Latest Life Insurance Settlements News Update February 29, 2008 at 05:50 PM

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Go back in time in York, England (CNN.com) York is


Go back in time in York, England (CNN.com)
York is a highlight for any visit to Britain -- by far the best stop between London and Edinburgh. It has a huge church and, locals love to add, "A giant bell."

SCO Investor Hints at Settlements (LinuxInsider.com)
The head of the private-equity fund seeking to take over The SCO Group said Monday his investors are interested in building SCO's software business and not in what they can wring out of high-profile lawsuits with IBM and Novell. Stephen Norris said he hopes the planned investment in the company will lead to a settlement of pending suits and allow it to concentrate on building SCO's Unix software ...

The Pursuit of Greater Interest Rate Potential with Indexed Universal


The Pursuit of Greater Interest Rate Potential with Indexed Universal Life Insurance (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.----Long term interest rates remain low and the volatility of the equities market can be an unsettling ride for some life insurance buyers. That is why Pacific Life Insurance Company is introducing Pacific Indexed Accumulator III1, a new indexed universal life insurance product that combines death benefit coverage with greater upside potential than traditional universal ...

High policy lapse affects life insurance industry (Business Standard India)
LIC's lapsation ratio is 25%, while it is 40% for private insurers. The life insurance industry, which was thrown open to the private sector in 2000, is suffering from a rise in lapsed policies in the past 3 years.

Chat with G Shah, Kotak Life Insurance MD (rediff.com)
Finance Minister P Chidambaram presented the Union Budget for 2008-09 in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Has he made life easier for those in the insurance sector? Will it boost growth of the insurance sector? Post-Budget, should you invest more in the insurance sector?

Life insurance is essential for everyone (Deccan Herald)
Planned properly, life insurance can also provide for the unusual needs like higher education of children or their marriages.

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Continues to Build on Financial Results


Pan-American Life Insurance Company Continues to Build on Financial Results in 2007 (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
NEW ORLEANS----Pan-American Life Insurance Company reported today that the company achieved statutory revenues of $275 million, and $21.1 million in contribution to surplus during 2007.

Your money or your life insurance (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
TV TALKSHOW host Larry King has no idea who owns a $10 million insurance policy on his life. Mr. ...

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Continues to Build on Financial Results


Pan-American Life Insurance Company Continues to Build on Financial Results in 2007 (Centre Daily Times)
Pan-American Life Insurance Company reported today that the company achieved statutory revenues of $275 million, and $21.1 million in contribution to surplus during 2007. The gains attained in the past year build on the record levels reached during 2006, and place the company's total capital at an all-time high of $331 million.

Life insurance is essential for everyone (Deccan Herald)
Planned properly, life insurance can also provide for the unusual needs like higher education of children or their marriages.

New strategy urged to end Gaza blockade, rocket firing on


New strategy urged to end Gaza blockade, rocket firing on Israel (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Israel, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority must develop a new strategy to secure the lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip and an end to rocket firing into southern Israel, a top UN official said Tuesday.

When Disaster Relief Is a Disaster (LiveScience.com via Yahoo! News)
In an early episode of "The Simpsons," when Homer has a heart attack and dies, his boss Mr. Burns offers a perfunctory gesture and instructs his assistant to send Homer's wife a ham. (Homer returns to life once his soul hears about the ham.)

BASE METALS: Comex Copper Rises To Life-Of-Contract High (INO News)
Copper futures hit life-of-contract highs Wednesday and have traders and analysts talking of a possible challenge of the Comex spot-month record highs hit in spring of 2006.

OP-ED: Sheldon Schreter - Self-defense (Middle East Times)
In my Jan. 30 op-ed in The Jerusalem Post, I contended that our settlements weaken rather than strengthen us by seriously eroding both our own and the world's belief in the justice of our cause. That cause is asserting the right of the Jewish people to a sovereign state in their ancient homeland.

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of American Family Insurance Group and


A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of American Family Insurance Group and American Family Life Insurance Company (Centre Daily Times)
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "a" of American Family Insurance Group (AMFAM) and its members. AMFAM's lead company is American Family Mutual Insurance Company, which includes three reinsured subsidiaries. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of "a" of American Family Life ...

AEGON to Enter Turkish Life Insurance and Pension Market With Acquisition of Ankara Emeklilik (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
AEGON has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Ankara Emeklilik Anonim Sirketi , a Turkish life insurance and pension provider, from Polis Bakim ve Yardim Sandigi. The move is AEGON's first step in the fast-growing Turkish life insurance and pension market.

John Hancock Financial Leads Industry in Life Insurance Sales for Second Consecutive Year (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
For the second consecutive year, John Hancock led the industry in total individual life insurance sales in 2007, according to a recent survey of 78 major life insurers by LIMRA International .

