March 21, 2011 | Business Wire, Inc.

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– New York Life Insurance Company announced today it will donate $100,000 to the relief efforts in Japan.

Ted Mathas, chairman and CEO of New York Life, said, “On behalf of the entire New York Life family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The families caught in the disaster area and the rescue workers who are working valiantly to save lives have been in our thoughts and prayers since we learned of this tragic event. Accordingly, the company will be making a contribution to help alleviate some of the suffering and to help the Japanese people begin to recover from this disaster.”

Mr. Mathas said that New York Life will immediately donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan.

New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States* and one of the largest life insurers in the world. New York Life has the highest possible financial strength ratings from all four of the major credit rating agencies. Headquartered in New York City, New York Life’s family of companies offers life insurance, retirement income, investments and long-term care insurance. New York Life Investments** provides institutional asset management and retirement plan services. Other New York Life affiliates provide an array of securities products and services, as well as institutional and retail mutual funds. Please visit New York Life’s Web site at www.newyorklife.com for more information.

*New York Life is the largest mutual life insurance company based on the Fortune 500, ranked within industries, Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual), Fortune magazine, May 3, 2010.

**New York Life Investments is a service mark used by New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC and its subsidiary, New York Life Investment Management LLC.

New York Life
Terri Wolcott, 212-576-5624
Theresa_M_Wolcott@newyorklife.com
or
Sloane & Company
John Hartz, 857-598-4779
JHartz@sloanepr.com

February 09, 2011 | A.M. Best Company, Inc.

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is completing its exit from group medical insurance, with a portion of its business going to UnitedHealthcare.

Guardian Life has been a regional, niche player in group medical and “marketplace dynamics” have made it increasingly difficult to compete against the large, national health insurers, said Richard Jones, a spokesman for the New York-based Guardian Life, one of the largest mutual life insurers in the United States.

“We didn’t have the scale to compete,” Jones said.

Over the next two years Guardian’s group preferred provider organization business will transition to UnitedHealthcare. Guardian informed its brokers a few weeks ago, Jones said.

The group medical business represents about 1,700 employer plans, mostly small and medium-size employers, and about 42,000 covered employees, he said. Group medical represented 7% of companywide premium in 2010, Jones said.

A spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare (NYSE: UNH) declined to comment on total premium involved in the agreement with Guardian.

Last fall, Principal Financial Group (NYSE: PFG) said it decided to leave the medical insurance business, stopping new sales immediately and gradually moving its existing policyholders to UnitedHealthcare over a three-year period (BestWire, Sept. 30, 2010).

Guardian Life started pulling out of group medical in 1997 and exited about 20 states for this line of business in 2000, Jones said, noting the move wasn’t related to health reform, he said.

The company is focusing on its main business — nonmedical — which includes dental, vision, life and disability. Non-medical currently accounts for 95% of new business sales for the company, Jones said.

Guardian, which has about 100 employes in its group medical area, doesn’t anticipate immediate layoffs, he said.

“It is certainly hoped that as our non-medical area grows it will create opportunities for employees to post for other positions in the company,” Jones said.

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America currently has a Best’s Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior). UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. currently has a Best’s Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent).

(By Fran Matso Lysiak, senior associate editor, BestWeek: fran.lysiak@ambest.com)

January 20, 2011- ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Cambra Aasen was appointed president of the St. Paul, Minnesota-based employee benefits firm Ochs, Inc. She manages the company in partnership with CEO Tom Ochs.

“Cambra is a great fit,” said Ochs. “Her diverse background in underwriting, management, sales and client relations will help move our company toward its goals.”

Ochs, Inc. has a client base composed primarily of public sector employers in Minnesota. The firm also markets group life, disability, long-term care, dental, vision insurance and other benefits-related services to public sector employers across the country.

Aasen joins Ochs, Inc. from Securian Financial Group, where she started in 2001 as a group life insurance case underwriter for Minnesota Life Insurance Company. She was promoted to manager of group case underwriting in 2006. In that role, Aasen worked closely with Ochs, Inc. as the relationship manager for Minnesota Life and developing pricing for clients.

Ochs, Inc. has more than 300 public sector clients in eight states and approximately $44 million of premium under management. Founded in 1943, Ochs, Inc. is located in St. Paul MN. Though it is wholly owned by Securian Financial Group, Inc.,Ochs, Inc. remains an independent distributor operating under its own brand, represents multiple insurance carriers, and markets a variety of products that employers provide as employee benefits. For more information about products and services, visit Ochs, Inc.

