INScompanies Blog

The first Partners for Child Passenger Safety Fact and Trend Report, released today, presents recent child passenger safety findings from an ongoing research collaboration between The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Companies®. The report, based on confidential interviews provided by State Farm customers, unearths a startling fact: most motor vehicle crashes that involve children happen where parents feel safest — during everyday routines on local roads.

“Everyone has seen horrific highway crashes on the local evening news, but few may consider the simple fact that the majority of crashes involving children occur on local roads and in parking lots,” states Flaura Winston, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the Children’s Hospital/State Farm report. “Parents must remain vigilant about child passenger safety at all times, using age-appropriate seating and restraints for children 12 and younger. No one is immune from a car crash.”

Crash Course on Auto Accidents Involving Children

Motor vehicle crashes can happen to anyone, any time, anywhere. Tapping into the largest source of data on children in motor vehicle crashes, the PCPS Fact and Trend Report identifies characteristics of crashes involving children. Did you know:

- Eighty percent of crashes took place 20 minutes or less from home
- Nearly three out of four crashes (73 percent) happen between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- More than half of crashes occur at speeds less than 45 MPH
- Only 35 percent of crashes took place at an intersection

While motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children older than age one in the United States, parents can take precautionary, life-saving measures to ensure safe transport of their children. Following the guidelines for age- and size-appropriate restraint can reduce the risk of serious injury by more than three times, according to previously published research from PCPS. And, the combination of rear seating (children age 12 and younger) and restraint use reduces the risk of injury to less than two percent.

“The PCPS Fact and Trend Report serves as a stark reminder that motor vehicle crashes do happen under common and familiar conditions, giving us reasons to constantly put into practice our knowledge of age-appropriate seating and restraints,” says Susan Hood, vice president of claims, State Farm. “Parents must act daily to protect their child, meaning it’s their responsibility to guarantee their child’s safety for every car ride. It could save a child’s life. It could save their child’s life.”

To learn more about protecting children in crashes, visit www.chop.edu/carseat. And to download the complete Partners for Child Passenger Safety Fact and Trend Report, visit www.traumalink.chop.edu.

About Partners for Child Passenger Safety

Partners for Child Passenger Safety is a research collaboration between The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm. As of February 2005, PCPS has created a database containing information on more than 377,000 crashes involving more than 557,000 children from birth through age 15 years. It is the largest source of data on children in motor vehicle crashes.

About State Farm®

State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 76,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or Canada ,statefarm.ca.

About The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric health care professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit www.chop.edu.

Contacts:
State Farm
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
Xochitl Yañez
1-309-766-0625
statefarm.com® Allison Gerber
GolinHarris
1-312-729-4237
agerber@golinharris.com Suzanne Hill
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
1-267-426-6067
hillsu@email.chop.edu  

The arrival of fall marks the beginning of a new football season, a new holiday season and the start of another deer season. The migrating and mating season for deer across the United States usually runs from October through December - a season that proves deadly for many deer and motorists alike every year.

Some states experience more collisions with deer than others. According to claim statistics from State Farm - which insures more vehicles than any other company in the United States - the states with the highest number of accidents involving deer between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005 were:

Pennsylvania
Michigan
Illinois
Ohio
Georgia
Minnesota
Virginia
Indiana
Texas
Wisconsin

Drivers in these states, and all others, who heed some helpful tips, can avoid becoming involved in one of the estimated 1.5 million vehicle-deer collisions that take place across the United States each year. These alarming numbers of accidents kill more than 150 motorists each year and result in more than $1.1 billion in vehicle damage. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report recently revealed that vehicle-animal collisions rose 24 percent in 2000-01 when compared with 1992-93 (NHTSA does not make distinctions on the type of animal).

Even more alarming are recent studies that show the deer population is growing exponentially across the United States. This means deer, many of which are being displaced by urban sprawl, are left wandering as they seek a mate and flee hunters, often leading them on to busy roads.

Several remedies have been proposed and studied to help mitigate the dangers of vehicle-deer collisions. One such study included the use of radar to detect deer movement near roads, and when a deer was detected, an active deer crossing sign was illuminated. Other studies have focused on keeping deer out of the roadway through long runs of eight-foot-tall chain link fencing that keep deer confined and out of the roadway.

“While research has revealed several innovative ways to deter deer from entering the roadways and alerting drivers to the dangers of deer in the area, there will always remain a constant danger of vehicle-deer collisions,” said John Nepomuceno, Research Administrator for State Farm. “Undoubtedly, the best way to avoid deer-vehicle collisions is through attentive driving behavior.”

