Retirement Solutions

• 401(k) corporate, 403(b) non-profit, 457 governmental and Cash Balance plans [more]                                                         
  
• Optimal investment flexibility
• Open investment architecture with no proprietary fund requirements
• Mutual funds and other investment solutions
• Model My Goals^SM   asset allocation models, target date funds, life style and asset allocation funds [more]
• Solutions to meet the unique needs of institutions
• Optional, third-party co-fiduciary service at no additional cost [more]
• Award-winning customizable participant education programs recognized with over 80 awards from 2000-2011 from organizations such as Pensions & Investments magazine and Profit Sharing/401k Council of America (PSCA)
• High-touch, full-cycle support from prospecting and point of sale, to ongoing plan management and retention [more]
• Custom Consultant - a proprietary online prospecting system with pre-set sales queries [more]
• 146 retirement wholesalers (internal/external) [more]
• 70 regional participant retirement education specialists (18 bilingual)
• 53 local retention consultants
• Serviced by the only team to win seven consecutive DALBAR Retirement Plan Service Awards (2003-2009)
• National network of select TPA's: valuable technical resources provide local plan support, including advanced plan designs, reporting, compliance testing and regulatory insight [more]

Contractual Co-Fiduciary Protection for Your Clients

Clients who are concerned about meeting their fiduciary obligations can receive independent, third party co-fiduciary protection at no additional cost through The Hartford’s programs. [more]

• Unbiased guidance from an independent third party when making plan investment selections
• Mesirow Financial co-fiduciary responsibility with respect to the investments they recommend
• Not a fiduciary warranty; the service is a contract between Mesirow Financial and the plan sponsor

Cash Balance DB Solutions for Businesses

Many profitable business owners are faced with the dual challenges of paying higher taxes while struggling to maximize retirement savings. Recent market losses may exacerbate these challenges.

To assist business owners who are seeking the potential for an increased tax deduction and the opportunity to accelerate accumulation for retirement, The Hartford offers the Aviator^SM Cash Balance program. [more]

Custom Consultant: Simple. Specific Insightful.

With a customized roadmap for enhanced prospecting and client retention, The Hartford’s CustomConsultant can help. It’s a streamlined approach that enables you to tailor your efforts – from type of search to type of support – because every consultation opportunity is unique. [more]

Benefits of the program include:

• Saves time and increases efficiency with a “click-and-go” approach
• Gains insight into common plan challenges to prepare for finals presentations or plan reviews
• Supports growing due diligence demands due to legislative changes through proactive communications with sponsors
• Enhances consultative approach with targeted, meaningful suggestions

Disclosures

This information is written in connection with the promotion or marketing of the matter(s) addressed in this material. This information cannot be used or relied upon for the purpose of avoiding IRS penalties. These materials are not intended to provide tax, accounting or legal advice. As with all matters of a tax or legal nature, you should consult your own tax or legal counsel for advice.

Before investing, your clients should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the mutual funds or The Hartford's group variable annuity products and funding agreements, and their underlying funds. For fund and product prospectuses and/or a disclosure document containing this and other information, visit our website. Your clients should read them carefully.

"The Hartford" is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Hartford Life Insurance Company, Hartford Retirement Services, LLC (“HRS”), and Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc. ("HSD"). HSD (member FINRA and SIPC) is a registered broker/dealer affiliate of The Hartford.

Retirement programs can be funded by group fixed or variable annuity products and funding agreements issued by Hartford Life Insurance Company (Simsbury, CT). Group variable contracts are underwritten and distributed by HSD, where applicable. HRS and HSD offer certain service programs for retirement plans through which a sponsor or administrator of a plan may also invest in mutual funds on behalf of plan participants.

Cash Balance plan designs are complex and required the assistance of a financial professional and third-party administrator. Additionally, Cash Balance plans require annual employer funding and they may not be suitable for some businesses. The Hartford’s materials highlight Cash Balance plan advantages, but certain restrictions and limitations will apply based on plan design and retirement plan rules, among other factors. These restrictions and limitations may affect tax deductions, funding levels and distributions of plan benefits. For a more complete picture of Cash Balance plans, please contact The Hartford at 800-874-2502, option 4.

Asset Allocation Modeling offered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and is not an affiliate or subsidiary of The Hartford.

Investment advisory services are provided by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and is not an affiliate or subsidiary of The Hartford.

The information provided in this presentation is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security or investment vehicle(s) offered by Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. (MFIM) or affiliates of MFIM. The information contained herein has been obtained form sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. In regard to mutual funds, other Mesirow Financial and its affiliated companies and/or individuals may, from time to time have long positions in the investment strategies discussed herein and may also perform financial advisory or investment banking services for those companies or strategies. Further, Mesirow Financial affiliates may receive fees for selling or advising on the purchase or sale of products mentioned herein as well as fees paid by manufacturers or, distributors of said products for other professional services provided by the applicable affiliate. The sale or advice provided is in no way related or contingent upon the payment received for these other services. It should not be assumed that any recommendations incorporated herein will be profitable or will equal past performance. Mesirow Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. Model performance information and results do not reflect actual trading and the results may not reflect the impact that material economic and market factors may have had on MFIM’s decision-making if MFIM were actually managing client’s money. Any securities contained or investment strategies used in the model performance results provided herein do not relate or only partially relate to the advisory services currently offered by MFIM. MFIM’s clients may have had results materially different from the results provided. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc., member NYSE, SIPC. Investment advisory services provided through Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor.