GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empower Retirement today announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s (MassMutual) retirement plan business, following the receipt of regulatory approval required by the agreement.
As a result of the acquisition, MassMutual’s retirement plan business transitions to Empower in a reinsurance transaction for a ceding commission of $2.35 billion. In addition, the balance sheet of the transferred business will be supported by $1 billion of required capital when combined with Empower’s existing U.S. business.
Empower is the nation’s second-largest retirement services provider.1 The acquisition increases Empower’s participant base to more than 12 million and retirement services recordkeeping assets to approximately $884 billion administered in approximately 67,000 workplace savings plans.2
“We are excited to welcome new clients and retirement savers to Empower and look forward to the opportunity to serve them on their journey toward creating a secure retirement,” said Edmund F. Murphy III, President and CEO of Empower Retirement. “We are working to make the transition of plans to Empower seamless as we continue to enhance the customer experience by providing a personalized, holistic approach to retirement planning.”
More than 1,700 employees who had been affiliated with MassMutual’s retirement plan business will join Empower to provide the full range of support services for financial professionals, plan sponsors and participants.
Eversheds Sutherland served as legal counsel, and Goldman Sachs and Rockefeller Capital Management served as financial advisors to Empower. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal counsel and Lazard served as exclusive financial advisor to MassMutual.
About Empower Retirement
Headquartered in metro Denver, Empower Retirement administers approximately $710 billion in assets for more than 9.4 million retirement plan participants as of Sept. 30, 2020.3 It is the nation’s second-largest retirement plan recordkeeper by total participants. Empower serves all segments of the employer-sponsored retirement plan market: government 457 plans; small, midsize and large corporate 401(k) clients; non-profit 403 (b) entities; private-label recordkeeping clients; and IRA customers. Personal Capital, a subsidiary of Empower Retirement, is an industry-leading hybrid wealth manager. For more information please visit empower-retirement.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About MassMutual
MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. Founded in 1851, the company has been continually guided by one consistent purpose: we help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. With a focus on delivering long-term value, MassMutual offers a wide range of protection, accumulation, wealth management and retirement products and services. For more information, visit massmutual.com.
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Pensions & Investments 2020 Defined Contribution Survey Ranking as of April 2020. |
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Estimated joint assets under administration of Empower Retirement and MassMutual. |
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As of Sept. 30, 2020. Information refers to the business of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, including Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York and GWFS Equities, Inc. GWLA’s consolidated total assets under administration (AUA) were $709.9B. AUA is a non-GAAP measure and does not reflect the financial stability or strength of a company. GWLA’s statutory assets total $54.8B and liabilities total $51.8B. GWLANY statutory assets total $1.69B and liabilities total $1.57B. |
Securities offered and/or distributed by GWFS Equities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. GWFS is an affiliate of Empower Retirement, LLC; Great-West Funds, Inc.; and registered investment advisers, Advised Assets Group, LLC and Personal Capital. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide investment, legal or tax recommendations or advice. RO1464090-1220
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, representing management’s current view of future events based on reasonable assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, as actual results may differ depending on the development and completion of this business combination. Consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and do not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other than as specifically required by applicable law, forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise will not be updated.
Effective on the closing date of the transaction, Empower Retirement (“Empower”) acquired the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s (“MassMutual”) retirement business. Through this transaction, business written by MassMutual is reinsured by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (“GWL&A”), and in New York by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of New York. Concurrently, MassMutual retroceded business it reinsures from a cedent, which MassMutual assumed in a previous transaction. On the closing date of the transaction, Empower will administer the business on MassMutual’s behalf, with certain administrative services being performed by MassMutual and its affiliates during a temporary transition period. Additionally, GWFS Equities, Inc., will be the distributor of the MassMutual insurance products sold on Empower’s platform. Empower Retirement refers to the products and services offered by GWL&A and its subsidiaries. GWFS Equities is a subsidiary of GWL&A and an affiliate of Empower Retirement, LLC; Great-West Funds, Inc.; and registered investment advisers, Advised Assets Group, LLC and Personal Capital. Empower is not affiliated with MassMutual or its affiliates.
