Whether you are an endowed employee thinking about your health, dental and Select Benefits options for open enrollment (deadline Nov. 30) or a contract-college employee anticipating the New York state option transfer period, you might consider focusing on your retirement financial planning, too.

If you make any changes to the money you are setting aside for retirement in your tax-deferred annuity (TDA), and you'd like those changes to take effect in your first paycheck of 2010, to maximize your tax savings next year, you need to submit the Salary Reduction Agreement Form (http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/benefits/programs/retireTDA.html) by Nov. 30. You can change your contribution at any time during the year, and still realize some tax savings.

With the stock market's recovery in recent months, you may need to adjust your ratio of stocks versus bonds or other fixed incomes. FAQ pages on the TIAA-CREF Web site (http://www.tiaa-cref.org/support/help/ask_tc/index.html) illustrate some factors you should consider. Also see the third quarter message from TIAA-CREF President and CEO Roger W. Ferguson Jr. (http://www.tiaa-cref.org/support/news/articles/gen0910_189.html).

If you have not set your retirement goals or started to save for retirement; wonder if you are saving enough or if you should be doing something differently now that the market has changed; or have decided when to retire and wonder what you need to do to make your money last, these sites can help you: the TIAA-CREF sites noted above, the Fidelity Web site (http://personal.fidelity.com/planning/retirement/retirement_planning.shtml) and the ING Web site (http://www.ing-usa.com/us/individuals/planningtools/retirementcenter/index.htm). The Fidelity site also has daily articles and money tips on personal financial planning.

Nothing beats an individual consultation, however, to get started or to make sure you are on track. TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, ING, MetLife and VALIC consultants who come to campus have the tools to look at all of your investments and help you determine and reach your goals. While each is most knowledgeable about their company's own funds, the vendors have agreed to give objective advice during these sessions, helping you build your portfolio for the long term.

The consultants are meeting on campus in Day Hall and at East Hill Plaza. Call their toll-free numbers, listed here (http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/whatsNew/whatsNewBenefits/benefitAppts.html) to make an appointment.

Staff from Benefit Services can also provide general guidance on the kinds of investments -- though not the individual funds -- to consider and the advantages offered by each, and they can help you submit your salary reduction form. Call 255-3936 or e-mail benefits@cornell.edu to make an appointment.

Mary Zielinski is assistant director of Benefits Services and program manager for retirement and financial planning.