Recalculate During Financial Fitness Week

Turning 55 years old last year got K.J. Hunt thinking about whether she was planning and saving enough for retirement.

"I'm single with no children, so my financial future is all up to me," said Hunt, the African Studies and African-American Studies librarian at Duke. "Somehow, turning 55 made me realize the decisions I am making now are going to have a huge impact on the rest of my life." 

To help her calculate finances for a worry-free retirement, Hunt will attend several free workshops during Duke's annual Financial Fitness Week, which runs May 21-24. She'll attend "Understanding Your Duke Retirement Plan," "Building a Better Budget" and "Charting Your Course: A Financial Guide for Women."

"I'm a librarian, and I love to study issues, so this is the perfect way to get a sense of what is involved in planning my future," she said. 

Financial Fitness Week offers Duke staff and faculty a unique opportunity to attend workshops, including six sessions in the Von Canon Room of the Bryan Center and five at the Searle Center, on May 23. Walk-ins are welcome, but online registration will ensure a seat is reserved. Information tables staffed by Duke Human Resources, Duke Credit Union and financial companies will be open at the Bryan Center location from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 23. 

This year, Financial Fitness Week will begin May 21 with "Cyber Monday," a series of four live, interactive webinars, including a market overview and review of workplace saving plans. Also several dozen short online presentations from Duke's retirement vendors, covering topics from budgeting to saving for college, are available on the Financial Fitness Week website. These presentations will remain available after Financial Fitness Week.

"For people who can't make it to the face-to-face workshops, the webinars offer an easy way to interact and ask questions about financial issues," said Sylvester Hackney, associate director of benefits at Duke. "The webinars and online presentations are another way to reduce barriers for people who are trying to determine if they are on the right financial path."

Hunt, the African Studies and African-American studies librarian, has also signed up for "Understanding and Achieving Your Long-Term Financial Goals" and the "Retirement Income Strategies" online webinars. 

"It took me a long time to study for the job I have now," she said. "How can I consider going into my next job - retirement - without knowing anything about it?" 

Visit the Duke Human Resources website for a full list of Financial Fitness Week workshops and webinars.