MassMutual to host educational event for Danskin Triathletes

Local women will have a chance to learn how to shape up their personal finances at a special educational seminar on wealth-building for women presented by MassMutual as part of its sponsorship of the 16th annual Danskin Triathlon Series this weekend.

The seminar, entitled "Never kissed a frog. Never had to."(SM) and hosted by FMC Financial Group of Newport Beach, explores the special financial challenges facing women and the financial possibilities available to them. MassMutual's Women's Markets Group created the seminar to address the unique concerns and needs of women investors, particularly professional women.

"Many women spend so much time worrying about their loved ones and others that they often neglect themselves and their personal finances," said Susan Sweetser, second vice president of women's markets for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). "We're hopeful that our seminar will encourage Danskin triathletes to take a well-deserved moment for themselves to consider this important but often overlooked aspect of their lives."

The interactive, fun seminar explores important issues such as: living comfortably in retirement, protecting and growing assets, education funding, estate planning, having adequate resources for long term care, and staying financially secure after the death of a loved one or a disability. MassMutual is presenting the seminar in each of the eight major cities that make up the Danskin Triathlon Series this summer.

The events are among many initiatives that MassMutual has undertaken in support of women investors. "Women approach investing and make financial decisions differently than men," added Sweetser. "We need to recognize that and help women with different approaches and tools that work specifically for them."

The MassMutual seminar will be held Saturday, June 4, during race registration day at The Fairplex Pomona at 8:30 am. Attendance is limited to Danskin Triathlon participants. MassMutual will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Fund on behalf of each seminar attendee, and each attendee will receive a special gift.

"We are thrilled to be providing the 'Never kissed a frog. Never had to.'(SM) seminar to race participants and happy that we will be supporting such a worthy cause as breast cancer research at the same time," said Jim Chapel, CEO of FMC Financial Group.

The Danskin Triathlon will be held Sunday, June 5 at Bonelli Park in San Dimas.

More than 21,000 women of diverse ages, sizes and backgrounds are expected to take part in this year's Danskin Women's Triathlon Series. In 2003, the series secured five out of the top 10 spots for participation numbers (all male; all female; or mixed gender) in USA Triathlon-sanctioned triathlons. The series set a world record for the sport's highest participation numbers for women when 21,375 women entered races last season.

About MassMutual Financial Group

MassMutual Financial Group -- comprised of member companies with more than $350 billion of assets under management as of 3/31/05 -- is a global, growth- oriented, diversified financial services organization providing life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement planning products, structured settlement annuities, trust services, money management, and other financial products and services. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual subsidiaries.

The MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing designation (or fleet name) for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, which include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers, LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc.; The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB; Antares Capital Corporation; MML Bay State Life Insurance Company; C.M. Life Insurance Company; and MassMutual International, Inc. MassMutual is on the Internet at http://www.massmutual.com/.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001

Securities offered through registered representatives of MML Investors Services, Inc., a MassMutual subsidiary. Member SIPC

  Contact:
   Kathleen Gilroy
   617-723-4891
   kgilroy@madisoncommunications.com

Source: MassMutual Financial Group

CONTACT: Kathleen Gilroy for MassMutual, +1-617-723-4891,
kgilroy@madisoncommunications.com

Web site: http://www.massmutual.com/