NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein's Customized Retirement Strategies (CRS) is off to a strong start in 2009, securing nearly $1 billion in new funding from defined-contribution (DC) plans. CRS is a unique, open-architecture target-date solution launched in April 2007 by AllianceBernstein Defined Contribution Investments ("ABDC"), a business unit of AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AllianceBernstein"). AllianceBernstein manages or has commitments for nearly $5 billion in CRS assets for 16 DC clients with total plan assets of $50 billion. These CRS assets include $900 million in new funding so far in 2009 from three major clients, as our target-date solution celebrates its two-year anniversary. "This is a powerful statement that plan sponsors aren't taking a 'wait-and-see' approach in a difficult market environment, but rather they are moving forward with enhancing their plans," according to Thomas J. Fontaine, Head of ABDC. AllianceBernstein can manage all of the target-date investment components of CRS if the plan sponsor desires, or the solution's open architecture allows the target-date fund to use any combination of active or passive managers. In fact, most of the new business is from plans that are replacing single-manager target-date mutual-funds with the more flexible approach of CRS. The customizable elements of CRS go far beyond just asset allocation. ABDC consults with each client on aspects ranging from communication strategies and operational support to legal and regulatory compliance, tailoring the implementation strategy to the unique needs of each plan. "Many sponsors view customization purely as modifying the glide path and asset allocation to match plan demographics. This is important, but it's only the starting point," said Richard A. Davies, ABDC's Head of Product Strategy. "We're seeing more and more plans that want to use specific managers--both active and passive--for each asset class. They want to tailor asset management to their needs using their existing core DC options or managers from their DB plans, and they usually incorporate institutional vehicles to reduce expenses." In addition, AllianceBernstein can work with any recordkeeper to make the implementation and ongoing operations of CRS seamless and easy. In fact, CRS has already been implemented on six major recordkeeper's platforms. ABDC continues to enhance CRS, planning to introduce a secure lifetime income solution that will also offer flexible, multi-insurer capabilities. ABDC recently lowered minimum plan asset size for CRS to $50 million, broadening its reach. The rapid growth and popularity of CRS in many industries demonstrates that plan sponsors appreciate its flexible nature. ABDC is a business unit of AllianceBernstein that offers a full range of solutions to meet the needs of DC plan sponsors and participants. For more information on Customized Retirement Strategies and AllianceBernstein Defined Contribution Investments, please go to http://www.abdc.com/. SOURCE: AllianceBernstein Defined Contribution Investments About AllianceBernstein AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional clients, individuals and private clients in major markets around the world. AllianceBernstein employs more than 500 investment professionals with expertise in growth equities, value equities, fixed income securities, blend strategies and alternative investments and, through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, operates in more than 20 countries. AllianceBernstein's research disciplines include fundamental research, quantitative research, economic research and currency forecasting capabilities. Through its integrated global platform, AllianceBernstein is well-positioned to tailor investment solutions for its clients. AllianceBernstein also offers independent research, portfolio strategy and brokerage-related services to institutional investors. At March 31, 2009, AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. ("Holding") owned approximately 34.3% of the issued and outstanding AllianceBernstein Units. AXA Financial was the beneficial owner of approximately 62.0% of the AllianceBernstein Units at December 31, 2008 (including those held indirectly through its ownership of approximately 1.6% of the issued and outstanding Holding Units) which, including the general partnership interests in AllianceBernstein and Holding, represent an approximate 62.4% economic interest in AllianceBernstein. AXA Financial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA, one of the largest global financial services organizations. Investment Products Offered: Are Not FDIC Insured | May Lose Value | Are Not Bank Guaranteed Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives and policies, sales charges, expenses, risks and other matters of importance before investing in any AllianceBernstein mutual fund. For a free copy of any Fund's prospectus, which contains this and other information, call AllianceBernstein Investments at (800) 227-4618. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest. AllianceBernstein Defined Contribution Investments is a unit of AllianceBernstein L.P. and AllianceBernstein Investments, Inc. is an affiliate of AllianceBernstein L.P. and member FINRA. (C)2009 AllianceBernstein L.P. DATASOURCE: AllianceBernstein CONTACT: Jennifer DeLong, +1-212-969-6689, Web Site: http://www.abdc.com/

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