Addressing Retirement Planning Needs

With all the uncertainties facing today’s economy, the AIA Trust strives to select member service providers that are willing to adapt their programs in order to satisfy changing member needs. Last year, the AIA Trust underwent a thorough Request for Proposal process and after much due diligence, re-selected AXA Equitable’s Members Retirement Program as its provider.

The Trust’s confidence in the Program stems from its commitment to keeping costs affordable while delivering a turnkey program for members. Recent Program enhancements and planned future ones also played an integral part in the Trust’s decision. Back in December new confirmation notices and quarterly statements providing more detailed information were introduced. As of January 2009, an adjusted annual fee was introduced for plans that reach certain asset levels. New Morningstar® fund fact sheets for investment portfolios are now available on the Program Web site. Future Web site enhancements include automatic account rebalancing, online participant statements and enrollment, as well as enhanced security—all designed to improve the experience of firm plan sponsors and participants.

One additional benefit of having a retirement plan with the Program is that the plan documents are updated to reflect the most recent legislation and tax law changes at no additional cost to the employer. To assure that each plan remains qualified, employers are required by the IRS to execute a new adoption agreement that adopts the IRS-approved plan. As a service to members, in 2009 AXA Equitable will do the work of preparing a signature-ready adoption agreement that reflects the choices (eligibility, vesting, contribution allocation formula, etc.) already selected for their plans. Therefore, for most employers, requalification of their retirement plan simply means reviewing, signing and returning the Adoption Agreement. This simple process can save both time and money, which is all the more important during economic times like these.

If you are interested in learning more about the Members Retirement Program, please call us at 1-800-523-1125 ext. 6654 or visit us at www.axa-equitable.com/mrp.

The Members Retirement Program is funded by a group variable annuity contract issued and distributed by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY, NY). GE-48833 (3/09)