PITTSBURGH, Iowa, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pittsburgh Financial Planning Association (FPA) and 20 of western Pennsylvania's top financial planning companies will host Pittsburgh's first free public forum on financial planning, Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, downtown. The first in a series of annual events for the Pittsburgh area, "Planning Pays Off: Making the Most of Your Money" will feature the latest financial planning strategies, tools and information designed to help local residents make the most of their money and meet personal financial goals. The event also marks the beginning of Financial Planning Week in Pittsburgh, which will be recognized by Pittsburgh City Council Sept.18 - 25.

The day-long event will offer area residents the opportunity to attend financial planning-related exhibits and educational  workshops on "Family Matters," "Investments," "Seniors" and a Special Issues track on such topics as "Suddenly  Single" and "Retirement Plans for Small Business." Jane Bryant Quinn, the nation's leading commentator on personal finance, and Jonathan Pond, president of Boston-based Financial Planning Information, Inc., will conduct keynote addresses.

"As investment options continue to soar, and retirement planning becomes more important than ever before, consumers are searching for information to help them make wise decisions about their money," Jack Driscoll, CFP, CFS, LUTCF,  Driscoll Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. Pittsburgh and president emeritus, Pittsburgh FPA."We believe this will be a meaningful event for western Pennsylvania residents to readily gain valuable information about the potential benefits and risks of investing, as well as introduce a wide range of personal financial strategies, products and services necessary to secure long-term financial success."

Jonathan Pond, president, Financial Planning Information, Inc., Boston, will host the morning keynote address, "The Keys to Financial Success." Jane Bryant Quinn, financial author and columnist, is the featured afternoon keynote speaker and will present, "Handling Money in Challenging Times" and other insights into issues affecting personal finance.

Educational workshops will include:

Family Matters:

• Tax Savings Strategies
• Paying for College Without Sacrificing Your Retirement
• Dissecting Annuities: When They Work and When They Don't!

Investments:

• International Diversification: Does it Really Add Value?
• Mutual Funds v. Individual Securities: Which is Right for You?
• Index Funds: Understanding the Risk/Reward Tradeoff

Special Topics:

• Retirement Plans for Small Businesses
• Suddenly Single
• When to Use a Financial Planner

An ongoing session titled, "Ask the Planner" will feature a panel of local financial planning experts providing individual consultations to event attendees.

"For most people, having a comfortable, financially secure future involves thoughtful planning and ongoing money management," Driscoll says. "Regardless of the amount of money or time someone has to invest, wise money management largely is dependent upon the right types of investment strategies, innovative solutions and objective advice -- and the financial planning process is the foundation for smart decision-making.

"Through FPA financial educational forums like 'Planning Pays Off: Making the Most of Your Money,' we hope to emphasize the importance of financial planning through skilled financial planners for individuals and their families."

Educational workshop presenters include The Vanguard Group, Mellon Bank, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Tuberville Financial, College Crossroads and Rockhaven Asset Management. Sponsors include, The Alger Fund, D.B. Root & Company, Federated Investors, Harris Insight Fund, Rockhaven Asset Management, Merrill Lynch, Muhlenkamp Funds, Hefren Tillotson, Golden American Life, Allegheny Investments, Allegheny Financial Group, Wealth Preservation & Management, Acacia, Pittsburgh Foundation and Templeton.

Founded in 1969, the Financial Planning Association (FPA), formerly named the International Association for Financial Planning, is the oldest and largest non-profit organization of its type in the world. The only industrywide organization that provides an exchange of knowledge and experience among professionals in all areas of the financial services industry, the FPA has more than 25,000 members in all 50 states and 23 countries, and 600 members in the Greater Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania area. More than 90 local FPA chapters offer members educational programs and networking opportunities close to home.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Financial Planning Association