Lincoln Employer Markets Launches 401 Managed Accounts Option From Morningstar Associates

CHICAGO, July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Morningstar, Inc. , a leading provider of independent investment research, and Lincoln National Corporation today announced that Lincoln Employer Markets, a division of Lincoln Financial Group, has launched Morningstar(R) Retirement Manager(SM), including Morningstar Associates' 401(k) managed accounts service. This offering enhances Morningstar Associates' guidance service already available to the Lincoln Alliance(R) and Lincoln SmartFuture(SM) retirement programs by adding a discretionary account management service option called Managed by Morningstar.

"Many participants are overwhelmed by investment choices and this can lead to them not enrolling in their company's retirement plan," said Cindy King, head of product for Lincoln Employer Markets retirement programs. "With Morningstar Retirement Manager, plan participants will automatically have the guidance and knowledge they need to help better prepare for retirement."

With Morningstar Retirement Manager, participants receive a personalized retirement strategy, including a retirement income goal assessment, recommended savings rate, and construction of an appropriate portfolio strategy based on a participant's goals and personal situation. Participants who enroll in the managed account service will also benefit from automatic investment selection, ongoing account monitoring, and quarterly progress reports to help them track their advancement toward their goals.

"During this time of economic uncertainty, it's important to remember that it is possible to be a successful investor if you focus on long-term goals," said Patrick Reinkemeyer, president of Morningstar Associates. "Continuing to save in a diversified portfolio can make all the difference. We have seen that participants enrolled in our managed account service save more, are better diversified, and improve their chances of having adequate income during their retirement years."

Mutual funds in the Lincoln SmartFuture program are sold by prospectus. An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses of the investment company before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information and should be read carefully before investing or sending money. Investment values will fluctuate with changes in market conditions, so that upon withdrawal, your investment may be worth more or less than the amount originally invested. Prospectuses of any of the mutual funds in the Lincoln SmartFuture program are available at 800.234.3500.

Mutual funds used in the Lincoln Alliance(R) program are sold by prospectus. An investor should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the investment company before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information and should be read carefully before investing or sending money. Investment values will fluctuate with changes in market conditions, so that upon withdrawal, your investment may be worth more or less than the amount originally invested. For a prospectus, please contact your Lincoln professional.

About Morningstar, Inc. and Morningstar Associates, LLC.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of Internet, software, and print-based products and services for individuals, financial advisors, and institutions. Morningstar provides data on more than 270,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles. The company has operations in 18 countries and minority ownership positions in companies based in three other countries. For more information about Morningstar, visit http://www.morningstar.com/.

Advisory services are offered through Morningstar Associates, LLC, a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. As of March 31, 2008, Morningstar Associates' retirement services were available to more than 8 million people through approximately 76,000 retirement plan sponsors and 22 plan providers.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. With headquarters in Philadelphia, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $225 billion as of March 31, 2008. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. Affiliates also include: Delaware Investments, the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries; and Lincoln UK. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit http://www.lincolnfinancial.com/.