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Guardian overview client brochure
1. For Plan Sponsors Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM
A Focus on Your Needs
2. IMPORTANT Information
The Guardian Choice® group variable funding agreement and The Guardian
Advantage® group variable annuity contract are issued by The Guardian Insurance
& Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC), a Delaware corporation whose principal place
of business is 7 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004. GIAC is a wholly owned
subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
(Guardian), New York, NY.
Guardian does not issue The Guardian Choice® and The Guardian Advantage®
and does not guarantee the benefits they provide.
Guardian Retirement Solutions™ refers to the administrative support services,
including participant recordkeeping as well as marketing, enrollment and
educational materials, provided by GIAC in conjunction with the individual and
group retirement products issued by GIAC.
This document is not intended by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of
America, The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC) or any of its
employees or agents to be considered as investment, tax, or legal advice.
Please consult your investment, tax and legal advisors for guidance and
information that is specific to your plan.
3. It’s About
YOU
At Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM it’s about you. Your business,
your employees, your retirement plan. We are dedicated to working with you, What does customer-
your third-party administrator (TPA) and your financial professional to help focused mean?
you provide your employees with a retirement solution to help them save for
the long-term. • A focus on your needs
Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM is focused solely on serving the unique needs • Flexibility and choice
of small businesses like yours by providing access to services typically reserved
for large plans. You can count on us to provide the resources, support and tools • olutions that work
S
you’re looking for as you develop a retirement solution that works for you and for you and your
your employees. employees
• o proprietary
N
fund requirements
Work with your TPA, Financial Professional, and
Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM, and you can: • Reasonable pricing
• ccess to independent,
A
third-party service
providers
enefit from a CUSTOMER-FOCUSED
B
APPROACH to Retirement.
Access FLEXIBLE Solutions.
Rely on WORLD-CLASS SERVICE and
SUPPORT for You and Your Employees.
Gain from GUARDIAN’S More than
150-YEAR HERITAGE of Promises Kept.
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4. Flexible
SOLUTIONS
Robust Fiduciary Support Services
You can mitigate your fiduciary risk by accessing the robust fiduciary support services of
two independent registered investment advisers: 1. SWBC Investment Advisory Services
LLC (SWBC) and 2. Stadion Money Management LLC (Stadion).
Funding Vehicles 1. SWBC - an ERISA Section 3(21) Fiduciary
Part of a plan fiduciary’s responsibility is to prudently select and monitor a diverse set of
We offer two funding vehicles
investment options. SWBC, an independent RIA, offers robust investment advisory and
appropriate for a wide range
fiduciary support services that are meant to help mitigate the risks of plan fiduciaries of
of qualified retirement plans
participant-directed qualified retirement plans.
including 401(a), 401(k), profit-
sharing, traditional defined SWBC acts as a limited scope fiduciary under ERISA section 3(21) to plan fiduciaries who
benefit, cash balance, and any elect to use their services and enter into an advisory services agreement with SWBC.
appropriate combination. Under this agreement, SWBC provides recommendations regarding the allocation options
available under The Guardian Advantage® and The Guardian Choice®.
The Guardian Choice® Following the recommendations of SWBC can help mitigate your fiduciary risk for
prudently selecting, monitoring, and diversifying the investment options that are available
Generally for plans with
under the plan. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the plan fiduciary to determine
assets greater than $1 million,
what investment options are offered under the plan.
The Guardian Choice® is a group
variable funding agreement for SWBC offers you:
small and mid-size companies.1 • A written commitment of SWBC’s fiduciary investment advisory services
• Help developing an Investment Policy Statement
The Guardian Advantage® • Comprehensive quarterly investment monitoring reports and conference calls
Generally for plans with assets • nvestment line-up selection in accordance with ERISA’s “prudent expert” rule
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less than $1 million, The Guardian and diversification requirements
Advantage® is a group variable
annuity contract also for small 2. Stadion – an ERISA Section 3(38) Investment Manager
and mid-size companies. Stadion provides an actively managed account service that is available as a plan’s Qualified
Default Investment Alternative (QDIA).2
Stadion acts as a 3(38) Investment Manager under ERISA. They provide a QDIA Warranty
to plan fiduciaries that covers participants’ accounts over which Stadion has discretionary
control. The warranty assures the plan sponsor that Stadion and its QDIA managed account
service meet the relevant requirements for QDIAs under federal regulations, and that
Stadion will indemnify the plan fiduciaries for any unreimbursed losses due to any breach
of Stadion’s representations.
1. Not available in Pennsylvania.
2. plan sponsor must contract directly with Stadion to offer this managed account service. While there is no cost to the plan
The
or plan sponsor, an annual fee of 0.55% will be paid by participants utilizing the service.
SWBC and Stadion are not affiliates or subsidiaries of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) or
The Guardian Insurance Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC). Plan fiduciaries must contract directly with SWBC and Stadion.
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5. A National Network of Third-Party Administrators
As part of our effort to allow you to design a plan that best suits your needs,
you can choose from a national network of local TPAs. TPAs can help reduce your
administrative burden and ensure your plan is in compliance.
