Steven Wevodau - Life Insurance

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MetLife, a provider of dental plan administration for over 21 million people, today announced more options for dentists and allied health care professionals seeking to enhance their professional development through its dental continuing education program. Additions to the program, which is recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) for continuing education credits, focus on: 1) Evaluation and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorder Patients, 2) Infection Control and OSHA Update, 3) Introduction to Dental Implant Therapy, and 4) Local Anesthetics. The courses can be accessed at www.metdental.com.

“Education is a key component to keeping dental care professionals informed about topics of importance in the industry and to help provide better patient care,” said Alan Vogel, DMD, national dental director for MetLife. “MetLife is committed to making timely and need based educational resources available to the dental community.”

MetLife continuing education materials are available to MetLife Preferred Dentist Program (PDP) participants as well as non-PDP dentists. PDP participants receive continuing education credits for MetLife’s educational offerings at no charge. Non-PDP dentists and hygienists also have access to the offerings and are charged a nominal fee for educational credits.

The latest Quality Resource Guides include:

Evaluation and Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Patients, written by Edward F. Wright, DDS, MS, associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio, presents straightforward guidelines for the examination and treatment of patients with TMD symptoms. A sample initial patient questionnaire is included to help guide the clinician through the evaluation. Guidelines for TMD self-management and discussion of occlusal appliances assist the clinician in two primary areas of initial therapy. Guidelines for referral assist the clinician in managing those patients who do not adequately respond to primary therapy.

Infection Control and OSHA Update – Part 1 and 2, are authored by John A. Molinari, PhD, director of Infection Control for The Dental Advisor. Part one of this two-part guide discusses the history of: 1) infectious diseases and the healthcare worker; 2) the development of guidelines by the Center for Disease Control to protect both the patient and the healthcare worker; and 3) the OSHA regulations that impact the dental office. It discusses standard precautions for use during dental care, as well as vaccine recommendations and management of dental waterlines. The second part highlights specific infection control procedures for the dental office, including aseptic procedures and personal protective barriers. Charts and photos provide practical guidance for the clinician as they prepare their office, their staff and themselves to deliver dental care.

Introduction to Dental Implant Therapy, is written by Thomas Oates Jr., DMD, PhD, professor and vice chair of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and assistant dean for clinical research at UTHSCSA Dental School. There are multiple implant systems as well as a wide range of surgical and restorative options available to dental practitioners. This guide provides a scientifically based overview of implant systems to assist the dentist in clinical decision-making and answering patient questions regarding therapeutic options. Considerations are provided relative to both the surgical and restorative phases of implant therapy.

Local Anesthetics 2^nd Edition, by Clarence Trummel, DDS, PhD, emeritus professor at the School of Dental Medicine at University of Connecticut, provides a quick review of the information that needs to be considered if adverse outcomes are to be avoided and optimal effectiveness achieved, when dealing with local anesthetics. The guide begins with a brief review of the pharmacology of local anesthetics and proceeds to a discussion of side effects and toxicity with emphasis on recognizing the symptoms of systemic toxicity. Included is a description of the essential questions that need to be asked when a patient indicates a past adverse experience. The guide contains a quick reference to information on dosages for the nine local anesthetic formulations commonly used in dentistry. The guide concludes with a discussion and evaluation of alternative delivery methods including computer-assisted devices and topical anesthetics.

For additional information about MetLife’s dental continuing education program, visit www.metdental.com.

MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife
Shalana Morris, 212-578-1115
snmorris@metlife.com

NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An aging American workforce is increasingly concerned about long-term care needs and the benefits available through employers, according to a report released by Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU - News).

But the Prudential study, Long Term Care Insurance, shows only a small number of employees understand the benefits of long-term care insurance, with only about one-quarter of workers planning to use insurance to fund long-term care expenses.

“As Baby Boomers begin thinking about life after age 60, they grasp the implications of longer lives, post-retirement finances and lifestyles and nursing care costs,” said Lori High, president of Prudential’s Group Insurance business. “As a result, workers are more aware of their own future long-term care needs and the impact on their retirement lifestyle.”

Those with care-giving experience place greater value on employee benefits including long-term care insurance, because they’ve seen how inadequate insurance coverage can drain resources. Unfortunately, there remains a gap between this recognition and action to provide an adequate solution through the purchase of long-term care insurance, according to High.