Driver’s wishing to avoid vehicle-deer collisions should:

Remain aware of posted deer crossing signs. These signs are placed in known active deer crossing areas.

Be aware that deer are most active during the early evening.

At night, use high-beam headlamps as much as possible to illuminate the sides of the road where deer can linger.

Be aware that deer often move in packs - if you see one deer, there is a good chance several more are just a few yards behind.

Do not rely on car-mounted “deer whistles.” Studies have shown deer are not affected by this deterrence method.

If a collision with a deer seems inevitable, it may be best not to swerve. The risk of personal injury is greatly increased by swerving which can place you in the path of oncoming vehicles or may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

By following these simple steps, motorists may avoid becoming involved in deer-vehicle collisions this fall.

About State Farm
State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm’s 17,000 agents and 69,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada . State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.19 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca.

PORTLAND, Ore., May 2 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Insurance Company (”The Standard”), a subsidiary of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFG) announces Preferred Professional Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage for physician groups, designed for the income protection needs of highly- compensated professionals.

Preferred Professional coverage includes options to increase benefit amounts, provide additional benefit coverage, extend benefits duration and add an Own Specialty definition of disability for physicians. A robust Employee Assistance Program is automatically included for groups of 15 - 2,500 employees and a dedicated claims team for professional groups provides expert service.

“Physicians make a significant career investment,” said Jane Hood, vice president of Employee Benefits Marketing. “Preferred Professional coverage offers them the most sought-after group LTD features and benefits, with options they can use to shape a plan that serves their unique financial needs.”

Additional benefit options include: Pension Contribution Benefit, Employer Income Protection Benefit, Dependent Education Benefit, and Family Care Expenses Adjustment. Preferred Professional coverage is for groups of 15 or more; Standard Select coverage is offered for small physician groups of 2 - 15 members.

About StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (”StanCorp”) (NYSE: SFG) through its subsidiaries marketed as The Standard — Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, StanCorp Investment Advisers, StanCorp Equities, Inc., StanCorp Trust Company and StanCorp Mortgage Investors — is a leading provider of financial products and services. The Standard serves approximately 7 million customers nationwide as of December 31, 2005, with group and individual disability insurance, group life and dental insurance, retirement products and services and investment advice. Founded in 1906 as Oregon Life Insurance Company, The Standard is celebrating 100 years of helping people achieve financial security. For more information about The Standard visit http://www.standard.com.

Disclosure

Information in this news release includes certain statements related to projected growth and future events. These statements are “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. See StanCorp’s 2005 annual report on Form 10-K and most recent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of the types of uncertainties and risks that may affect actual results.

Investor Relations and Financial Media
Jeff Hallin
Telephone: (971) 321-6127
E-mail: jhallin@standard.com

Corporate Information
Tiana Tozer
Telephone: (971) 321-7051
E-mail: ttozer@standard.com
Web site: http://www.stancorpfinancial.com

PORTLAND, Ore., March 23 /PRNewswire/ — Standard Insurance Company (”The Standard”), a subsidiary of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFG), has created a new retirement savings tool, Portfolio Progression, for retirement plan participants.

Portfolio Progression creates a personal investment strategy based on a participant’s individual risk tolerance and target retirement age. The service automatically transitions the participant’s retirement portfolio to increasingly conservative allocations between the date of enrollment in the service and the target retirement age. A questionnaire completed by each participant helps determine which of six asset allocations — ranging from very conservative to very aggressive — to choose as a starting portfolio.

“Portfolio Progression is the logical evolution of the age-targeted funds that are popular in today’s marketplace,” said Chris Dugan, manager of retirement plans marketing. “For investors who want a true ‘do-it-for-me’ investment strategy, this is an effective solution. It’s easy, it’s personal, and it’s long term.”

The Portfolio Progression service relies on StanCorp Investment Advisers to manage the fund selection for each portfolio allocation. Enrolling is designed to take only 10 to 15 minutes. There is no fee to use the service.

About The Standard

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (”StanCorp”) (NYSE: SFG) through its subsidiaries marketed as The Standard — Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, StanCorp Investment Advisers, StanCorp Equities, Inc., StanCorp Trust Company and StanCorp Mortgage Investors — is a leading provider of financial products and services. The Standard serves approximately 7.4 million customers nationwide as of December 31, 2005, with group and individual disability insurance, group life and dental insurance, retirement products and services and investment advice. Founded in 1906 as Oregon Life Insurance Company, The Standard is celebrating 100 years of helping people achieve financial security. For more information about The Standard visit www.standard.com.

