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February 25, 2004
Guardian Provides New Retirement Planning Option for Small Business Owners
New Suite of Products for the 412(i) Market Launched
NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2004 - The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, a leader in the 412(i) market since 1960, today announced the launch of a new suite of Pension Trust Whole Life and Annuity policies for the 412(i) market. The enhancement to Guardian's current product strengthens the company's range of 412(i) offerings and provides small business owners with an increased level of security, flexibility and guaranteed benefits for retirement planning.
"The number of retirement plans available today make it difficult for small business owners to determine which is best and many are unaware of the number of benefits provided by a 412(i) plan," said James Suslavich, VP, Life Product Development and Support, Individual Markets, Guardian, New York. "Guardian has been a leader in the 412(i) market for many years and we completely understand the specific needs of small business owners. We are pleased to provide this expanded suite of products that addresses those needs as well as the changes in today's economic market."
Guardian's new 412(i) product suite is funded and guaranteed with life insurance and annuity products. Guardian has enhanced its existing annuities with three new products, available with either front-end or back-end loads. This allows customers to structure the funding of their qualified plans according to their own needs.
Both the new annuities and the life insurance products are designed around three percent guarantees, which provide customers with larger tax deductible contributions than what was previously available under the four percent guarantee. In addition, the new annuities are available with a waiver of premium — a feature that is almost exclusive to Guardian. As long as the life insurance within the plan has waiver of premium, the annuities may also include waiver of premium as a rider. Guardian designed the whole life products specifically to accompany the annuities in 412(i) plans, however, they can be used to fund other types of qualified plans as well.
The new Pension Trust Whole Life and Annuity policies will be available immediately in nearly all states and will be rolled out to the remaining states over the next several months.
Other features include new life and annuity applications for all pension plans and a customized kit for the 412(i) plan and other qualified plans offered by Guardian.
About Guardian Life Insurance The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is the fourth largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. As of December 31, 2003, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $37.2 billion in assets. Founded in 1860, Guardian is listed among Fortune magazine's top 300 businesses---and in 2003 was ranked once again as one of the top 10 most admired life and health companies in Fortune's "America's Most Admired Companies" list. With more than 5,000 employees, over 2,700 financial representatives and nearly 100 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), mutual fund and annuity investment products, and trust services. More information on Guardian can be obtained at: www.guardianlife.com. | 
