UA News

Employees are invited to submit questions for Brett Hammond, chief investment strategist for TIAA-CREF.

Employees with questions about retirement planning are invited to attend a presentation by Brett Hammond, a managing director and chief investment strategist for TIAA-CREF, one of the country's largest financial services companies. They also are invited to submit, in advance, questions they would like Hammond to address in his talks.

TIAA-CREF, which stands for Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund, helps individuals in the academic, medical, cultural and research fields plan for retirement. At the UA, it is one of three voluntary 403b service providers for benefits-eligible employees. AIG Retirement and Fidelity Investments are the other two.

Hammond's visit to the UA comes at a time when many people are concerned about their financial futures.

"In these unprecedented times, it is important for investors to keep sight on their goals," Hammond said.  "I look forward to speaking with University of Arizona employees to help shed light on critical economic trends and to share strategies on how individuals can stay on track to meet their long-term retirement and other financial goals."

Hammond will hold a series of presentations on a variety of topics April 2, ranging from a talk for finance students to a conversation with President Robert N. Shelton and Provost Meredith Hay. A presentation for the general community, titled "Dreams Deferred? Rebuilding Your Retirement Strategy," will be held at 12 p.m. in the Santa Rita Room of the Student Union Memorial Center. A second community presentation and question-and-answer session, aimed specifically at TIAA-CREF participants and titled "The New Rules for Investing: Taking Control of Your Economic Future," will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Union's Kiva Room. Individuals are asked to register to attend those sessions online. Hammond will also address community members and students in the Eller College of Management as part of the Eller Distinguished Speaker Series. He will discuss "The End of the Free Market? America's New, New Deal" at 5 p.m. in McClelland Hall's Berger Auditorium.    

Human Resources is hosting Hammond's campus visit.

"Brett Hammond is well-respected in economic circles and can explain market conditions in a way almost anyone can understand," said Allison Vaillancourt, vice president for human resources.

Employees are invited to submit questions to Hammond by sending an e-mail to englea@email.arizona.edu.

Hammond may address those questions directly in his presentations, and HR will post his answers to submitted questions on the HR Web site, Vaillancourt said.

As TIAA-CREF's ambassador on issues related to the macro economy, financial markets and long-term investing, Hammond works to advise TIAA-CREF clients throughout the country through articles, video and audio podcasts, and in-person visits.

Hammond is a member of the Forbes.com Intelligent Investing Channel's All-Star Investor Panel and has been quoted in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNNMoney and more. He also has appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg Television.

An adjunct professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Hammond also chairs the Research Council on Global Investment, an organization of senior leaders in pension and investment management.