Disclosure

Information in this news release includes certain statements related to projected growth and future events. These statements are “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. See StanCorp’s 2005 annual report on Form 10-K and most recent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a description of the types of uncertainties and risks that may affect actual results.

03/23/2006

CONTACT:
Product Information,
Chris Dugan, Manager, Retirement Plans Marketing,
503-321-7551, or cdugan@standard.com,
or
Corporate Information,
Tiana Tozer,
Public Relations Specialist,
503-321-7051, or ttozer@standard.com,
or
Investor Relations and Financial Media,
Jeff Hallin, Second Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning,
503-321-6127, or jhallin@standard.com
Web site: http://www.standard.com

Safeco Optimum Package™ endorsement highlights upgrades

SEATTLE – (July 20, 2006) – Safeco (NASDAQ: SAFC), a leading provider of personal auto insurance to more than 3.2 million drivers nationwide, announced today it is introducing a redesigned auto policy aimed at better fitting customers’ lives. 

The new Safeco Auto Policy* is a simple, straightforward offering that covers the needs of today’s typical drivers – including coverage of manufacturer-installed audio/video equipment and children’s car-seat replacement in the event of an accident. Safeco also is including a series of additional coverages customers can select to create a policy that best matches their needs – such as purchase-price replacement for totaled new cars or loan-and-lease coverage for outstanding bank notes on totaled vehicles. 

A Safeco Auto Policy now covers a broader group of customers. For instance, domestic partners and civil-union partners can now be identified as “insureds.” 

A new endorsement offering*, the Safeco Optimum Package™, includes eight bundled coverages aimed at rewarding safe driving and providing extra protection for emergencies, repairs and personal property: 

Diminishing deductible (Reduces collision deductible by $50 every six months, up to $500, as long as the customer has no at-fault accidents)

Electronic lock, ignition and key replacement deductible waiver

Emergency expenses

Personal property coverage

Waiver of adjustment for depreciation

Uninsured motorist property damage deductible waiver

Worldwide rental car physical damage coverage

Non-owned trailer coverage – increased limits

The entire package is available to customers for as little as $5 a month.

“Customers can adapt their coverage to meet their needs rather than buy a one-size-fits-all policy,” says Mike Hughes, executive vice president of Insurance Operations at Safeco. “This flexibility appeals to a wide spectrum of consumers, from the price-sensitive to the value-focused.”

The new auto policy is available today in 14 states, and by year end is expected to be introduced in all 44 states where the company offers personal auto products. The 14 states are: Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota and Utah.

Safeco’s personal auto policies are available to consumers three ways: through a national network of more than 8,500 independent agents, on the Web at www.safeco.com or by telephone at 1-800-4-Safeco.

Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance to drivers, home owners and owners of small- and mid-sized businesses principally through a national network of independent agents and brokers.

Availability of coverage options may vary by state.

Contact: Safeco Media Relations
Paul Hollie, 206/545-3048

NEW YORK and SEATTLE, May 1, 2006 — Assurant, Inc. (“Assurant”) (NYSE: AIZ), a premier provider of specialty insurance and insurance-related products and services, announced today it has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Safeco Financial Institution Solutions, Inc. (“Safeco FIS”), a California corporation and indirect subsidiary of Safeco Corporation (NASDAQ: SAFC). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Safeco FIS is the fourth largest provider of creditor-placed homeowners insurance and direct tracking services for mortgage lenders and servicers nationwide.  Safeco FIS will become part of Assurant’s Specialty Property business segment.  

In addition to Safeco FIS’s approximate $140 million in annual premiums and fees, the acquisition will add complementary distribution and administrative capabilities to Assurant’s Specialty Property business. In connection with the closing of the transaction, Assurant also entered into a reinsurance agreement with certain Safeco insurance companies.

Robert B. Pollock, Assurant’s president and chief executive officer said: “We are very excited about the addition of Safeco FIS to our Assurant Specialty Property business. This transaction strengthens our market leading position in the creditor-placed homeowners market.  We believe this is an excellent deployment of shareholder capital that will assure long-term profitable growth in our business.”

John Owen, president and chief executive officer, Assurant Specialty Property, said: “Safeco FIS aligns well with Assurant Specialty Property’s core capabilities and growth objectives. The combined strength and capabilities of these two market leaders will benefit both companies’ clients enabling Assurant Specialty Property to meet a wide range of needs in the creditor-placed homeowners tracking and outsourcing arena.”