Benefits of Working with a TPA:
• Customized plan design solutions to maximize your tax benefits
• Required plan documentation
• Ongoing services to meet current legal requirements
• Compliance testing and reporting
• Benefits and loan administration
Independent TPAs in the network are not affiliates or subsidiaries of GIAC or The Guardian Life Insurance
Company of America.
Passive Trustee Services Through Wilmington
Trust Company
Wilmington Trust Company provides nondiscretionary, passive trustee services to qualified
plans using our funding vehicles. Having an independent corporate trustee may add an extra
layer of oversight and protection for both the plan sponsor and the plan participants. While
not required, it’s a service plan sponsors can consider based on their retirement plan needs.
Working with a TPA
can help REDUCE your
administrative BURDENS.
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6. Investment
Key Features
proprietary
No
fund requirements
FLEXIBILITY
Broad range of
well-recognized investment Access to Prominent Investment Managers
options In order to ensure that The Guardian Choice® and The Guardian Advantage® funding
vehicles offer a broad range of well-recognized investment options, we utilize the independent
Choice and flexibility in
expertise of SWBC to assist with the selection of the options that are made available for you
investment selection
to choose for your plan. Additionally, we do not mandate that plan sponsors choose any
Self-directed brokerage proprietary funds when selecting the investment options for their plan.
option* The investment options that are available under The Guardian Advantage® and
Fixed Rate Option (FRO) The Guardian Choice® are from some of the nation’s most well-recognized investment
managers.The investment options span the risk/reward spectrum and pursue a variety of
Multiple QDIA options investment objectives—from the safety of principal to aggressive growth of capital.
SM
Please note that the availability of investment options from the above investment managers will vary based on which
funding vehicle you select.
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7. Making It Easier For
YOU
You have the flexibility to choose an investment line-up that works for you and your plan
participants. You can choose from two focused lists of investment options, or customize the QDIA Requirements
menu of investment options for your plan. If you choose to contract with SWBC, you will If you utilize the services of
receive SWBC’s written commitment of its fiduciary investment advisory obligations. SWBC, you must select a
QDIA option for your plan.
A QDIA is required for all
The Core Focus List three options.
The Core Focus List is comprised of a group of investment options that
Fund Replacements
has been rigorously evaluated by SWBC. These investment options feature
the following characteristics: SWBC makes replacing funds
seamless by providing you
• ctively managed investment options from well-recognized
A with a replacement notice
investment managers and timeline that requires no
• omplemented by a small selection of index-based, passively managed
C action from you unless you
investment options choose not to implement the
recommendation of SWBC.
• Meets diversification requirements of ERISA Section 404(c)
The Passive Focus List
The Passive Focus List consists of a group of investment options that has
also undergone rigorous evaluation by SWBC. These investment options are
characterized by:
• Emphasis on index-based, passively managed investment options
• Focus on funds with lower fund expense ratios
• Meets diversification requirements of ERISA Section 404(c)
Plan Trustee Customized List
If you prefer, you can create a customized list of investment options from the
large selection available.
• Pick and choose investment options based on the needs of your plan
• eets the diversification requirements of ERISA Section 404(c) if funds are
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selected from a minimum set of investment categories, including:
– Large Cap – Non-U.S. Large Cap Equity
– Small Cap/Mid Cap – U.S. Intermediate Term Bond
– Capital Preservation
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8. World-Class
SERVICE and Support
Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM prides itself on providing world-class service and support
that always puts you and your plan participants first. From enrollment support to ongoing
employee communications and education, from participant-level recordkeeping services to
plan sponsor and participant tools and resources, we’re dedicated to supporting your needs.
Your Service Team Overview
Your Implementation Your Relationship Your Customer Service
Specialist Manager* Team
Provides seamless coordination for all Works closely with financial Provides a single point of contact for
take-over plan implementation needs professionals to assist with plan plan sponsors
sponsor needs and ongoing support
Hosts welcome calls Enrollment specialists provide onsite Dedicated, regionalized client
enrollment meetings and support service teams for plan sponsors and
participants committed to following
through on all the daily expectations
and needs of plan sponsors
Manages all transfer requirements Helps plan sponsors develop Long-tenured team of support
of take-over plans, including: blackout programs to increase plan specialists who are knowledgeable in
notices, termination notices to existing participation, participant deferral all workflow processes and possessing
carriers, asset transfer, final valuation rates and employee engagement extensive product knowledge
reports, and allocation expectations, etc.
Establishes contracts with ACH and Provides customized annual 24-hour issue response, same-day
customized payroll submissions plan reviews service on contribution and
distribution processing*
Ensures all participants are enrolled Offers valuable insights and tools Available 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET
prior to asset transfer and provides to increase employee participation
confirmations
*For plans that meet certain asset levels.
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9. Increase Enrollment and Participation
We offer you enrollment and participant education programs to help your clients’
employees enroll and increase salary deferrals. This includes a myriad of marketing
communication support, on-site meetings and web-based tools to help participants
make informed investment decisions and keep track of their accounts.
