PLANADVISER - November/December 2017 - 29

Plan Sponsor Fiduciary Responsibilities
Plan Establishment,
Design, Service Provider
Selection
Participant
Education
and
Communication
Plan Administration
and Compliance
sponsor, since many sponsors need help in navigating complex
compliance and administration issues; and working with a plan
provider who has expertise in the marketplace and will be a true
partner, keeping the advisor's and client's needs in mind. 
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. It does not 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.
Plan
Sponsor
Plan
Investments
AXA Fixed Account is a group fixed annuity issued by AXA Equitable Life
Insurance Company (AXA Equitable).
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.
" We recognize that advisors, like sponsors, are approaching their
workload capacity and need help in making the most of their
plans, " says O'Connor. " Technology can help, and we offer a
lot of innovative value-adds, including new digital tools that help
participants plan for a more comfortable retirement, and product
enhancements that strive to fit the needs of smaller businesses.
But technology alone isn't enough. Often, plan sponsors and
advisors will need to leverage other resources, such as retirement
plan consultants or ERISA attorneys who can meet with sponsors
and advisors. We can provide those resources too. "
The service that AXA provides to small and mid-market plans is
designed to make administration easier for plan sponsors and
outcomes better for plan participants.
For sponsors, AXA Equitable takes care of the heavy lifting by
handling the ins and outs of getting a plan set up and running, and
keeping it going. This effortless plan management provides the
resources required through every step of the plan journey, from
plan design through ongoing administration, as well as fiduciary
protection from an independent provider. Sponsors will have a
dedicated team of professionals to help them from start to finish,
and use of a simple, streamlined website and online tools to track
the onboarding process and manage the steps they need to take.
In addition, their online personal dashboard gives them access to
the information they need, including plan participation progress,
plan performance, real time notifications and alerts, and access
to standard and custom reports, all in one place.
For participants, AXA Equitable provides options for retirement
certainty, in the form of investments that can provide guaranteed
retirement income, along with personalized retirement planning
guidance and an online experience that makes retirement
simple, so participants can make meaningful progress toward
their goals.
In short, O'Connor suggests that advisors position themselves for
success by doing two things: acting as an extension of the plan
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.
Mutual funds are subject to market risk, including loss of principal. Please
consider the charges, risks, 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
investing or sending money.
The AXA Retirement Plan ServicesSM 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 ServicesSM and AXA Retirement 360SM
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
Please be advised that this article is not intended as legal or tax advice.
Accordingly, any tax information provided in this article is not intended or
written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of
avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information
was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transactions or
matters addressed, and clients should seek advice based on their particular
circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Neither AXA Equitable, AXA
Advisors nor AXA Distributors provide legal or tax advice.
GE-130226 (11/17) (Exp 11/19)
SPONSORED SECTION
PLANADVISER - November/December 2017

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