An improved process for producing resin particles by a bead suspension polymerization reaction, and a polymer formed by the process wherein the process comprises: providing a liquid reaction medium suitable for conducting the polymerization; forming a suspension agent system in the reaction medium by an in situ interaction of at least two components in the reaction medium, for example, certain water soluble metal halides and polyvinylacetate derived polymers; adding at least one polymerizable monomer compound to the resulting reaction medium having the suspension agent system dispersed therein; and effecting polymerization of the monomer in the reaction medium to form low ash content beads of the polymer.A second embodiment comprises conducting a bead suspension polymerization process utilizing the suspension agent system formed in situ to limit the amount of fine particles of less than about 100 microns produced during the process comprising: providing a reaction medium suitable for conducting the polymerization in the reaction system; utilizing a suspension agent system which is appropriate for forming polymer beads having a desired size and for minimizing fine particle formation; adding at least one polymerizable monomer compound to the resulting reaction medium having the suspension agent system dispersed therein; effecting polymerization of the monomer in the reaction medium to form the beads of the polymer; and separating resin particles from the reaction followed by optional washing and drying.