US Labor Department to hold April 28 retirement forum in Atlanta at Spelman College

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration will hold a free retirement savings forum on Saturday, April 28, from 12:30–3:30 p.m. EDT at Spelman College Albro-Falconer-Manley Science Center, Room 134, 350 Spelman Lane SW, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. Hosted in coordination with the Economics Department at Spelman College, the "African-Americans and Retirement: What You Should Know Before It's Too Late" forum is open to the public and the media.

"It is more important now than perhaps ever before that everyone has the tools needed to prepare for a secure retirement," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security Phyllis C. Borzi. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer this event with such a renowned institution as Spelman, and know that through their partnership, an important message is reaching workers and families in need of retirement savings expertise."

The forum will consist of two panels. The first will focus on what African-Americans need to know when making retirement investment decisions and how to avoid becoming a victim of financial abuse. The second will be a discussion of how women can overcome the unique challenges they face when saving for retirement. While the forum is geared toward the savings needs of African-Americans and women, it is free and open to all members of the public, and will be useful to everyone working to save for a secure retirement.

M. Alexis Scott, Publisher of the Atlanta Daily World, will moderate the forum, which will feature panel discussions and remarks by Borzi; Naomi Karp, policy analyst, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office for Older Americans; Dorothy Brown, professor of law, Emory University; Vickie Elisa, director of community education (Atlanta), Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement; and Brian Smiley, partner, Smiley Bishop & Porter LLP and director, Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association.

Space is limited to the first 150 registrants, and members of the public who wish to attend this forum must notify Meredith Regine at regine.meredith.e@dol.gov in advance. Members of the media planning to cover it should notify Mike Trupo or Jason Surbey in the Labor Department's Office of Public Affairs using the contact information above.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.