2018 Defined Contribution Survey: Recordkeepers Micro Market Plan Assets <$5mm W hile their overall recommendation rate dropped to a near seven-year low of 62.5% in 2018, the recordkeeping partners of micro plans remained highly rated. All 15 providers that qualified for listing received at least three Best in Class awards-and, on average, several more. Satisfaction with sponsor service teams was universally high, which likely reflects the critical role that recordkeepers play in helping these plans meet their fiduciary and administrative obligations, and the peace of mind comes from that support. Compared with the others, the Micro Market reported higher levels of satisfaction with participant statements and call centers-two of the more traditional sources participants turn to for answers to their questions. Plan administration and sponsor technologies were also unexpectedly highly rated, versus in other markets. But this may reflect the Top Providers By net recommendation/ promoter score 1 Correll Co. 93.5% 2 BB&T Retirement and Institutional Services 83.3% 2 The Standard 83.3% 4 Newport Group 82.1% 5 Ascensus 81.2% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 28 PLANSPONSOR.com December 2018-January 2019 The Standard VALIC Vanguard Voya Financial = Best in Class Award = Service Commendation l = Received too few ratings in category and was thus ineligible for recognition u = The score was in the top quartile of all scores for that area Net Recommendation Rate, 2012 - 2018 66.1% 61.3% 68.2% 64.1% 64.9% 71.5% 62.5% 31 25 35 28 83% u 54% 63% 46% l 64% l l l 70% 73% l 61% Plan Administration Best in Class Minimum of 25 responses; Best in Class benchmark of 60% Ascensus 182 BB&T Retirement and Institutional Svcs 31 Correll Co. CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions Empower Retirement John Hancock Retirement Plan Svcs Nationwide Newport Group OneAmerica Securian Financial Sentinel Benefits 31 63 74 71 25 29 35 26 25 81% 83% u 94% u 61% 69% 59% 68% 82% u 65% 80% 68% l l 77% u 75% 95% u 69% 72% 70% 72% 73% 68% 84% u 80% u # Responses Recommendation likelihood Plan transaction processing Loan/Withdrawal processing Beneficiary administration Plan design flexibility Payroll integration % " Extremely satisfied "http://www.plansponsordigital.com/plansponsor/december_2018-january_2019/TrackLink.action?pageName=28&exitLink=http%3A%2F%2FPLANSPONSOR.com