Transamerica Ranks Among the Very Best Retirement Plan Providers in Annual Defined Contribution Survey

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Transamerica Retirement Services was again honored by retirement plan sponsors for its ongoing commitment to excellent customer service, according to the results from the 2008 Defined Contribution (DC) Survey conducted by PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine.

Transamerica received 40 “Best in Class” cups for sponsor and participant services in PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine’s annual DC Survey of retirement plans. The 40 Best in Class designations — 21 in the micro (<$5 million) and 19 in the small ($5 million to $50 million) markets — ranks Transamerica among top cup recipients of the 47 providers evaluated in the small- and micro-plan markets. The new DC survey also ranks Transamerica’s overall service scores in the top quartile for both participant and sponsor services in both market segments for which the company serves.

“Our client management team works diligently to ensure our clients are delighted with the services offered by Transamerica,” said Mary Sanderson, vice president of client management at Transamerica Retirement Services. “We consistently strive to offer better services, and our continued success in PLANSPONSOR’s survey is a testament to this dedication.”

Ninety-six percent of Transamerica's clients who responded indicated that they would recommend the firm to a colleague. Anonymous responses from clients include:

“Any question is ALWAYS answered with my first call. No hold times. Superior service.”

“Transamerica provides excellent, informative and a wide variety of participant educational options. Sponsor Connect is one of the best resources not only for the participants but especially for me as the plan administrator.”

“Service is always fast and reliable.”

“Transamerica is very innovative and continuously improving its services. Their online access is an excellent tool in the industry, but you can be assured a representative is available if you prefer to call into their center instead.”

“Transamerica simplifies all aspects of our 401(k) plan administration. All of the Transamerica representatives are responsive and tremendously helpful.”

“Year after year, Transamerica renews its commitment to offering the industry’s best retirement solutions,” said Kent Callahan, president and CEO of Transamerica Retirement Services. “The results of PLANSPONSOR’s survey are wonderful recognition of the hard work we’ve put in, but are also a great source of feedback which we use to refine our offering. Our continued improvement illustrates how much we value our clients’ opinions and the emphasis on which we place enhancing our services.”

BEST IN CLASS CUPS

Transamerica received 40 “Best in Class” cups, covering all 23 categories:

Participant Services

• Communications materials (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Education program (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Statement clarity (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Enrollment Assistance (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Asset allocation focus (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Statement Accuracy (small-plan market)
• Reporting timeliness (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Turnaround time–Loans (micro-plan market)
• Participant Internet services (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Call center (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Range of investments (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Retiree services (micro-plan market)
• Participant Service Fees (micro- and small-plan markets)

Sponsor Services

• Sponsor Internet Services (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Form 5500 accuracy (micro-plan market)
• Reporting (small-plan market)
• Compliance (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Fee fairness (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Fee Disclosure (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Account representative knowledge (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Responsiveness (micro-plan market)
• Regulation updates (micro- and small-plan markets)
• Staff consistency (micro- and small-plan markets)

About the November 2008 PLANSPONSOR® Magazine Survey

The results of the DC Survey were announced in the November issue of PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine. The survey polled nearly 6,000 clients of 52 defined contribution plan providers. “Best in Class” cups are awarded to plan providers that score in the top quartile of a specific category.

About Transamerica Retirement Services

Transamerica Retirement Services (“Transamerica”), a marketing unit of Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company, 4 Manhattanville Road, Purchase, New York 10577, and other of its affiliates, designs customized retirement plan solutions to meet the unique needs of small- to mid-sized businesses. Transamerica Retirement Services ranked among the top plan providers¹ in a recent PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine Defined Contribution Survey and has more than 14,500² retirement plans totaling more than $16.5² billion in assets. For more information about Transamerica, please refer to www.TA-Retirement.com.

¹ The November 2008 PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine Defined Contribution Survey results place Transamerica Retirement Services among the top providers out of 52 for retirement plans with up to $50 million in assets based on total number of cups won. See the November 2008 issue of PLANSPONSOR^® Magazine for complete results.

² As of December 31, 2007.

TRS 5425-1108