DOFU – 10-14-2010

A04359-1010

Securian Financial Group
Maggie Jensen, 651-665-7558

Source: Securian Financial Group

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit ratings of “bbb-” of AmFirst Insurance Company (AmFirst) (Oklahoma City, OK) and Monitor Life Insurance Company of New York (Monitor) (Utica, NY). The outlook for AmFirst’s ratings is stable, and the outlook for Monitor’s ratings has been revised to stable from negative.

“Understanding BCAR for Life and Health Insurers”

AmFirst closed on its acquisition of Monitor on January 1, 2011. The revised outlook on Monitor Life reflects its expected reduced administrative cost burden as part of AmFirst, its projected premium and earnings growth, as well as capital support from its new parent. Subsequent to the acquisition, the company had an immediate capital infusion of approximately $600,000 in order to bring capital and surplus to acceptable levels for all state minimum requirements. AmFirst also received a contribution of capital from its owners of about $2 million at year-end 2010. Both of these infusions evidence management’s commitment to maintain appropriate capital based on business growth and regulatory requirements.

Monitor’s acquisition will immediately allow AmFirst to begin writing business in 13 states where it was not previously licensed. Monitor will commence its premium production by assuming supplemental medical premiums from AmFirst and its reinsurance partners, and will be filing with regulators to write AmFirst’s existing products. In addition, the group will begin quoting Monitor’s group term life insurance in conjunction with its supplemental medical and dental products.

The affirmation of AmFirst’s ratings recognizes the closing of its strategic initiative to acquire Monitor, which was initiated in June 2010. The acquisition also allows AmFirst to expand its demographic reach in which it markets its supplemental medical products and will add some diversification to its product mix. AmFirst did not incur any debt related to the purchase of Monitor and has exhibited consistent positive capital trends and operating performance in recent periods. A.M. Best will continue to monitor the strategic and financial impact of the acquisition on the group going forward.

The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology — Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Edition, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and highlights the different rating criteria employed. Additional key criteria utilized include: “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Understanding BCAR for Life and Health Insurers”; “Rating Members of Insurance Groups”; and “Assessing Country Risk.” Methodologies can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

BOSTON, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — John Hancock Life Insurance today announced the launch of a new current assumption life insurance product—Protection UL.

Protection UL offers a premium often lower than leading lifetime guaranteed universal life policies while also providing the opportunity for cash value growth potential.

“With interest rates staying near historic all time lows, we have seen the industry product cycle shifting away from lifetime guaranteed universal life products. At John Hancock, we see this as an opportunity to provide a new product that can deliver more value to the consumer,” said Steve Finch, President, John Hancock Life Insurance. “Our low-cost Protection UL product offers important flexibility through cash values as well as the opportunity for policy performance to improve if crediting rates later increase. At the same time, the policy offers consumers the certainty of a minimum period of coverage. In total, we think this is a compelling package in the marketplace.”

The new Protection UL demonstrates John Hancock’s commitment to offering products that provide real value and respond to the needs of today’s consumers. Protection UL is backed by a financially strong company that has been providing economic security for families and businesses for more than 140 years.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients worldwide have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients around the world. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$474 billion (US$460 billion) as at September 30, 2010. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ’945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. JohnHancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

Protection UL policies automatically include a no-lapse guarantee called Death Benefit Protection. This feature guarantees that the policy will not default, even if the cash surrender value falls to zero or below, provided that the Death Benefit Protection Value remains greater than zero and policy debt never exceeds the Policy Value. Policyholders who pay only the minimum premium required to keep the Death Benefit Protection in effect may forego the advantage of building significant cash value in this policy. The no-lapse guarantee under the Death Benefit Protection has a maximum duration to age 121. The duration of the no-lapse guarantee coverage may be less, depending upon the funding level chosen by the policyholder. The NLG duration is stated in the contract and reflected in the illustration’s guaranteed net death benefit column. At the end of the NLG duration, premiums greater than those originally illustrated may be required to maintain coverage. Factors such as, but not limited to, the amount and timing of premium payments, loans, withdrawals, or any other change allowed under the contract could potentially terminate the no-lapse guarantee. Once terminated, the Death Benefit Protection feature cannot be reinstated.

Guaranteed product features are dependent upon the claims-paying ability of the issuer.

Insurance policies and/or associated riders and features may not be available in all states. Some riders may have additional fees and expenses associated with them.