A.M. Best Assigns Issuer Credit Ratings to Forethought Life Insurance


A.M. Best Assigns Issuer Credit Ratings to Forethought Life Insurance Company and Forethought Life Assurance Company (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
OLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has assigned issuer credit ratings of "a-" and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- of Forethought Life Insurance Company and its affiliate, Forethought Life Assurance Company .

Instant Overview of the Estonian Life Insurance Market for 2008 (InfoBolsa)
25/02/2008 07:00:00 Business Wire Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c83760) has announced the addition of "Snapshots Estonia Life Insurance 2008" to their offering.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (The Bradford Era)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

RELIGION: Ridgefield, at 300, is rooted in faiths (Ridgefield Press)


RELIGION: Ridgefield, at 300, is rooted in faiths (Ridgefield Press)
Strict Puritan fathers fled England s bitter religious persecution to raise sons and daughters in settlements carved out of the American wilderness. There religious freedom blossomed in the open air.

EXCO Resources, Inc. Reports Full Year 2007 and Fourth Quarter 2007 Results (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DALLAS----EXCO Resources, Inc. today announced fourth quarter and full year results for 2007. Oil and natural gas revenues for the year were a record $846 million, exclusive of derivative financial instrument activities and $954 million inclusive of cash settlements of derivatives.

A different battle for survival goes on in Kashmir foothills (Khaleej Times)
SRINAGAR A ragging survival battle for food and shelter between the man and the beast has so far consumed 150 people. And a thousand injured in beastly attacks live a life of cripples.

Panel mulls plan to limit sealed court documents (Business Insurance)
WASHINGTON Legislation that would limit federal judges' authority to seal court records, including documentation provided during discovery and some details of settlements, is unnecessary and could actually harm those it is meant to protect, according to tort reform advocates.

Seniors selling their life insurance to investors a booming business


Seniors selling their life insurance to investors a booming business (Lawrence Journal-World)
Robert Mannheim was stunned when he found out that strangers wanted to lend his mother money to buy her a $2 million life insurance policy and pay her premiums. The deal got better after two years: She would sign over her death benefits to investors and collect $200,000.

Life insurance agents may get tax relief (Business Standard India)
Life insurance agents are likely to be exempted from payment of service tax if their total annual commission income does not exceed Rs 8 lakh.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (The Bradford Era)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

Nippon Life, Japan Post Insurance to Tie Up (Japan Corporate


Nippon Life, Japan Post Insurance to Tie Up (Japan Corporate News)
Tokyo, Feb 22, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Nippon Life Insurance Co. and Japan Post Insurance Co. plan to tie up in a broad area including sales operations in a bid to survive competition, informed sources said Friday.

Kotak Life Insurance opens branch office at Kalyan (Deepika)
Thane, Feb 23 (UNI) With the view to increase its reach in the city, Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance today announced the launch of its new branch office at Kalyan.

ING launches new life insurance policy (Insurance Business Review)
ING has introduced its new return of premium term life insurance in the state of New York. The policy offers a fixed death benefit with a level policy premium for a pre-determined period of time, typically 15, 20, or 30 years.

Done deals: Kansas City Life purchases first Memphis building (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
Kansas City Life Insurance Co. has bought the distribution building in Southeast Memphis that was formerly home to ScanSource Inc.

Arkansas News Bureau (Arkansas News Bureau) Parole board recommends clemency


Arkansas News Bureau (Arkansas News Bureau)
Parole board recommends clemency for two serving life sentences By Rob Moritz LITTLE ROCK - Two inmates serving life sentences, one of whom was sentenced at age 17, were recommended for executive clemency Friday by the state Parole Board.

Israeli mayor offers to talk to Hamas (Guardian Unlimited)
Sderot leader ready to talk to Hamas despite ban on contact with Palestinian organisation

ING Introduces ROP Term Life Insurance in New York (PR


ING Introduces ROP Term Life Insurance in New York (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
ING has introduced return of premium term life insurance in New York state.

NATIONAL BAPTISTS LAUNCH NEW INSURANCE PROGRAM: Organization announces program in partnership with Globe Life and ... (Eurweb)
At the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., headquarters in Dallas, it was announced that a unique life insurance program is available. The program is a joint partnership with Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company.

Japan Post Insurance, Nippon Life to tie up (Japan Today)
TOKYO Japan Post Insurance Co, created last October in the process of privatizing state-run postal services, and Nippon Life Insurance Co will tie up in the development and sales of products and customer management, sources close to the matter said Friday.

Kotak Life Insurance opens branch office at Kalyan (Deepika)
Thane, Feb 23 (UNI) With the view to increase its reach in the city, Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance today announced the launch of its new branch office at Kalyan.

