ARS Partners with SSC to Enhance Guaranteed Income Retirement Products

ARS Teams Up with SSC Technologies for Retirement Income Solutions

Introduction
In an exciting development in the financial services sector, ARS has announced a strategic partnership with SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. This collaboration aims to enhance the distribution and service of ARS’s innovative guaranteed lifetime income solutions for retirement planning. By integrating ARS’s Lifetime Income Builder products with SS&C's Retirement Income Clearing Calculation (RICC) platform, the partnership is set to simplify the retirement landscape for Americans.

Overview of the Partnership
On March 18, 2025, ARS, known for its pioneering solutions designed for the defined contribution market, officially revealed its collaboration with SS&C. The goal is clear: improve access to lifetime income products, ensuring that more individuals can achieve financial security in retirement. The Lifetime Income Builder from ARS offers group fixed indexed annuities with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit—a vital tool for those looking to secure their financial future.

Joe Boan, Chief Distribution Officer at ARS, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating that it will significantly help Americans prepare for retirement. He highlighted that the solutions offered will be user-friendly, providing professionally managed portfolios that participants can control at all times.

The Benefits of RICC Platform Integration
The SSC RICC platform plays a crucial role in this partnership, providing seamless connectivity between recordkeepers, plan providers, and product providers. This enhanced infrastructure is designed to meet the growing demands of the retirement income market more efficiently. Abby Canfield, Chief Operating Officer at ARS, commented on how this integration enables recordkeepers to offer innovative solutions like the Lifetime Income Builder effortlessly. She noted that the platform streamlines fund administration, making it easier for recordkeepers to include these valuable products in their offerings.

Expanding Distribution Opportunities
With this partnership, ARS is set to benefit from expanded distribution opportunities. The Lifetime Income Builder funds will be made available across leading recordkeeping platforms, providing a wider accessibility to those in need of income solutions in retirement. Recordkeepers will be able to add these funds directly through their CUSIPs, thereby uniquely positioning the income solutions within the market.

Michael Rogalski, President of SSC Retirement Solutions, expressed excitement over the addition of ARS’s innovative products to the RICC platform. He remarked on the changing retirement landscape where modern workers seek protected income solutions to prepare for their future. This integration is anticipated to support providers like ARS in broadening access to essential income products without the exhaustive efforts typically required to bring their solutions to market.

About ARS
Founded in 2020, ARS has quickly established itself as a leading company in the design and technology of lifetime income solutions. Their dedicated team, boasting a combined 175 years of industry experience, focuses on addressing the retirement income challenges facing many today. The Lifetime Income Builder, which integrates seamlessly into target date funds, represents a new paradigm in how income is delivered, ensuring that the necessary benefits for retirement planning are both accessible and effective.

About SSC Technologies
SS&C Technologies, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut, is a major global provider of software and services catering to the financial services and healthcare industries. Offering solutions to over 22,000 organizations worldwide, SS&C is renowned for its technological expertise and comprehensive services, which empower firms of all sizes in their operations.

Conclusion
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like that of ARS and SSC highlight the industry's efforts to make retirement planning more efficient and reliable for Americans. With continued innovation in guaranteed income products, the future looks promising for those preparing for retirement.