As more middle Americans look for ways to save for and transition into a successful retirement, CUNA Mutual Group and its retirement plan business in Great Bend are refocusing efforts to help this often neglected market niche.
The Madison, Wis.-based insurer has announced the rebranding and newly targeted focus for its affiliate, CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc., which it acquired in 2009. CPI is now known as CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions.
Widely known since 1972 in Great Bend and across the country as a retirement plan record-keeper, CPI’s new name helps to realign its overall purpose as a company focused on retirement outcomes for Middle Americans, according to Paul Chong, senior vice president of Retirement Solutions for CUNA Mutual Group. While the organization has a new name and new look, the rebranding goes much further, he added.
“A brand is much more than a name or logo, and today we are redefining CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions by creating a focus on participant outcomes, emphasizing the retirement aspirations of hard-working Americans nationwide and reinforcing the value of our expertise,” Chong said.
The company’s parent will continue to serve the financial needs of credit unions and their members, including the provision of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for credit union employees, which it has done for more than 50 years.
CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions will build on the rich heritage and reputation of CUNA Mutual Group. Just as the latter’s focus has been on serving average Americans through credit unions, CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions will focus on the small-plan market with assets ranging from $500,000 to $7 million.
“We’re not trying to be all things to all people,” Chong said. CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions will partner with financial advisors to help small business owners and their employees prepare for retirement.
“Our focus is to help Main Street, not Wall Street. By that, we mean serving small businesses that truly care about their employees and want to help them build and enjoy a successful retirement. Our business and employees in Great Bend will continue to be major contributors toward that effort.”
Transition to the new name and brand, including participant statements, phone systems, email addresses and signage locally and in the marketplace will take place throughout 2014.
“For us, it’s innovation meeting reality. We’re excited about the platforms and resources we’re bringing that differentiate our organization. More importantly, we believe we can help financial advisors differentiate their services to win and retain in the retirement plan marketplace.”
Including CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions, CUNA Mutual Group services nearly 7,000 retirement plans, with assets under administration of $17.4 billion and more than 335,000 participants.
The transformation of CPI into CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions showcases CUNA Mutual Group’s expanding commitment to growing its retirement plan services business nationwide.
More information is available at www.cunamutualrs.com.