Japan Post Insurance, Nippon Life to tie up (Japan Today)


Japan Post Insurance, Nippon Life to tie up (Japan Today)
TOKYO Japan Post Insurance Co, created last October in the process of privatizing state-run postal services, and Nippon Life Insurance Co will tie up in the development and sales of products and customer management, sources close to the matter said Friday.

Nippon Life, Japan Post Insurance to Tie Up (Japan Corporate News)
Tokyo, Feb 22, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Nippon Life Insurance Co. and Japan Post Insurance Co. plan to tie up in a broad area including sales operations in a bid to survive competition, informed sources said Friday.

Birla Sun Life Insurance ties up with Quest Diagnostics (PharmaBiz)
Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Ltd., pioneer of Unit Linked Life Insurance plans, has appointed Quest Diagnostics India Private Ltd as its exclusive provider of health assessment services in India.

Chemed Reports Fourth-Quarter 2007 Results (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)


Chemed Reports Fourth-Quarter 2007 Results (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
CINCINNATI----Chemed Corporation , which operates VITAS Healthcare Corporation , the nation's largest provider of end-of-life care, and Roto-Rooter, the nation's largest commercial and residential plumbing and drain cleaning services provider, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007, versus the comparable prior-year period, as follows:

'It's life, I borrowed it' (Mail and Guardian)
In Ekurhuleni, Sibongile* supports three young children while clutching at a safety net of informally occupied land. After losing her employment as a domestic worker and the accommodation that came with it, she needed to keep a foothold in the city.

More than a game (Totally Jewish)
During the weekly Jewish News Review show on Jcom Radio last Thursday evening, one of the topics we covered was the success that Jerusalem was enjoying in a poll to select the cities to be featured on the new international edition of the everpopular Monopoly board game.

Instant Overview of the Czech Non-Life Insurance Market for 2008


Instant Overview of the Czech Non-Life Insurance Market for 2008 (Centre Daily Times)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c83430) has announced the addition of "Snapshots Czech Republic Non-Life Insurance 2008" to their offering.

Kotak Life Insurance Chooses Oracle To Enhance Business Efficiencies (SiliconIndia)
Type verification code in the box and submit. Bangalore: Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance (Kotak Life Insurance) has announced that they have selected Oracle Financial Management for effective financial control over its nationwide operations.

ING Introduces ROP Term Life Insurance in New York (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
ING has introduced return of premium term life insurance in New York state.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Benton Evening News) (ARA) -


Term Life Insurance Rate War (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Sagicor Life Insurance Company (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
OLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A- from B++ and the issuer credit rating to "a-" from "bbb+" of Sagicor Life Insurance Company . Concurrently, A.M.

NIB, Tower team up on life insurance (The West Australian)
Health fund manager NIB Holdings Ltd says it will team up with Tower Australia Group Ltd to offer life insurance products. The company will launch 'nib Value Life Insurance', targeting around 10,000 NIB customers nationwide.

A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Sagicor Life Insurance Company (Centre


A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Sagicor Life Insurance Company (Centre Daily Times)
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a-" from "bbb+" of Sagicor Life Insurance Company (Sagicor Life USA) (Austin, TX). Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the ICRs of "a" of Sagicor Life Inc. (St. Michael, Barbados) and its two operating life insurance subsidiaries, ...

Instant Overview of the Polish Life Insurance Market for 2008 Which Covers Life Insurance Linked to Investment Funds, ... (Centre Daily Times)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c83171) has announced the addition of "Snapshots Poland Life Insurance 2008" to their offering.

'It's life, I borrowed it' (Mail and Guardian) In Ekurhuleni,


'It's life, I borrowed it' (Mail and Guardian)
In Ekurhuleni, Sibongile* supports three young children while clutching at a safety net of informally occupied land. After losing her employment as a domestic worker and the accommodation that came with it, she needed to keep a foothold in the city.

Goldman's Death-Bond Stumble (BusinessWeek)
Life settlements may have a lot of allure for Goldman Sachs, but investors remain wary of the exotic securities

Fen-Phen Victims' Horse Has Come In (CBS News)
In 1997, a diet-drug maker quietly paid out billions in settlements for heart problems the medicine caused. Some of that money is still at issue, and turned up in an unlikely place: the Preakness winner's circle. Sharyl Attkisson reports.

Nigeria: Banks to Pay Life Insurance to Policemen (AllAfrica.com) The


Nigeria: Banks to Pay Life Insurance to Policemen (AllAfrica.com)
The life insurance of policemen killed by armed robbers while guarding banks would henceforth be paid by the banks. Force Spokesman Agberi Akpoebi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the decision was part of the resolutions at the weekend between the force and the banks.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (The Bradford Era)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

Cashing Out Life Insurance May Be Unwise (Hartford Courant)
With home equity tapped and investment yields down, some income-hungry retirees may be tempted to siphon cash from permanent life insurance policies.