Communication Support: Experience personalized
service from our long-
tenured customer
u Annual Plan Review for Plan Sponsors*
service team.
v Comprehensive enrollment kit
w I
nformative quarterly statements
x E
ducational plan sponsor and plan participant quarterly newsletters
y Online tools and calculators
z Plan participant education seminars
{ Participant account services online 24/7
At Your “Recordkeeping” Service
We deliver superior service to help ease your clients’ administrative burden by offering:
• ensus, online, or traditional paper enrollment
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• etailed online plan reports and information
D
• implified contribution processing
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• oan administration and modeling available online
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• ast and dependable recordkeeping technology
F
• nnual audit package preparation to complete Form 5500
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• ecure Transaction e-Withdrawal capabilities.
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Award-Recognized Services
Recognized in 2011 by J.D. Power and Associates for Call Center Operation Customer
Satisfaction Excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Call Center Certification
ProgramSM. The Call Center Certification Program distinction acknowledges a strong
commitment by the company’s Retirement Solutions Division call center operations to
provide “An Outstanding Customer Service Experience.”
For J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Call Center Certification ProgramSM information, visit www.jdpower.com
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10. Guardian:
150+ YEARS of Promises Kept
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is one of the largest and
oldest mutual life insurance companies in America. Since 1860, Guardian has been
providing financial strategies to help individuals, families, and small business owners
achieve financial security.
In addition, as a mutual life company owned by its policyholders, Guardian operates for
the benefit of its policyholders, rather than outside stockholders. This heritage of a
customer-focused approach carries over into each business line and subsidiary. It also
means a commitment to long-term strategic thinking, rather than short-term profits.
While the markets may change, Guardian’s timeless values of doing the right thing,
holding itself to the highest standards, and focusing on people do not.
The Guardian Choice® group variable funding agreement and The Guardian Advantage®
group variable annuity contract are issued by The Guardian Insurance Annuity Company,
Inc. (GIAC), a Delaware corporation whose principal place of business is 7 Hanover Square,
New York, NY 10004. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance
Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY.
Guardian does not issue The Guardian Choice® and The Guardian Advantage® and does
not guarantee the benefits they provide.
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11. STRENGTH and Stability
The Guardian Insurance Annuity Company, Inc. is proud to receive
exemplary ratings from the four major independent rating agencies.
A.M. Best Company
A++ Superior ability to meet
on-going obligations to
policyholders (the highest
Guardian’s Changing
Times,Timeless Values
of 16 ratings)
• Rich Heritage
A
of Integrity and Trust
AA+
Very Strong capacity
Fitch Ratings to meet policyholder • e Do the Right Thing
W
and contract obligations
(2nd highest of 24 ratings) • People Count
• e Hold Ourselves to
W
Moody’s Investors
Service Aa2 Excellent financial security
(3rd highest of 21 ratings)
the Highest Standards
• n Unwavering
A
Commitment to
Small Business Owners
Standard Poor’s
AA+ Very Strong financial
security characteristics
(2nd highest of 20 ratings)
Proud to receive EXEMPLARY ratings
from four MAJOR rating agencies.
As of 6/30/2011. Please note that strength and claims-paying ability ratings apply only to GIAC’s ability to pay guarantees
provided under its group variable annuity and group variable funding agreement products. These ratings do not apply to the
investment performance of the variable investment options offered through GIAC products. Ratings are subject to change
without notice.
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12. It’s About YOU
At Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM it’s about you.Your business,
your employees, your retirement plan. We are dedicated to working with you,
your third-party administrator (TPA) and your financial professional to
help you provide your employees with a retirement solution to help them
save for the long-term.
Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM is focused solely on serving the unique needs
of small businesses like yours by providing access to services typically reserved
for large plans.You can count on us to provide the resources, support and tools
you’re looking for as you develop a retirement solution that works for
you and your employees.
Contact Guardian Retirement SolutionsTM
Call: 877-500-2380
Visit: www.GuardianRetirement.com
The Guardian Advantage® group variable annuity contract and The Guardian Choice® group variable funding
agreement are issued by The Guardian Insurance Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC), a Delaware corporation whose
principal place of business is 7 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004. GIAC is a wholly owned subsidiary of
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY.
Guardian does not issue The Guardian Choice® and The Guardian Advantage® and does not guarantee
the benefits they provide.
Guardian Retirement Solutions™ refers to the administrative support services, including participant recordkeeping
as well as marketing, enrollment and educational materials, provided by GIAC in conjunction with the individual and
group retirement products issued by GIAC.
This document is not intended by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America,
The Guardian Insurance Annuity Company, Inc. (GIAC) or any of its employees or agents to be
considered as investment, tax, or legal advice.
Please consult your investment, tax and legal advisors for guidance and information that is specific to your plan.
Investments offered under The Guardian Advantage® group variable annuity and The Guardian Choice® group
variable funding agreement are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or
depository institution, nor are they insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve
Board or any other agency. They involve risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
®
The Guardian Insurance
Annuity Company, Inc.
7 Hanover Square
GP016202 (08/11) New York, NY 10004-4025
2011–9085 www.GuardianRetirement.com
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