Guardian Enhances Fund Lineup

The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company has added to its fund line-up and focus list options for plan sponsors who use The Guardian Advantage or The Guardian Choice as the funding vehicle for their retirement plan.

GIAC recently announced the availability of SWBC Investment Advisory Services LLC (SWBC) fiduciary support services for plan sponsors. As part of that new service, plan sponsors who utilize The Guardian Advantage or The Guardian Choice can now choose from one of two focus lists of investment options or customize the menu of investment options for their plan.   

The new Core Focus list has an emphasis on actively managed investment options complemented by a selection of index-based investments. The new Passive Focus List has an emphasis on index-based, passively managed investment options with a lower expense ratio.  

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Additionally, the Plan Trustee Customized List offers sponsors a choice of investment options based on the needs of their plan. These options have been structured to meet the diversification requirements of ERISA Section 404(c) and come with SWBC’s written commitment of its fiduciary investment advisory obligations, the announcement said.  

The Guardian Advantage fund line-up will expand by 23 new investment options for a total of 79 and The Guardian Choice fund line-up will add 28 options for a total of 84.

DST Retirement Solutions Updates Plan and Participant Web Sites

DST Retirement Solutions is rolling out a new strategy intended to help clients optimize the time spent on participant and plan Web sites. 

The strategy hopes to create a user experience that moves beyond transactional needs, by leveraging technology to communicate, collaborate, and influence behavior for targeted audiences.

DST has redesigned its plan sponsor and participant Web sites to improve their relevance, visual value, and clarity. The company used a two-prong approach that identifies client requirements and implements key success factors. Other enhancements include video capabilities and increased levels of customization.

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“With input from our clients, we are making participant and plan sponsor Web sites relevant, visual, easy to navigate, and proactive to help drive improved participant outcomes while helping plan sponsors ease the administration of their plan. Clients will have the ability to not only brand the Web sites to their look and feel, but the sites are flexible so that they can provide and deliver custom content, helping them continuously differentiate themselves,” said Joe Rathgeb, DST Retirement Solutions Chief Development Officer.

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