2017 Defined Contribution Survey: Providers Micro Market: Plan Assets <$5mm G iving an average net recommendation score of 71.5%-the highest in any market-micro-plan sponsors seem to be rarely disappointed with their recordkeeping partners. Satisfaction with sponsor services is universally high, and every provider was rated " Best in Class " in at least three areas. All 13 providers won an award for regulatory/compliance support, suggesting that sponsors sincerely need and value help in overseeing their fiduciary responsibilities. Having a small work force likely makes participant services/technology less important; this means smaller, regional providers and those with established adviser networks tend to deliver the highest satisfaction. Top 5 Providers By Net Recommendation/ Promoter Score 1 BB&T Retirement and Inst Svcs 91% 2 Correll Co. 90% 3 OneAmerica 79% 4 Voya Financial 78% 5 Ascensus 76% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Best in Class Minimum of 25 responses; Best in Class benchmark of 60% Plan Administration American Trust Retirement Ascensus BB&T Retirement and Inst Svcs Correll Co. Empower Retirement Newport Group OneAmerica Securian Financial Group The Standard VALIC Voya Financial 43 212 32 30 CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions 41 134 33 28 38 41 28 37 60% 66% u 76% 91% u 90% u 68% 67% John Hancock Retirement Pln Svcs 137 60% 67% 79% u 68% 59% 68% 78% u Net Recommendation Rate, 2012 - 2017 66.1% 68.2% 61.3% 71.5% 64.1% 64.9% 63% 74% u 79% u 66% u 55% 55% 61% 52% 72% u 51% 59% 51% 34 PLANSPONSOR.com February-March 2018 # Responses Recommendation likelihood Plan transaction processing Loan/Withdrawal processing Beneficiary administration Plan design flexibility Payroll integration % " Completely satisfied "http://www.PLANSPONSOR.com