MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In its effort to be a leading contender in the ultra-competitive term life insurance market, ING said today that it has again lowered premiums in most issue ages and underwriting classes for its ING TermSmart term life insurance products offered through its life insurance companies.

Late in 2005, ING announced that it was looking to significantly increase its term life insurance business with more competitive pricing and the introduction of new products. The company has since introduced new products, including return-of-premium term life insurance, lowered its term life insurance rates several times, expanded its distribution, and streamlined much of its term life insurance underwriting processes.

The ING life companies' half-year term life insurance sales grew 232 percent from 2006 to 2007. According to sales numbers posted by industry association LIMRA International, total term sales grew industry-wide by 8 percent over the same period.

"The market is responding to our term life insurance efforts," said Dan Mulheran, president of ING Life Distribution. "With our continued review of rates in the market, we remain extremely competitive. Our growth stems from our combination of competitive pricing, strong distribution, and a well- recognized brand."

ING TermSmart and ING TermSmart*NY, are offered at 10-, 15-, 20- and 30- year terms. The product can be converted to select cash-value policies issued by a member of the ING family of companies without evidence of insurability.

ING TermSmart (policy form series # 1177R), which may vary by state and may not be available in all states, is issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, Minn.). ING TermSmart*NY (policy form series # 1177R NY), which is only available in New York, is issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY). Both companies are members of the ING family of companies. ING TermSmart is available through independent insurance producers and many online quote services.

For more information about ING TermSmart and ING TermSmart*NY, life insurance producers should contact their ING life companies' representative or ING Life Sales Support at 866-ING-SELL.

* All guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of ReliaStar Life Insurance Company or ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York, who are solely responsible for all obligations under their policies. Nor are policies insured by any federal government agency.

  Press inquiries:  ING U.S. Financial Services
  Philip Margolis, phil.margolis@us.ing.com, 860-723-4783

ING is a global financial institution of Dutch origin offering banking, insurance and asset management to over 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.

In the U.S. (NYSE:ING) , the ING family of companies offer a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes 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 20 million customers across the nation. For more information, visit www.ing.com.

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Source: ING U.S. Financial Services

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