Hello and welcome. I'm Tim Gorrell, Executive Director of Ohio's five twenty nine Plan, College Advantage. And joining me today is Janet Smith, Marketing Representative for Employers. Welcome, Janet. Hi. Today, Janet and I would like to welcome you to a new segment we call Talking with the Employer. The purpose of today's session is to give employers throughout Ohio information on Ohio's five twenty nine Education Savings Plan, and why sharing this information in the work setting is important for their employees' their children's futures. We appreciate all of our Ohio employers who are already advocates for Ohio's five twenty nine Plan, and hope that after today's session that even more businesses will join in offering Ohio's five twenty nine College Advantage Plan to employees. So, let's get started. Janet, why is it important for employers to help with passing on information about Ohio's five twenty nine Plan? Speaker 2 Well, we know employees learn best about information from where they spend the majority of their time. Plus, employees say they appreciate when their employer provides links to resources. This could be by email, by way of benefit fare, and so on. Employees really look to their employer to relay reliable information, especially those around financial matters. Speaker 1 Why should Ohio's five twenty nine Plan information be included in the work setting? Speaker 2 Well, there is a huge opportunity for employers to help employees alleviate the stress and worry about financial matters. Employers often overlook Ohio's five twenty nine Plan as a cost free addition that can be added at any time. Speaker 1 Financing higher education is a major decision, but there are individuals that do not know what Ohio's five twenty nine Plan is. Speaker 2 And we are constantly reminded about that, from the result of speaking to employees, and are also validated by surveys conducted nationwide, that only two out of five recognize the five twenty nine Plan as an education savings tool. We know there are many who struggle to make education after high school possible, for a loved one, or even themselves. Speaker 1 Do you think employees appreciate being introduced to resources by their employer? Speaker 2 As I alluded to earlier, employees are stressed about finances. Employees really look to their employer to provide them with information that can address their needs. Employers are the link, the conduit if you will, to help with sharing information. And when employers include Ohio's five twenty nine Plan, they really are helping employees with a tool that can make an impact. Speaker 1 Whether employers are reorganizing a benefit line up or offering ongoing information to employees about resources available, what are simple, straightforward ways to share information about Ohio's five twenty nine Plan? Speaker 2 Well, this can really vary from employer to employer. We have crafted messages that can be forwarded, have a PDF of our brochure, or a marketing representative can be on-site during lunch times or breaks to answer questions from employees who want to learn more. It sounds so simple, and it really is! You see, employees open and manage their account on the CollegeAdvantage website, so there is no administrative overhead on the employer's behalf. Speaker 1 Information about Ohio's five twenty nine plan is only a few clicks away at collegeadvantage dot com, and it's available twenty fourseven. The best part is that Ohio's five twenty nine plan meets individuals where they are, whether they are just starting out to learn more, ready to open an account, or are well on their way to meeting their savings goals. Speaker 2 You summed that up well. We do meet individuals where they are at. Speaker 1 Let's talk a few minutes about how employers can get the information shared today into the work setting. Speaker 2 That's right. Employers are encouraged to visit and use the resources at collegeadvantage dot com slash employers. This is a page on our website dedicated to employers. There are resources available, downloads, and then the employer decides the best approach. For most employers, the sharing of the brochure seems to be the number one item, and the brochure can be shared any time of the year. Oftentimes, employers invite us on-site during a regularly scheduled benefit fair or may have a special lunch and learn program where we can talk specifically about Ohio's five twenty nine plan. The format is really up to the employer and can be conducted any time the employer chooses. Speaker 1 There really is no downside for employers to offer information about Ohio's five twenty nine Plan in the work setting. We make it easy, and I know you are here to help employers with materials and resources. What's the best way to get in touch with you? Speaker 2 And I am always happy to help. My email that is best is employerscollegeadvantage dot com. Speaker 1 Thank you, Janet, for joining me today, and for the valuable information you've given Ohio employers. Should an employer have additional questions, please, again, email Janet at employers collegeadvantage dot com, or visit our website at collegeadvantage dot com, and click on Information for Employers on our homepage. Thank you.