MassMutual Launches New 'Learn' Portion of Web Site to Focus on Consumer Education

MassMutual Launches New 'Learn' Portion of Web Site to Focus on Consumer Education

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The MassMutual Financial Group announced today that it has launched a new section of its consumer Web site that includes useful information about how financial products and services can help individuals prepare for life events and meet new life challenges. Called "Learn," the material is included on the "For Individuals" portion of http://www.massmutual.com/, effective immediately.

"Consumers are increasingly researching products and services online, and our aim is to make our Web site as useful as possible in the decision-making process," said Marie Politis, assistant vice president of ebusiness at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). "By enhancing the product-selection process, MassMutual's Web site assists consumers in what can be a daunting process for some -- selecting products or services that help meet their specific needs."

Three subsections

The new "Learn" portion of the Web site includes three subsections -- "Prepare for Life's Events," "Educational Articles" and "Calculators" -- that contain information and financial calculators for topics such as education planning, estate planning, insurance, personal finance and retirement.

"Prepare for Life's Events" gives consumers information to help them address financial concerns for 16 different life events, including changing/losing a job, retirement, buying a home, getting married, establishing an estate plan and providing elder care.

"Educational Articles" address topics of general interest as well as specific topics. For example, general articles can range from "Ten Ways to Stretch Your Money" to "Estimating College Costs," while specific-topic articles can include "Disability Income Insurance: Some Features Say It All" and "COBRA: Continuing Health Care Coverage."

"Financial Calculators" includes 32 financial calculators that enable consumers to help plan their future. Calculators are available to help with a variety of financial issues, including personal finance and budgeting; retirement planning; mortgage and loan management; tax and insurance planning; and business planning.

A fourth subsection -- "Markets and Research" -- is planned for the first quarter of 2005 and will provide timely information about the financial markets and consumer topics from MassMutual experts and third parties.

"MassMutual's goal is to become a premier site for consumers to get unbiased, up-to-date information about their personal finances," said Politis.

MassMutual Financial Group -- comprised of member companies with more than $285 billion in assets under management as of year-end 2003 -- is a global, growth-oriented, diversified financial services organization providing life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement planning products, structured settlement annuities, trust services, money management, and other financial products and services.

The MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, which include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc.; The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB; Antares Capital Corporation; MML Bay State Life Insurance Company; C.M. Life Insurance Company; and MassMutual International, Inc.

MassMutual is on the Internet at http://www.massmutual.com/.

Contact:
Mark Di Giorgio
413.744.7722



Source: MassMutual Financial Group

CONTACT: Mark Di Giorgio of MassMutual Financial Group, +1-413-744-7722

Web site: http://www.massmutual.com/


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