ING Introduces New WisdomTree(SM) Global-High Yielding Equity Index Portfolio as Variable Annuity Investment Option

ING (NYSE: ING) and WisdomTree Investments, Inc. (Pink Sheets: WSDT) have announced the launch of ING WisdomTree Global High-Yielding Equity Index Portfolio (the "Portfolio"), a new fundamentally weighted index portfolio that will be available exclusively as a variable investment option within an ING variable annuity issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance company.

The new ING WisdomTree(SM) Global High-Yielding Equity Index Portfolio goes beyond traditional market capitalization-weighting by applying a rules- based methodology to select and weight equities based on cash dividends (a metric of fundamental value) rather than stock prices alone. This new approach may allow the ING WisdomTree Global High-Yielding Equity Index Portfolio to better help protect ING annuity investors from the volatility of traditional market capitalization-weighted indexes that at times are susceptible to stock price fluctuations influenced by speculation, rumor, and large-scale buying and selling activity.

Variable annuities are long-term insurance contracts designed for investing for individual retirement, and they usually feature opportunities to allocate money among fixed investments and equities-based variable investment options that have the potential to grow income tax-deferred until an income stream begins.

Jeremy Siegel, Senior Investment Strategy Advisor for WisdomTree Investments, believes dividend-weighted indexes represent a better way to invest. "My years of research have shown that value-tilted portfolios historically outperformed growth portfolios over long periods. The importance of dividends and earnings when selecting stocks is evident," Siegel said. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Bill Lowe, President, ING Wealth Management Distribution, said making the new dividend-weighted index portfolio available through ING annuity contracts is in response to strong client interest in savings and retirement income vehicles that help manage downside risk while still taking advantage of steady equity growth potential. Lowe noted that the market volatility of recent months underscores the potential benefit of a rules-based methodology to select and weight equities based on cash dividends.

Because market capitalization-weighted indexes rely on stock price as the only indicator of value, they assign more weight to stocks with the highest market capitalizations. This means they have the potential to become overweighted in overvalued stocks and underweighted in undervalued stocks, potentially exposing investors to additional risks, according to WisdomTree.

The Portfolio will be sub-advised by ING Investment Management Company and will be distributed by ING Funds Distributor, LLC. WisdomTree has licensed its WisdomTree(SM) Global High-Yielding Equity Index to ING Investment Management Company, which will seek to match, before fees and expenses, the performance of the underlying index in managing the Portfolio's assets. Variable investment options are available only as investment options in variable universal life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts issued by life insurance companies and are not directly offered or made available to the public.

"We are thrilled to partner with ING Annuities to launch an exciting new index strategy in the variable annuity channel," said WisdomTree CEO Jonathan Steinberg. "The Global High-Yielding Equity Index features attractive characteristics for long-term investors measured by historical return, potentially high dividend yield and reduced volatility," Steinberg said. He added "Partnering with ING Annuities is very important for WisdomTree because it expands our indexing franchise into a new distribution channel. We are particularly pleased at the choice of our Global High-Yielding Equity Strategy as we believe it is an attractive strategy that may be appropriate for many types of investors."

Variable annuities are long-term insurance contracts designed for investing for retirement. They offer the opportunity to allocate premiums among fixed and variable investment options that have the potential to grow income tax-deferred, until an income stream begins. 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.

Variable annuities usually consist of three key components:

(1) A variable annuity allows your earnings to grow tax-free until they are withdrawn. Withdrawals may be subject to surrender charges. Upon withdrawal, your investment earnings will be subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59-1/2, a 10% IRS penalty tax may apply. Transfers among investment options currently are not subject to ordinary income tax.

(2) Annuities generally offer a full range of investment options managed by professionals in the industry. The performance of the portfolios selected within an annuity will cause your investment return to fluctuate. Your investment is subject to market risk and you may lose all, or part, of your investment. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(3) ING Variable Annuities offer death benefits that provide protection for your beneficiary and optional living benefits that provide protection for the contract owner. ING variable annuities also provide lifetime income options to help protect against outliving your income. Optional living benefits are available for an additional charge. Other limitations may apply. Withdrawals have the effect of reducing the death benefit and optional benefits elected. All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company, which is solely responsible for all obligations under its policies.

Annuities are issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (Des Moines, IA) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY). Variable Annuities are distributed by Directed Services LLC, 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. ING Annuities is the marketing name for the issuing insurance companies. Note: All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of each issuing insurance company, which is solely responsible for all obligations under its policies.

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. There are risks associated with investing including possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks of investing, foreign investing involves special risks, such as risk of loss from currency fluctuation or political or economic uncertainty.

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.

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to more than 75 million private, corporate and institutional clients in more than 50 countries. With a diverse workforce of over 120,000 people, ING comprises a broad spectrum of prominent companies that increasingly serve their clients under the ING brand. For more information, visit www.ing.com

About WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. has developed the first family of fundamentally weighted indexes. The WisdomTree Indexes cover all major market capitalizations, both domestically and internationally. In contrast to capitalization-weighted indexes, the WisdomTree Indexes anchor the initial weights of individual stocks to a measure of fundamental value. The company believes its approach provides investors with a viable alternative to market cap-weighted indexes.

© 2008 WisdomTree Investments, Inc. "WisdomTree" is a service mark of WisdomTree Investments, Inc. WisdomTree Investments, Inc. has patents pending on the methodology and operation of its indexes

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: chuck.eudy@us.ing.com

SOURCE: ING

CONTACT: Chuck Eudy, ING US Financial Services, +1-770-980-5209,
+1-770-490-6420 (mobile), chuck.eudy@us.ing.com; or Stuart Bell, WisdomTree
Investments, Inc., +1-917-267-3702, +1-646-361-1601 (mobile),
sbell@wisdomtree.com

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