MassMutual Launches New Multi-Asset Investment Option for Retirement Plan Services Clients

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has launched MassMutual Barings Dynamic Allocation Fund, the latest addition to the MassMutual Funds families. The Fund features portfolio management by MassMutual affiliate Baring International Investment Limited. MassMutual believes this Fund can be a solid addition to retirement plan line-ups and is making it available to the company's Retirement Services clients and their advisors.

The new Fund relies on Barings' dynamic multi-asset strategy, which has been in operation since 2002, to combine investment types from across the risk/return spectrum into a portfolio that pursues the Fund's objective of positive total real return. The portfolio includes a variety of asset types, including stock and bond investments from developed and emerging economies as well as real estate, commodities, and other investment vehicles.

"Markets may deliver returns unevenly through the business cycle, so a multi-asset approach can be effective in helping balance risk and return for investors, with reduced volatility, through a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation," says Mike Eldredge, vice president, Investment Management, MassMutual's Retirement Services Division. "The flexibility of this approach may make this Fund suitable for those seeking active management of their asset allocation holding with the goal of real returns," adds Eldredge.

In managing the Fund, Barings portfolio managers are not tied to one asset class or sector. This flexible, multi-asset approach allows managers to tactically increase exposure to investments with higher growth potential when they anticipate growth markets and hold more defensive alternatives when they anticipate weaker markets.

"This new Fund gives MassMutual a compelling new choice in a rapidly growing investment category and contributes to our continued strong momentum within the retirement services industry," says Eric Wietsma, senior vice president, Investment Services, MassMutual's Retirement Services Division.

Retirement plan participants may access a prospectus and summary prospectus on MassMutual's participant website, www.retiresmart.com. These documents are also available to the public via www.massmutual.com/funds. For more information about MassMutual Retirement Services, please contact your retirement plan advisor or call MassMutual at 1-866-444-2601.

Investors should consider an investment option's objectives, risks, fees and expenses carefully before investing. This and other information can be found in the applicable prospectuses or summary prospectuses for the investment options listed, which are available from MassMutual by calling 1-888-309-3539. Please read them carefully before investing.

Principal Underwriter: MML Distributors, LLC, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111.

About MassMutual
MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) 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, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

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's Retirement Services Division has been serving retirement plans for 65 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 1.3 million participants.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or "Like" MassMutual on Facebook and Facebook.com/retiresmart.

Copyright ©2011 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved.

Contact: Jessica Barry
413-744-8334                                                                                                                             
[email protected]

SOURCE MassMutual Retirement Services