Taiwan Life sees $4.2 mln in 09 premiums from China


Taiwan Life sees $4.2 mln in 09 premiums from China JV (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News)
TAIPEI, Feb 18 - Taiwan Life Insurance expects its new tie-up with China's Xiamen C&D to have 30 million yuan in premiums in 2009, a company executive said on Monday.

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Names New Vice President for Latin . America Regional Operations (InfoBolsa)
America Regional Operations 15/02/2008 16:52:00 Business Wire Pan-American Life Insurance Company, a leading international insurance company providing life insurance, worksite benefits and financial services for more than 95 years, announced that Robb A.

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Names New Vice President for Latin America Regional Operations (Centre Daily Times)
Pan-American Life Insurance Company, a leading international insurance company providing life insurance, worksite benefits and financial services for more than 95 years, announced that Robb A. Suchecki will join the company as its new vice president for Latin American Regional Operations.

Israeli Civil Administration : Third of Settlements Built on Land Confiscated


Israeli Civil Administration : Third of Settlements Built on Land Confiscated for 'Security Purposes' (Palestine Media Center)
February 17, 2008 -- More than one-third of the illegal Jewish settlements in the West bank were built on confiscated private Palestinian land that was temporarily seized by military order for "security purposes," according to a report by the Civil Administration of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) that is being published for the first time, Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Sunday.

Cashing Out Life Insurance May Be Unwise (Hartford Courant)
With home equity tapped and investment yields down, some income-hungry retirees may be tempted to siphon cash from permanent life insurance policies.

Ancient Minoan Culture Comes To Life At The Onassis Cultural Center (Art Daily)
Bull's Head Rhyton, Late Minoan IB, Palace at Zakros, West Wing. Herakleion Archaeological Museum. NEW YORK.- On March 13, 2008, more than 280 artifacts from the ancient land of Crete, most of which have never been shown outside of Greece, will be on view at the Onassis Cultural Center.

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Jackson National Life Insurance Company


A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Jackson National Life Insurance Company and Its Affiliates (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
OLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ and issuer credit ratings of "aa" of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, its wholly owned subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York and its direct parent, Brooke Life Insurance Company.

Think it through before cashing life insurance (Chicago Tribune)
W ith home equity tapped and investment yields down, some income-hungry retirees may be tempted to siphon cash from permanent life insurance policies.

Allianz Life Insurance agrees to $10M settlement (BizJournals)
Allianz Life Insurance Co., the largest seller of annuities in California, agreed to a $10 million settlement with the state Department of Insurance for allegedly targeting thousands of seniors in deceptive annuity sales.

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Names New Vice President for Latin America Regional Operations (Centre Daily Times)
Pan-American Life Insurance Company, a leading international insurance company providing life insurance, worksite benefits and financial services for more than 95 years, announced that Robb A. Suchecki will join the company as its new vice president for Latin American Regional Operations.

Sun Life Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises on U.S. Insurance (Bloomberg.com) Feb.


Sun Life Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises on U.S. Insurance (Bloomberg.com)
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Sun Life Financial Inc., Canada's third-largest insurer, said profit climbed for the ninth straight quarter because of higher life insurance sales in the U.S.

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Names New Vice President for Latin America Regional Operations (wallstreet:online AG)
Pan-American Life Insurance Company, a leading international insurance company providing life insurance,

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Jackson National Life Insurance Company and Its Affiliates (Centre Daily Times)
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings of "aa" of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, its wholly owned subsidiary, Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (together known as JNL) and its direct parent, Brooke Life Insurance Company. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the debt ratings of "aa" on JNL's funding ...

Pan-American Life Insurance Company Names New Vice President for Latin . America Regional Operations (InfoBolsa)
America Regional Operations 15/02/2008 16:52:00 Business Wire Pan-American Life Insurance Company, a leading international insurance company providing life insurance, worksite benefits and financial services for more than 95 years, announced that Robb A.

'The Fonz' takes the stand at Ritter death trial (CNN.com)


'The Fonz' takes the stand at Ritter death trial (CNN.com)
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Actor Henry Winkler took the witness stand Wednesday in a lawsuit over the death of actor John Ritter, telling jurors he had a conversation with his friend just hours before he died.

J.G. Wentworth Life Settlements LLC Announces Licensing to Purchase Life Insurance Policies in Ohio and Georgia (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
First direct-to-consumer sales model in life settlements market builds on leadership positions in structured settlement and annuity segments.

