MassMutual Earns Stellar Ratings from Retirement Advisors in Boston Research Group's 2008 DCP Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has earned the top rating in 11 categories measuring advisor satisfaction in Boston Research Group's recently-released 2008 DCP Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study.

The nationwide survey of 643 retirement advisors was conducted from February to April 2008 and represents 18 leading retirement plan providers. Advisors ranked MassMutual more than five points above the industry average in 30 categories, including the #1 ranking in each of the following areas:

    Wholesalers
    -- Availability/accessibility
    -- Market knowledge/expertise
    -- Responds quickly to calls

    Investments
    -- Explanation of changes in fund managers

    Pricing/Cost/Compensation
    -- Pricing flexibility to minimize cost
    -- Cost of employee education programs

    Product (MassMutual ranked #1 in all five subcategories)
    -- Participant education program
    -- Internet capabilities for plan sponsors
    -- Internet capabilities for participants
    -- Quality of relationship managers
    -- Participant statement

"MassMutual believes that a knowledgeable, high-quality advisor is critical to helping plan sponsors navigate today's complex environment. As such, our service model reflects the feedback and direction advisors provide on behalf of their clients," says Hugh O'Toole, senior vice president and head of MassMutual's national sales and distribution organization. "MassMutual's stellar results in this study show that retirement advisors recognize and appreciate our team's knowledge, responsiveness, and willingness to deliver tailored solutions," he adds.

"MassMutual has consistently earned high marks from retirement plan advisors in the DCP Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study, and 2008 represents the strongest showing ever," says Warren Cormier, president, Boston Research Group. "Advisors have affirmed MassMutual's value in a very competitive market."

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.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual and its subsidiaries had more than $500 billion in assets under management at year-end 2007. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual's subsidiaries.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass. MassMutual's major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC (www.finra.org and www.sipc.org); MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at http://www.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.

Securities offered through registered representatives of MML Investors Services, Inc., a MassMutual subsidiary. MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC (www.finra.org and www.sipc.org).

Contact: Lisa Reilly

413-744-0589

lreilly@massmutual.com