the achieve life communication and education program · communications in a variety of ways –...

The Achieve Life Communication and Education Program

A comprehensive approach

to educating and motivating

your employees

At Bank of America Merrill Lynch, we understand the importance of helping employees enhance their financial wellness. That’s why we’ve created the Achieve Life communications platform to help your employees understand the need to save and invest for retirement, motivate them to take action, and assist them in working toward a more secure and comfortable future.

RETIREMENT & BENEFIT PLAN SERVICES

For Plan Sponsor Use Only. Not for Distribution to Participants.

Introduction

Our employee communications are anchored by four key themes and supported with education, guidance and advice tailored to individual needs and aspirations. This guide is designed to help you define your participant communication goals and determine which tools and services can help you achieve those goals. You’ll find a few sample communication pieces in the back pocket of this guide.

MAXIMIZECOMPANYBENEFITS

PARTICIPANTCOMMUNICATIONS

INVESTWISELY

SETTING AND MONITORING GOALS

MAXIMIZEACCUMULATED

BENEFITS

EDU

CAT

ION GUIDANC

E ADVICE

Contents Page

I. Maximizing Company Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

II. Investing Wisely. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

III. Setting and Monitoring Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

IV. Protecting Accumulated Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

V. Personalized Targeted Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

VI. Employee Seminar Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

VII. Benefits OnLine® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is a marketing name for the Retirement & Philanthropic Services (RPS) businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Banking and fiduciary activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Brokerage activities are performed globally by brokerage affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (MLPF&S). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, Member SIPC and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment Products:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

1

Driving Results with Objective-based CommunicationsThe Achieve Life communications suite is a comprehensive education program that provides your employees with easy-to-use, engaging communications designed to motivate specific actions. Our objective is to help ensure that employees take full advantage of their retirement benefits, and commit to a personal plan that enables them to enhance their financial wellness. Because many individuals may lack the time or expertise to plan appropriately for retirement, our materials help educate, encourage positive behavior and keep your employees on track toward retirement success.

Introduction

Core Behaviors We Target and Desired ActionsWe achieve success by creating and delivering consistent, ongoing targeted messages that drive key behaviors. Our focus on measurable results allows us to monitor progress, and change direction along the way if needed.

Join the Plan

Maximize Contributions

Invest Wisely

Avoid Common “Mistakes”

Use Appropriate Plan Services to Achieve Goals

■ Enroll now

■ Diversify among (and within) asset classes

■ Rebalance portfolio

■ Understand risk tolerance and optimize asset allocation strategy to achieve goals

■ Adjust asset allocation strategy as age and/or financial circumstances change

■ Contribute as much as possible; increase contributions regularly

■ Contribute at least to match levels (for plans offering a match)

■ Contribute pre-tax up to 402(g) and CUC limits

■ Align contribution rates with stated retirement income goal

■ Minimize loans and in-service withdrawals

■ Preserve and maximize tax-advantaged savings

■ Use investment advice and asset allocation services that help simplify investment selection

■ Use online resources and tools to help develop a sound savings and investment strategy that supports a specific retirement income goal

2

Communication Approaches that Work

■ Targeting: Focus on the right audience

■ Personalization: Make it about “me”

■ Brevity: Keep it brief and repeat key messages

■ Simplicity: Present information in an easy-to-understand manner

■ Flexibility: Provide choices of media and easy access

■ Goals-driven: Focus on measurable results

A Choice of MediaKnowing that individuals learn in different ways, we’ve created an education program that uses a multichannel approach to deliver communications in a variety of ways – proactively, on-demand, when an individual engages with Merrill Lynch, or through employer-sponsored activities such as benefit fairs or educational seminars.

Examples include:

■ Print Materials We offer a full range of printed communications from posters and brochures to workbooks and questionnaires. These materials can be used for in-person meeting support, to introduce a new product or service, or to reinforce messages delivered by other means.

■ Online Communications On Benefits OnLine, participants will find copies of many of our printed communications along with a variety of interactive planning tools and educational information. Benefits OnLine offers useful calculators, informative articles, on-demand seminars, podcasts, plus news and insights on a wide range of topics, such as investing, retirement planning and personal finance. Targeted messages can address your unique plan features as well as specific employee segments.

