Partnership
announces LGBT retirement option plans

The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Lynch, and the Hartford's Retirement Plans Group announced Tuesday the creation of new retirement options geared toward LGBT business leaders, their employees, and families. The partnership will seek to fill the gap in education about and availability of retirement opportunities in the LGBT community.

The partnership will also include Merrill Lynch's participation in the NGLCC LGBT supplier diversity initiative. The initiative provides a direct link between LGBT businesses and corporations who want to add LGBT businesses to their diverse supply chain.

Todd Sears, senior financial adviser for Merrill Lynch, said in a statement, "Helping LGBT small-business owners achieve their retirement goals is the next step in our comprehensive LGBT financial planning initiative. We are very proud to be national partners with the NGLCC in launching this unique program, and we are also very pleased that the Hartford has joined our initiative as a preferred provider." (The Advocate)