In light of recent turbulence in the financial markets, TIAA-CREF and Fidelity have ramped up their communications, both on the Web and through e-mails, to clients. Two of their letters to clients specifically addressing the current market situation have been posted on Cornell's Benefits What's New page, at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/whatsNew/whatsNewBenefits/whatsNewBenefits.html.

Detailed information on TIAA-CREF's financial strength, holdings and perspective on the current financial situation can be found on its Web site at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/whatsNew/whatsNewBenefits/whatsNewBenefits.html, which is updated frequently. Recent information from TIAA-CREF includes:

• How the TIAA-CREF accounts performed during the recent turbulence in the financial markets

Outlines the kinds of stocks and bonds that fared the best and worst in the prior quarter, including TIAA Traditional Annuity and Real Estate, and the various CREF choices.

• A statement on market volatility and recent events in the financial services sector

Assesses the effects that troubled financial companies have had on TIAA-CREF funds and accounts; this article, released on Oct. 1, also describes TIAA-CREF's low exposure to subprime credit investments.

• Information on TIAA's financial strength ratings

Explains TIAA's strong ratings from independent agencies, the company's strong capital base and the company's position as one of the largest retirement systems in the United States.

• The importance of asset allocation

Offers helpful guidance on asset allocation, diversification and rebalancing from TIAA-CREF's chief investment strategist.

Comparable information can be found on the Fidelity Web site. For a general overview, Fidelity has posted a self-paced Web workshop for its clients, Remaining Confident in a Volatile Market, at http://ondemandworkshops.fidelity.com (you will need to be registered with Fidelity with a customer account number and PIN, but those are easy to acquire through their Web site if you have Fidelity investments).

Fidelity also offers a mix of articles and podcasts that anyone can access, at https://www.fidelity.com/, including recent market commentary from Fidelity, such as:

• "Governments Expand Financial, Economic Rescue Efforts"

How governments around the world are not repeating the policy mistakes of the Great Depression, and how these actions represent part of the solution that should eventually stabilize confidence, the financial system and the economy.

• "Podcast: The Market Downturn -- What It Means for You"

Dirk Hofschire, vice president of market analysis at Fidelity, explains the market downturn, credit crunch, government intervention and what it all means for investors.

Remember: All of Cornell's financial representatives (TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, ING, MetLife, AIG Retirement) are available for personal appointments. Their numbers are listed through the Benefits What's New page, at http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/whatsNew/whatsNewBenefits/benefitAppts.html.