Integration of the Safeco FIS operation into Assurant Specialty Property will begin immediately. “Our businesses are very similar and we share a common customer-centered focus.  The addition of Safeco FIS further strengthens our talented team. Together, we are committed to making this transition seamless to the client,” said Gene Mergelmeyer, president of Assurant Specialty Property’s Lending Solutions business.

“Safeco FIS is pleased to be joining Assurant,” said Mike Campbell, president of Safeco FIS.  “Our customer-focused approach and technological innovation aligns well with Assurant’s business model and will allow us to serve lenders more efficiently and effectively.”

Assurant is financing the transaction through existing cash resources and expects that the transaction will not be material to its financial position or results of operations.

About Safeco Corporation

Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance to drivers, home owners and owners of small- and mid-sized businesses through a national network of independent agents and brokers.

About Assurant

Assurant is a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected other markets. Its five key businesses — Assurant Employee Benefits; Assurant Health; Assurant Preneed; Assurant Specialty Property; and Assurant Solutions — have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments in the U.S. and selected international markets.

Assurant, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ, has over $20 billion in assets and $7 billion in annual revenue. www.assurant.com

About Assurant Specialty Property

Assurant Specialty Property companies are leading providers of creditor-placed homeowners insurance, collateral protection programs and related outsourcing services. They develop, underwrite, market and administer specialty property and personal lines of insurance through collaborative relationships with leading home mortgage companies, manufactured home builders and dealers, auto finance companies, property management companies and managing general agents. Assurant Specialty Property serves clients and their customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Assurant Specialty Property is aligned with leaders in every market it serves. It has strong, long-term relationships with six of the nation’s ten largest mortgage lenders and servicers (based on servicing volume) and four of the seven largest manufactured housing builders (based on number of homes built).
 
Contact: Safeco Investor Relations
Neal Fuller, 206/545-5537

Contact: Safeco Media Relations
Paul Hollie, 206/545-3048

11/14/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MVP Health Care/Preferred Care Support National Industry Effort to Expand Health Insurance Coverage to Every American

Schenectady, N.Y. and Rochester, NY, November 14, 2006 — MVP Health Care and Preferred Care today announced support of a comprehensive new initiative proposed by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to provide more than 40 million uninsured Americans with access to affordable health insurance coverage.

The proposals, which would require federal and state legislative action, would expand health insurance coverage to all children within three years and to 95 percent of all adults within 10 years.

David W. Oliker, president and CEO of MVP Health Care and Preferred Care is a member of the Board of Directors of AHIP and a member of the AHIP policy committee that developed the proposals.

“Lack of access to affordable health insurance causes millions of people not to get preventive care and treatment for chronic illnesses which increases the total cost of care.  Improving access for affordable health insurance coverage will make families more secure and will help to reduce the cost of health care,” Oliker said.

“These proposals form a fiscally sound framework for a public-private partnership that could extend health insurance coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans,” Oliker said.

The plan would:
– Expand eligibility for Medicaid and other public health insurance programs,
– Enable all consumers to purchase health insurance with pre-tax dollars through the use of Universal Health Accounts,
– Establish a health tax credit of up to $500 that low-income families could use to secure health insurance for their children,
– Establish a new Federal grant program to encourage states to achieve full coverage within 10 years.

The reform plan announced today in Washington, D.C., follows seven months of analysis and discussion among AHIP board members.

“We believe the step-by-step approach taken in this proposal is likely to succeed in changing federal and state policies to extend health insurance coverage to millions more Americans while reducing overall health care costs, and at the same time preserving state-level consumer protections,” said Oliker.

CONTACT:
In Rochester:
Mike Traphagan
(585) 327-2333
In Schenectady:
Gary Hughes
(518) 388-2319

For Release: June 19, 2006

MVP Health Care announced today that it has received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer MVP Gold, a Medicare Advantage HMO plan, in selected counties in New York.

“We are delighted to receive CMS approval to move forward with the MVP Gold product,” said David W. Oliker, president and CEO of MVP Health Care.

“We are excited about the prospect of offering a superior health plan option to Medicare-eligible people in the Capitol District, Hudson Valley and Syracuse areas.” Oliker noted that coverage is expected to be effective January 1, 2007, and that specific plan benefits and rates remain under CMS review and cannot yet be announced.