Consider these findings:

• Three in 10 workers said they don’t have a plan or don’t expect to need long-term care services for them or their spouse.
• Among those that do have a plan, their expectations may be unrealistic given the rising costs of long-term care. The most common sources of funding cited for long-term care were 401(k) or retirement savings, followed by Medicare.
• The education gap is greater for women. Women tend to do more of the care giving and have more experience with care giving, yet they are less likely to have a plan for their own long-term care needs compared with men.

Prudential’s Long Term Care Insurance was conducted in conjunction with the company’s sponsorship of Long Term Care Insurance Month. Held each November, Long Term Care Insurance Month is an industry-wide effort coordinated by the nonprofit American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance in response to growing concern about the large number of Americans who lack adequate long-term care insurance protection.

“Americans recognize the importance of each dollar spent on employee benefits – both employers and their employees – and are looking for the best coverage their money can buy,” High said.

Long Term Care Insurance, the third in a series of five reports, stems from the company’s broad Study of Employee Benefits: 2009 and Beyond report fielded via the Internet during April and May of 2009. It consists of three distinct surveys: one among benefits plan sponsors, one among benefits plan participants, and one among employee benefits brokers and consultants. The surveys were conducted for Prudential by the Center for Strategy Research, Inc., a Boston-based, independent, market research firm. Click here for a copy of Long Term Care Insurance.

Prudential’s Group Insurance business manufactures and distributes a full range of group life, long-term and short-term group disability, long-term care, and corporate and trust-owned life insurance in the U.S. to institutional clients primarily for use in connection with employee and membership benefits plans. Group Insurance also sells accidental death and dismemberment and other ancillary coverages and provides plan administrative services in connection with its insurance coverages.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU - News), a financial services leader with approximately $580 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2009, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Leveraging its heritage of life insurance and asset management expertise, Prudential is focused on helping approximately 50 million individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth. The company’s well-known Rock symbol is an icon of strength, stability, expertise and innovation that has stood the test of time. Prudential’s businesses offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/.

Group Insurance benefits are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ. Prudential and The Rock logo are registered service marks of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

0164462-00001-00

Prudential Financial, Inc.
Laurita Warner, 973-802- 8614
Laurita.warner@prudential.com

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MetLife, the largest U.S. life insurer and a leading provider of employee benefits, today introduced the Benefits Bundle for Small Business, a combination of employer-paid coverage and employee-paid voluntary benefits designed to make it easier for small businesses to offer valued employee benefits within flexible price points.

Employers choose to provide a certain level of “core” life insurance, long term disability income insurance or dental benefits by selecting at least two out of three coverages for their eligible employees. Employees are able to “buy up” additional coverage (with no minimum participation requirements) for the selected products at competitive group rates through convenient payroll deduction. The Bundle also includes value-added features, such as will preparation (based on state availability), an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and travel assistance with identity theft benefits. Employers’ benefits budgeting is made easier with three-year rate guarantees for life and disability insurance coverage and annual rate caps on dental coverage.

MetLife’s Benefits Bundle for Small Business is being made available initially to small businesses with 10-99 employees in the Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Portland and Seattle markets. Coverage is effective beginning March 1, 2009.

“In today’s economy, small business owners are facing greater challenges in managing benefits and administration costs while still seeking to leverage benefits as an effective strategy for retaining valued employees. MetLife’s Benefits Bundle for Small Business provides employers with the flexibility to choose product combinations that work best for them while also offering flexibility on pricing for both them and their employees,” said Robert Bucci, vice president, Small Business Strategy, MetLife. “More choices, rate guarantees, one point of administration for billing and renewals – this value proposition is designed to make it easier for employers to optimize their employee benefits programs in a cost-effective fashion and focus on managing their business for success.”

MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET - News), a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

MetLife
Karen Eldred, 212-578-9561
keldred@metlife.com

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC; SEHK: 945

WATERLOO, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial is the leader in providing Canadians with statements to help them understand their universal life insurance plans, according to an industry survey by DALBAR Inc. 

Manulife Financial’s universal life statement was the only one designated as “excellent” in a cross-country review of five industry statements that explain Canadians’ universal life insurance policies. Manulife’s universal life statement scored 81.29 compared to an industry average of 68.1.

“Manulife continually strives to be a leader helping Canadians understand their finances and to make better financial decisions,” said Paul Rooney, President and CEO of Manulife Canada. “We’re very proud once again to be recognized by DALBAR.”

“DALBAR congratulates Manulife, which earned the industry-leading ‘Excellent’ designation,” added Jody Bullen, Director of Strategy and Public Relations for DALBAR Inc. in Toronto. “Its statement stood out for its clear presentation of information, as well as providing the investor with critical updates and issues concerning their investments.”