■ Workplace Presentations We offer a number of educational seminars designed to address common plan communication needs, such as participation, increasing contributions, diversification, retirement planning and transition events, such as layoffs or retirement. All presentations are available “on demand” and can be made available electronically via Benefits OnLine, email or your Intranet site.

Introduction

Let us help youYour Bank of America Merrill Lynch representative can help you access participant communications. Existing clients can view electronic copies of sample communications by logging onto www.benefits.ml.com/admin to access the Plan Sponsor Administration site. Click on Communications > Sample Employee Communications.

3

I

Motivating Employees to ParticipateFor many employees, enrollment in their company’s plan represents the first step in the journey toward retirement. Making it easy for employees to get started and take full advantage of the plan is key to helping them make the most of their retirement benefits.

We provide an extensive set of tools to encourage employees to join the plan. A key focus is on educating employees about the importance of long-term savings, the benefits of starting early, even if starting small, and how to look for opportunities to gradually increase their contributions along the way. Our communications are designed to make the enrollment process as easy as possible.

Maximizing Company Benefits

Enrollment and ConversionEnrollment BookEmployees receive a plan-specific enrollment book that covers everything they need to make an informed decision about participating in their retirement savings plan, including investment basics, plan features and investment choices with fund objective summaries or Morningstar Investment Profiles. There are numerous options for creating a book that targets your unique employee culture and plan-specific needs, including several cover choices.

EZ Enroller MailerThe EZ Enroller Mailer provides employees with a quick and easy way to join the plan by simply selecting a contribution rate, signing and returning the personalized form in an enclosed business reply envelope (available for a fee).

Electronic Enrollment Kit Electronic communications are a cost effective way to reach your newly eligible and non-participating employees. A personalized, targeted email provides employees with access to an online enrollment kit with direct links to enroll via Benefits OnLine.

Conversion Announcement Our conversion announcement (used when plans convert to Merrill Lynch as their service provider) clearly communicates upcoming plan changes with key dates and next steps so participants understand what’s changing, and what they might want to do.

Home Investment Choices & PerformanceEnroll Now Plan Highlights Advice & Planning

Advice Access Retirement Personal Finance ToolsInvesting

Welcome

Quick Links

Home

Getting Started

Planning Center

Benefits OnLine®

Print Plan Highlights

Contact Us Privacy Pledge

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is a registered broker-dealer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Securities Products: Are Not FDIC Insured • Are Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.

Merrill Lynch makes available investment products and services sponsored, managed, provided or distributed by companies that are affiliates of or in which Bank of America Corporation has an economic interest, including Columbia Management, BlackRock, and Nuveen Investments.

© Copyright 2010 Merill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.All rights reserved. Member, Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Contributing to Your Plan

Your InvestementChoices

Manage Your Account

Logout

Electronic Enrollment Kit

EZ Enroller Mailer

Enrollment Book

4

I

Account AccessAccount Access Brochure (Available in Spanish)The account access brochure shows employees how easy it is to access their retirement plan through Benefits OnLine or the Retirement & Benefits Contact Center. Participants learn how to create a User ID and Password, navigate the site, review their account, conduct transactions in their account, and access the Interactive Voice Response system and participant service representatives.

Account Access Wallet Card (Bilingual English/Spanish)Employees can use the wallet card and keep it handy for quick reference on accessing their accounts. It’s got everything they’ll need, including instructions on logging onto the Benefits OnLine website or calling the Retirement & Benefits Contact Center.

Account Access Magnet (Available in Spanish)Employees can place this easy reference tool in a convenient area to help remind them of how to access their account.

Managing Accounts Online and by PhoneWe offer a range of tools to help participants understand how to manage and monitor their accountsin the way that’s most convenient for them. Virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, employees can check their balances, view current statements, review fund performance and much more simply by logging onto Benefits OnLine. The speech-enabled Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system offers capabilities similar to those on Benefits OnLine, and participant service representatives are available for personal assistance, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ET), on all days the New York Stock Exchange is open.

