SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- In Boston Research Group's recently-released 2009 DCP Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study, MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has earned the #1 overall satisfaction rating for "Helping Participants Reach Their Retirement Goals." MassMutual scored 25 points above the industry average in this category and 11 points higher than the nearest competitor.

The nationwide survey of 587 retirement advisors was conducted from February to April 2009 and represents 19 leading defined contribution retirement plan providers. MassMutual also scored 16 points higher than the industry average in the "Completely Positive Reference" category, and 24 points higher than the industry average in "Making Fees Transparent and Easy to Explain/Show to Sponsor."

"MassMutual understands that a knowledgeable, high-quality advisor is critical to plan sponsor and participant success," says Hugh O'Toole, senior vice president and head of sales and client management for MassMutual's Retirement Services Division. "Our results in this study demonstrate that retirement advisors recognize MassMutual's ability to help them deliver results on behalf of their clients," he adds.

MassMutual ranked in the top quartile in 36 of 51 total categories including the highest ranking among advisors surveyed in the following:

    --  Technical training for you and your staff
    --  Seminar assistance
    --  Internet capabilities for participants
    --  Wholesaler accessibility/availability
    --  Keeping you informed about changes in their firm
    --  Product education for you
    --  Telephone reps' ability to resolve problems

    --  Easy to do business with

"The willingness of so many retirement advisors to give MassMutual a 100% positive reference is a strong barometer of MassMutual's success in meeting the needs of retirement plan advisors and their clients," says Warren Cormier, president, Boston Research Group. "In a highly competitive market, MassMutual is winning with advisors," he adds.

For more information about MassMutual retirement services, please contact your retirement advisor or call MassMutual at (888) 626-4911.

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.

About Boston Research Group

Boston Research Group (BRG) is a strategic market research and consulting firm that specializes in the financial services industry. BRG conducts projects that deal with both strategic and tactical marketing issues, including loyalty and satisfaction, market segmentation, brand assessment, product development, sales processes, and channel migration and distribution strategies.

Copyright © 2009 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. All rights reserved.

    Contact: Lisa Reilly
    413-744-0589
    lreilly@massmutual.com

SOURCE MassMutual Retirement Services Division