on more advanced financial planning techniques, helping PERSI members to fine-tune the skills needed to stay on target to reach a more comfortable retirement. The appropriate use of tax and income deferral instruments as well as asset allocation are covered. The tools needed to make effective choices on your own will be discussed in detail:

Topics Covered:

  • Getting Started
  • Investment Vehicle Choices & Comparisons
    —401 (k)
    —457
    —403 (b)
    —Traditional & Roth IRAs
  • Financial Basics
    —Evaluating Fund costs vs. Historical Fund returns
    —Discuss: Indexes, Growth, Value, Small Cap, Large Cap, International, etc.
  • Asset Allocation — 'Hands-on' exercise
  • Resources
"Retirement's a Beach" (RAB)

Conducted off-site, major cities

This workshop is intended to help anyone within ten(10) years of retirement from a PERSI employer. This is a hands-on workshop where you'll be shown how to combine your PERSI Base and Choice Plan benefits with Social Security and other income sources for a rewarding retirement. We explore the PERSI Base Plan again with a specific emphasis on the retirement estimate, early retirement factors and the annuity options available to participants. We also discuss Social Security, the benefits available, self-auditing one's record and understanding earnings thresholds that may impact income. Medicare and other health care options are explored in great detail as are tax implications of retirement income, the need for insurance, long-term care, wills, trusts vs. healthcare proxies and powers of attorney. To register: look at the 2009 Schedule for the RAB Workshops to identify a date and location that works best for you, then click on your selection to REGISTER ONLINE. Immediate confirmation of your registration and a reminder 10 days prior to you chosen date will be emailed to you automatically. Should you experience any difficulty using this system, please call 800-451-8228 and ask for help with the RAB registration.

Topics Covered:

  • PERSI Base Plan with Retirement Options
  • Financial Planning & Retirement
  • Social Security & Tax Implications
  • Healthcare & Medicare Costs
  • Estate Planning