Maximizing Company Benefits

Account Access Brochure

Account Access Magnet

Spanish Materials AvailableMany of our communication materials, including some of the Personalized Targeted Communications, are available in Spanish. These communications are noted as “Available in Spanish” in this brochure.

5

IMaximizing Company Benefits

Ongoing CommunicationsmyFuture E-NewsletterAvailable to participants on Benefits OnLine each quarter, the myFuture newsletter provides timely articles and useful news and information to help your participants make the most of their retirement plan. Each issue is designed to help participants take control of their personal finances and take positive steps toward financial wellness.

Participant StatementRanked “Excellent” by Dalbar for the 11th year in a row1, our participant statements rated over 13 points higher than the industry average.2 These statements present account information in a manner that helps employees easily assess their progress. Targeted messages reinforce behavior changes, like contributing more or diversifying. Participants can elect to receive statements exclusively online and eliminate paper copy mailings.

1 DALBAR, Inc., a leading financial services research firm, reviewed defined contribution statements from 25 financial service providers and scored them based on four factors, including: calculated to be understood, primary content, secondary content and design features. Statements receive DALBAR designations based on the scores earned. Statements that earn 80-100 points are designated “Excellent.”

2 In January 2011, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch defined contribution participant statement received an overall score of 83.70 out of 100 and the industry average score was 70.10.

Supporting Employees Along the WayEmployees need reinforcement and support on the journey to retirement success. Our ongoing communication tools repeat key messages, reinforce desired behaviors and respond directly to your employees’ questions. We view each contact as an opportunity to help employees plan effectively to achieve their financial goals.

myFuture E-Newsletter

We’ll email myFuture for you! To help you ensure that this valuable resource gets to your participants, you can elect to have myFuture delivered directly to your participants via email. To sign up for email delivery, contact your Bank of America Merrill Lynch representative.

6

I Maximizing Company Benefits

Roth 401(k) CommunicationsRoth 401(k) BrochureThe Roth 401(k) brochure is a complete guide to Roth 401(k) contributions and helps employees determine whether Roth 401(k) contributions may be appropriate for them.

Roth 401(k) HTML EmailThe Roth 401(k) email advises existing participants that the plan has added the Roth 401(k) contribution option and how to access the Roth 401(k) brochure.

Roth 401(k) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) BrochureFAQs help answer a long list of questions about Roth 401(k) contributions – including how they work and how they compare to traditional pre-tax contributions. Plus, it includes important facts for employees to consider when deciding whether to make Roth 401(k) contributions.

Roth 401(k) Brochure

Roth 401(k) FAQ Brochure

Roth 401(k) HTML Email

7

IMaximizing Company Benefits

Supporting MaterialsWe offer materials on a variety of topics, including the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for contributions, the Saver’s Tax Credit, 401(k) Day and more.

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Flier (Available in Spanish)Each year, employees need up-to-date information about how much they can contribute to the plan. This flier is updated annually and available electrically.

Saver’s Tax Credit Flier (Available in Spanish) Some of your participants may qualify for the Saver’s Tax Credit and be able to further reduce the amount of taxes they pay. This two-page flier describes eligibility rules and how to claim a credit, if applicable.

COLA Flier

401(k) Day Materials401(k) Day Poster and EmailEach September, we help you promote National 401(k) Day with a poster and sample employee email. You can personalize and send the email to each of your employees to encourage participation in the plan.

401(k) Day Poster

401(k) Day Email

II

8

Helping Employees Make Smart Investment DecisionsA retirement savings plan is one of the most important benefits employees may have. But, for many participants, choosing the mix of investments for their account that might be appropriate for them can be a challenge. That’s why we offer investment services to help participants invest appropriately, to simplify the decision making process and to work toward their unique vision of retirement.

Investing Wisely

GoalManagerTM Portfolio Rebalancing ServiceGoalManager Fact SheetGoalManager Fact Sheets, available for both Risk-Based and Target-Date GoalManager, explain the benefits available to participants through GoalManager.

