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Each PLANning, Inc. seminar is specifically tailored to the participants, both in content and in presentation style. Our approach is to educate, stimulate and provoke self-examination so the presentations are relevant to the individuals attending. Our speakers personally prepare the materials that accompany their presentation. We do not use generic material, and do not try to make one size fit all.
We use a mix of training techniques, including lectures, extensive use of  audio-visual aids, case studies where appropriate, and class participation through the use of questionnaires, quizzes and free discussion. Learning objectives are stated at the beginning of the seminar and again at the beginning of each session.
Course evaluations are provided to obtain feedback on the effectiveness of the seminar, of each speaker and of each segment so that we can continually improve the overall process. Questions are encouraged as they stimulate the participants to apply the lessons to their personal situations. Because retirement planning is a family endeavor, we invite spouses to attend for free, in order for the family to maximize the benefits of the seminar. However, we do ask that the sponsors share their materials with their spouses.
PLANning, Inc. provides course and reference materials, benefits and financial calculators, worksheets and self-assessment questionnaires for each employee attending the seminar. During our seminars, we stress the importance of utilizing numerous resources to help with planning for retirement including the Office of  Personnel Management’s web site to request forms to obtain official personnel file verification, verification of military service (if applicable), deposit/redeposit applications, retirement applications, et al.
We also provide worksheets to calculate estimated retirement annuities as well as providing the web address for OPM’s online calculator. We encourage all participants to check out organizations such as the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, AARP and Elderhostel.
Included in our course materials are helpful hints on steps to take now to prepare for retirement, an action plan to resolve issues prior to and immediately after retirement, information on local agencies, and state tax treatment of retirement pay.
A uniquely qualified subject matter expert conducts each session of a PLANning, Inc. seminar. Our presenters for the Federal Retirement Benefits segment each have a minimum of ten years experience working for OPM or another federal agency as a Benefits Specialist. In addition, each speaker has at least five years public speaking experience presenting before large audiences at numerous federal agencies.
To ensure relevance and currency of information, our Federal Benefits Specialists monitor legislative efforts in the area of human resources, and access OPM’s web site as well as a variety of other sources to update their information as required. Several of our speakers attend the annual Training Officers’ Conference hosted by OPM and share information with all our presenters.
Our presenters for the financial planning sessions are all Certified Financial Planners (CFP's), with a minimum of five years and an average of ten years experience. Several of our speakers are published authors, in addition to contributing regularly to such publications as the Federal Times, the Minority Business Journal and others. A number of our financial planners have also been guests on a variety of television and radio shows discussing financial planning topics. Each of our CFP’s continually read professional journals and newsletters, attend conferences, attend continuing education classes, monitor government web sites to keep abreast of IRS Tax Code changes and modifications/changes to federal retirement benefits that may affect the long term financial goals of federal employees.
Experienced attorneys who specialize in estate planning and/or elder law conduct our sessions on legal matters. Each of our attorneys has significant experience, some in excess of twenty years, conducting probate, preparing wills, trusts and powers of attorney and dealing with guardianship/conservator issues. Most, if not all, are published or contributing authors on these topics. All have been presenting seminars on estate planning to various audiences for a minimum of seven years. They are recognized by their peers as top experts in their profession and consider the education of the public on life planning and estate planning among their most essential duties. They constantly keep abreast of changes in tax law, elder law and other legal issues that may affect estate planning through their local bar associations, planning councils and appropriate journals and publications.
Experts in the health care field, each with at least ten years experience, present segments on Healthy Living. Our speakers include Ph.D’s, Nutritionists/Registered Dieticians and Certified Fitness Trainers (Personal Trainers). Each of our presenters has been providing this information to a number of community and government groups for many years at various seminars. Speakers cover topics ranging from the importance of incorporating stress reduction techniques to the roles of proper nutrition and exercise in a healthy lifestyle, so that participants may enjoy a long and rewarding retirement. Behavior modification is often required, if these issues are not an important part of the participant's current lifestyle. Our speakers give insight in how to accomplish this step. Speakers keep the information provided up to date through attendance at professional seminars and conferences, continuing education classes and by referencing the latest medical and health care journals, magazines and other publications.
Finally, our Transition Planning speakers have worked for many years in fields such as Sociology, Psychology and Gerontology, providing guidance and support for hundreds of clients, in addition to speaking at PLANning, Inc. seminars. Our coounselors include Doctor's of Social Work, Gerontologists, Licensed Career Counselors and licensed Social Workers. Each have conducted extensive research and have many years of experience on how best to prepare and execute the steps necessary to launching into second and third careers. They can help participants determine how to balance individual knowledge, skills, abilities, interests and salary requirements against available career fields, give insights on résumé preparation and assist with development of good interview skills. Additionally, each is eminently qualified as a “guidance counselor” to assist those approaching retirement with the issues they themselves have faced and resolved within their own experience.
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