MVP Gold will be offered in eight counties – Albany, Dutchess, Montgomery, Onondaga, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Ulster. Oliker also announced that MVP Gold will be administered and member services provided by “the same exceptional Rochester-based staff that currently provides those services for Preferred Care Gold.” MVP Health Care and Preferred Care merged in January, 2006, and Preferred Care Gold is ranked the number one Medicare Advantage health plan in the nation on the U.S. News & Word Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America list.

“That top ranking is based on measures of both clinical quality and customer satisfaction, and we can think of no better group of people to staff our MVP Gold product offering,” said Lisa Brubaker, MVP Health Care executive vice president for Rochester operations and government programs. “Their dedication to the health and well-being of members will quickly help differentiate MVP Gold in the marketplace.”

MVP Health Care
Corporate Communications
P.O. Box 2207
Schenectady, NY 12301
Contact: Gary Hughes
MVP Health Care
518-388-2319
hughesg@mvphealthcare.com
or
Mike Traphagan
(585) 327-2333

Combination Creates Major New Health Plan Serving New York, Vermont and New Hampshire

SCHENECTADY, NY – January 11, 2006 – Two upstate New York based health plans, MVP Health Care of Schenectady and Preferred Care of Rochester, announced today that their proposed merger has been completed creating a major new plan serving three quarters of a million members across upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

“The regulatory and legal steps needed to conclude the merger have been completed, and during the months ahead MVP and Preferred Care coworkers will be working together to combine two great health plans into one plan that will be a ‘leading player’ in the Northeast,” said David W. Oliker, president and CEO of MVP Health Care.

“I want to reassure current MVP and Preferred Care customers that they will not see any changes in day to day operations as a result of this merger, customers will call the same telephone numbers they’ve always called, talk to the same people they’ve always talked to, and see the same doctors and health care providers as they did prior to the merger,” said Lisa Brubaker, MVP Health Care executive vice president for Rochester operations, and government programs. “The combination gives us the resources to make needed investments in technology to meet the needs of our customers and providers,” she said.

The company said:
• Members of the two plans will see no change in their products and services;
• Members, employers and providers will continue to call the same telephone numbers and work with the same people from the same offices across the new combined service area;
• Jobs across the new service area will be preserved;
• The new combined organization will continue to operate as a not-for-profit. Its board of directors will be a combination of current MVP and Preferred Care directors;
• MVP Health Care president and CEO David W. Oliker is the president and CEO of the combined company, which will continue to operate as both MVP Health Care and Preferred Care.

During meetings with employees in both Rochester and Schenectady, Oliker outlined his goals for the combined company including:
– A provider network stretching from Rochester to New Hampshire that will be seamless for members and employers.
– Product offerings that will combine the best of both MVP and Preferred Care products and that can be sold throughout the expanded market area.
– Expansion of Preferred Care Medicare programs into several MVP counties.

In addition to Oliker, other members of the senior management team for the combined company are drawn from both company’s management teams.

Lisa Brubaker, Preferred Care senior vice president and chief operating officer will assume the newly created position of executive vice president, Rochester operations and government programs.

Thomas Combs, Preferred Care senior vice president and chief financial officer will become executive vice president and chief financial officer of MVP.

David Field, MVP chief financial officer and chief operating officer will be the executive vice president and chief operations officer for the combined company.

Dennis Allen, M.D, MVP executive vice president and chief medical officer; will have the same role in the combined company.

Scott Averill, MVP executive vice president and chief marketing officer will be the chief marketing and sales officer for the combined company.

Denise Gonick, Esq., MVP executive vice president and chief legal officer will hold the same position in the combined company.

“These executive vice president appointments reflect a blending of the talent of the two organizations,” Oliker said. This is a leadership team that will make MVP the perfect example of a well-managed and successful, regional health benefits company,” Oliker said.

The combined company’s service area covers upstate New York, the Hudson Valley, the entire state of Vermont and southern New Hampshire.

For More Information Contact:
Gary Hughes, MVP Health Care Mike Traphagan, Preferred Care
Phone: (518) 388-2319 Phone: (585) 327-2333
Cell: (518) 522-4107 Cell: (585) 261-3963
hughesg@mvphealthcare.com mtraphagan@preferredcare.org

Newport Beach, CA. (Nov. 7, 2006) – Pacific Life Insurance Company is introducing Pacific Select Exec III (form # P04SE2), a flexible premium variable life insurance policy that offers a wide variety of portfolio investment options, riders, and services. All the choices offered by variable life put the buyer in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing what they want from their life insurance.

