Blue Hen Ready: Adulting 101 - Taxes, Benefits, & Retirement

In this session, CPA and UD alum Devin Ostermann will walk you through everything you wish someone had told you about taxes before you started your first "real" job. Whether you're staring down your first W-2, trying to figure out what to check on your 401(k) enrollment form, or just tired of pretending you know what a Roth IRA is at family dinners, this talk is designed to demystify the tax and retirement decisions that quietly shape your financial life for decades. Expect plain-English explanations, real examples, and plenty of time for questions. This talk will include PowerPoint slides along with an open discussion.

You will walk away from this presentation having learned: • How income taxes actually work (brackets, withholding, and why your paycheck looks the way it does). • What every form your employer hands you on day one really means—W-4, I-9, direct deposit, benefits elections. • The difference between traditional and Roth retirement accounts, and how to think about your 401(k) match. • How to think about a side hustle or freelance income without getting blindsided at tax time. • When it's worth doing your own return vs. hiring a CPA.

Senior students and young alumni (Class of 2022-2026) are encouraged to attend this free event sponsored by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.