CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RETIREMENT Prudential Annuities reacts to State of the Union address Jac Herschler, senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives for Prudential Annuities, is available for comment in response to this week's State of the Union address about the administration’s proposals on retirement security. In particular, he can speak to how the proposals promote "the availability of annuities and other forms of guaranteed lifetime income, which transform savings into guaranteed future income, reduce the risks that retirees will outlive their savings or that retirees’ living standards will be eroded by investment losses or inflation." To hear a quote from Jac regarding these proposals, click on his photo. If you would like to speak with Jac, contact Alicia Alston at 973-802-4446. (more)

Prudential increases support to Haiti earthquake victims The Prudential Foundation contributes $500,000 to assist in relief efforts The death toll from the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12 has reached more than 200,000 people, another 300,000 people were injured, and those left homeless number more than a million. Prudential wasted no time in responding to the disaster. Just days after the earthquake struck, The Prudential Foundation made a $150,000 donation to UNICEF, the American Red Cross and Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti Earthquake Fund. Now it has made an additional $500,000 contribution toward relief efforts. In addition, the company opened its Prudential CARES Disaster Relief Fund to provide an avenue for our employees to make donations and ensure those funds get to where they're needed most. All donations to the fund by March 15, 2010, will be matched by The Prudential Foundation. (more)

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT OF THE WEEK Equity markets will continue to enjoy a 'macro sweet spot' in 2010, says John Praveen John Praveen believes equity markets will continue to enjoy the "macro sweet spot" of sustained GDP growth, benign inflation, low interest rates and a strong rebound in corporate earnings. "That's the backdrop that should provide equity markets fuel for this rally to continue, at least into the first half of 2010," says Praveen, chief investment strategist for Prudential International Investments Advisers. However, Praveen cautions that market volatility will be high due to interest rate concerns and fears about debt defaults in Greece and other European countries. Want more information, including Praveen's growth estimates for global markets? Watch a portion of his market outlook at Prudential Financial’s Global Economic and Retirement Market Outlook event. You can also read "Global Investment Strategy & Market Outlook For 2010" or "Global Economic Outlook 2010 – The Year Ahead." Want to talk to John? Contact Lisa Villareal. (more)

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RETIREMENT
Pru expert reacts to White House Middle Class Task Force recommendations

Jamie Kalamarides, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions for Prudential Retirement and nationally recognized expert on retirement, is available for comment this week about how the White House Middle Class Task Force’s new recommendations will affect Americans saving for retirement.

Prudential Retirement has been a long-time advocate of placing American families on a secure road to retirement. To hear a quote from Jamie regarding these new initiatives, click on his photo. If you would like to speak with Jamie, contact Josh Stoffregen at 973-802-3996. (more)