ING Insurance US has appointed Maliz Beams as new CEO of ING Retirement, overseeing its employer-sponsored retirement plan business, ING Retirement Services, and retail retirement business, ING Individual Retirement.

In this role, Beams will be responsible for linking these two ING units to create a retirement operation that meets the dynamic needs of institutional and individual customer groups.

Beams, who will be based in ING’s Connecticut and Braintree, Massachusetts offices, will report to Rob Leary, president and chief operating officer of ING US.

Beams will be focused on growing ING’s existing defined contribution business; building relationships with individuals who seek retirement support and guidance both within and outside of workplace plans; and delivering on operational performance goals as ING Group prepares for an initial public offering (IPO) of its US-based retirement, insurance and investment management businesses.

Beams will join ING with 30 years of diverse experience in the financial services industry, spanning institutional, high net worth and retail markets across asset management, retirement and banking sectors.

Most recently, Beams served as president and CEO of TIAA-CREF’s Individual and Institutional Services. She also held leadership roles at Zurich Scudder Investments, Fleet Financial and American Express.