The Hartford Re-Aligns Employer Markets Group

SIMSBURY, CT, November 24, 2008 -- The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is announcing a new organizational structure for its Employer Markets Group (EMG) to better serve the group benefits and retirement plan needs of employers and their employees, optimize leadership talent, and drive growth opportunities.

EMG is part of the new customer-centered organizational structure announced for The Hartford's life operations earlier this year and provides products and services to 86,000 employers in the corporate, government and non-profit markets. Through those employers, approximately 10 million employees are protected by The Hartford's group life, disability and accident coverage or participate in The Hartford's 401k, 457 and 403(b) retirement plans or both.

"The goal of our Employer Markets Group is to deliver a total financial solution to employers," said Jim Davey, executive vice president and director of EMG. "In an uncertain economy, we can provide security against sudden loss of income due to disability, the comfort of protection through our life insurance products, and the tools to accumulate a nest egg for retirement."

In an effort to surpass customer expectations and make the most of new opportunities for providing retirement plans and employee benefits, Davey announced a new organizational structure:

• Jamie Ohl, senior vice president, will lead the Retirement Plans Group (RPG). Previously, Ohl was responsible for product development and business retention, enhancing The Hartford's overall product competitiveness. The Hartford ranked among the top 10 providers in customer satisfaction for mid-market plan providers, according to 401k Exchange.
• Ron Gendreau, executive vice president, will continue to lead the Group Benefits Division (GBD). Gendreau has directed the expansion of GBD's market share for group life and disability insurance. According to LIMRA's first quarter 2008 report on group benefits sales, The Hartford retained its No. 1 ranking in fully insured group disability sales that it has held since 2006 and holds the No. 2 ranking in group life sales from the full year 2007 report.
• Marty Swanson, vice president and chief marketing officer, will lead marketing for both GBD and RPG. He is now responsible for ensuring consistent messaging for the organization and uncovering unique business opportunities across EMG's markets.
• Harry Monti, senior vice president, is responsible for leading operations and service for EMG. In addition, Monti is charged with leading the integration of RPG's recent acquisitions and helping to develop a multi-site strategy across EMG. In his previous role as head of GBD's claim and service operations, Monti led GBD to impressive customer and claimant satisfaction scores, with more than 90 percent of customers surveyed completely or mostly satisfied with overall claim service.

EMG brings together two dynamic, fast-growing businesses that serve employers. GBD is a proven industry leader and RPG has become one of the Hartford's fastest growing businesses.

Earlier this year, The Hartford completed the purchase of three retirement plans businesses. These acquisitions illustrate the company's commitment to serving all major markets, customers and types of retirement plans across the defined contribution and defined benefit spectrum. The three acquisitions are TopNoggin of Powell, Ohio, a defined-benefit group that offers top talent and cutting-edge technology; the Princeton Retirement Group's alliance business of Atlanta and Winston-Salem, N.C., which brings private label capability and mid-market presence; and SunLife Retirement Services of Boston and Phoenix, a defined contribution record keeper that provides entry into the large retirement plan market.

Davey said EMG wants to stoke its fast-growing group benefits and retirement plans businesses, in part by making the most of complementary business opportunities with employers and sharing best practices. Already, EMG has seen those efforts pay off, he said.

For example, The Hartford is a leader in providing retirement plans to government employees through its 457 plans. Tapping RPG's knowledge in the government market has helped GBD more than double its premium for group life and disability coverage provided in this market, according to Davey.

"There are tremendous opportunities in the employer market that The Hartford will be able to capitalize on going forward," Davey said. "Increasingly, employers are offering benefits such as group life and disability coverage to employees on a voluntary or contributory basis in much the same way that participants in defined contribution plans have taken on increasingly more responsibility for their own financial security. Both our group benefits and group retirement plans businesses will be learning from each other, improving how they can best serve the needs of our customers."

About The Hartford

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with 2007 revenues of $25.9 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Ireland. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

###

Click here for more material dealing with current trends, opinion, news, legislative action, investments, marketing, sales, consulting, and legal issues on 401k plans.

This is a press release provided by the company or its representatives. 401khelpcenter.com, LLC is not the author of this release and is not associated or affiliated with any firm or organization mentioned unless otherwise noted. Use of any information obtained from this release is voluntary, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by 401khelpcenter.com, LLC.