Mainspring Edge

Spring 2012

Quarterly Update: The Power Of Flexibility

Welcome to the first edition of our redesigned newsletter — Mainspring Edge. The new name reflects our focus on bringing even more value to advisors like you and your clients. We've made significant investments to enhance the way we support you — from our new flexible service offering to expanded fiduciary support and more intuitive online tools.

In March, The Standard introduced a new flexibility to our service offering to help make it easy for you to customize retirement plan solutions that meet your clients' needs and best complement your practice. Our flexible approach extends to enhanced fiduciary services. Now registered investment advisors have the choice to provide 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary services to clients or have clients delegate those services to The Standard.

Online, check out the enhancements we've made to Personal Savings Center for participants and the PlanNet^® tool for employers and advisors. The new streamlined navigation and capabilities allow employers to more easily manage their plan and further empower participants to reach their retirement goals.

I'm also proud to report that The Standard tied for #2 among seventeen 401(k) providers in "Overall Satisfaction" in the 2011 Boston Research Group survey of retirement advisors.* With so many enhanced services and greater flexibility, we're on track to meet your needs even better in 2012.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Dan Hall
Vice President, Retirement Plan Sales

* This ranking applies to the services offered by The Standard; it does not apply to the retirement plan contracts or their available investment options. Based on a survey of 390 retirement advisors.

Market Commentary

By Julie Grandstaff, VP & Managing Director, StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc.

The first quarter closed with what may have been the hottest March on record in the U.S. More than 7,700 high-temperature marks were tied or broken throughout the country during the month. Perhaps taking a cue from the weather, equity markets were "hot" as well.

Learn More About Q1

Build Retirement Plans Your Way With Flexible Services

The Standard's new flexible service offering gives you the freedom to build customized retirement plan solutions that complement your practice. You can now easily select the best mix of services for each employer — one plan at a time.

Explore Your Options

More Flexibility, More Fiduciary Protection Options

Enhancements to The Standard's fiduciary solutions provide new opportunities to complement your services and protect your clients. Registered investment advisors now have the option of taking on certain fiduciary roles for each plan or having clients delegate them to us.

Learn The Details

Enhanced Online Services Launched

On March 22, The Standard launched two redesigned online services: our PlanNet^® employer administration tool and Personal Savings Center for participants. Besides a new look, the most noticeable change is the ability for participants to view their account statements online.

Read More

Six Retirement Trends On The Horizon For 2012

Dan Hall, vice president of retirement plan sales for The Standard, shared six retirement plan trends for 2012 in Employee Benefit Adviser. The trends highlighted involve the desire for more flexibility and customization, pressure on margin increases and potential diversification, demonstration of value through measurable results, and more.

Go To The Slideshow

Fee Disclosure Deadlines Extended

In early February, the Department of Labor (DOL) released final 408(b)(2) regulations. The regulations extend the compliance deadline for service provider-to-employer fee disclosure, from April 1 to July 1, 2012.

See All The Key Changes

What's New

View a list of The Standard's latest resources for advisors, covering our flexible service offering, fee disclosure and online services. Also read our staff announcements.

Get The Information