Springfield-based MassMutual’s retirement services division has found participants in the company’s retirement plans are taking a "calmer, longer-term approach" to their retirement saving plans.

Participant deferrals in the fourth quarter of 2009 were up an average of 0.54 percent across all age groups compared to the prior quarter. The percentage of participants who maintained or increased their savings rate reached its highest level for the year in the fourth quarter at 96 percent, with 2.7 percent of participants actually increasing their savings rate. The number of participants who decreased their deferral rate reached the lowest levels in the third quarter (1.25 percent) and the fourth quarter (1.28 percent) respectively, demonstrating comfort with continued savings through their 401(k) plan.

While overall traffic on The Journey(SM), MassMutual’s participant Web site, declined 13 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the prior quarter, traffic on the company’s participant education Web site, RetireSmart(SM) Academy, increased by more than 52 percent for the same period, a trend that indicates participants are checking their account balances less frequently but are very focused on educational activities.

"Participants seem to have a greater understanding of the importance of taking a long-term approach and allocating their investments appropriately," said Heather Smiley, chief marketing officer for MassMutual’s retirement services division. "We have made a significant effort in investment education for participants and we will continue to do so in 2010."

"We are very pleased to see that MassMutual’s retirement plan participants are taking full advantage of the many resources we offer to help them establish a long-term plan to retire successfully," said Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s retirement services division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC.