SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) has signed a pension transfer agreement to provide group annuities to nearly 11,000 PPG retirees that will reduce PPG's pension obligations.

The agreement is part of a larger pension transfer that PPG has undertaken for a total of 13,400 current retirees covered under plans for either salaried or non-union hourly workers, or their survivors.

For the 11,000 salaried plan retirees, MassMutual and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. (MetLife) are each providing 50 percent of the monthly benefits. MassMutual will administer the entire benefit payable to each salaried plan retiree. MetLife will pay its portion of the benefits through an administration agreement with MassMutual. MassMutual will begin making payments to these retirees beginning on Sept. 1, 2016.

"We look forward to serving PPG's retirees, who can be assured that their pensions are secure with MassMutual, a mutual insurer that puts the interests of our policyholders first," said Keith McDonagh, Senior Vice President and head of MassMutual's Institutional Solutions businesses. "MassMutual has been providing for and protecting the retirements of Americans for more than 65 years. Today, we serve the retirement plan needs of approximately three million defined benefit and defined contribution plan participants."

MassMutual group annuities are backed by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, which is rated A++ by A.M. Best (Superior, top category of 15) and AA+ by Standard & Poor's (Very Strong, second category of 21), AA+ by Fitch Ratings (Very Strong, second category of 21), and Aa2 by Moody's Investors Service (Excellent, third category of 21).

"As more companies look to shift their pension liabilities off their balance sheets, they are seeking financially strong insurers with a long track record of administering pension plans," he said. "MassMutual continues to help companies manage their liabilities and administer their pensions."

PPG: We Protect and Beautify the World(TM)

At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.3 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

About MassMutual

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives.

Contact: David Potter
860-562-1525
dpotter@massmutual.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/massmutual-signs-pension-transfer-agreement-with-ppg-300291219.html

SOURCE MassMutual Financial Group