AXA Financial Launches PlanConnect(SM)

NEW YORK, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AXA Financial, Inc. has announced the launch of PlanConnect(SM), a full-service third party administrator (TPA) for sponsors of 403(b) and 457(b) retirement savings plans. The new subsidiary, headquartered in Syracuse, N.Y., offers customers a new standard in retirement plan administration by delivering plan maintenance, plan compliance and common remitter services.    

"Today's plan sponsors must contend with more complex administration responsibilities, and long-standing practices are clearly no longer sufficient," said Christopher M. "Kip" Condron, president and chief executive officer of AXA Financial. "We're excited to start a new business that will redefine how retirement plans are administered."

The launch of PlanConnect builds on more than 30 years of 403(b) and 457(b) experience developed by PlanConnect's sister company AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.

"Our leadership in the retirement plan space is something we've cultivated for the past three decades," said James Shepherdson, president of Retirement Savings for AXA Equitable. "The new services of PlanConnect, combined with our solid foundation of experience, will provide our customers with more flexibility and a higher level of service."

PlanConnect offers plan sponsors choice among three core TPA services.

Connect2Maintain(SM)

This service ensures that plan sponsors who manage 403(b) and 457(b) plans have access to the information and forms that reflect the latest rules and regulations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL). Through Connect2Maintain, plan sponsors are provided:

• Plan documents or amendments, as required, due to new regulations or changes to retirement plans
• Investment provider agreements coordinated with plan providers
• All required administrative forms and a secure record-keeping repository

Connect2Comply(SM)

Connect2Comply keeps 403(b) and 457(b) plans compliant with all IRS and DOL regulations by constantly monitoring transactions. The real-time service supervises:

• Annual contribution limits, including catch-up provisions
• In-service loans and withdrawal amounts
• Contract exchanges, plan-to-plan transfers and rollovers

As part of its Connect2Comply offering, PlanConnect provides resources and support if plan sponsors are audited by the IRS. Connect2Comply also offers sponsors online tools that support a web interface so plan participants can track accounts, and are customizable so compliance monitoring becomes virtually paperless for plan sponsors.

Connect2Remit(SM)

This service ensures that employee contributions to retirement plans are quickly and accurately processed. In addition, Connect2Remit securely distributes 403(b) and 457(b) contributions to the appropriate provider, regardless of how many providers a plan sponsor has under their plan.

Connect2Remit also offers:

• Online participant salary reduction agreement processing
• Easy payroll file processing
• Online payroll data validation

"PlanConnect is designed to meet the changing needs of plan sponsors," said Sue LaVallee, chief executive officer of PlanConnect. "Our menu-driven approach provides employers only what they need – whether it is basic services or complete plan administration. What we offer, coupled with the highest standard in customer service, has PlanConnect poised to set a new standard for the way third party administrators do business."

For more information on PlanConnect, visit www.planconnect.com.

PlanConnect, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Distribution Holding Corporation, an indirect subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc. PlanConnect(SM) is a service mark of AXA Distribution Holding Corporation. Connect2Remit(SM), Connect2Comply(SM) and Connect2Maintain(SM) are service marks of PlanConnect, LLC. PlanConnect(SM) may not be available in all states. AXA Financial, Inc. and its family of companies do not provide tax advice. Please consult with your tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances. Each company is affiliated. AXA Distribution Holding Corporation and AXA Financial, Inc are located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, (212) 554-1234. PlanConnect, LLC is located at 100 Madison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. (800).923.6669.

About AXA Financial

AXA Financial, Inc. is one of the premier organizations in financial protection strategies and wealth management. Affiliated companies include AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (AXA Equitable) (NY, NY), AXA Advisors, LLC, AllianceBernstein, L.P., AXA Distributors, LLC and The MONY family of companies. AXA Financial is a part of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management. GE-56615(06/10)

For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com.

SOURCE AXA Financial, Inc.