METLIFE PENSION RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHES AS QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN SOURCE FOR ITS BROKER-DEALERS

METLIFE PENSION RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHES AS QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN SOURCE FOR ITS BROKER-DEALERS

NEW YORK, March 24, 2009

 The MetLife Broker-Dealer Group recently announced the launch of its Pension Resource Center, available for registered representatives at MetLife’s four broker-dealers (MetLife Securities, New England Securities, Walnut Street Securities, and Tower Square Securities). This consultative sales support network provides comprehensive services to help the company’s registered representatives – who are focused on the small to mid-sized business market – prospect, implement and retain business in the qualified retirement plan space, which includes the pension, profit-sharing, defined benefit, and 401(k) business.

“The complex qualified plan market has evolved over the years from one that was focused on product and price to one that is a regulatory and advisor-driven market.  Therefore, the Pension Resource Center offers our registered representatives – particularly those who deal in the small to mid-size business marketing – the tools and resources to empower them to succeed in this business while remaining fully compliant and abreast of regulatory requirements,” states John J. Brett, senior vice president of the MetLife Broker-Dealer Group. “Most importantly, the Pension Resource Center offers clients a consistent sales experience.”

The Center has integrated all facets of the sales cycle offering tools to help MetLife’s registered representative find the right retirement plan for their client’s business while offering full transparency throughout the entire process, which includes: 

• Customized plan design:
  • Defined contribution plans/401(k)
  • Defined benefit and cash balance plans
• Plan Administration
  • Compliance testing
  • Filing and reporting
  • Actuarial consulting services
• Provider search and evaluation:
  • Customized reports comparing multiple providers as well as side by side analysis of provider features and costs
  • Compare plan provisions with industry benchmarks
• Fiduciary management and investment monitoring:
  • Fiduciary checklist
  • Investment policy statement
  • Ongoing investment monitoring

“The Center is the result of our market moving from what was once a product-driven sales process to one that is now consultative and holistic, as more clients seek professional guidance and advice that goes beyond the life of the sales process,” states Geoffrey Ward, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, National Director of the MetLife Pension Resource Center.

“It also provides an additional advantage for our registered representatives to diversify, develop and grow their own practices through cross-selling opportunities that move well beyond the product and services conversation. The Center, therefore, equips our registered representatives with the breadth of education and professional experience that is needed to excel in this marketplace, in addition to a variety of products and services and advice that today’s clients want and need,” continues Ward.