MassMutual Retirement Services Leads the Industry with TGPC-1 Certified Associates

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MassMutual's Retirement Services Division is pleased to announce that more than 20 associates have successfully completed the Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Administration Certificate (TGPC-1) program, standing as one of the first firms in the country to certify this number of associates. TGPC-1 is a credential offered by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) to educate professionals who specialize in the 403(b) and/or 457 marketplace as well as other plans maintained by tax-exempt and governmental entities.

On March 22, the division's training organization hosted 22 associates in a one-day educational boot camp delivered by Simoneaux and Stroud Consulting Services (SCS). The session focused on the administration and compliance requirements of 403(b) and 457(b) plans, specifically introducing participants on how 403(b) and 457 plans are structured and sold as well as how they compare to 401(k) plans. At the end of the session, every participant successfully completed the ASPPA TGPC-1 online exam and has been issued the TGPC-1 certificate. 

"MassMutual's strong dedication to continuous improvement and education helps ensure our team is among the most knowledgeable in the industry," says Michael McKenzie, senior vice president of operations for MassMutual's Retirement Services Division. Christian Jachym, director of the nonprofit account management team with MassMutual's Retirement Services Division, who attended the boot camp, adds, "We believe the 403(b) and 457 knowledge and concepts acquired through ASPPA's TGPC-1 curriculum, together with the TGPC 403(b) Exam Bootcamp we hosted, will prove invaluable. With more than 20 client service associates receiving their certification, we believe MassMutual is able to provide our 403(b)/457 retirement plan clients with consistent, superior service, as well as the security in knowing we understand their unique plan and participant needs."

"MassMutual Retirement Services is proud to be one of the first firms in the country to have more than twenty TGPC-1 certified employees," states Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual's Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC. "We are deeply committed to serving the needs of the nonprofit market and certifying these associates enables MassMutual to better serve the specific needs of our nonprofit clients," adds Sarsynski.

For more information about MassMutual Retirement Services, please contact your retirement plan advisor or call MassMutual at 1-866-444-2601.

About MassMutual 
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, 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 1.6 million participants.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+. For information regarding MassMutual's Retirement Services Division, you may also visit massmutual.com/retire or find us on Facebook.com/retiresmart and YouTube.com/retiresmart.

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