October 20, 2003

An independent organization dedicated to public sector retirement education has been established by Nationwide Retirement Solutions, (Nationwide) a subsidiary of Nationwide Financial (NYSE: NFS). The Nationwide Retirement Education Institute brings together industry experts to analyze, research and discuss issues and solutions to assess and improve the financial retirement readiness of America's public sector employees. Conference Vice President Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic was among those asked by NRS to serve on the panel.

"There is a crisis in America's retirement education today that leaves our citizens unprepared for the financial rigors of retirement," said Duane Meek, President of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. "Many will work longer or be forced to re-enter the workforce after retirement to make ends meet because they didn-t have the necessary education to save and invest adequately during their working years. The Nationwide Retirement Education Institute will provide a voice on critical retirement issues for America's public sector employees with the ultimate goal of helping them become more financially prepared for life after retirement." Nationwide administers more than 8,200 plans representing 1.75 million participants across the country.

A panel of experts will guide the institute's activities. The panel will include individuals from the retirement and financial industries as well as public administration executives. Mary Willett of Willett Consulting is panel director. The group will hold its inaugural meeting later this month to discuss the current state of retirement education among public sector employees. It will publish its first report of its findings early next year.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions provides record keeping, education and administrative'service solutions for more than 8,200 public employee defined contribution plans that cover state, county and municipal employees across the country. The company has been a leader in defined contribution products and services in the public sector for more than 25 years, and in 2003 was named the top bundled provider in the industry by DC News*. The parent company, Nationwide Financial, is also ranked the top defined contribution provider in the nation by Plan Sponsor Magazine.

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: NFS), based in Columbus, is a leading provider of annuities, life insurance, retirement plans, and other financial services for individuals and institutional clients. The parent company, Nationwide, is a leading provider of diversified insurance and financial services and is ranked No. 111 on the Fortune 500 based on revenue.