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Qualified plan participants tune in to Lou Dobbs on risk and return Boston – Qualified plan participants from across the nation tuned in to listen to and ask questions of one of America’s best known and respected financial commentators in a live Webcast June 5. Lou Dobbs – anchor and managing editor of CNN’s Lou Dobb’s Moneyline – joined Jackie DiGiovanni, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Group Pensions at Manulife USA, in a wide-ranging conversation where he presented his views on the current and future prospects for the stock market. His verdict? “Look for realistic returns in the near future.” Mr. Dobbs spoke for approximately 15 minutes and then fielded questions. Having a diversified financial portfolio was a dominant theme of the hour-long Webcast. For retirement savings, including 401(k) plans, he stressed asset class diversification as a key way to help mitigate risk – spreading one’s investment among stocks and bonds, real estate and more liquid options such as savings accounts and CDs. Mr. Dobbs reminded those watching that “ultimately, you [the participant] are responsible for your money.” He said that “prudence, reason and research” are all important factors when planning one’s financial future, and that a 401(k) plan is the “bedrock” of anyone’s retirement plan. Questions were wide-ranging, from “Why should I bother to follow the stock market – isn’t my money managed in my 401(k) plan?” to “When is the point of no return when someone should sell a stock?” The Webcast was the second in a series featuring well-known financial commentators. “Our Webcasts represent an ongoing commitment from Manulife USA to provide the nearly one million retirement plan participants we work with the tools and resources they need to make informed financial decisions for retirement,” said Ms. DiGiovanni. “We want to give them useful, credible information that will make them feel more comfortable about planning for retirement, as well as the products that can help them achieve financial security. Using the Internet to get the message out is one more way to make information available in a convenient and easy-to access medium.” The Webcast is currently available for on-demand viewing at www.manulife.com/usa. The next Webcast in the series will be held in the Fall, with the guest commentator to be announced in the near future. About Manulife The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (Manulife USA) is committed to offering the highest quality annuity, life insurance, pension and tax-deferred college savings products to its clients. Its family of products has been built around a powerful combination of investment options chosen with the goal of providing attractive risk-adjusted returns and broad diversification across asset classes, investment styles, and asset managers. With its extensive product lines, competitive underwriting, excellent ratings, and quality customer service, Manulife USA is dedicated to providing quality products designed to help create and preserve wealth for its clients. Group annuity contracts are issued by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (Manulife USA). Manufacturers Securities Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser, provides investment information relating to the contract. Product features and availability may differ by state. In New York, products are issued by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of New York, based in Valhalla, N.Y. Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 15 countries and territories worldwide. Through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners, Manulife Financial offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services. Funds under management by Manulife Financial were US$92.1 billion (Cdn$146.7 billion) as at March 31, 2002. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com. -30- Media Contact: Wendy W. Smith U.S. Communications 617-854-4348 wendy_smith@manulife.com |
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