TORONTO, June 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Foresters(tm), a leading fraternal benefit society, and Actuarial Development Services (ADS) have entered into a product development partnership to serve the needs of its U.S. members and prospective members in the middle market with innovative life insurance products. As a result of this collaboration, Foresters has launched Lifefirst(1), a new level term life insurance product, with a suite of feature rich riders including a Common Carrier Accidental Death Rider(2) and a first of its kind Family Health Benefit Rider(3) as standard protection features.
Foresters Lifefirst will be marketed exclusively through leading National Marketing Organizations (NMOs) that will provide Foresters with additional market insight and an expanded independent distribution network. With more choice of independent distributors, more Americans than ever before will have an opportunity to become Foresters members and have access to Foresters products.
"Foresters partnership with ADS is another step forward in achieving our North American strategy to grow bigger, faster and in a more cost-effective manner so we can deliver on our fraternal mission to enrich the lives of our members and their communities," said George Mohacsi, President and CEO of Foresters. "Our strategy for growth is to focus on independent distribution partners. ADS provides that access allowing Foresters to build upon our already strong distribution network and heritage of helping families achieve financial security through our life insurance products and sharing our resources with them and their communities across the country."
Foresters is already realizing the benefits of its North American strategy. Foresters moved its career agents to an independent sales force in the U.S. at the beginning of this year and has been working with an independent marketing organization (IMO) since 2005. As a result, Foresters is experiencing tremendous growth in 2007.
"Foresters is a very attractive and exciting new partner for ADS as they are in a strong financial position; have the resources and the ability to quickly develop new products; and are committed to growing significantly," said President of ADS, Dave Rich. "With its unique offering of the benefits of membership and its commitment to communities, Foresters provides distributors with a fresh story to tell that we are confident will resonate well with the middle market."
Comprehensive suite of feature rich riders
Lifefirst includes competitively priced medical and non-medical rates and added features that address the needs of today's middle market, such as:
-- A Common Carrier Accidental Death Rider and first of its kind
Family Health Benefit Rider that are provided at no additional
premium
-- A critical illness rider that provides an accelerated death
benefit for those experiencing a covered critical illness or
procedure
-- An accident only disability income rider with higher issue rates
that provides a monthly income for those who have become totally
disabled due to an accidental bodily injury
"Foresters Lifefirst provides affordable living benefits so our members can benefit from their life insurance coverage while still alive," said Chris Pinkerton, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Foresters. "Foresters Lifefirst provides funds at critical times in the insured's life when they need it the most."
Eligible Lifefirst insureds may have access to Foresters member benefits. This variety of complimentary life, health and education benefits go beyond life insurance to help families get more out of life. They will also get to experience Foresters strong commitment to its members' communities and the opportunities it provides members to get involved and make a difference. For details on member benefits and eligibility, visit www.foresters.com/membership.
Five leading NMOs have already signed on with Foresters to become the exclusive distribution channels for Lifefirst. ADS, AIP Marketing Alliance Inc., Executive Marketing Insurers, Life Professionals, Inc. and Standard Marketing Services represent a number of IMOs that include thousands of agents across the United States.
About ADS
With a history dating back to 1973, Actuarial Development Services, LLC and its affiliates serve the insurance industry by bridging the needs of insurance companies and major distribution channels. ADS blends product design, benefits, underwriting and profitability into today's top selling products. This has resulted in annual sales of $2.2 billion in annuities, $185 million in life insurance and $110 million in senior products.
About Foresters
Founded in 1874, Foresters(tm) helps individuals and families achieve financial security with its innovative portfolio of life insurance products and annuities. Foresters has assets of more than $5.7 billion with liabilities of $4.5 billion resulting in a surplus of $1.2 billion (all figures in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2006) and an "A" (Excellent) rating by A.M. Best*. Foresters shares its financial strength with its members, who are customers, through complimentary life, health and education benefits that help its more than 745,000 eligible members and their families in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Foresters provides opportunities that inspire its members to make a difference in their communities. Foresters Equity Services Inc.** and Foresters Securities (Canada) Inc. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Foresters that offer investment products in the United States and Canada respectively. For more information, please visit www.foresters.com
Foresters(tm) is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.
The Foresters logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2969
The Foresters Lifefirst logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3880
* An "A" (Excellent) rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. In assigning Foresters rating, A.M. Best stated that Foresters rating outlook is "stable", which means it is unlikely to change in the near future, assuming Foresters financial strength is maintained and operations grow. A.M. Best assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings.
** Foresters Equity Services, Inc., 6640 Lusk Blvd, Suite A-202, San Diego, CA. Member NASD and SIPC
(1) Lifefirst: This product is filed under form number LFEN-US01-2007, LFEN-XX01-2007 where XX stands for your state's postal abbreviation. (2) Common Carrier Accidental Death Rider: This rider is filed under form number CCADR-US01-2007, CCADR-XX01-2007 where XX stands for your state's postal abbreviation. (3) Family Health Benefit Rider: This rider is filed under form number FHB-US01-2007, FHB-XX01-2007 where XX stands for your state's postal abbreviation.
Editors note: Lifefirst Product Highlights is available at this link: www.foresters.com/product