BANKERS LIFE AND CASUALTY COMPANY RE-ENTERS MASSACHUSETTS MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT MARKET

CHICAGO (January 17, 2006) - After an eight-year absence, Bankers Life and Casualty Company announced that it has re-entered the Massachusetts Medicare Supplement market to offer its plans statewide to seniors.

"We are very happy that we've returned to Massachusetts with a Medicare Supplement offering," said Scott Perry, Chief Operating Officer for Bankers. "With the introduction of Medicare's new Part D, these are confusing times for seniors. As senior specialists, our agents are dedicated to helping them sort through their options and determine a solution that best meets their needs. We look forward to the opportunities that exist in Massachusetts to expand our product portfolio and provide residents with additional options for health coverage."

Medicare Supplement plans (Med Supp 1 and Core) will be offered to the state's Medicare beneficiaries by Bankers' Massachusetts field force of nearly 100 career agents in three offices, located in Framingham, Holyoke and Mashpee. The company will kick-off their Medicare Supplement rollout with various marketing activities aimed at providing detailed information and guidance to seniors on selecting an appropriate plan.

Many Bankers agents have received the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation, a wide-ranging training program aimed at educating professionals who work with seniors on the issues and needs specific to their age group. As a senior-focused company, Bankers has the largest number of agents with the CSA designation in the country.

"Seniors prefer to use professionals who have added beneficial, senior-specific knowledge to their own professional expertise," said Ed Pittock, President of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Bankers has approximately 5,700 current Medicare Supplement policyholders in Massachusetts, and also sells their long-term care, life and annuities products in the state.

Established in 1879 in Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses on the financial security needs of seniors. The nationwide company, a subsidiary of Conseco, Inc., offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for seniors. Visit us online at www.bankers.com.

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