For nearly 90 years, TIAA-CREF has been helping those in the academic, medical, cultural and research fields plan for and live in retirement. We do this with a full array of financial products and services to help them live to and through retirement and invest for life's other goals along the way. In keeping with our strong nonprofit heritage, we offer low fees,* a long-term approach to investing, and a full line of financial products and services provided by consultants who never receive commissions. Instead, they are compensated primarily on how well they serve you, not what they sell you.

Our people are highly capable and competent individuals who are committed to achieving results through innovative solutions that meet our participants' needs. We recognize that the competitive landscape is continually changing and that our people need to grow and change with it. We also understand that employee development plans and career objectives are as unique as each individual. At TIAA, our comprehensive vision for learning and development helps ensure success on a personal and professional level and includes the following components:

TIAA has developed Learning Paths that integrate leadership skills with functional/technical skills at all levels of the organization, from administrative assistant through executive vice president. Using the company's direction as a compass and its goals as a destination, employees and their managers will create a career roadmap to equip each employee with the right competencies to perform well in their current role and prepare them for the next one. This allows the employee the opportunity to learn the skills they need when they need them, including time management, business writing and project management, as well as supervisory and managerial imperatives such as strategy, budgeting and team development.

Day-to-day performance management is critical to our ability to successfully meet participant expectations. At TIAA, managers and employees work together toward meeting business goals through establishing clear individual performance objectives and conducting frequent coaching and feedback sessions. In our performance culture, employees who perform at a consistently high level are recognized and rewarded in a way that directly relates to their contribution to the company. Simply put, the greater the investment you're willing to make, the greater the reward you should expect to receive. Our performance management process is a key component of helping to establish a clear link between goals, results and rewards.

TIAA is committed to providing satisfying professional, developmental and leadership opportunities for our people. Ultimately, however, career development is a personal responsibility. The Learning Paths described above are designed to guide employees in making career decisions. We recognize that while each of us may take different routes on our career journeys and arrive at different destinations, the experiences, knowledge and expertise gained along the way benefit the individual, TIAA-CREF and our participants.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our vision for career development is that there's something for everyone. Regardless of your position, area of expertise or career aspirations, our programs will help you reach your desired destination. Through training opportunities designed to provide you with the fundamental skills you will need throughout your career, combined with a structured performance management process and fueled by your own dreams and ambitions — you are on your way to a fulfilling career with TIAA.

*Morningstar Direct (February 2007) based on Morningstar expense comparisons by category.