SOUTH AFRICA: Paying the price for mining (IRIN)
WONDERFONTEINSPRUIT , 15 February 2008 (IRIN) - One legacy of South Africa's extensive mineral deposits is the infrastructure and wealth of the country.

SOUTH AFRICA: Paying the price for mining (AlertNet)
Source: IRIN One legacy of South Africa's extensive mineral deposits is the infrastructure and wealth of the country. But another more troubling legacy is emerging as an increasingly urgent problem: environmental contamination from over 100 years of mining that could severely pollute the country's water, affecting the food chain and citizens' health.

Ketzenberger: Rooting out a twisted form of life insurance (The


Ketzenberger: Rooting out a twisted form of life insurance (The Indianapolis Star)
Grandma has a STOLI, and it has nothing to do with vodka. Is this something to worry about? The Indiana General Assembly thinks so. This morning a state Senate committee will hear testimony on a bill to make selling STOLIs -- stranger- originated life insurance policies -- a fraudulent act.

AgStar Financial Services Offers Customers MyTerm(SM), a New Online Life Insurance Product (Centre Daily Times)
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) today announced an agreement between its Individual Life Insurance business and AgStar Financial Services to offer MyTerm(SM), a simplified issue term life insurance policy available through the Internet, to AgStar Financial Services customers. Through an online automated underwriting process that can be accessed from virtually anywhere, MyTerm(SM) delivers ...

Sun Life bullish on India insurance prospects (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News)
TORONTO, Feb 14 - Canadian insurer Sun Life Financial Inc plans to take steps this year to expand its business in India, where growth in the life insurance sector is "extraordinary," Chief Executive Don Stewart said on Thursday.

Sun Life Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises on U.S. Insurance (Bloomberg.com)
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Sun Life Financial Inc., Canada's third-largest insurer, said profit climbed for the ninth straight quarter because of higher life insurance sales in the U.S.

Sun Life Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises on U.S. Insurance (Bloomberg.com) Feb.


Sun Life Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises on U.S. Insurance (Bloomberg.com)
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Sun Life Financial Inc., Canada's third-largest insurer, said profit climbed for the ninth straight quarter because of higher life insurance sales in the U.S.

Kiplinger's Long-Term Care Consumer Video Sponsored by John Hancock Life Insurance Company Wins National Aegis Award (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Who Cares: Kiplinger's No- Nonsense Look at Long-Term Care," a consumer education video sponsored by the long-term care department of John Hancock Life Insurance Company, has won an Aegis Award for excellence in film and video.

Professionals pay matchmakers to be 'headhunters for the heart' (USA


Professionals pay matchmakers to be 'headhunters for the heart' (USA Today)
Harry Green didn't tell anyone about his secret search for true love except his matchmaker. The 52-year-old divorced computer systems consultant from Philadelphia took a businesslike approach to seeking a soul mate.

Henry Winkler testifies in John Ritter wrongful death lawsuit (The Fresno Bee)
Actor Henry Winkler took the witness stand Wednesday in a lawsuit over the death of actor John Ritter and told jurors about a conversation with his friend just hours before he died.

J.G. Wentworth Life Settlements LLC Announces Licensing to Purchase Life Insurance Policies in Ohio and Georgia (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
First direct-to-consumer sales model in life settlements market builds on leadership positions in structured settlement and annuity segments.

Henry Winkler Testifies In Ritter Wrongful Death Lawsuit Trial (NBC 4 Los Angeles)
Actor John Ritter was a devoted family man who was thrilled to be working on another successful television series so many years after "Three's Company" left the air, fellow actor Henry Winkler testified Wednesday during trial of a $67 million wrongful death suit by Ritter's family against two doctors.

Columbian Financial Group to merge with Mutual of Detroit Life


Columbian Financial Group to merge with Mutual of Detroit Life Insurance Co. (Press & Sun-Bulletin)
VESTAL -- Columbian Financial Group will merge with Mutual of Detroit Life Insurance Co., a move that Columbian said will enhance its bottom line. "It will strengthen the company, which will bode well for upstate," said Dan Fischer, Columbian's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Prudential Financial Names Gail Van Dalen Vice President of Marketing, Individual Life Insurance (Centre Daily Times)
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) announced today that Gail Van Dalen has been named vice president of Marketing in The Prudential Insurance Company of America's domestic Individual Life Insurance business, based in Newark, NJ. Van Dalen is responsible for life insurance product marketing for all domestic distribution channels including advanced sales support to both captive and independent ...

Prudential Financial Names Gail Van Dalen Vice President of Marketing, Individual Life Insurance (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
NEWARK, N.J.----Prudential Financial, Inc. announced today that Gail Van Dalen has been named vice president of Marketing in The Prudential Insurance Company of America's domestic Individual Life Insurance business, based in Newark, NJ.