DALBAR is a recognized leader for its reports on how statements measure up to standards for investor communications in Canada and the United States. The company grades customer statements based on how well companies meet various needs and preferences.

	    Key strengths
	          Manulife's Universal Life statements:
	    -     Variable, customized information based on product options
	    -     Enhanced rate of return details, including 1, 3, 5 & 10-year policy
	          returns
	    -     Effective use of graphics to enhance understandability
	    -     Personalized messaging, including information about upcoming policy
	          changes

“This is the second time that we’ve received DALBAR’s top rating for our universal life statements. It confirms our belief that our statements lead the industry as an important tool for helping clients understand their policy and get the maximum benefit from it,” said Michael Doughty, Executive Vice President, Individual Insurance for Manulife. “These statements give our clients a customized picture of their policy so they can work with their advisor to manage the policy, gauge their progress and explore opportunities.” 

	    DALBAR Inc.
	    -----------

DALBAR, Inc. is a leading financial services research firm with offices in Toronto and Boston, specializing in measuring the performance of institutions and financial professionals in areas such as communications effectiveness, client satisfaction, and service quality. DALBAR can be found on the Internet at www.dalbar.ca. 

	    About Manulife Financial
	    ------------------------

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$385.3 billion (US$363.5 billion) as at September 30, 2008. 

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945′ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

For further information

Media contacts: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, (519) 594-8578, tom_nunn@manulife.com
Jody Bullen, DALBAR Inc., (416) 777-1103 ext. 225, jbullen@dalbar.ca

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC - News) today announced that Will Fuller has been named President and CEO of Lincoln Financial Distributors (LFD), the wholesale distribution arm of Lincoln Financial, effective February 13, 2009. As President of LFD, Fuller will be responsible for partnering with financial intermediaries to provide essential solutions and advice to clients to help them secure their financial futures. He will also work closely with Lincoln Financial’s Insurance Solutions, Retirement Solutions, and Delaware Investments divisions to grow sales across Lincoln’s industry-leading products, and will sit on the company’s Senior Management Committee.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050830/LFLOGO )

“With Will’s extensive distribution experience and proven leadership abilities, I am confident that Lincoln Financial Distributors will continue to lead the industry in market share gains,” said Dennis R. Glass, President and CEO, Lincoln Financial Group. “In addition, Will has a deep appreciation for how our unique structure and talented professionals differentiate LFD from our peers that will help drive the organization forward.”

Fuller comes to Lincoln Financial from Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. At Merrill Lynch, Fuller headed product distribution for the Global Wealth Management group. In addition to leading the distribution organization, Fuller was a key contributor to Merrill Lynch’s growth strategy, with a special focus on innovation in Merrill Lynch’s product offerings, processes, and the client experience. Fuller spent most of his career at Merrill Lynch, serving in various distribution capacities over a dozen years. He holds a BA in business from The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He sits on the boards of Merrill Lynch Global Selects, an offshore fee-based investment advisory company, and the Trenton Boys and Girls Club of America.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC - News) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $200 billion as of September 30, 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 www.LincolnFinancial.com.

MCKINNEY, Texas, February 4 /PRNewswire/ — Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK - News) reported today that for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, net income was US$1.61, a 14% per share increase compared with US$1.41 per share for the year-ago quarter. Net operating income for the quarter was US$1.40 per share, compared with US$1.41 per share for the year-ago quarter.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, was US$5.11 per share compared with US$5.50 per share for the year-ago period. Net operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008, was US$5.80 per share, a 6% per share increase compared with US$5.45 per share for the year-ago period.

Reconciliations between net income and net operating income are shown in the Financial Summary below.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Net operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, has long been consistently used by Torchmark’s management to evaluate the operating performance of the Company, and is a measure commonly used in the life insurance industry. It differs from net income primarily because it excludes certain non-operating items such as realized investment gains and losses and nonrecurring items which are included in net income. Management believes that an analysis of net operating income is important in understanding the profitability and operating trends of the Company’s business.

    (All amounts is U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified)

                                          Financial Summary
                             (dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                   Per Share
                                Quarter Ended             Quarter Ended
                                December 31,   %         December 31,   %
                               2008   2007    Chg.      2008    2007   Chg.  

