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Staying the Course:Reacting to the current financial climate

Insurance products, annuities, and retirement plan funding issued by (third party administrative services may also be provided by) ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (Windsor, CT). Securities are distributed by ING Financial Advisers, LLC (member SIPC), Windsor, CT or through other broker-dealers with which it has selling agreements. Annuities may also be issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY). Variable annuities issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company are distributed by ING Financial Advisers, LLC. Variable annuities issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York are distributed by Directed Services, LLC. Only ING Life Insurance Annuity Company and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York are admitted and issue products in the state of New York. All companies are members of the ING family of companies. © 2008 ING North America Insurance Corporation. ELC.M.P.MS.904 C08-1023-007R (10/08) Not FDIC Insured \ Not NCUA/NCUSIF insured \ May Lose Value \ No Bank Guarantee \ No Credit Union Guarantee



Insurance products, annuities, and retirement plan funding issued by (third party administrative services may also be provided by) ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (Windsor, CT). Securities are distributed by ING Financial Advisers, LLC (member SIPC), Windsor, CT or through other broker-dealers with which it has selling agreements. Annuities may also be issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (Des Moines, IA). Variable annuities issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company and are distributed by Directed Services, LLC. All companies are members of the ING family of companies. © 2008 ING North America Insurance Corporation. ELC.M.P.MS.904 C08-1023-007R (10/08) Not FDIC Insured \ Not NCUA/NCUSIF insured \ May Lose Value \ No Bank Guarantee \ No Credit Union Guarantee



Securities and [financial planning] offered through ING Financial Advisers, LLC (member SIPC), One Orange Way, Windsor, CT, 09095-4774. © 2008 ING North America Insurance Corporation. ELC.M.P.MS.904 C08-1023-007R (10/08)Not FDIC Insured \ Not NCUA/NCUSIF insured \ May Lose Value \ No Bank Guarantee \ No Credit Union Guarantee



Recordkeeping and Plan administrative services provided by ING Institutional Plan Services, LLC © 2008 ING North America Insurance Corporation. ELC.M.P.MS.904 C08-1023-007R (10/08)Not FDIC Insured \ Not NCUA/NCUSIF insured \ May Lose Value \ No Bank Guarantee \ No Credit Union Guarantee



Framewor(k) and (k)Choice Recordkeeping and Plan administrative services provided by ING Institutional Plan Services, LLC Mutual funds offered through ING Financial Advisers, LLC (member SIPC)© 2008 ING North America Insurance Corporation. ELC.M.P.MS.904 C08-1023-007R (10/08)Not FDIC Insured \ Not NCUA/NCUSIF insured \ May Lose Value \ No Bank Guarantee \ No Credit Union Guarantee

Important Information

Variable annuities, group annuities, or funding agreements are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes. If withdrawals are taken prior to age 59½, an IRS 10% premature distribution penalty tax may apply. Money taken from the annuity will be taxed as ordinary income in the year the money is distributed. An annuity does not provide any additional tax deferral benefit, as tax deferral is provided by the plan. Annuities may be subject to additional fees and expenses to which other tax-qualified funding vehicles may not be subject. However, an annuity does provide other features and benefits, such as lifetime income payments and death benefits, which may be valuable to you.

Variable investments , of any kind, are not guaranteed and are subject to investment risk including the possible loss of principal. The investment return and principal value of the security will fluctuate so that when redeemed, it may be worth more or less than the original investment. In addition, there is no guarantee that any variable investment option will meet its stated objective.

For 403(b)(1) annuities, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) generally prohibits withdrawals of 403(b) salary reduction contributions and earnings on such contributions prior to death, disability, age 59½, severance of employment, or financial hardship. Amounts held in a 403(b)(1) annuity as of 12/31/1988 are “grandfathered” and are not subject to these restrictions. For 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, the IRC generally prohibits withdrawals of any contributions and attributable earnings prior to death, disability, age 59½, severance of employment, or financial hardship. For both 403(b)(1) annuities and 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, the amount available for hardship is limited to the lesser of the amount necessary to relieve the hardship, or the account value as of 12/31/1988, plus the amount of any salary reduction contributions made after 12/31/1988 (exclusive of any earnings).

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the investment options carefully before investing. Fund prospectuses contain this and other information and can be obtained by contacting your local ING representative. Please read carefully before investing.