Nat'l life insurance scheme to be fair and flexible (Straits


Nat'l life insurance scheme to be fair and flexible (Straits Times)
THE National Longevity Insurance Committee has submitted its full report to the Government outlining a life-long insurance scheme that's said to be 'fair and flexible'.

MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Up 1.4% in December (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was up +1.4% in December, year-over-year. For the year, 2007 application activity lagged that of 2006 by -2.5%, according to the MIB Life Index.

New Report Gives Five Year Forecasts for the Latvian Life Insurance Market (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of Snapshots Latvia Life Insurance 2008 to their offering.

The view from inside a Sharia court (BBC News) Lawyer


The view from inside a Sharia court (BBC News)


Lawyer Says He'll Show Doctors Caused John Ritter's Death (Fox News)
A lawyer representing John Ritter's family told a jury Monday he would show that doctors caused the actor's death by an improper diagnosis and substandard treatment.

Trial begins over John Ritter's death (Lexington Herald-Leader)
A lawyer for John Ritter's family told a jury Monday that he would show doctors caused the actor's death by an improper diagnosis and substandard treatment. "What you'll hear, ladies and gentleman, is that ... they did everything wrong," attorney Moses Lebovits said in his opening statement at the trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Ritter died of a tear in the aorta, known as an aortic ...

John Ritter's family sues doctors (KABC-TV Los Angeles)
Ritter's family claims doctors misdiagnosed him with a heart attack, costing him his life.

OM Kotak Mahindra Life changes name (Business Standard India) OM


OM Kotak Mahindra Life changes name (Business Standard India)
OM Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company announced yesterday that it has changed its company name to Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Limited. The brand will now be known as Kotak Life Insurance.

Life Insurance Firms Still Fill the Lending Breach (GlobeSt.com)
WASHINGTON, DC-Life insurance companies, along with other balance sheet lenders and alternative forms of capital, have been stepping into the breach created by the CMBS markets seizure last year.

Term or Perm Life Insurance? What Are Consumers Buying? (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
InsureMe announces results from life insurance study

Insurance incentive (San Diego Union-Tribune) If you don't have dependents,


Insurance incentive (San Diego Union-Tribune)
If you don't have dependents, you probably don't need life insurance. The other side of that coin, however, is that if you do have dependents, you do need life insurance to protect them in case anything happens to you. But almost as important, you need disability insurance if you become ill or injured.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (The Bradford Era)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Richfield Reaper) (ARA) -


Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

SBI life to pump in Rs 300 cr for expansion plan (Chennai Online)
Chandigarh, Feb 09: In a bid to deepen market penetration, SBI life insurance will infuse Rs 300 crore of capital within next two months for funding its expansion plans which entails opening new offices and hiring more insurance advisors.

Your kids don't need life insurance (CNN Money)
Question: I received an offer in the mail to buy a life insurance policy for my 18-month old daughter for a small monthly premium. As I understand it, the policy would not only build cash value, but double the amount of insurance coverage when my daughter turns 21. Do you think this is a good plan to build for my daughter's financial future or is there a better way? --R.K.

Board won't contest Mills' life insurance (The Buffalo News)
NEWFANE After much agonizing, the Newfane School Board has opted not to legally challenge former School Superintendent James N. Mills' $1 million whole-life insurance policy.

Utah's state fish still may be provided protection (The Salt


Utah's state fish still may be provided protection (The Salt Lake Tribune)
The Utah state fish's bid for protection under the Endangered Species Act gained new life Thursday when federal biologists announced they will reopen their study of many Great Basin waters.

SA man gets life term for killing Indian-origin farmer (Express India)
A South African man was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of an Indian-origin farmer in Port Shepstone.

Protective Life Earnings Fall 29 Percent (AP via Yahoo! Finance)


Protective Life Earnings Fall 29 Percent (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Insurance and investment products provider Protective Life Corp. said Thursday evening its fourth-quarter earnings fell 29 percent due to investment losses.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

Your kids don't need life insurance (CNN Money)
Question: I received an offer in the mail to buy a life insurance policy for my 18-month old daughter for a small monthly premium. As I understand it, the policy would not only build cash value, but double the amount of insurance coverage when my daughter turns 21. Do you think this is a good plan to build for my daughter's financial future or is there a better way? --R.K.

Overview of the Singaporean Insurance Market which Covers Life and Non-Life Insurance (Business Wire via Yahoo!7 Finance)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c82151) has announced the addition of "Snapshots Singapore Insurance 2007" to their offering.

Your kids don't need life insurance (Money via Yahoo! Finance)


Your kids don't need life insurance (Money via Yahoo! Finance)
Question: I received an offer in the mail to buy a life insurance policy for my 18-month old daughter for a small monthly premium. As I understand it, the policy would not only build cash value, but double the amount of insurance coverage when my daughter turns 21.

