Putting the right service providers together for defined contribution retirement plans can be a difficult puzzle. Few plan sponsors can afford the resources or time to select the vendors best suited to meet their defined contribution plan needs. To assist plan sponsors in solving the defined contribution puzzle, Segal Advisors offers
DC-Connect, an organized process for vendor selection and plan implementation.

Segal Advisors has no financial ties to any service provider. DC-Connect clients receive objective and impartial consulting services based on firsthand knowledge of the defined contribution and investment management industries, experience gained from conducting numerous defined contribution plan provider searches and substantial practical expertise in all aspects of plan implementation.

DC-Connect provides clients with a comprehensive picture of their defined contribution plan needs and the service providers that can best meet those needs. The DC-Connect process has six steps:

• Discovery Initially, the DC-Connect team works with the client to document the organization's defined contribution plan priorities and objectives and provides market research to identify appropriate vendors.

• Development The DC-Connect team assists the client to define its expected investment strategy and develops a summary of the client's significant plan provisions and any unique plan features. The team writes and distributes a comprehensive RFP capturing all information that is necessary to select the best service provider(s) for the plan.

• Evaluation The client receives a comparative analysis of all service provider responses. This analysis includes an evaluation matrix summarizing and ranking each provider's capabilities. The DC-Connect team then assists the client in identifying finalists.

• Selection The DC-Connect team interviews finalists, conducts on-site visits at each finalist's facility and works with counsel to negotiate fees and contracts and develop performance standards for the selected service provider(s).

• Conversion/Implementation After the service provider(s) has been selected, the DC-Connect team works with the client and selected service provider(s) to facilitate the conversion/implementation process and ensures that the vendor's participant communication products and enrollment procedures are customized to meet the client's needs. The team also coordinates and assists in the conversion of records and assets as necessary.

• Ongoing Monitoring To make certain that the selected provider(s) continues to meet the client's needs, the DC-Connect team conducts periodic evaluations of investment performance and administrative reviews, and addresses issues that arise after implementation.