Variable annuities, group annuities, or funding agreements are long-term investments designed for retirement purposes. If withdrawals are taken prior to age 59½, an IRS 10% premature distribution penalty tax may apply. Money taken from the annuity will be taxed as ordinary income in the year the money is distributed. An annuity does not provide any additional tax deferral benefit, as tax deferral is provided by the plan. Annuities may be subject to additional fees and expenses to which other tax-qualified funding vehicles may not be subject. However, an annuity does provide other features and benefits, such as lifetime income payments and death benefits, which may be valuable to you.

Variable investments , of any kind, are not guaranteed and are subject to investment risk including the possible loss of principal. The investment return and principal value of the security will fluctuate so that when redeemed, it may be worth more or less than the original investment. In addition, there is no guarantee that any variable investment option will meet its stated objective.

For 403(b)(1) annuities, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) generally prohibits withdrawals of 403(b) salary reduction contributions and earnings on such contributions prior to death, disability, age 59½, severance of employment, or financial hardship. Amounts held in a 403(b)(1) annuity as of 12/31/1988 are “grandfathered” and are not subject to these restrictions. For 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, the IRC generally prohibits withdrawals of any contributions and attributable earnings prior to death, disability, age 59½, severance of employment, or financial hardship. For both 403(b)(1) annuities and 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, the amount available for hardship is limited to the lesser of the amount necessary to relieve the hardship, or the account value as of 12/31/1988, plus the amount of any salary reduction contributions made after 12/31/1988 (exclusive of any earnings).

All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company, who is solely responsible for all obligations under its policies.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges, and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The prospectuses for the variable annuity and underlying investment options contain this and other information. You may obtain free prospectuses by calling your financial professional or 800-366-0066. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing.


You should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the investment options carefully before investing. Fund prospectuses contain this and other information and can be obtained by contacting your local ING representative. Please read carefully before investing.

What We’ll Cover

Financial RollercoasterFinancial RollercoasterWhat’s happening?

Tips for Staying focusedTips for Staying focusedDollar-Cost AveragingAsset AllocationDiversification

Where Do I Go From Here?Where Do I Go From Here?

Top Retirement BloopersTop Retirement BloopersDon’t make these mistakes!

Financial Roller Coaster

Is this cause for concern?

A realization that market volatility is a way of life?

Most likely, a bit of both.Most likely, a bit of both.

Recent volatility of the stock market:

How Did We Get Here?

Where within your portfolio did you incur the losses?

Was your account properly diversified? Were you focusing on certain asset classes and overlooking others?

Were your stock holdings broadly diversified by:

Size (small-, mid and large-cap stocks)

Style (value and growth)

Sector (retail, energy, utilities, etc.)

Gaining insight into what’s going on in the marketplace. Questions to ponder...

• Have a destination; set your goal

• Specify your time frame

• Prioritize objectives

• Make periodic direction checks

4

Staying Focused

The ups and downs of the market cycle

This chart depicts a rising and falling market period. There are risks in buying high and selling low. Those who only try to invest at the “perfect time” can never truly predict the way things will go.

Investing Through Dollar Cost Averaging S

har

e P

rice

$5

$8$8

$6$6

$10

5

10

January$100 10

March$100 16.6

April$100 12.5

May$100 12.5

June$100 16.6

February$100 20

Month:Investment:

Shares:

7

8

6

9

Total Investment: $600 Total Shares Purchased: 88.2

Average Cost per Share: $6.80 Average Market Price per Share: $7.16(From previous example)

Dollar cost averaging/Systematic Investment plan does not ensure a profit nor guarantee against loss. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue their purchases through periods of low price levels. The hypothetical investment results are for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed a representation of past or future results. This example does not represent any specific product, nor does it reflect sales charges or other expenses that may be required for some investments.

Making a One-time Investment

$10

$6Sh

are

Pri

ce

5

10

January$600 60

March$0 0

April$0 0

May$0 0

June$0 0

February$0 0

Month:Investment:

Shares:

7

8

6

9

Total Investment: $600 Total Shares Purchased: 60

Average Cost per Share: $10.00 Average Market Price per Share: $7.16(From previous example)

Dollar cost averaging/Systematic Investment plan does not ensure a profit nor guarantee against loss. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue their purchases through periods of low price levels. The hypothetical investment results are for illustrative purposes only and should not be deemed a representation of past or future results. This example does not represent any specific product, nor does it reflect sales charges or other expenses that may be required for some investments. A lump sum investment fluctuates with market conditions and does not ensure future returns.