Overview of the Singaporean Insurance Market which Covers Life and Non-Life Insurance (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Snapshots Singapore Insurance 2007" to their offering.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

CSC's Life Insurance Incentive Compensation Management Systems Reach 1.5 Million-Distributor Milestone (The San Francisco Examiner)
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. ( Map ) - EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC ) today announced that CSC's incentive compensation management (ICM) software now processes life insurance commissions for more than 1.5 million U.S. distributors, agents and producers.

Urban ecology: taking measure of the coming megacity's impact (EurekAlert!)


Urban ecology: taking measure of the coming megacity's impact (EurekAlert!)
TEMPE, Ariz. If you are reading this, chances are that you live in a city one, perhaps, on its way to becoming a megacity with a population that exceeds 10 million or more. If not, you and most of the world s population soon will be, according to global population demographics projections.

Judge s social life raises questions (Galveston County Daily News)
GALVESTON At 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2006, Galveston attorney Tony Buzbee scored an important victory in a case involving 52 victims of the 2005 explosion at BP s Texas City refinery.

Culture in peril as satellite TV comes to Borneo's Penan (AFP via Yahoo! News)
As the roar of heavy chainsaws echoes in the distance, 54-year-old Ajang Kiew, once a nomadic Penan tribesman, wages a losing battle to save his culture in Borneo's rainforests.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (The Bradford Era) (ARA)


Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (The Bradford Era)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

Your kids don't need life insurance (CNN Money)
Question: I received an offer in the mail to buy a life insurance policy for my 18-month old daughter for a small monthly premium. As I understand it, the policy would not only build cash value, but double the amount of insurance coverage when my daughter turns 21. Do you think this is a good plan to build for my daughter's financial future or is there a better way? --R.K.

Report: D&O Insurance Costs Highest for Financial, Tech, Life Science Firms (Insurance Journal)
A new study has found that the financial services, technology and life sciences industries face the highest premiums for directors and officers liability insurance, with the lowest premiums found in e

Taiwan Life Insurance gets green light on China JV (Reuters


Taiwan Life Insurance gets green light on China JV (Reuters via Yahoo! Malaysia News)
TAIPEI, Feb 5 - Taiwan Life Insurance Co has won approval from Chinese authorities for an insurance joint venture in China, the company said on Tuesday, the third such tie-up between firms in the two countries.

Smokers Can Afford Life Insurance (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you've been putting off shopping for life insurance because you're a smoker, or think you are paying exorbitant premiums because of your habit, it's time to start shopping around.

(AFX UK Focus) 2008-02-05 12:56 GMT: Swiss life, non-life insurance sectors' outlook stable; 2008 challenging - Fitch (Interactive Investor)
MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Fitch Ratings said it assigned a stable outlook to Swiss life and non-life insurance sectors, but said it expects challenging market conditions in 2008, which could affect the positive steps taken by both insurers since 2002.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

John Ritter's diagnosis at center of $67M lawsuit (CNN.com) LOS


John Ritter's diagnosis at center of $67M lawsuit (CNN.com)
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- More than four years after his death, John Ritter's relatives are taking their $67 million lawsuit to trial Tuesday, claiming the actor would have survived if two doctors had recognized his heart abnormality and not treated it as a heart attack.

A day in the life of a tax preparer (The Courier Express)
DuBOIS - 'Tis the season for W-2s, 1040s, 1099s and a lot of aspirin because tax time is here again. Rob Spicher of RTS Accounting Service is one of many people who try to make the dreaded tax preparation a little easier.

ESTATE PLANNING column: Two ways to sell life insurance policies (The Times of Northwest Indiana)
Q: I have a couple of paid life insurance policies that have a significant cash value. I was thinking about cashing the policy, but a friend suggested that I sell them. Is it possible to sell a life insurance policy?

Bill takes aim at life insurance gimmick (Lincoln Journal Star)


Bill takes aim at life insurance gimmick (Lincoln Journal Star)
The Nebraska Department of Insurance wants to stop the latest ghoulish investment gimmick, a new twist on life insurance that targets seniors, banking on the likelihood that they will soon be dead.

Canara, OBC, HSBC plan life insurance biz (Business Standard India)
Looking to derive strength from their huge customer base and branch network, two PSU lenders - Canara Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce - along with the insurance arm of UK-based HSBC Group are likely to start a life insurance venture in the next four months.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Swiss life, non-life insurance sectors' outlook stable; 2008 challenging - Fitch (The Forex Market)
MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Fitch Ratings said it assigned a stable outlook to Swiss life and non-life insurance sectors, but said it expects challenging market conditions in 2008, which could affect the positive steps taken by both insurers since 2002.

Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going Online (Richfield Reaper) (ARA) -


Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going Online (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - Unless you're a carefree, 20-something single with no debt and no property, chances are you've at least thought about buying life insurance.

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Indiabulls to go ahead with life insurance biz (Chennai Online)
Mumbai, Feb 3 Indiabulls' tie-up with Sogecap for the life insurance business is on and the Indian firm is going ahead with its plans despite the problems faced by the parent firm of the French firm .

CNinsure Enters Into Strategic Partnership With Ping An Life Insurance (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
CNinsure Inc. , a leading independent insurance agency and brokerage company operating in China, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ping An Life Insurance Company of China, Ltd. for a strategic partnership in the distribution and design of certain insurance products.

Center man, who slipped on ice outside a local bank,


Center man, who slipped on ice outside a local bank, receives one of county s largest-ever court judgments (The Beaver County Times)
BEAVER A Center Township man has been awarded $3.1 million in a slip-and-fall lawsuit, likely one of the biggest awards of its kind in Beaver County civil court history.

Judge s social life raises questions (Texas City Sun)
GALVESTON At 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2006, Galveston attorney Tony Buzbee scored an important victory in a case involving 52 victims of the 2005 explosion at BP s Texas City refinery.

Life Settlement Specialist - Genesett - Now Advising Institutional Investors (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.----Genesett Corporation, a firm dedicated to providing life settlements portfolio management services, is pleased to announce its entrance into the institutional life settlements marketplace with the recent appointment of Jim Bilodeau as Genesett's Managing Director of Institutional Sales.

Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going Online (Benton Evening News) (ARA)


Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going Online (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - Unless you're a carefree, 20-something single with no debt and no property, chances are you've at least thought about buying life insurance.

ESTATE PLANNING column: Two ways to sell life insurance policies (The Times of Northwest Indiana)
Q: I have a couple of paid life insurance policies that have a significant cash value. I was thinking about cashing the policy, but a friend suggested that I sell them. Is it possible to sell a life insurance policy?

Term Life Insurance Rate War (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about buying term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance companies are competing for the lowest term life insurance rates. Rates are expected to continue to decrease throughout 2008.

Aviva to enter South Korea's life insurance market (Banking Business


Aviva to enter South Korea's life insurance market (Banking Business Review)
Aviva is planning to enter the South Korean life insurance market by forming a consortium with Woori Finance Holdings Company. The consortium has entered into a definitive agreement with LIG Insurance and seven individual shareholders to acquire a 91.65% stake in LIG Life Insurance, a South Korean life insurance company, for a consideration of KRW137.17 billion in cash.

McCain took life insurance policy for loan (UPI)
Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign is out of debt after a Washington bank issued a $3 million loan with a life insurance policy.

Smart Life Insurance Shoppers Going Online (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - Unless you're a carefree, 20-something single with no debt and no property, chances are you've at least thought about buying life insurance.

McCain took life insurance policy for loan (Moldova.org)
Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign is out of debt after a Washington bank issued a $3 million loan with a life insurance policy.McCain has raised at least $7 million this month, vaulting his campaign coffers into the black after he took out the loan in November while the campaign was $500,000 in debt, The Washington Post reported Friday.Finance reports for 2007 submitted ...

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Richfield Reaper) (ARA) -


Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Richfield Reaper)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

McCain Needed Life Insurance To Get Loan (CBS News)
By last November, John McCain's campaign was broke. To survive, he offered his fundraising lists as collateral for a $3 million line of credit from a local bank. But the loan also required an unusual extra step, the Washington Post reports.

Remains of Wiscasset re-settlement may have been found by state


Remains of Wiscasset re-settlement may have been found by state (Wiscasset Newspaper)
The state's plans to build a bypass around Wiscasset may well be influenced by evidence of life that existed here nearly 6,000 years ago - or as recently as a few hundred years ago.

GLOBAL: Good early nutrition can make you richer (AlertNet)
Source: IRIN Eating nutritious food at an early age will not only ensure a source of income as an adult but also better pay, according to a study published in the current issue of The Lancet, a leading British medical journal.

WORLD WETLANDS DAY: FEB2 (Greater Kashmir)
Wetlands are a great blessing of Nature which we all must strive to protect. They give Kashmir the name it s famous the world over, comments Prof. M. R. D. Kundangar Wetlands are among the most productive life support systems in the world and are of immense socioeconomic and ecological importance to mankind.

TODAY'S EDITORIAL: A River Runs Out (The Times of India)
Nero fiddled as Rome burned. The Delhi government and the Jal Board choose to wage courtroom battles - over deadlines to clean up the Yamuna - as the river submits to human abuse. Rivers are naturally life-giving. The Yamuna was one such.