BANKERS LIFE AND CASUALTY COMPANY CEO NAMED TO BOARD OF INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY CENTER

CHICAGO (December 19, 2003) - Edward M. Berube, President and CEO of Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Chicago, has been named to the Board of Directors of the International Longevity Center (ILC), New York.

Affiliated with the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the ILC is a not-for-profit research, policy and education organization focused on addressing the issues and opportunities of population aging and longevity. Its mission is to focus attention on the aging process, highlighting the productivity potential of older people and the significant contributions they can and do make to their families, communities and society. The Center was founded in 1990 by Dr. Robert Butler, an internationally renowned authority on aging. Dr. Butler is the President and CEO of the Center.

"We are delighted to have someone of Ed's stature join our Board," said Dr. Butler. "He and Bankers, the company he leads, are actively involved in supporting the work of the Alzheimer's Association and in addressing the health and retirement needs of older persons. These are areas of great interest to our organization."

"Additionally, Ed's background and experience make him a great fit for our board. His perspective as a businessman, as well as a volunteer, humanitarian and philosopher, will be highly valuable to our organization."

Berube said, "I'm looking forward to becoming an active member of the ILC Board. The ILC's mission of helping individuals and organizations focus on the positive and productive aspects of aging and longevity is very exciting to me. This is also a critically important area for our country and society, as more and more Americans move toward and beyond traditional retirement age."

Berube joined Bankers as its top executive in October 2000. Before joining the company, he served as president and chief operating officer of American Life Insurance Company, an AIG subsidiary, and prior to that president of CIGNA Financial Advisors. His current industry and civic involvements include serving on the Boards of the Health Insurers Association of America, Chicago Boys and Girls Clubs, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Illinois Life Insurance Council.

Established in 1879 and headquartered at the historic Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses exclusively on the financial security needs of seniors. The company offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for seniors. These products are distributed through a national network of professionally trained company agents. Visit us online at www.bankers.com.

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