NEW YORK, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services today announced new resources intended to help plan participants, plan sponsors and financial advisors reach their retirement and business goals. To help those involved in the retirement plan process navigate through different market cycles and a constantly evolving marketplace, OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services continues to create tools and enhancements and remains dedicated to supporting its Plans that Work philosophy.

Targeted Communications Promote Navigator Asset Allocation Program

It is crucial that plan sponsors offer participants the necessary tools to develop and maintain a financial strategy amidst economic uncertainty. OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services recently introduced targeted communications to promote Navigator, an asset allocation program launched in 2003 and available on the Pinnacle and Record(k)eeper Pro platforms. Navigator helps participants choose a targeted investment mix based on their risk tolerance and the number of years until retirement, and assists plan sponsors in managing their fiduciary responsibilities. Personalized communications educate the plan sponsor on Navigator and encourage participants to consider using it in an effort to help simplify investment selections and automatically rebalance participants' portfolios.

"People have a greater likelihood of engaging in the retirement process if educational materials are personalized and targeted to their specific needs," said Gayle Leavitt, Vice President, OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services. "The targeted communications promoting Navigator demonstrate our commitment to giving participants and plan sponsors resources to reach long-term retirement goals and improve plan participation rates."

OppenheimerFunds, Inc. Retirement Services to Launch Retirement Business CARD

To help financial advisors build business and retain existing assets, OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services launched the OppenheimerFunds Retirement Business Calendar and Resume Developer (CARD). An innovative, all-in-one tool, the CARD helps financial advisors showcase their business capabilities to current and prospective clients. The CARD consists of three components:

• A Business Resume template that helps highlight a financial advisor's professional experience in the industry
• Retirement Plan Service and Mission Statement that details many common components of a plan review process
• Customizable Annual Services Calendar, which provides a schedule of services offered to the plan sponsor by the financial advisor

With these components, the CARD presents financial advisors' services to existing and new clients in a compelling manner.

New Guide to Help Plan Sponsors Increase Plan Participation Rates

Recent market volatility has shaken investor confidence. Educating employees on their plan and the benefits of developing a long-term strategy has become an increased focus for plan sponsors. To assist plan sponsors in achieving their goals, OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services introduced a new guide targeted to plan sponsors titled Increase Your Plan's Participation Rate - Four Steps to Make Your Plan More Effective. The guide outlines how plan sponsors can increase their plan's participation rate and features key steps to help plan sponsors execute a course of action.

"The guide is a timely and focused piece for plan sponsors concerned about helping their employees be financially ready for retirement and looking for solutions to improve their plan," said Leavitt. "Providing a process to sponsors with appropriate and actionable tools can help increase plan participation rates, and help employees save for their retirement income goals."

OppenheimerFunds Retirement Services continually seeks ways to further educate and offer enhancements to participants, plan sponsors and financial advisors to deliver Plans that Work. "It is critical that we maintain open lines of communication to participants, plan sponsors and financial advisors," said Leavitt. "We recognize the importance of frequently assessing and improving upon the resources we make available."

About OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is one of the nation's largest and most respected investment management companies. The Oppenheimer funds managed by OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and a subsidiary have nearly 6 million shareholder accounts.

Shares of mutual funds are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not guaranteed by any bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.

The products and services of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and its controlled affiliates include: mutual funds, qualified retirement plans for individuals and corporations, investment management for institutions and sub-advisory services. OppenheimerFunds is widely recognized as a leader in educating and empowering investors and for its award-winning customer service.

Before investing in any of the Oppenheimer funds, investors should carefully consider a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Fund prospectuses and if available, summary prospectuses contain this and other information about the funds, and may be obtained by asking your financial advisor, visiting our website at www.oppenheimerfunds.com, or calling us at 1.800.525.7048. Read prospectuses and if available, summary prospectuses, carefully before investing.