J.P. Morgan Asset Management Launches New Retirement Plan Advisor Tool -- Plan Design Guide

NEW YORK, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Asset Management today introduced a new tool for retirement plan advisors to help them facilitate thoughtful conversations about 401(k) plan design and enhance plan sponsor decision making processes.

The J.P. Morgan Plan Design Guide helps retirement plan advisors evaluate and benchmark their clients' plans based on the sponsor's retirement benefits philosophy. Using a brief assessment, the tool charts the sponsor's standing relative to peers using two dimensions -- their philosophy towards innovation and their level of plan investment.  This methodology results in concrete next steps for plans across different mind sets to execute their strategy, potentially improve their fiduciary process, and drive better outcomes.   

"Retirement plan advisors play a critical role in encouraging sponsors to think and act strategically about plan design; this tool provides a framework to enhance that conversation," said Donn Hess, Head of Product Development, J.P. Retirement Plan Services. "In redefining how they think about plan design, sponsors can benchmark themselves against organizations that think the way they do and align around common goals for managing the plan."

Plan Design Guide is based on in-depth proprietary research into the primary factors that influence plan design decision making.  It offers a more objective way to evaluate plan effectiveness relative to a precise group of peers with similar retirement plan preferences and characteristics, allowing sponsors to identify realistic, actionable opportunities which may improve participant outcomes via strategies that match their philosophy.

"We have received positive feedback using this framework with some of our largest clients and are excited to be sharing this strategic approach with the retirement plan advisor community as they partner with plan sponsors to drive improved participant outcomes.  This outcome-oriented goal is consistent with the focus surrounding our overall business and product development strategy," said David Musto, Chief Executive Officer, J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services. 

About J.P. Morgan Asset Management -- Retirement

J.P. Morgan Asset Management is a leading comprehensive retirement solutions provider dedicated to improving individual retirement outcomes. J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services provides bundled defined contribution services to more than 650 clients and 1.8 million plan-level participants, representing more than $125 billion in retirement plan assets as of March 31, 2012.  J.P. Morgan Defined Contribution Investment Solutions manages more than $61 billion in defined contribution assets as of March 31, 2012. 

About J.P. Morgan Asset Management

J.P. Morgan Asset Management, with assets under supervision of approximately $2.0 trillion and assets under management of $1.4 trillion (as of March 31, 2012), is a global leader in investment management. J.P. Morgan Asset Management's clients include institutions, retail investors and high-net worth individuals in every major market throughout the world.  J.P. Morgan Asset Management offers global investment management in equities, fixed income, real estate, hedge funds, private equity and liquidity.  JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), the parent company of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, is a leading global asset management firm with assets of approximately $2.1 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries.  Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

SOURCE J.P. Morgan Asset Management