    Insurance underwriting
     income*                     $1.27  $1.33   (5)     $108.2  $124.8  (13)
    Excess investment income*     0.91   0.86    6        77.5    80.0   (3)
    Parent company expense       (0.05) (0.04)            (4.5)   (3.4)
    Income tax                   (0.72) (0.73)  (1)      (61.0)  (68.0) (10)
    Stock option expense,
     net of tax                  (0.02) (0.01)            (1.6)   (1.2)      

    Net operating income         $1.40  $1.41   (1)     $118.6  $132.2  (10) 

    Reconciling items, net
     of tax:
      Gain on sale of agency
       buildings                     -      -                -     0.2
      Realized gains (losses)
       on investments             0.13  (0.04)            11.0    (3.8)
      Medicare Part D adjustment  0.09   0.03              7.6     3.3
      Tax settlements                -   0.01              0.1     0.5
      Net cost from legal
       settlements                   -      -             (0.1)      -

    Net income                   $1.61  $1.41           $137.2  $132.3      

    Weighted average diluted
     shares outstanding (000)   84,987 93,543          

                              Per Share
                             Year Ended                    Year Ended
                             December 31,   %              December 31,    %
                      2008      2007      Chg.      2008      2007       Chg. 

    Insurance
     underwriting
     income*         $5.25     $5.05       4      $464.9    $484.4       (4)
    Excess investment
     income*          3.71      3.38      10       328.1     323.8        1
    Parent company
     expense         (0.12)    (0.10)              (10.5)     (9.8)
    Income tax       (2.96)    (2.83)      5      (262.3)   (271.0)      (3)
    Stock option
     expense, net of
     tax             (0.08)    (0.05)               (7.0)     (5.3)         

    Net operating
     income          $5.80     $5.45       6      $513.3    $522.1       (2)

    Reconciling items,
     net of tax:
      Gain on sale of
       agency buildings  -      0.03                 0.2       2.8
      Realized gains
       (losses) on
       investments   (0.79)     0.02               (69.9)      1.8
      Realized losses
       on company
       occupied
       property      (0.02)        -                (1.4)        -
      Tax
       settlements    0.12      0.01                10.8       1.1
      Net cost from
       legal
       settlements   (0.01)        -                (0.8)     (0.3)          

    Net income       $5.11     $5.50              $452.3    $527.5          

    Weighted average
     diluted shares
     outstanding
     (000)          88,516    95,846

*See definitions in the discussions below and in the Torchmark 2007 SEC Form 10-K.

Net operating income per share for 2008 is slightly below management’s previous guidance of US$5.85 to US$5.89 due primarily to higher than expected underwriting losses on variable annuities. These losses were driven by the deterioration of the equity markets in the fourth quarter. In addition, excess investment income was less than previously expected as more cash than usual was held during the fourth quarter and interest rates on short-term investments declined sharply.

INSURANCE OPERATIONS - comparing the fourth quarter 2008 with fourth quarter 2007:

Life insurance accounted for 75% of the Company’s insurance underwriting margin for the quarter and 60% of total premium revenue.

Health insurance, excluding Medicare Part D, accounted for 28% of Torchmark’s insurance underwriting margin for the quarter and 33% of total premium revenue. Medicare Part D accounted for 3% of insurance underwriting margin and 6% of total premium revenue.

Net sales of life insurance increased 13%, while health sales, excluding Medicare Part D, fell 49%.

                                    Insurance Premium Revenue
                                     (dollars in millions)
                               Quarter Ended   Quarter Ended    %
                               Dec. 31, 2008   Dec. 31, 2007   Chg.

     Life insurance               $401.3          $393.5        2
     Health insurance -
      excluding Medicare Part D    225.0           252.5      (11)
     Health - Medicare Part D       43.0            52.2      (18)
     Annuity                         3.0             5.2      (41)

     Total                        $672.2          $703.4       (4)

Insurance Underwriting Income

Insurance underwriting margin is management’s measure of profitability of its life, health and annuity segments’ underwriting performance, and consists of premiums less policy obligations, commissions and other acquisition expenses.

Insurance underwriting income is the sum of the insurance underwriting margins of the life, health and annuity segments, plus other income, less insurance administrative expenses. It excludes the investment segment, parent company expense and income taxes.

                                  Insurance Underwriting Income
                          (dollars in millions, except per share data)
                        Quarter Ended    % of    Quarter Ended   % of     %
                        Dec. 31, 2008   Premium  Dec. 31, 2007  Premium  Chg.
    Insurance
     underwriting margins:
       Life                 $112.1        28        $108.4        28      3
       Health                 41.9        19          46.0        18     (9)
       Health - Medicare
        Part D                 5.0        12           6.7        13
       Annuity                (8.8)                    1.6
                             150.1                   162.6
    Other income               1.1                     1.1
    Administrative
     expenses                (43.0)                  (38.9)              11

    Insurance underwriting
     income                 $108.2                  $124.8              (13)
      Per share              $1.27                   $1.33               (5)

Insurance Results by Distribution Channels

Total premium, underwriting margins, first-year collected premium and net sales by all distribution channels are shown at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page at Financial Reports.

