MassMutual Earns Top Ratings for Investment Services, Recordkeeping in Mid-Year 2010 401kExchange Survey

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has been named among the top providers overall for both its recordkeeping/administration and investment services in the recently-released 401kExchange Mid-Year Ratings.

Among plan sponsors participating in the survey, MassMutual was named a top-performing provider overall for Investment Services in the $10 million to $100 million asset category. MassMutual also earned high marks for Investment Services and Recordkeeping/Administration in both the $1 million - $10 million and the under $1 million markets, demonstrating excellence across a wide range of plan sizes and strength in serving the needs of third-party administrators and plan sponsors in these markets.

Specifically, MassMutual scored among the leading providers in the $1 million - $10 million market for three subcategories of Investment Services (investment options, education/ communication, and fund performance), as well as three subcategories of Recordkeeping/ Administration, namely, plan administration, recordkeeping, and customer service.

MassMutual was also named among the top providers overall in the under $1 million market for Investment Services and Recordkeeping/Administration, including the #1 ranking among all providers for plan administration. MassMutual placed among the top providers in this market for all four Investment Services subcategories, including fees, investment options, education/ communication and fund performance. MassMutual also placed among the top performers in all four subcategories of Recordkeeping/Administration including fees, plan administration, recordkeeping and customer service.

"MassMutual's high ratings for investment services and recordkeeping/plan administration in all market sizes reflect the company's success in serving the diverse needs of plan sponsors, advisors and third-party administrators," said Fred Barstein, founder and CEO of 401kExchange. "MassMutual's leadership is committed to delivering excellence to every customer, and the survey results illustrate their effectiveness in delivering on their promises," he adds.

"We are so pleased to be recognized as a leading provider in the important areas of recordkeeping and investment services," said Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual's Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC. "Our survey results are just one of many indicators that MassMutual's customer satisfaction is at its highest level ever," she adds.

401kExchange polled thousands of plan sponsors, asking them to rate their investment platform and recordkeeper. Ratings are based on the percentage of 401(k) plan sponsors who rated their providers a "4" or a "5" on an ascending scale of one to five for overall quality and specific strengths in key areas such as investment fees and investment education. For more information about MassMutual, please contact your retirement advisor or contact MassMutual at 1-866-444-2601.

About MassMutual

MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has been serving retirement plans for more than 60 years. It offers a full range of products and services for corporate, union, nonprofit and governmental employers' defined benefit, defined contribution and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. It serves approximately one million participants.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders.  The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) [of which Retirement Services is a division] and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit massmutual.com.

Copyright © 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved.

The following information was provided by 401kExchange

Founded by Fred Barstein in 1996, 401kExchange has helped employer plan sponsors, retirement advisors, and 401(k) service providers make intelligent decisions about retirement plans with industry-leading market intelligence and analysis. 401kExchange provides the information and analytical tools needed to ensure sound, yet cost-effective retirement plans.

SOURCE MassMutual Retirement Services