ING LifeStyle Portfolios Surpass $4 Billion Milestone in Variable Annuity Products

PRNewswire-FirstCall
ATLANTA
Apr 12, 2006

ING Variable Annuities, a marketing arm of ING U.S. Financial Services, announced today that its four LifeStyle portfolios within its variable annuity products have surpassed the $4 billion total assets milestone since the ready-made asset allocation choices were introduced in 2004.

The four ING LifeStyle portfolios are designed to meet the needs of individual investors and savers who prefer simple, diversified investment options consistent with their risk tolerance and long-term investment goals, according to Harry N. Stout, president, ING Annuities.

"Reaching the $4 billion milestone at this stage certainly confirms the strategic rationale for launching the LifeStyle investment portfolios," said Stout. "Advisors and their clients clearly embrace the simplicity of ING LifeStyle portfolios and are finding the right solutions among the four portfolio options."

Stout said he expects the ING LifeStyle portfolios to continue their steady growth throughout 2006. ING LifeStyle portfolios are available within ING variable annuities (issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York) as a simplified way to establish and maintain a diversified investment mix that aligns with individual client life stage needs. ING Variable Annuities' four LifeStyle portfolios include moderate, moderate growth, growth and aggressive growth options.

"Introducing the LifeStyle portfolio choices has further enhanced ING Variable Annuities' already strong selection of product features and investment options," said Stout. "Our goal is to offer solutions to investors' savings and income challenges."

Ibbotson Associates, a Morningstar company that's not affiliated with the ING family of companies, provides ongoing asset allocation analysis for ING's LifeStyle portfolios. The four portfolios' subaccounts invest in a combination of underlying portfolios with varying degrees of potential investment risks and rewards. Quarterly, each portfolio's target allocation strategy is re-evaluated, and investments are rebalanced if necessary, to reflect changes and trends.

To help financial advisors and their clients identify the most appropriate ING LifeStyle portfolio for their individual financial strategy, a proprietary questionnaire is used to evaluate the investor's personal financial situation, risk tolerance and investment objectives.

Annuities are issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York. Variable Annuities are distributed by Directed Services, Inc. member NASD. 1475 Dunwoody Drive, West Chester, PA 19380. Only ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York is admitted, and its products offered, in the state of New York. All are members of the ING family of companies.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges, and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The prospectuses for the variable annuity and underlying investment options contain this and other information. You may obtain free prospectuses by calling your financial professional or 800-366-0066. Please read the prospectuses carefully before investing.

Variable insurance products are subject to investment risk, are not guaranteed and will fluctuate in value. In addition, there is no guarantee that any variable investment option will meet its stated objective.

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 115,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand.

In the U.S., the ING family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients which include life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, financial planning, and reinsurance. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves over 14 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com

SOURCE: ING U.S. Financial Services

CONTACT: Chuck Eudy of ING U.S. Financial Services, +1-770-980-5209, or
mobile, +1-770-490-6420, or chuck.eudy@us.ing.com

Web site: http://www.ing.com/us
http://www.ing.com/