MassMutual Announces RetireSMART(SM) Online Seminar to Help Participants, Clients ‘Understand What’s Driving the Economy’

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MassMutual's Retirement Services Division is kicking off its 2011 RetireSmart(SM) interactive participant educational series with an online seminar on Wednesday, February 23 at noon ET entitled,"Understanding What's Driving the Economy." The seminar will be presented by Jerry Webman, Ph.D., CFA, who serves as chief economist for OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

"In the current environment, MassMutual participants are hungry for information, not just about retirement, but about the economy in general and how it might impact them financially," says E. Heather Smiley, chief marketing officer for MassMutual's Retirement Services Division. "MassMutual's RetireSmart educational offering is meant to help provide a level of comfort that comes with being informed about economic and financial matters. Participants are asking for this type of information and we are pleased to deliver it," adds Smiley.

As chief economist for OppenheimerFunds, Inc., Dr. Webman provides strategic viewpoints on the overall financial and economic markets to investment management, financial advisor and investor communities. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Webman has been involved in the investment and economic markets – as a researcher, financial advisor, and portfolio manager. Dr. Webman holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in political science from Yale University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. OppenheimerFunds, Inc. is part of the MassMutual Financial Group family of companies.

The event will include a 30-minute presentation by Dr. Webman followed by a 30-minute "live" Q & A session. The presentation is designed to help MassMutual clients:

• Make sense of the financial markets
• Recognize the importance of a diverse investment mix
• Understand what it all means for you in 2011

MassMutual clients who wish to register can do so by visiting the MassMutual RetireSmart participant website: http://www.retiresmart.com. For more information about MassMutual Retirement Services, please contact your retirement plan advisor or call MassMutual at (888) 626-4911.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/retiresmart

Participant website: http://www.retiresmart.com

Interactive game: http://www.retiresmartmoves.com

About MassMutual

MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has been serving retirement plans for more than 60 years. It offers a full range of products and services for corporate, union, nonprofit and governmental employers' defined benefit, defined contribution and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. It serves approximately 1.2 million participants.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) [of which Retirement Services is a division] and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit massmutual.com.

Copyright ©2011 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.

All rights reserved.

SOURCE MassMutual Retirement Services