What a Difference a Year Can Make!

Timing of Returns Can Be More Important than Average ReturnsTiming of Returns Can Be More Important than Average Returns

Ed, who retired at the end of 1972 immediately faced two years of heavy market declines, which were compounded by his annual withdrawals of an inflation adjusted amount of $12,500 per year or 5% of his original $250k portfolio. As a result, it took only 17 years – until 1989 – for Ed to deplete his portfolio.

Dan, who retired one year later, at the end of 1973, and maintained the same investment and annual withdrawal plan as Ed, had a completely different experience. Although he was spared the stock market’s 1973 decline, he otherwise experienced the same conditions as Ed. As insignificant as this one year may seem, it made all the difference to these hypothetical retirees. Unlike Ed, Dan has watched his portfolio grow.

This illustration is used with permission from Van Kampen.

Stocks are represented by the Standard and Poor’s 500© Index (S&P 500). The Standard and Poor’s 500© Index (S&P 500) is a broad-based index, the performance of which is based on the performance of 500 widely-held common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. The index does not include product expenses, fees or sales charges, which would lower performance. The index is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Withdrawals are adjusted for inflation so that the current real value of the money withdrawn each year is $12,500. Withdrawals are made at the beginning of each year and are hypothetical examples. All results are shown gross of taxes on capital gains and ordinary income. If taxes were included, returns would be lower. This illustration is not intended to predict the performance of any specific investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Smart Investors Know How Much

Risk They’re Willing to Take.

LowerRisk

Higher

Po

ten

tial

Rew

ard

MODERATE

The lower the risk potential, the less long-term reward

potential

CONSERVATIVE

The higher the risk potential, the higher long-term reward

potential

AGGRESSIVE

Higher

Using diversification as part of an investment strategy neither assures nor guarantees better performance and cannot protect against loss in declining markets.

Smart Investors Know How Much Risk They’re Willing to Take.

Relative Return/Risk Continuum for Sample Asset Classes

Potential risk/reward balance of asset classes

Global/International

Small/Mid/Specialty

Large Cap Growth

Large Cap Value

Stability of Principal

Bonds

Balanced

LowerRISK

Higher

PO

TE

NT

IAL

RE

WA

RD

Higher

Using diversification as part of an investment strategy neither assures nor guarantees better performance and cannot protect against loss in declining markets.


Bond Risk Comparison DisclosureThe value of debt securities may fall when interest rates rise. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter maturities. For all bonds there is a risk that the issuer will default. High-yield bonds generally are more susceptible to the risk of default than higher rated bonds.

Government Bonds (Generally 10 to 30 years in duration)Long term Government Bonds are measured using a one-bond portfolio with a maturity near 20 years. They are guaranteed by the U. S. Government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and fixed principal value.

GrowthGrowth-oriented stocks typically sell at relatively high valuations as compared to other types of stocks. Historically, growth-oriented stocks have been more volatile than value-oriented stocks.

High YieldInvestments in high yield bonds are high risk investments. High yielding fixed-income securities generally are subject to greater market fluctuations and risk of loss of income and principal than are investments in lower yielding fixed-income securities.

InternationalInternational investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation, lower liquidity, political and economic uncertainties, and differences in accounting standards. [Risks of foreign investing are generally intensified for investments in emerging markets.]

Mid Sized Company StocksIn exchange for higher growth potential, investing in stocks of small- and mid-sized companies may entail greater price volatility and less liquidity than investing in stocks of larger companies.

Mid-CapSecurities of mid-sized companies may be more susceptible to price swings and are less liquid than investments in larger companies. Using diversification/asset allocation as part of your investment strategy neither assures nor guarantees better performance and cannot protect against loss in declining markets.

Diversify Between Asset Classes

• An asset class is a category of funds with similar investment objectives and risk profiles.

• Asset class diversification attempts to reduce risk and/ or improve overall return.

• Over time, the variance of returns within an investor’s portfolio primarily depend on the invested asset classes vs. individual fund selection

Source: A landmark study, “Determinants of Portfolio Performance,” by Brinson, Hood and Beebower, presented in Financial Analysts Journal (May –June, 1992), and its update in 1996, showed that asset allocation decisions, far more than any other factor, affected the long-term performance of an investment portfolio.