Supporting MaterialsInvesting Wisely Brochure (Available in Spanish)The Investing Wisely brochure helps employees learn basic investing principles to assist them in making informed investment decisions. Topics include asset allocation and diversification.

Risk Assessment and Investment Gude (Available in Spanish)The Risk Assessment and Investment Guide can help participants assess their tolerance for investment risk and select an asset allocation that might be appropriate for their risk tolerance and investment time horizon.

Risk Assessment and Investment Gude

GoalManager Fact Sheet

Investing Wisely Brochure

II

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Investing Wisely

Advice AccessAdvice Access Brochure (Available in Spanish)The Advice Access brochure introduces employees to a powerful investment advice service that gives them specific recommendations on how much to contribute to the plan and how to invest their contributions to increase the likelihood of reaching their retirement income goals. Employees can also learn about the PersonalManagerTM option, which offers ongoing account management.

Advice Access FAQ BrochureThe FAQ brochure addresses typical questions and concerns to help participants decide if Advice Access is the right solution for their account.

Advice Access ChecklistThe checklist helps the participant gather information about their personal circumstances to further customize the recommendations.

Advice Access Fact Sheet (pdf only) (Available in Spanish)This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the service and instructions on how to get started with Advice Access.

Advice Access HTML Email Email is a cost-effective way to introduce Advice Access to your participants or to supplement print communications. Links to the Benefits OnLine website allow the participant to learn more or enroll at the click of a button.

Advice Access Projection StatementThe Advice Access personalized projection statement is a powerful tool that presents each participant with a customized retirement strategy, including a suggested retirement income goal, contribution rate and specific investment recommendations. Employees can enroll by completing and returning the attached election form.

Advice Access HTML Email

Advice Access Projection Statement

Advice Access Brochure

II

10

Investing Wisely

Self-Direct BrokerageSelf-Direct Brokerage (sdb) BrochureThe Self-Direct Brokerage brochure helps employees learn how the account works, how to open an sdb account and what types of investments are offered through the plan. Available in three versions: Direct Advantage, Advisor Advantage and Direct and Advisor Advantage.

Self-Direct Brokerage Commissions & Fees FlierThis schedule lists the costs associated with Self-Direct Brokerage.

The Advice Access service uses a probabilistic approach to determine the likelihood that participants in the service may be able to achieve their stated goals and/or to identify a range of potential wealth outcomes that could be realized. Additionally, the recommendations provided by Advice Access do not consider an individual’s comfort level with investment risk, and may include a higher level of investment risk than a participant may be personally comfortable with. Participants are strongly advised to consider their personal goals, overall risk tolerance, and retirement horizon before accepting any recommendations made by Advice Access. Participants should carefully review the explanation of the methodology used, including key assumptions and limitations, which is provided in the Advice Access disclosure statement. It can be obtained through Benefits OnLine or through your Bank of America Merrill Lynch representative.

IMPORTANT: The projections or other information shown in the Advice Access service regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Results may vary with each use and over time.

Self-Direct Brokerage Brochure

Self-Direct Brokerage Commissions & Fees Flier

More Advice AccessAdvice Access PostersPosters are a great way to promote Advice Access and announce the date, time and location of planned meetings.

Advice Access Poster Advice Access Poster Advice Access Seminar Poster

III

11

Planning for RetirementRetirement LifeStage Planning GuideThis brochure helps employees understand the changing retirement landscape and presents time-tested strategies for saving and investing. The guide, which includes a retirement planning worksheet, identifies specific needs associated with various life stages and communicates targeted solutions and actionable next steps to help employees take responsibility for their future.

Retirement Slide RuleThe handy Retirement Slide Rule lets employees see how different contributions could potentially compound over time and how different contribution rates could affect their take-home pay. This is an excellent way to motivate employees to start contributing or to contribute more.

Helping Employees Succeed Over the Long TermMany employees take the important step of enrolling in the plan, but don’t always actively manage and monitor their accounts on an ongoing basis. From the time of enrollment through the transition to retirement, it is essential that participants plan accordingly, set realistic retirement income goals and measure their progress periodically.