American Income Agency was Torchmark’s leading contributor to total underwriting margin (US$47 million), on premium revenue of US$137 million. Life premiums of US$119 million were up 5% and life insurance underwriting margin of US$40 million was up 13%. As a percentage of life premium, life underwriting margin was 34%, up from 31% and the highest of the major life distribution channels at Torchmark. Producing agents grew to 3,085, up 21% from a year ago, and up 7% during the quarter. Net life sales were US$28 million, up 17%.

Direct Response was Torchmark’s second leading contributor to total underwriting margin (US$33 million), on premium revenue of US$137 million. Life premiums of US$126 million were up 5%, and the life underwriting margin of US$31 million was up 7%. As a percentage of life premium, life underwriting margin was 25%, up from 24%. Net life sales were US$31 million, up 8%.

LNL Agency, was Torchmark’s third leading contributor to total underwriting margin (US$28 million), on premium revenue of US$105 million. Life premiums of US$71 million were down 1% and life underwriting margin of US$18 million was down 13%. As a percentage of life premium, life underwriting margin was 26%, down from 29%. Producing agents grew to 3,778, up 53% from a year ago, and up 9% during the quarter. Net life sales were US$13 million, up 29%.

UA Independent Agency was Torchmark’s leading contributor to health underwriting margin (US$15 million), on health premium of US$85 million. Health underwriting margin as a percentage of premium was 17%. Net health sales were US$11 million, down 34%.

UA Branch Office Agency was Torchmark’s second leading contributor to health underwriting margin (US$10 million), on health premium of US$77 million. Health underwriting margin as a percentage of premium was 13%. Net health sales were US$11 million, down 70%. Producing agents fell to 1,512, down 49% from a year ago.

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, which began January 1, 2006, is distributed by Direct Response and the UA agencies. Fourth quarter 2008 premium revenue was US$43 million for the 2008 plan year compared with US$52 million in the year-ago quarter for the 2007 plan year. Underwriting margin for fourth quarter 2008 was US$5 million, compared to US$7 million for the year ago quarter.

For GAAP reporting, Medicare Part D premiums are recognized evenly throughout the year when they become due, and benefit costs are recognized when the costs are incurred. Due to the design of the product, premiums are evenly distributed throughout the year, but benefit costs are much higher earlier in the year. As a result, under GAAP, benefit costs can exceed premiums in the first part of the year but be less than premiums during the remainder of the year. For net operating income purposes, Torchmark defers excess benefits incurred in earlier interim periods to later periods in order to more closely match the benefit cost with the associated revenue. For the full year, the total premiums and benefits are the same under this alternative method as they are under GAAP. The Company reports this difference between GAAP and management’s non-GAAP disclosures, net of tax, as a reconciling item for the interim periods in the Financial Summary shown on page 1 of this release. A chart reconciling the Company’s non-GAAP financial presentation to a GAAP presentation may be viewed on the Company’s website at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page at Financial Reports.

Torchmark Annuities consist of variable and fixed annuity contracts. The total underwriting loss for annuities in the fourth quarter 2008 was US$8.8 million compared to a US$1.6 million gain for the year-ago quarter. The underwriting loss is due primarily to changes in actuarial assumptions regarding deferred acquisition costs and reserves associated with variable annuities. The changes in actuarial assumptions are related primarily to the effect of declining equity markets on variable annuity account values. The variable annuity business is Torchmark’s only business where margins are significantly impacted by changes in equity markets.

Administrative Expenses were US$43 million, up 11% from the year-ago quarter. The increase is due primarily to timing differences on a number of items such as routine regulatory exams. In addition, while litigation expense is down for the year, it was higher in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the year-ago quarter due to cases that were settled in the fourth quarter.

INVESTMENTS

Excess Investment Income - comparing the fourth quarter 2008 with the fourth quarter 2007:

Management uses excess investment income as the measure to evaluate the performance of the investment segment. It is net investment income reduced by required interest. Required interest includes interest credited to net policy liabilities and interest on debt.