Insurance products are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.

SOURCE John Hancock Life Insurance

http://www.wholesaleinsurance.net/

Trans World Assurance Company Enters 50th Year of Service to Military
— Trans World Assurance Company is proud to announce that it is entering its 50th year serving those in the Armed Services. The California-based company was founded in 1962 and has grown over the years to be one of the most solid and financially sound insurance companies in America.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 28, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its commitment to educate participants, plan sponsors, and advisors, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has published a white paper entitled “Roth Retirement Plan Conversions – Questions and Answers.” Effective September 27, 2010, the President signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 allowing participants who are in a retirement plan that offers Roth accounts the ability to convert or rollover their non-Roth account balances into a Roth source under the same plan, provided the participant has a distributable event (i.e. termination of service or in-service withdrawal provision, excluding hardship).

The recently published white paper answers the most common questions around converting 401(k), 403(b), and starting in 2011, 457(b) governmental plans into Roth accounts. Written by Dean Carey, MassMutual Retirement Services Division’s head of ERISA Advisory Services, it reviews the benefits and tax implications of the new law to help participants, plan sponsors and advisors understand some of the intricacies of converting to a Roth plan.

“MassMutual is committed to being a valuable source of information to our clients. We frequently publish white papers and host online seminars to bring clarity to the ever-changing world of retirement services regulation,” says Dean Carey, assistant vice president and head of ERISA Advisory Services for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division. “We understand regulations can be complicated, making it difficult to understand the complex manner in which retirement plans can be affected. We’re dedicated to working with our advisors and plan sponsors to get participants the information they need to make good decisions for their retirement futures.”

For more information about MassMutual Retirement Services or to obtain a copy of the white paper, please contact your MassMutual sales representative or MassMutual’s advisor support team at 1-866-444-2601.

About MassMutual

MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has been serving retirement plans for more than 60 years. It offers a full range of products and services for corporate, union, nonprofit and governmental employers’ defined benefit, defined contribution and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. It serves approximately 1.2 million participants.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders.  The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such aslife insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) [of which Retirement Services is a division] and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered inSpringfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit massmutual.com.

Copyright © 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and affiliates, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.

All rights reserved.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacific Life Insurance Company continues to lead the competition in the sale of indexed universal life insurance (Indexed UL). Industry sales surveys from LIMRA International¹ and AnnuitySpecs.com² ranked the company number one in Indexed UL sales for the third quarter of 2010.

“Indexed UL offers an attractive balance between the upside potential of the equities markets without direct participation and the protection of the product’s minimum interest rate floors”

Pacific Life Insurance Company has been the top seller of IUL for five out of the past six quarters, according to LIMRA International. For seven out of the past eight quarters, Pacific Indexed Accumulator III³ has been named the top selling IUL product among the companies surveyed by AnnuitySpecs.com.

“Indexed UL offers an attractive balance between the upside potential of the equities markets without direct participation and the protection of the product’s minimum interest rate floors,” said Alyce Peterson, vice president of marketing services for the Life Insurance Division of Pacific Life. “Today’s clients seem to appreciate this strategy, so we continue to develop new features for this product line to help meet their needs.”

Life insurance professionals can learn more about opportunities for their clients through Pacific Life’s top-selling Indexed UL products by contacting their Pacific Life representative or calling 866-722-9555.

About Pacific Life

Offering insurance since 1868, Pacific Life provides a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. Pacific Life counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as its clients.⁴ For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit Pacific Life online at www.PacificLife.com.

1. LIMRA International, Q3, 2010 Confidential Sales Survey of Participating Life Insurance Companies. Sales rankings are based on recurring premium as measured against 83 participating companies. “Recurring premium” measures expected annual premiums, which can be greater than the target premium.

2. AnnuitySpecs.com, Advantage Index Sales & Market Report, 3rd Quarter, 2010. Ranking based on target premium for 37 reporting indexed life insurance companies providing product level sales data.

3. Policy form #P08PI3. The policy does not directly participate in any stock or equity investments.

4. Client count as of April 2010 is compiled by Pacific Life using the 2010 FORTUNE 500® list.

Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company, and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Insurance products are issued by Pacific Life Insurance Company in all states except New York, and in New York by Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Product availability and features may vary by state. Each company is solely responsible for the financial obligations accruing under the products it issues. Product and rider guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing company. The home office for Pacific Life is located in Newport Beach, California.