Whether a client wants to focus primarily on death benefit protection or split their focus between death benefit protection and supplementing retirement income, Pacific Select Exec III has features to help including:

44 available investment options.

Five asset allocation models offered by the Portfolio Optimization service. The asset allocation models give the client exposure to as many as sixteen asset class styles depending on the model chosen.

A range of optional riders, available at additional cost, offering guarantees including the Short Term No Lapse Guarantee rider, Overloan Protection rider, Minimum Earnings Benefit rider and the Guaranteed Minimum Distribution rider.1

“With so many Americans focusing on retirement, our Guaranteed Minimum Distribution rider is an increasingly popular option for clients to include with their variable life policy. And Pacific Life is one of just a handful of companies that offer this feature on a life insurance policy,” explains Alyce Peterson, vice president marketing services. “A client has an opportunity to guarantee a minimum amount when he or she gets ready to take distributions from their variable policy.”

Ms Peterson explained that with people living longer, overfunding a variable life insurance policy can give added flexibility to someone’s overall retirement strategy. “Distributions from a variable life insurance policy in the form of policy withdrawals and loans2 are not subject to the same restrictions as qualified plans and IRAs. This means that a client can use his policy’s cash value to supplement and add income in early retirement (prior to age 59 1/2) or in the later years of retirement when outliving retirement income is a concern,” Peterson continued. “With a variable life insurance policy, a client is not forced to take the money out at 70 ½ and not penalized if he or she dies before taking distributions, as the death benefit is generally income tax-free.”3

Founded in 1868, Pacific Life provides life insurance products, individual annuities, mutual funds, group employee benefits, and offers to individuals, businesses, and pension plans a variety of investment products and services.4 A FORTUNE 500® company, Pacific Life counts more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as clients5 and is a member of IMSA (Insurance Marketplace Standards Association), whose membership promotes ethical market conduct for individual life insurance and annuities.

 1 Riders have costs, limitations and other requirements that must be met in order to be effective. For additional detailed information about these riders refer to the prospectus available at www.PacificLife.com. Rider availability varies by state.

2 Withdrawals and other distributions from non-Modified Endowment Contract (non-MEC) policies in the first 15 years may be taxable to the extent they occur in conjunction with (or during the two years immediately prior to) a reduction in benefits. After 15 years, withdrawals and other distributions up to the policy cost basis are not taxable. Policy loans are not taxable for a non-MEC policy provided that it remains in force until the death(s) of the insured(s). Withdrawals, policy loans and other distributions from a MEC policy are subject to other rules and are generally taxable as “income first.” If prior to the policy cost basis are not taxable. Policy loans are not taxable for a non-MEC policy provided that it remains in force until the death(s) of the insured(s). Withdrawals, policy loans and other distributions from a MEC policy are subject to other rules and are generally taxable as “income first.” If prior to the death(s) of the insured(s), the policy (MEC or non-MEC) is surrendered or lapses with an outstanding policy loan balance, the policy owner will be subject to income taxes to the extent the cash surrender value plus the amount of the outstanding loans exceeds the policy cost basis. Withdrawals, policy loans, and other distributions will reduce policy values and may reduce death benefits.

3 For federal income tax purposes, life insurance death benefits generally pay income tax-free to beneficiaries pursuant to IRC Sec. 101(a)(1). In certain situations, however, life insurance death benefits may be partially or wholly taxable. Situations include, but are not limited to: the transfer of a life insurance policy for valuable consideration unless the transfer qualifies for an exception under IRC Sec. 101(a)(2)( i.e. the “transfer- for- value rule”); arrangements that lack an insurable interest based on state law; and an employer-owned policy unless the policy qualifies for an exception under IRC Sec. 101(j).

4 Product availability and features may vary by state.

5 Data compiled by Pacific Life using the FORTUNE 500 ® list, as of April 2006
Pacific Life Insurance Company is licensed to issue individual life insurance and annuity products in all states except New York. Product availability and features may vary by state. Variable life insurance and annuity products issued by Pacific Life and shares of the Pacific Select Fund are distributed by Pacific Select Distributors, Inc. (member NASD & SIPC), a subsidiary of Pacific Life, and are available through licensed third party broker dealers.

Investors should carefully consider a variable life insurance policy’s risks, charges and limitation and expenses as well as the risk, fees, expenses and investment objectives of the underlying investment options. This and other information about Pacific Life is in prospectuses available from your registered representative or by calling (800) 800-7681. Read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

Media Contact:
Tennyson Oyler
(949) 219-3248 For Immediate Release