                                                Quarter Ended
                                                December 31,
                                 (dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                             2008     2007       Chg.
     Net investment income                 $167.7    $162.4       3

     Required interest:
        Interest credited on net policy
         liabilities                        (73.5)    (66.2)     11
        Interest on debt                    (16.7)    (16.1)      3

        Total required interest             (90.2)    (82.3)     10

     Excess investment income               $77.5     $80.0      (3)
        Per share                           $0.91     $0.86       6

    Investment Portfolio
    The composition of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2008 is as
    follows:

                                            Invested Assets
                                         (dollars in millions)
                                           $         % of Total
    Fixed maturities (at amortized
     cost)                              $9,610           94%
    Equities                                17            -
    Mortgage loans                          17            -
    Investment real estate                   2            -
    Policy loans                           360            4%
    Other long-term investments             53            1%
    Short-term investments                 131            1%

    Total                              $10,190          100%

    Fixed maturities at amortized cost by asset class are as follows:

                                                       Fixed Maturities
                                                    (dollars in millions)
                                                            Below
                                       Investment      Investment
                                         Grade           Grade     Total
     Corporate bonds                    $6,819           $643     $7,463
     Redeemable preferred stock:
        U.S.                             1,265             69      1,334
        Foreign                            115              -        115
     Municipal                             261              -        261
     Government-sponsored
      enterprises                          202              -        202
     Government and agencies                23              -         23
     Residential mortgage-backed
      securities                            23              -         23
     Commercial mortgage-backed
      securities                            17              -         17
     Collateralized debt
      obligations                          131              -        131
     Other asset-backed
      securities                            40              -         40

     Total                              $8,897           $712     $9,610

The market value of Torchmark’s fixed maturity portfolio was US$7.8 billion; US$1.8 billion lower than amortized cost of US$9.6 billion. The US$1.8 billion of net unrealized losses compares to US$1.4 billion at September 30, 2008. The unrealized losses are due primarily to general economic conditions. Due to its strong liquidity position, Torchmark not only has the intent, but also the ability to hold these investments to maturity.

The investment portfolio contains no securities backed by sub-prime mortgages. Torchmark has no counterparty risk as it is not a party to any credit default swaps or other derivatives contracts and does not participate in securities lending.

At amortized cost, 93% of fixed maturities (94% at market value) were rated “investment grade.”

The fixed maturity portfolio earned an annual effective yield of 6.97% during the fourth quarter of 2008, the same as the year-ago quarter.

Realized Capital Gains on Investments - during the quarter ended December 31, 2008:

Realized gains on investments, net of tax, of US$11 million were primarily related to the reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance associated with impairments taken in the third quarter.

PARENT COMPANY EXPENSES - during the quarter ended December 31, 2008:

Parent Company expenses were US$4.5 million compared with US$3.4 million for the year-ago quarter. The increase is due to expenses related to a potential acquisition in which the Company withdrew from negotiations.

SHARE REPURCHASE - during the quarter ended December 31, 2008:

Torchmark’s ongoing share repurchase program resulted in the repurchase during the quarter of 1.7 million shares of Torchmark Corporation common stock. Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased 7.6 million shares at a total cost of US$427 million at an average price per share of US$55.86.

LIQUIDITY/CAPITAL:

Torchmark’s operations consist primarily of writing basic protection life and supplemental health insurance policies which generate strong and stable cash flows. Less than 1% of revenue arises from asset accumulation products where margins are significantly impacted by changes in the equity markets.

In addition, capital at the insurance companies is sufficient to support current operations. Management expects the ratio of the Company’s regulatory capital to Company Action Level required capital to be in excess of 300%, in line with recent years.

EARNINGS GUIDANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009:

Torchmark projects that for the year ending December 31, 2009, net operating income per share will range from US$6.05 to US$6.25.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

More detailed financial information including various GAAP and Non-GAAP ratios and financial measurements are located at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page under “Financial Reports and Other Financial Information.”

Note: Tables in this news release may not foot due to rounding.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These prospective statements reflect management’s current expectations, but are not guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, please refer to Torchmark’s cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements, and the business environment in which the Company operates, contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and any subsequent Forms 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and on the Company’s website at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page. Torchmark specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future developments or otherwise.

EARNINGS RELEASE CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST:

Torchmark will provide a live audio webcast of its fourth quarter 2008 earnings release conference call with financial analysts at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) tomorrow, February 5, 2009. Access to the live webcast and replay will be available at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page, at the Conference Calls on the Web icon. Immediately following this press release, supplemental financial reports will be available before the conference call on the Investor Relations page menu of the Torchmark website at “Financial Reports and Other Financial Information.”