The primary goal of all our communications is to make planning for retirement easier. We structure our materials to make goal-setting and account management easier, and provide participants with the information they may need as they seek to realize their goals. We make every effort to develop interesting and effective programs to encourage participants to actively monitor and manage their accounts.

Setting and Monitoring Goals

Retirement LifeStage Planning Guide

Retirement Slide Rule

IV

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Preparing Employees for Smooth Transitions When employees are changing employers or about to retire, they often face tough decisions about managing their accumulated retirement plan assets. Their choices could have long-term financial consequences. At Bank of America Merrill Lynch, we know the challenges that downsizing, restructuring and retirement can present. We can help employees understand and evaluate their distribution alternatives, and guide them through the process to help them make a smooth transition.

Distribution OptionsDistributions Letter and Distributions Options Overview (Available in Spanish) Our distribution mailings let you reach out to your targeted participants at key transition points in their career with timely and relevant messages to help them evaluate their distribution options. Participants can call our Retirement Education Services team for a free distribution analysis.

Managing Career TransitionManaging Your Career Transition Guide and SeminarDuring a period of job transition, participants may find it difficult to deal with all the considerations related to their retirement savings. The guide and seminar provide important insights and resources to help participants review their options and decide what to do with their retirement plan assets.

Protecting Accumulated Benefits

Automail LetterDistribution Options Overview

Managing Your Career Transition Guide

Managing Your Career Transition Seminar

IV

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Planning For Your Retirement LifestylePlanning For Your Retirement Lifestyle Guide and SeminarToday, retirement can represent a new experience and an active lifestyle. For employees to retire on their own terms, it’s important that they stay in control of their finances. This guide and seminar is designed to help pre-retirees prepare for retirement with information on retirement income planning, Social Security benefits and more.

PostersPosters serve as a great way to create awareness of an upcoming seminar or workplace meeting.

More Supporting MaterialsFinancial Solutions for Corporate ExecutivesCorporate executives often face complex retirement and savings decisions. This easy reference guide outlines the potential options at retirement for various types of employer-sponsored plans, and presents the tax implications and considerations most important to corporate executives.

IRA Beneficiary Letter and Beneficiary Distribution Options OverviewBoth spousal and non-spousal beneficiaries need to understand how to manage the qualified retirement plan benefits they receive. These automated mailings help educate beneficiaries on their distribution options and how their choices can impact both the timing and amount of benefit payments.

Protecting Accumulated Benefits

IRA Beneficiary Letter

Planning For Your Retirement Lifestyle Guide

Beneficiary Distribution Options Overview

V

14

Personalized Targeted Communications

Email AnnouncmentsQuick and easy-to-read emails can be used for everything from announcing an upcoming seminar, communicating new online features or introducing a new plan service.

Advice Access HTML Email Email is a cost-effective way to introduce Advice Access or to supplement print communications. Links to the Benefits OnLine website allow the participant to learn more or enroll at the click of a button.

Roth 401(k) HTML EmailThe Roth 401(k) email advises participants that the plan has added the Roth 401(k) contribution.

Reaching Specific Employees with Relevant Messages Delivering the right retirement message, at the right time, to the right individuals with personalized communications has proven to be effective in driving employees to take action toward reaching their retirement income goals. We leverage the employee data you provide, such as age, salary, and contribution rates, and create key messages that reach out to your employees in a very distinct and compelling way. Most importantly, our innovative, personalized communications help you target specific segments of your employee population, motivate behavior changes and generate measurable results.

Advice Access HTML Email

Roth 401(k) HTML Email

V

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Personalized Targeted Communications

Targeted Communication CampaignsOur Targeted Communication Campaigns are designed to be interesting and fun. They focus on the most critical plan goals: improving participation, increasing contributions and ensuring that employees are making sound investment and distribution decisions. Available in a host of different media including posters, postcards, emails and letters – some with bilingual English/Spanish options – these bi-annual campaigns target specific age groups and patterns of behavior to connect with employees on an emotional level to generate interest and, most importantly, action.

