RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today announced its support of National Retirement Planning Week – a national effort to help consumers rethink retirement and reconsider ways they can meet their retirement income goals. As part of this effort, Lincoln will aim to help Americans understand the value of financial advice and demonstrate how an annuity with guaranteed lifetime income can be in the best interest of meeting their retirement income needs. National Retirement Planning Week takes place from April 3 to 7, 2017.

“Today’s savers face longer lifespans and less access to pensions, and safety nets like social security cannot be relied on as a sole source of income in retirement. Considering this longevity opportunity, savers should look to solutions that offer guaranteed lifetime income to further diversify their portfolio and help them reach retirement income goals,” says Brian Kroll, head of Annuity Solutions for Lincoln Financial Group. “It’s never too early to plan for income in retirement, and client-advisor conversations are an important step in this process.”

Research shows that savers have a strong desire to live a financially comfortable retirement, yet almost two in five express concerns over having enough money to maintain the lifestyle they want. Many savers are also uncomfortable with the risk of losing the money they’ve worked to save, and do not feel knowledgeable about how to protect their portfolios against investment risk¹.

“In today’s low interest rate environment and with equities at an all-time high, advisors have a unique opportunity to educate savers on solutions that provide a known source of income and financial protection. This also includes helping them to lock in potential gains available in the current market to generate the income they need in retirement,” added John Kennedy, head of Retirement Solutions Distribution for Lincoln Financial Distributors. “Developing a strong income strategy with a reliable income source, like an annuity with guaranteed lifetime income, can help investors feel more confident when facing potential risks in the future.”

Throughout the week Lincoln will engage savers on the topic of income planning. As part of this, Lincoln will also highlight ways to protect income from unexpected expenses through long-term care. In partnership with the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI), Lincoln will host two webinars for advisors to attend for Continuing Education credits. These topics include “Women and Long-term Care: How to recognize and plan for their unique needs” and “Retirement Income and Investment Risk: Are you prepared?” Advisors who wish to learn more and register for these webinars may visit: Women and Long-term Care and Are you prepared?

The webinars will also be available after National Retirement Planning Week through the IRI site: http://www.irionline.org/conferences/webinars.

“Annuities can provide savers with income they can’t outlive, and that can never go down. But education on the role of income in retirement is important, and talking with an advisor to learn more can help savers feel more confident in adding guaranteed lifetime income to a well-rounded retirement income plan,” concluded Kennedy. “Financial professionals play an important role in helping savers understand the spectrum of solutions available and how they can be in their best interest as they plan for retirement income.”

Each year National Retirement Planning Week encourages and promotes positive savings behaviors among Americans, through tools and resources to help them plan for their financial needs in retirement. The National Retirement Planning Coalition – a group of education, consumer advocacy and financial service organizations – spearheads this effort to help Americans plan for retirement. Lincoln is a member company of the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) – the organization that helps fuel the coalition and annual event.

For more information about National Retirement Planning Week, visit: https://www.retireonyourterms.org/NRPW

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $229 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2016. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. To sign up for email alerts, please visit our Newsroom at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

Disclosures:

Lincoln Financial Group® affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives, and/or insurance do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Please consult an independent advisor as to any tax, accounting, or legal statements made herein.

Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement purposes and are subject to market fluctuation, investment risk, and possible loss of principal. Variable annuities contain both investment and insurance components and have fees and charges, including mortality and expense, administrative, and advisory fees. Optional features are available for an additional charge. The annuity’s value fluctuates with the market value of the underlying investment options, and all assets accumulate tax-deferred. Withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.

Investors are advised to consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The applicable prospectuses for the variable annuity and its underlying investment options contain this and other important information. Please call 888-868-2583 for free prospectuses. Read them carefully before investing or sending money. Products and features are subject to state availability.

Lincoln variable annuities are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.

Contracts sold in New York are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer.

¹ Greenwald & Associates / CANNEX 2016 Guaranteed Lifetime Income Study

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