The Newport Group, a leading provider of retirement and executive benefit plans, has been recognized for excellence in retirement plan communications and technology by Dalbar, the nation’s leading financial services benchmarking firm.

Dalbar has named both the plan sponsor and participant versions of Newport’s proprietary client website plandestination.com among the top ten sites in the industry for overall customer service experience for the 12th consecutive time. In addition, the firm has again awarded its Seal of Excellence for Communications to both the plan sponsor and participant versions of plandestination.com—making Newport one of only three companies to be so honored in 2012.

Dalbar regularly monitors communication vehicles throughout the industry—noting trends, spotlighting best practices and publishing the results of its findings. The firm awards its Seal of Excellence for Communications to print and electronic communications for outstanding achievement in content, design and usability.

In its recent survey of the nation’s largest retirement plan providers’ websites, Dalbar cited Newport as an industry leader for its information-sharing, account access and transactional capabilities, and noted that plandestination.com offers one of the widest ranges of targeted messaging and content management capabilities available.

“Newport is committed to providing an industry-leading client experience,” said Eric Brickman, Newport Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions. “We do this by incorporating the latest innovations in technology and web design as well as direct feedback from our clients and intermediaries. This recognition from Dalbar I particularly welcome because it shows that we’re continuing to build on our leadership position in the industry.”

About The Newport Group

Founded in 1984, The Newport Group is a leading retirement services firm—specializing in the creative design and administration of retirement and executive benefit plans. Through its innovative and customized solutions, Newport is uniquely positioned to satisfy the distinct financial needs of employers and employees, and has done so for hundreds of the country’s largest and best-known companies.

Newport is headquartered in Heathrow (Orlando) FL, with service centers in Charlotte NC, Dallas TX, Greensboro NC, La Crosse WI, Orlando, FL, Richmond VA, and St. Petersburg FL. Newport also has offices in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York NY, San Francisco, and St. Louis MO. For more information, visit www.newportgroup.com.