Targeted Campaign Emails Targeted Campaign Letters

Targeted Campaign Posters

Targeted Campaign Postcards

VI

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Employee Seminar Solutions

Reinforcing Key Messages in the WorkplaceFor many employees, meetings are the best way to help them understand the plan and make the connection between the plan’s benefits and their personal situation. The ability to get individual questions answered can often lead to the appropriate saving and investing decisions. We supplement many of our meetings with print materials, such as posters and planning guides, so that employees can learn, plan and act at their convenience.

We also recognize that your employee base may be spread across multiple locations and that some participants prefer in-person workshops while others prefer electronic communication. Our presentations can be delivered in a number of different formats, including on-site meetings, e-learning courses on Benefits OnLine, live webcasts, podcasts and professionally recorded on-demand seminars through your Intranet site.

Maximize Company BenefitsEnrollment (Available in Spanish)This presentation emphasizes the value and importance of retirement planning, the tax advantages of 401(k) plans, basic considerations for investing and an overview of investing basics. It can be tailored to include your specific plan features, investment menu and other plan services.

Roth 401(k) This presentation introduces the Roth 401(k) contribution option and provides information to help participants determine whether the Roth 401(k) option might be appropriate for them.

Enrollment

The Roth 401(k) Contribution Option

VI

17


Invest WiselyInvesting Wisely (Available in Spanish)Designed for all employees, this presentation reviews investing basics, including asset allocation and the importance of diversification. Supported by a risk assessment worksheet.

Investing Wisely: Beyond the BasicsA good next step for employees who have some familiarity with investing, this presentation goes beyond the basics with additional details on investing and evaluating fund performance. Supported by a risk assessment worksheet.

Advice Access* (Available in Spanish)For plans that offer Advice Access, this presentation introduces the service, how it works, its benefits and how to enroll.

Understanding Market VolatilityThis seminar helps participants understand the ups and downs of the market, historical trends and how keeping a long-term perspective can help.

GoalManager Portfolio Rebalancing Service*For plans that offer the GoalManager Portfolio Rebalancing Service, this presentation shows participants how this service allows them to diversify their accounts by choosing a single portfolio based on risk tolerance or a target date for retirement, and keeps the portfolio in balance long-term.

Self-Direct Brokerage*For plans that offer the Self-Direct Brokerage (sdb) service, this presentation shows participants how an sdb account offers a wide range of investments — in addition to those in your plan’s core investment menu.

*Can be added to any seminar.

Investing Wisely

GoalManager Rebalancing Service

Self-Direct Brokerage

Advice Access

VI

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Set and Monitor GoalsBuilding Sound Financial HabitsThis presentation offers information and strategies to help build sound financial habits, such as establishing a disciplined savings routine and managing expenses and debt payments.

Managing Your Money WiselyEmployees can learn how to manage their everyday finances, make the most of their income and save by following a six-step plan that includes budgeting, managing credit and developing a savings plan.

Protect and Maximize Accumulated BenefitsManaging Your Career TransitionThis presentation addresses key questions to assist employees during career transitions due to voluntary terminations, corporate downsizings, divestitures and reductions in force. The focus is on helping participants understand their distribution options and what to do with the assets in their retirement plan accounts.

Planning For Your Retirement LifestyleFor retirees and pre-retirees, this presentation provides essential information on planning for retirement income and managing the transition to retirement.

Making Choices About Your Social Security BenefitsYour employees may have a number of important decisions to make before they apply for Social Security benefits. This general presentation, which is not intended to address specific issues, is informational in nature to help get your employees started thinking about the choices they will need to make.

Managing Your Money Wisely

Building Sound Financial Habits

Planning For Your Retirement Lifestyle

Social Security Seminar

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Podcasts

We offer podcasts on a host of financial topics including building sound financial habits, maximizing company benefits and investing and managing money wisely. Employees can download the files directly to their iPods and listen to them at their convenience. Podcasts are a fun, innovative way to educate and communicate with employees and often appeal to a younger workforce.

