AXA Strengthens Commitment to Defined Contribution Market with New Open Architecture Program

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– AXA, a leader in providing financial security and retirement products, announced today its newest addition to the defined contribution marketplace: AXA Retirement 360^SM, an open architecture defined contribution mutual fund program designed for 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) and 401(a) plans.

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“We are bolstering our commitment to providing programs that fit the specific needs across markets, including both tax-exempt and 401(k) markets,” said Kevin Molloy, Head, AXA Retirement Plan Services. “With 50 years of experience in the US marketplace as a guide, we conducted research, listened to our clients and designed AXA Retirement 360℠, an offering that enhances the strengths of our proven recordkeeping platform. To best deliver what plan sponsors and their employees have asked for, we built an open architecture investment program and invested in intuitive technology that allows for ease of set-up and ongoing management for plan sponsors and participants. As with all of our programs, it is backed by dedicated support from our nationally recognized US-based customer service team.”

AXA Retirement 360℠ features access to the broad mutual fund marketplace as well as a non-mutual fund option for retirement certainty with the AXA Fixed Account ^SM through a group fixed annuity from AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, which offers principal protection, liquidity and a guaranteed minimum interest rate on savings.

For employers: Effortless management and fiduciary protection

• AXA’s streamlined, intuitive website and dedicated team of retirement professionals provide the tools and assistance employers need every step of the way. While a dedicated onboarding specialist manages the plan’s setup and transition via an all-paperless process, plan sponsors and their advisors can track onboarding progress with complete transparency through real-time updates so they always know the status of plans in progress.
• Flexibility to choose from different levels of fiduciary protection through Wilshire Associates, an independent professional investment advisory and consulting firm, in the selection and oversight of their plan’s investment lineup, built directly into the platform.

For employees: Personalized guidance and retirement certainty

• AXA Retirement 360^SM provides tools and resources, so employees can educate themselves at their own pace, throughout the enrollment process and beyond. They can use a guided, jargon-free enrollment tool and live chat option to make decisions with confidence.
• Simple investment selection process, with options to select funds based on their retirement date or risk tolerance, as well as the option for the AXA Fixed Account, tailored for those concerned with principal protection or those who want a degree of retirement certainty.

U.S.-based service and support team

When employers and employees need help, they speak to our experienced US based representatives who are well-versed in 401(k) and tax-exempt retirement plans and who support over one million plan participants.

The powerful simplicity of AXA Retirement 360℠ and our team of retirement professionals provide the tools and assistance to lead plan sponsors and participants through the small manageable steps to prepare for a comfortable retirement.

Mutual funds are subject to market risk, including loss of principal. Please consider the charges, risk, expenses, and investment objectives carefully before purchasing a mutual fund. For a prospectus containing this and other information, please contact a Financial Professional. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.

AXA believes that education is a key step toward addressing your financial goals, and this discussion serves simply as an informational and educational resource rather than investment advice, nor does it make a direct or indirect recommendation of any particular product or of the appropriateness of any particular investment-related option. Your unique needs, goals and circumstances require the individualized attention of your financial professional. Annuities are long-term products used for retirement purposes. They are contractual agreements in which payment(s) are made to an insurance company, which agrees to pay out an income or a lump sum amount at a later date. Annuities contain certain limitations and restrictions. For costs and complete details, contact a financial professional. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company. Since 401(k) plans are tax-deferred, annuities used to fund 401(k) plans do not offer any extra tax benefits. Amounts withdrawn may be subject to ordinary income taxes and a withdrawal charge. If amounts are rolled over from another eligible retirement plan, then these amounts may be subject to an additional 10% federal income tax penalty if you later take a distribution before age 59½. Other taxes may also apply; consult your tax advisor. The AXA Retirement 360^SM defined contribution program consists of a custodial account offered through Reliance Trust Company, LLC, within which plan participants’ chosen mutual fund shares are held, as well as a group fixed annuity contract (Generic Form Number 2016FA-MFrev, 2016FA-MF403b) issued by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”). Mutual funds made available through the program are distributed by AXA Distributors, LLC (member SIPC, FINRA) (“AXA Distributors”). AXA Equitable and AXA Distributors are located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104, (212) 314-4600. AXA Equitable is solely responsible for meeting the obligations of the group fixed annuity contract. Offered by affiliated and unaffiliated entities, the program is the result of various strategic partnerships, including one between AXA Distributors, LLC and PlanConnect, LLC. The AXA Retirement Plan Services^SM platform includes recordkeeping, trading and custodial services to plan sponsors for the program. Reliance Trust Company serves as custodian of mutual funds selected by plan participants. PlanConnect, LLC, serves as the platform’s recordkeeper and third-party administrator. AXA Retirement Plan Services^SM and AXA Retirement 360^SM are service marks of the contractual arrangements between affiliated and/or unaffiliated entities within the platform; PlanConnect® is a registered service mark of PlanConnect, LLC (100 Madison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. (800) 923-6669). AXA Equitable, AXA Distributors, and PlanConnect, LLC are separate but affiliated companies. Reliance Trust Company is a separate and unaffiliated company. The investments in this program are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal invested. They are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation nor are they deposits to, obligations of, or guaranteed by any bank.

GE-124667(03/17)(exp.03/19)

About AXA

“AXA” “AXA” is a brand name of AXA Equitable Financial Services, LLC and its family of companies, including AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY, NY), MONY Life Insurance Company of America (AZ stock company, administrative office: Jersey City, NJ), AXA Advisors, LLC, and AXA Distributors, LLC. In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company is a leading financial protection company and one of the nation’s premier providers of life insurance and annuity products distributed to individuals and business owners through its retail distribution channel, AXA Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) and to the financial services market through its wholesale distribution channel, AXA Distributors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC).

AXA S.A. (also referred to as “AXA Group”) is a Paris-headquartered holding company for a group of international insurance and financial services companies, including AXA Equitable Financial Services, LLC companies. AXA S.A. is a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management with 103 million clients in 64 countries. AXA S.A. has been ranked the No. 1 insurance brand in the world by Interbrand for eight consecutive years as of Oct. 5, 2016.

The obligations of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company and MONY Life Insurance Company of America are backed solely by their claims-paying ability. Find AXA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. For more information, visit www.axa.com.

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Media:

AXA

John Cline, (212) 314-5142

john.cline@axa.us.com

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Jennifer Recine, (212) 314-2009

jennifer.recine@axa.us.com

Source: AXA