MLConnect^®

THE POWER OF CHOICE

Through MLConnect, you have access to a powerful alliance program, where each alliance partner has been selected for its experience in providing retirement plan services.

Each program provides recordkeeping and trust services, robust sponsor and participant support services and, employee education and communication programs.

MLConnect best suits companies that want flexibility in both investment options and recordkeeping platforms. It lets you choose a service provider that can accommodate the size and structure of your business and still work with the Financial Advisor that you know and trust.

THE MLCONNECT NETWORK

MLConnect combines the powerful investment and advisory services of Merrill Lynch with a choice of diverse, committed partners to provide affordable, value-added plan services.

The MLConnect Network includes:

• National Administrative Providers — specialize in retirement plan administration
• National Payroll Providers — offer both payroll processing and plan administration — in an integrated format — to help reduce administrative burdens
• Insurance Company Providers — Offer an insurance product (a group variable annuity or group funding agreement) with comprehensive participant and plan sponsor support services through their extensive experience in the retirement plan industry.
• Select Mutual Fund Providers —  Offer an excellent reputation for providing quality investment experience and service to their clients.

Types of Plans Offered

MLConnect partners offer the following types of retirement plans:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) — Safe Harbor
• Profit Sharing — Integrated with Social Security taxable wage base, age weighted, and/or new comparability
• Money Purchase
• 403(b)
• Thrift
• Multiple Employer Plans (MEP)

RETIREMENT PLAN ADVISOR SERVICES

Retirement Plan Advisor Services are designed to deliver what matters most to you and your employees. As part of Retirement Plan Advisor Services, your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor will provide information, insights, tools and techniques to help you and your employees make good choices for the life of your plan.

Your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor will consult with you on all of your retirement planning needs and help you select the retirement plan that is most appropriate for your employees and your business. Your Financial Advisor is committed to supporting you in your efforts to provide your employees with a valuable benefit and to assist them in reaching their financial goals for retirement.

Your Financial Advisor is committed to:

• Assisting you in selecting the most appropriate retirement plan platform for your company.
• Consulting with you on your plan features and investment options, including the mutual fund selection process and creating an Investment Policy Statement.
• Participating throughout the entire enrollment process and provide ongoing communication support, including ongoing educational meetings and a range of employee seminars covering retiremenet planning topics.
• Conductng periodic reviews of your plan to see if your platform selection is still aligned with your retirement planning needs and the size and structure of your business.
• Reviewing your plan investment choices periodically to evaluate their performance as compared to industry benchmarks.

The Power of Partnership

Through the MLConnect network, you have the opportunity to combine the experience of a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor with the strengths of our alliance partners.

Our strong partnership with selected providers affords Merrill Lynch the opportunity to help you put tailored plans in place to meet your unique business needs.

Your Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor works in tandem with experienced and dedicated alliance partners to ensure the delivery of services to your retirement plan. From plan design and investment selection, to coordination of plan sponsor, participant and administrative services, Merrill Lynch and our partners take care of the details so you don't have to.