The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. has initiated an enhanced awards program for third-party administrators (TPAs), who use its Guardian Choice and Guardian Advantage group retirement products.

The subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America announced that the new program, effective Jan. 1, features an upgraded annual award as well as a new marketing allowance feature.

The new marketing allowance award commences with the first plan sold with at least $250,000 of takeover assets and the upgraded annual award applies to both start-up and takeover plans when they reach at least $250,000 in assets at the end of their contract year, according to the company.

“We’ve designed our retirement products to provide the resources, support and efficiency needed by today’s plan sponsors,” said Scott Dolfi, Guardian’s executive vice president of retirement solutions, in a statement.  “While this new awards program is a welcome enhancement to a TPA’s business model, we know that the primary concern is making sure clients have a top-quality product provider.”