December 4, 2008, Wayne, PA — The Diversified Services Group, Inc. (DSG) today announced the completion of its 2008 Retirement Income Products and Solutions Study, the 9th annual report in this ground breaking series. The 136 page report includes the findings from two separate, but complementary research efforts: a survey of over 40 providers of retirement income products and solutions, and a series of 17 in-depth interviews with selected senior executives who focus on the retirement income market.

According to James Sholder, a Principal in DSG's Retirement Practice, "Guaranteed lifetime benefit annuities are under serious challenge as the major product solution for producing a stream of income over a retiree's lifetime. The mutual fund industry is quickly developing its own set of solutions to address longevity and the other primary retirement risks."

This Study has been designed to provide a timely view of industry product sales, new product and solution development trends, competitive behaviors and future insights on the ever evolving retirement income market. DSG continues to expand the scope of this work to include all retirement income product manufacturing segments from the financial services industry.

Other selected findings from the study include:

• An increasing number of GLB owners are now using these benefits to receive an income stream via withdrawals or, to a lesser extent, annuitization.
• Many companies are beginning to address the healthcare risk for retirees and soon will be introducing new versions of annuities and life insurance with long term care riders.
• The insurance industry intends to compete with an ongoing array of product solutions, while the mutual fund industry will focus more on an advice first approach to the retirement income market.
• Companies are beginning to show progress in addressing the middle market using more simplified solutions and efficient delivery mechanisms.

This study is part of an ongoing series of syndicated research reports about the ‘Retirement Income Market' known as the RM² Reports™. These reports focus on issues that firms face as they develop services, products and marketing initiatives to reach individuals prior, during, and after retirement.

DSG's Retirement Practice provides consulting and research to the financial services industry with a focus on the Retirement Income Market, its trends, products, services, and delivery channels. DSG also manages the Retirement Management Executive Forum, a select study group of senior executives from all segments of the financial services industry with primary responsibility for their firms' response to the retirement income market.

For further information, contact:

Borden Ayers, Principal

Ph: 610-989-1710, ext. 21
Fax: 610-989-1730
e-mail: BordenA@DSG-Network.com

Diversified Services Group, Inc.
303 W. Lancaster Avenue
Suite 2E
Wayne, PA 19087-3938

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