Support for Workplace SolutionsConducting Effective Workplace MeetingsThis brochure provides your human resources staff with tips and guidance to help them prepare for meetings, make a strong, professional presentation and deal with questions from attendees.

PostersPosters are an effective way to announce employee benefit presentations. Meeting posters can be used for any of the presentations, and specific posters are available for Advice Access presentations.

Support from Local Financial AdvisorsBank of America Merrill Lynch can provide you and your participants with support from a national network of financial advisors. These professionals can help you implement your plan’s investment solutions and, in many cases, serve as an onsite resource for participant presentations.

Workplace Solution Posters

VII

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Benefits OnLine

Accessing Tools and Resources OnlineAt Bank of America Merrill Lynch, we find that a multi-channel approach to communications helps to further create awareness, generate interest, and improve employees’ financial literacy at each and every touchpoint. That’s why a host of educational components, such as timely articles and insights, frequently asked questions, interactive calculators and online seminars are integrated throughout the Benefits OnLine participant website. Our online communications are designed to increase knowledge and motivate employees to actively engage in their own retirement planning.

Benefits OnLine Login Page

Participants can click on View Demo on the Benefits OnLine login page for help in accessing their account. This tutorial walks through the process of creating a User ID and Password, changing a Password or obtaining a new one.

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Merrill Lynch is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of investing, asset management and other financial products and services. As your plan provider, we can help you achieve financial success byproviding advice and guidance with investment solutions for all stages of your life.

Privacy Statement Terms & Conditions

To access the interactive Voice Response System, you will need to use your Social Security/Account Number and your six to twelve character Password.If you need to bookmark this page, please make sure to save the generic address, http://benefits.ml.com. Numbers appearing in the address should not be saved.Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is a registered broker-dealer and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

Merrill Lynch makes available investment products and services sponsored, managed, provided or distributed by companies that are affiliates of or in which Bank of America Corporation has an economic interest, including Columbia Management, BlackRock, and Nuveen Investments.

© Copyright 2009 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated All rights reserved. Member, Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Securities Products: Are Not FDIC Insured • Are Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.

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Investing TabThe Investing tab provides educational content on investing basics, making smart investment choices, understanding performance and more.

Participants can learn about time-tested investing strategies and how to choose investments that are aligned with their individual goals and risk tolerance. Engaging e-learning seminars are integrated throughout the section to help participants understand the importance of diversification, asset allocation and investing wisely.

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ToolsInvesting means putting your money to work for your long-term goals. It's an essential concept to understand especially since it's becoming more of a necessity if you want to achieve financial security. Whether you're starting from scratch or have some money saved, it's important to be well informed and knowing the basics can help you get started.

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Advice & PlanningWe continually expand Benefits OnLine with robust educational content and interactive tools to enhance the participant experience. To assist participants in making informed financial decisions, the Advice & Planning tab provides access to a broad range of retirement, investing and personal finance information including:

■ Timely articles of interest

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■ Dynamic e-learning seminars

Retirement TabThe Retirement tab offers information to help employees learn about building retirement savings, preparing for and living in retirement. Tools such as the Take Home Pay Calculator help participants determine how pre-tax contributions might affect their take home pay. The pre-retirement and financial freedom checklists assist with establishing goals at various life stages.

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Advice & Planning > Retirement

Building Your Retirement Savings Nearing Retirement Living in Retirement

ToolsToday, people are living longer, working longer and are much more active in retirement. This next life stage can provide a host of opportunities, provided that you're financially prepared. Good planning and sound choices made now may help to ensure you achieve a comfortable and secure retirement.

Building Your Retirement Savings

Getting started Saving early can make a big difference Establish a plan Are you on track? Ways to save for retirement Invest wisely Changing jobs


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Preparing for Retirement in Changing Times »

Keep retirement savings a priority »

Making the Most of Your Plan

Managing Your Career Transitions

Planning for Your Retirement Lifestyle

Nearing Retirement

Plan your retirement income Preserve what you've earned Consider your distribution options Keeping it in the family Health care planning

Living in Retirement

Manage Your Retirement Income Retirement Savings Strategies Investing In Retirement Taking Social Security benefits Required Minimum Distributions Provide for future generations

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Personal Finance tabThe Personal Finance tab provides access to five key sections: budgeting, managing credit and debt, home financing, insurance and tax resources.

