MassMutual Announces Sponsorship of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association

SPRINGFIELD, MA--(Marketwire - September 14, 2009) - Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced that it has become a major Program Sponsor of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) in Northern California. The sponsorship, for $25,000, sets MassMutual as a Program Sponsor for the organization which focuses on educating the public about public policy and fostering future leaders from Asian American minority communities to serve at federal, state and local levels. APAPA is a dynamic organization with a diverse membership representing all communities throughout California and around the nation.

"We have been working very diligently to develop connections and service to the Asian American communities, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area," said Robert Fakhimi, CEO of the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency, a MassMutual office. "This community is very substantial here and we have set up two offices to focus on this population. We also have Asian American agents who work directly with the Asian population. We are thrilled to be able to participate and support the important programs that APAPA develops."

"This sponsorship contribution from MassMutual is much appreciated and shows their commitment and support of our efforts and goals," said Joel Wong, president, Bay Area APAPA Council.

MassMutual will be making a formal sponsorship presentation to APAPA officers at the Second Annual Voters Education and Candidates Forum Saturday, September 19 from 2 to 5:30PM at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Many of the potential California candidates for governor will be speaking at the event which is free and open to the public.

For more information about APAPA and the September 19 event, please visit www.apapa.org.

About the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC

As a MassMutual general agency, the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency leverages the resources of a 158-year old, Fortune 500 company with local expertise on helping clients achieve their financial goals. The agency offers a broad range of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, disability income insurance, long-term care insurance, and retirement planning products and services. The Agency is headquartered in Walnut Creek and has additional offices in Fremont, Milpitas, San Francisco and Sacramento.

Robert Fakhimi is CEO and Managing Partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC. Mr. Fakhimi can be reached at 888-803-3631, ext. 320 or by e-mailing him at rfakhimi@finsvcs.com. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, Inc., member SIPC, 2121 N. California Boulevard, Suite 395, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, (925) 979-2300.

About MassMutual

MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has been serving retirement plans for more than 60 years. It offers a full range of products and services for corporate, union, nonprofit and governmental employers' defined benefit, defined contribution and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. It serves approximately one million participants.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

Contact Information: Contact: Erica Zeidenberg 925-631-0553