Growth in New Sales Lifts ING to No. 2 Ranking Among Variable Annuity Providers

Sales of ING variable annuities climbed a dramatic 45 percent during the 4th quarter of 2007, moving the company to a No. 2 ranking among all variable annuity providers, up from its 2006 full-year No. 11 ranking, according to the company and recently reported data from VARDS.

Beginning with October 2007, ING (NYSE: ING) monthly variable annuity sales exceeded $1 billion, and topped that milestone again in both November and December 2007. Within two of the customary distribution channels for investment and insurance products, independent financial planners and NYSE and regional broker dealers, ING climbed to the No. 2 spot in both channels, according to VARDS data. Total new sales of ING variable annuities for 2007 grew to a record $10.765 billion, up more than 22 percent over 2006, according to the company.

ING variable annuities are issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company (and in New York only by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York) and are distributed by Directed Services, LLC.

According to Bill Lowe, president - ING Wealth Management Distribution, the dramatic growth in sales was driven by two things: The strength of ING's variable annuity sales organization, where the company's more than 120 wholesalers have established strong working relationships with independent financial advisors and with institutional distributors like banks and brokerage firms; and the success of ING LifePay Plus, a new variable annuity rider that was introduced to the market last August and can only be purchased within an ING variable annuity contract. During the 4th quarter of 2007, nearly 70% of the variable annuity contracts purchased included the ING LifePay Plus withdrawal benefit optional rider.

ING LifePay Plus is a guaranteed withdrawal benefit rider that provides an appealing 7% annual increase to the withdrawal base for the first 10 years, automatic quarterly resets once withdrawals begin, and the investment options and flexibility for which ING variable annuities have been widely known for several years. "The popularity of the ING LifePay Plus withdrawal benefit rider within our variable annuities reflects the right balance of guaranteed growth, control over investments, and guaranteed future income benefits-all combined with backing of a diverse global insurance and financial services company," Lowe said.

Lowe said other recent innovations should help ensure ING variable annuities remain popular with advisors and their clients. The new ING WisdomTree(SM) Global High-Yielding Equity Index Portfolio, available exclusively within ING variable annuities, 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 investment approach within ING variable annuities may better help protect 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," Lowe explained.

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. ING variable annuities are issued by ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company, a prominent provider of investment and income solutions for Boomer-aged savers. Financial Professionals interested in learning more about ING LifePay Plus and other annuity features and options offered through the ING family of companies should contact their ING annuity distribution representative or call 800-344-6860.

  ING sales of variable annuities - By-the-Numbers

  Q3 2007
  New Sales:     $2,596 billion
  Ranking:       #10
  Market Share:  5.9%

  Q4 2007
  New Sales:     $3,760 billion
  Ranking:       #2
  Market Share:  8.2%

  Full Year      2006
  New Sales:     $8,793 billion
  Ranking:       #11
  Market Share:  5.6%

  Full Year      2007
  New Sales:     $10,765 billion

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.

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. Note: All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of ING USA Annuity and Life 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.

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

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

SOURCE: ING Americas

CONTACT: Chuck Eudy, ING US Financial Services, +1-770-980-5209, Mobile:
+1-770-490-6420, chuck.eudy@us.ing.com

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