ING U.S. Retirement Services is focusing new attention on employer-sponsored higher education retirement plans by forming a new business development team focused on this segment of the 403(b) defined contribution market.

The Windsor, Conn.-based financial services firm said the emphasis comes as the segment undergoes great change.

Brian Comer

“The increased responsibility placed on higher education employers and the growing consolidation among plan providers in the wake of the 403(b) regulations has set the stage for tremendous change in the marketplace,” said Brian Comer, president of public markets for ING U.S. Retirement Services. “With this new team, ING is elevating its long-standing commitment to higher education institutions by strengthening relationships with existing customers and proactively forging new partnerships.”

The members of ING’s new Higher Education Business Development Team include Kevin Brown, a senior vice president who will work to broaden ING’s national focus on public and private higher education institutions. He has worked as chief counsel and head of external affairs, overseeing ING’s state and federal affairs group, after holding executive positions in ING’s law department and with the former Aetna U.S. Healthcare.

In the higher education market, ING serves more than 1,300 plans and 91,000 participants across all 50 states. It is also a provider for 15 government-sponsored retirement plans offered to state university systems.

ING’s U.S. Retirement Services is a core component of ING’s global insurance operations. The business holds top rankings in the defined contribution industry with more than 52,000 plan sponsors, about 7 million plan participants, and more than $235 billion in combined assets under administration and management.