PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Standard has been ranked the number one retirement plan provider in terms of overall client satisfaction in Boston Research Group's 2007 survey of plan sponsors with $5 million or less in plan assets. Eighty-six percent of The Standard's clients indicated they were "very satisfied" with their overall relationship.

In the independent survey, Defined Contribution Provider 2007, 1,475 plan sponsor respondents anonymously rated their satisfaction with their provider services across several individual categories, such as participant statements, sponsor and participant websites, performance of investments, value added for cost, and customer service. In addition, the survey measured satisfaction with a provider's ability to partner effectively, provide innovative solutions, understand the customer's needs, and how easy the provider is to do business with.

This is the second time in the past four years that The Standard has achieved the overall number one satisfaction ranking in the survey. The Standard has annually been ranked as a top-five provider for overall satisfaction since it began participating in the survey in 2004.

"We continue to commit ourselves to the highest service standards in the retirement plans industry," said Kent Buckles, vice president of sales, marketing and advisory services. "Our consistent high ranking each year in the Boston Research Survey is a testament to that."

The Standard was rated first among 25 other major retirement plan providers participating in the survey. Survey respondents were identified using Form 5500 filings to provide statistically reliable samples.

The Standard has provided retirement plan services for more than 70 years. Full and record keeping-only services are available on a trust platform in all states and a group annuity platform in all states except New York. The Standard promotes a participant-centric approach with services such as Mainspring Managed, its managed account option for plan participants. For more information on The Standard's retirement services, visit http://retirement.standard.com.

About The Standard

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. ("StanCorp") (NYSE: SFG) through its subsidiaries marketed as The Standard -- Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, StanCorp Mortgage Investors, StanCorp Investment Advisers, StanCorp Real Estate, StanCorp Equities, and StanCorp Trust Company -- is a leading provider of financial products and services. The Standard serves approximately 8.2 million customers nationwide as of June 30, 2007, with group and individual disability insurance, group life and dental insurance, retirement products and services and investment advice. For more information about The Standard, visit http://www.standard.com.

Disclosure

StanCorp Equities, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, distributes group variable annuity and group annuity contracts issued by Standard Insurance Company and may provide other brokerage services. Third party administrative services are provided by Standard Retirement Services, Inc. Investment advisory services are provided by StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., a registered investment advisor. StanCorp Equities, Inc., Standard Insurance Company, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., and StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc are subsidiaries of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and all are Oregon corporations.

SOURCE Standard Insurance Company

CONTACT:
Product Information
Kent Buckles
Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Advisory Services
971.321.6002
kbuckles@standard.com

Corporate Information
Jodi Jordan
Director of Public Affairs
971.321.7405
jjordan@standard.com

Investor Relations and Financial Media
Jeff Hallin
Second Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning
971.321.6127
jhallin@standard.com

Web site: http://www.standard.com