Beyond the Politics and the Pundits:

What Americans think about the Private Retirement System

Research in Action: Study Summary• Articles / Text

• Graphics

• Talking Points

Use this information in proposals, sales material, collateral, etc. “Lift and Load” text and graphics to support sales and marketing initiatives. Compliance approval of this source document does not imply approval of other materials that use this information. Products and services offered through the ING family of companies

C10-0422-012R (04/10)

ingretirementresearch.com

Summary Text for Articles, E-mails, Collateral

During the past two years, America’s Private Savings System – mainly the Defined Contribution plan (i.e. 401(k), 403(b), 457) has come under much scrutiny. The financial “crisis” only heightened awareness of potential underlying problems with the system, primarily that most individuals don’t save enough to achieve retirement security, and that many individuals don’t have access to these plans at all.

The system has come under “attack” from several quarters, including the media, some governmental entities and interested parties, academics and other various influential opinion leaders. What actual individuals and investors may think, however, has been less scrutinized. ING began the process of soliciting customer thoughts about the system from our own customers – the individuals who actually make use of these plans – in 2009, with the ING Institute for Retirement Research’s “Hearts and Minds of Retirement Investors” study. In 2010 we continue that work with the “Beyond the Politics and Pundits: What Americans really think about the Private Savings System” study, which analyzes the “Court of Public Opinion” more broadly, looking at a representative sample of men and women nationwide, including those who do and do not have access to and make use of private employer-sponsored retirement investment opportunities.

The results help ING – and our customers – on a number of levels, most important by highlighting the critical role that the private system does play in helping individuals prepare for the future. Findings will help ING to help our customers and stakeholders – from distribution partners to employers to individuals – focus public policy recommendations, messages, products and services around what really matters to retirement investors and appeals directly to their own thoughts, opinions and preferences.

1. Americans look to their employers to give them retirement savings options… they do not think that the Private Retirement System should be a main priority for Government “intervention”

2. Americans know they should save more, and wish they could

3. People with employer plans are more confident and active retirement investors

1. Americans look to their employers to give them retirement savings options… they do not think that the Private Retirement System should be a main priority for Government “intervention”

2. Americans know they should save more, and wish they could

3. People with employer plans are more confident and active retirement investors

Summary Article

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs

Highlights and Talking Points

Americans want retirement investment help from their employers – investment opportunities, support, education and choices.

While this finding might appear daunting to newer or start-up plans, ING has the DC experience, commitment, product depth and flexibility to help give their employees the retirement solutions people want… and at the same time help employers implement and employers of all types and sizes d manage state-of-the-art plans that exceed employee needs and expectations, and meet employer objectives and obligations.

Employer retirement plans are a key part of ING’s business – and have been for more than 40 years (though our legacy companies). Our market positions bear this out -- # 1 in plans, #2 in participants (Pensions & Investments, April 5, 2010) and #3 in assets. Flexible plan design, investment menus and capabilities help employers create plans suited to their own capabilities and needs – from small companies to large, state and government plans. Investment analysis and due diligence, legislative expertise and analysis, ongoing plan review, award-winning communications capabilities… all benefit all employers and their employees.

Key finding summary. Commentary / Color / ExplanationING Value-Capability Commentary

At the same time, people don’t think that “fixing retirement” should be a priority for the government – strengthening the economy, improving healthcare and improving education are the clear “top three” priorities for government intervention. It’s our job, as providers, advisors and

employers, to step in here in ways that individuals don’t want the government to, by improving the system with solutions that are palatable to employees – making it easier for them to save, and still giving them the choice and control that they highly value.

“Fixing” retirement is something we specialize in, because ING has been “improving” retirement servicing all along with services and innovations that speak to employer and employee needs -- Managed Accounts, Brokerage Options, Target Date funds1, fiduciary support and relief, plan benchmarking and review, investment analysis and more.

1There is no guarantee that any investment option will achieve its stated objective. Principal value fluctuates and there is no guarantee of value at any time, including the target date. The "target date" is the approximate date when an investor plans to start withdrawing money. When the target date is reached, an investor may have more or less than the original amount invested.

People understand that it’s important to save, yet do not feel prepared, and still don’t feel that they can save enough. Investors / employees know they need to save,

want to save more, and want to be active investors. We must give them the tools that make it easy, help and empower them! That means understanding their unique needs, appealing to their communication preferences.

ING focuses on behavioral finance and investor / employee opinion because we know that these are the keys to changing behavior, and for the better, in retirement plans. For example, THESE SURVEYS, seminars specifically designed for women – addressing their needs and their preference for personal interactions. Or using “Your Retirement Outlook” to help people see the specifics of their own situations.

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs

Total Agree

77%

69%

66%

60%

44%

39%

“Lift and Load” Graphics and Talking Points

Attitudes towards retirement readiness and investingMost folks 77% say that they are actively involved retirement investors, with a good idea of what they need to save. However, almost as many are concerned that they aren’t living up to what they know they should be saving, and are concerned that they won’t be prepared. Retirement is a priority for the majority of individuals, with just 39% reporting that it is not a priority,

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs

What people expect from WashingtonMost people do not want the government to “fix” retirement .Helping more people to save for retirement falls behind a number of other domestic and foreign issues when it comes to where Americans feel the Government should focus its reform attention, with less than 10% choosing THIS as an urgent top priority for intervention. At the same time, though, people do recognize the importance and need for retirement savings – they just seem to think it’s more of an individual and/or employer responsibility than an issue for government intervention.

“Lift and Load” Graphics and Talking Points

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs

What people want from their employersOverwhelmingly, people think that all employers should provide workplace retirement investment programs… regardless of employer size. These plans should offer a diversity of investment options, automatic features, education and tools. They should make it easy for employees / individuals to take the steps they need to save.

“Lift and Load” Graphics and Talking Points

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs

Methodology

• For the survey, a national sample of 1,000 adults aged 18 and older were interviewed by telephone via Ipsos’ U.S. Telephone Express omnibus.

• The poll was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs March 18-22, 2010.

• With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.

• These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Total percentages may add up to more than 100% due to rounding.

Survey conducted March 18 – 22, 2010 by Ipsos Public Affairs