Participants can easily access budget worksheets, savings checklists, and pre-recorded presentations offering insights on managing money wisely and building sound financial habits.







Overview ToolsPersonal FinanceRetirement Investing


Advice & Planning > Personal Finance

PERSONAL FINANCE

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Budgeting

Set Goals and PrioritiesCreate a BudgetDevelop a Savings PlanTrack Your Progress

ManagingCredit and Debt

HomeFinancing

Insurance Tax Resources


Is Your Identity Safe?

Managing YourMoney Wisely

Managing Credit and Debt

Types of CreditEstablish & Maintain Good CreditUsing Credit Wisely

Building SoundFinancial Habits

Building a Better Credit Report

Budget Worksheet

Net Worth Worksheet

Financial Freedom Checklist

Establishing Your GoalsWorksheet

Budgeting

When it comes to managing your money and planning for thefuture, do you feel overwhelmed? Despite the day-to-daychallenges of balancing family, work, and personal matters, it’simportant — now more than ever — that you take time toincrease your knowledge and improve your financial well-being.Learning to manage your financial matters can be one of life’smost important lessons.

Personal Finance tab

My Financial LifeParticipants can get the big picture on all aspects of their finances with this interactive guide on Benefits OnLine. Participants can learn about preparing for retirement, managing money, setting goals and priorities, tracking their progress, and much more. Participants can also access a variety of worksheets and calculators designed to help them prepare for retirement and manage their financial life.

My Financial Life

Benefits OnLine

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Benefits OnLine

Retirement CalculatorsRetirement Planning CalculatorThe Retirement Planning Calculator helps employees estimate how much they may need to save for retirement and whether they are on track to reach their savings goals. This interactive tool also helps determine if there is a projected shortfall or surplus at retirement and presents suggested action steps for closing any gaps.

Take Home Pay CalculatorThe Take Home Pay Calculator is designed to show how making pre-tax contributions to a retirement savings plan can affect take home pay. Employees can enter their annual salary, pay frequency, marital status and contribution rate to see an estimate of how their take home pay could change based on different contribution rates.

Roth 401(k) Comparison CalculatorThe Roth 401(k) Comparison Calculator helps compare Roth 401(k) contributions and traditional pre-tax 401(k) contributions. Employees can create personal scenarios and model different hypothetical outcomes by entering their anticipated retirement age, contribution rates and tax rates to help determine which type of contribution might be appropriate for them.

Retirement Planning Calculator

Take Home Pay Calculator

This retirement planning worksheet is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant as legal, tax, estate planning or investment advice. You may want to review your overall plan with a financial advisor or tax professional. The results of these calculations are estimates based solely on user input and the assumptions of the worksheet. All examples are hypothetical and intended for illustrative purposes only.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Retirement Planning Calculator

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Lifetime Income Retirement Savings TotalRetirement Income

AnnualIncome Goal Action StepsSavings Needed

Lifetime Income

What is your current age? What is your retirement age?

Tell Us About Yourself 11 of 61 of 6StepStep

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What is your current annual income?

Have us estimate your annual Social Security bene�t atfull bene�t age:

Total annual retirement income from regular sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Click icon to include a spouse/partner’s informaiton

$

What is your projected annual Social Security bene�t atfull bene�t age? $

If you prefer, you can enter in the box below, your own personalized estimate from thesocial security statment you receive annually or calculate your own.

Roth 401(k) Comparison Calculator

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Interactive Statement Guide An interactive Guide to Your Retirement Plan Statement is available on Benefits OnLine. This guide walks the participant through a sample statement to provide a clear understanding of specific sections. A participant can click on any statement page to find detailed information about what’s displayed on that page.

A printed Guide to Your Retirement Plan Statement is also available.

Interactive Statement Guide

Benefits OnLine

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