MassMutual Enhances Variable Annuity Portfolio, Providing Greater Retirement Income Options

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced today several enhancements to its variable annuity (VA) product portfolio, including expanded investment choices from well-known firms and a shorter contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).(1)

Two MassMutual VA products -- MassMutual Transitions Select(SM) and MassMutual Evolution(SM) -- now have more investment choices with three new investments in American Funds(R) and two in which Baring Asset Management, a MassMutual subsidiary, will serve as sub-adviser. In addition, enhancements have been made to the contracts' Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit (GMIB) options allowing greater flexibility, and MassMutual Evolution now also has a shorter CDSC schedule.(2)

"Our quality solutions for retirement income are supported by MassMutual's 157-year tradition of providing sound financial strength and a broad portfolio of products and services, which helps financial professionals better serve their clients in an increasingly challenging environment," said Richard LaVoice, national sales manager, Retirement Income at MassMutual.

Enhancements to the portfolio include:

Expanded Investment Choices. Three new investments in American Funds and two new funds sub-advised by Baring Asset Management are available for new or existing MassMutual Transitions Select and MassMutual Evolution contracts.

The three new investments in American Funds are: MML American Funds(R) Growth, a domestic growth fund; MML American Funds(R) International; and MML American Funds(R) Core Allocation -- a fund-of-funds seeking moderate growth with a 65 percent equity and 35 percent fixed income fund mix.(3)

The two new funds where Baring Asset Management will serve as sub-adviser are: MML China and MML Strategic Emerging Markets that invests chiefly in developing countries' equity securities.

GMIB Enhancements. MassMutual Guaranteed Income Plus 5(SM) and MassMutual Guaranteed Income Plus 6(SM) GMIB options are available for an additional charge. These benefits provide a GMIB value, compounding at a defined interest rate. Interest can be withdrawn dollar-for-dollar for immediate income needs and GMIB value also can be applied to a fixed annuity payment for future income. Additional enhancements include:

-- The maximum issue, reset and exercise ages have increased by five years, providing more time for older investors to benefit from the new GMIB. As a result, maximum issue and reset ages have been extended to 80 years old, while the maximum exercise age has increased to 90.

-- New contract owners may also benefit from an automatic annual reset of their GMIB value, which can occur on or after the first contract year and equal current contract anniversary value for greater income potential. Those who have automatic reset may opt out annually. Resets start new waiting periods.

-- On or after age 90, if the GMIB has not been exercised, then contract value will equal no less than 60 percent of the GMIB value, guaranteed, contingent upon the claims-paying ability of MassMutual.

Greater Flexibility. MassMutual Evolution's CDSC schedule has been reduced from five years to four. Total separate account expenses are now at 1.75 percent and a 0.20 percent credit will be applied annually to contract values beginning at the end of contract year ten, rewarding long-term investors.

About MassMutual Financial Group

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 have 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; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC (http://www.finra.org and http://www.sipc.org); MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at http://www.massmutual.com.

Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Before purchasing a variable annuity contract, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable annuity contract and its underlying investment choices. For this and other information, obtain the prospectuses for the variable annuity contract and its underlying investment choices from your registered representative. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing or sending money.

(1) A variable annuity is a long-term investment where all interest, dividend and capital gains accumulate tax deferred. Variable annuities contain both investment and insurance components and have fees and charges, including mortality, expense, administrative and underlying-fund charges.

Taxable withdrawals are subject to income tax, and if taken prior to age 591/2, a 10 percent federal-income-tax penalty may apply.

Variable annuities do not provide any additional tax advantage when used to fund a qualified plan. Investors should consider buying a variable annuity to fund a qualified plan for the annuity's additional features, such as lifetime-income payments and death-benefit protection.

Variable annuities are subject to market risk where the investment return and principal value of an investment will vary so that units, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Guarantees are contingent upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing company.

(2) Optional features cannot be elected without purchasing a variable annuity. Ensure the variable annuity contract is suitable for investment goals before optional features are elected. Only one of the three living benefit options available with MassMutual Transitions Select and MassMutual Evolution may be elected per contract.

(3) There are special risks associated with international investing, such as political changes and currency fluctuations. These risks are heightened in emerging markets.

Funds offered in a fund-of-funds or master-feeder structure, including investments in American Funds, may have higher expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds because a fund-of-funds or master-feeder structure fund bears its own expenses and indirectly bears its proportionate share of expenses of the underlying funds in which it invests.

While an asset allocation program seeks to provide consistent return over time, there is no assurance investors will not lose money or experience some volatility.

Not FDIC/NCUA Insured Not A Bank Deposit Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value Not Insured By Any Federal Government Agency

MassMutual Transitions Select(SM) and MassMutual Evolution(SM) [Policy Form #: TMLS; TMLS (NC)] are variable annuity contracts issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.

Principal Underwriter: MML Distributors, LLC, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Media Contact: Mark Cybulski

                   (413) 744-5427