Asset Class Winners and Losers Historical Performance

HIGHESTRETURN

LOWESTRETURN

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

LargeStocks

LargeStocks

LargeStocks

LargeStocks

LargeStocks

LargeStocks

SmallStocks

SmallStocks

SmallStocks

SmallStocks

SmallStocks

SmallStocks

Int’lStocks

Int’lStocks

Int’lStocks

Int’lStocks

Int’lStocks

Int’lStocks

LT Gov’tBonds

LT Gov’tBonds

LT Gov’tBonds

LT Gov’tBonds

LT Gov’tBonds

LT Gov’tBonds

LargeStocks

30 DayT-Bills

30 DayT-Bills

30 DayT-Bills

30 DayT-Bills

LT Gov’tBonds

SmallStocks

Source: Thomson Financial Company

These unmanaged indexes are not intended to represent specific mutual funds. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Individual results may vary to management fees, transaction costs and taxes. Performance figures do not take into account the fees and expenses of investing in mutual funds or variable products. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Potential Benefits to Diversification

Charting the Growth of $1

Source: Commodity Systems, Inc. (CSI) via Yahoo Finance, September 2008.This chart is for illustration purposes only and represents a hypothetical investment in the S&P 500 Index. This illustration only includes market growth and does not take inflation into account. Such an illustration does not represent the performance of any ING Product. Index performance assumes reinvestment of all income. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance on the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries. An investor cannot directly invest in an index. However, this index accurately reflects the historical performance of the represented assets. Investing involves risks of fluctuating prices and the uncertainties of rates of return and yield inherent in investment. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown.

Staying Focused

Avoid stops & starts: Don’t lose Avoid stops & starts: Don’t lose sight of your sight of your

long-term objectives:long-term objectives:

• Overall investment strategy

• Investment horizon timeline (years until retirement)

• Diversification through asset allocation

• Disciplined investing through dollar-cost averaging

Source: Dalbar, 2008 and Thomson Financial Company. Returns as of 12/31/07. Average Equity Investor returns were calculated by applying the retention rates of investors of mutual funds to the returns of the S&P 500. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index and is not intended to represent specific mutual funds. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Individual results may vary to management fees, transaction costs and taxes. Performance figures do not take into account the fees and expenses of investing in mutual funds or variable products. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. While the S&P 500 Index returned an average of 11.90% per year from January 1986 through December 2005, the typical equity investor earned only 3.90% per year for the same period. Average equity investor returns were calculated by measuring the average amount of time investors held onto their investments. The simple truth: From 1986 through 2005, the average equity investor, invested in S&P 500 funds, consistently pulled out of their investments and adopted more of a short-term investment strategy. This reason alone, may have significantly contributed to their smaller overall returns for this period when compared to the S&P 500 Index.

Investment Returns 1988 - 2007

Don’t Get Caught Chasing ReturnsA Lesson in Patience

Smart Investors Recognize the Mile Markers Towards Success.

Have a Destination Keep Perspective

Don’t Chase Returns

2003 2004 2005 2006

Be Patient

Top Retirement Bloopers

1. You aren’t saving at all for retirementWill Social Security subsidize your retirement needs?

2. You don’t know the first thing about planning for retirement Do you know there are a world of options to help you save for retirement?

3. You aren’t taking full advantage of your options.Will you forgo the potential tax-deferred growth?

4. You aren’t diversified Have you checked the Top 10 holdings of your investmentoptions?

Top Retirement Bloopers (continued)

5. You assume you’ll need less income in retirementUpon reaching retirement, will your lifestyle change?

6. You’re not taking advantage of higher savings limitsDo you know what options you have to save more?

7. You borrowed from your retirement plan when it wasn’t really an emergencyDo you know you’re missing out on potential market growth while paying yourself back?

8. You cashed out your retirement planDid you pay over 35% in taxes including a 10% penalty?

9. You don’t have a retirement income distribution strategyWill you take a lump sum or opt for a systematic payout?

Where Do I Go From Here?

• Determine your true risk tolerance.

• Analyze and rebalance your long-term investment strategy.

• Consider increasing your contributions.

• Remember, rash reactions to losses could lead to decisions that are later regretted.

• Define and reevaluate long-term investment objectives.

• Devise strategies to help achieve your objectives.

Time to Take Action

Learn more at [ingretirementplans.com] [ing.com/us] about Asset Allocation

See your ING [Plan] representative.

Check the Internet.

Contact me today at (XXX) XXX-XXXX

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