Northwestern Mutual teams with New York Times best-selling author, Meryl Comer

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Northwestern Mutual is partnering with New York Times best-selling author and Women Against Alzheimer's co-founder Meryl Comer on a new interactive webcast "The Retirement Wildcard That Can Derail Your Plan" on November 19, 2014.  The webcast will highlight ways people can protect themselves from one of the most significant risks to retirement, the impact of a long-term care event. 

The webcast will explore the physical, emotional and financial aspects associated with long-term caregiving, based in part on the experiences and challenges Comer has faced as a caregiver for her husband who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's nearly two decades ago.

Comer says one of the keys is to think ahead and protect yourself by getting a long-term care plan in place earlier in life. That way, you'll have options in the event you experience a long-term illness or chronic disease yourself, or find yourself a caregiver for a loved one in ways you've never imagined.

"As a caregiver, I've learned that fifty percent of the things you worry about don't happen," said Comer. "But when those things you never thought would happen actually do occur, the emotional and financial impact on your life and those around you can be devastating," said Comer.   

Viewers will also have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A on how to better understand how a good plan can reduce the burden on loved ones.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for people who live beyond the age of 65, there's a 70% chance they'll have some type of need for long-term care.

"Every generation is living longer than the one before, and despite the growing need for care, only a small percentage of Americans understand their family members' wishes regarding long-term care or have addressed their own needs," said co-presenter Steve Sperka, Northwestern Mutual vice president of disability insurance and long-term care. "But planning ahead and putting solutions in place for potential care needs gives families options and helps protect retirement nest eggs."

Additionally, more and more adults are finding themselves members of the "Sandwich Generation," the one in eight Americans aged 40-60 that are simultaneously supporting their children and parents, as well as addressing their own financial security needs, according to Pew Research data.

Webcast Details:

The 30-minute webcast will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET (noon CT, 10:00 a.m. PT) on Wednesday, November 19, and is open to the public and free of charge. Individuals may register at: http://u.nm.com/LTCWebcast

Featured Speakers:

Meryl Comer is an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist and leading Alzheimer's advocate. In her New York Times best-selling book "Slow Dancing with a Stranger" she shares the emotional and financial hardships of abandoning her career to care full-time for her husband following his diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer's twenty years ago.  Today she serves as President of the Geoffrey Beene Foundation Alzheimer's Initiative.

Steve Sperka, FSA, CLU® serves as the vice president of disability insurance and long-term care at Northwestern Mutual. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Steve has been instrumental in the design, development, and delivery of insurance products to the marketplace.

Click here for more information and educational resources on long-term care.

About WomenAgainstAlzheimer's
WomenAgainstAlzheimer's (WA2) harnesses the power and creative energy of women - the disease's disproportionate victims, as patients and caregivers – to create a new approach to finding a cure and to build a movement that commits our nation to a bold and aggressive plan for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Our founding members are distinguished women leaders from across the nation that include experts in brain and medical research, health policy, caregiver and patient support, the arts, marketing, media and communications. WA2 also include women who have demonstrated leadership through civic and volunteer engagement.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for nearly 160 years. Our financial representatives build relationships with clients through a distinctive planning approach that integrates risk management with wealth accumulation, preservation and distribution. With more than $217 billion in assets, $26 billion in revenues and more than $1.5 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.2 million people who rely on us for insurance and investment solutions, including life, disability and long-term care insurance; annuities; trust services; mutual funds; and investment advisory products and services.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Related Links

http://www.northwesternmutual.com