A.M. Best Affirms and Assigns Ratings to CIGNA Corporation and Its Subsidiaries

Business Wire, Dec 21, 2005

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of CIGNA Corporation's (CIGNA) (NYSE: CI) (Philadelphia, PA) insurance subsidiaries and HMOs. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the debt ratings of CIGNA. The majority of these rating outlooks have been revised to positive from stable. Additionally, A.M. Best has assigned issuer credit ratings (ICR) to the same CIGNA subsidiaries with a positive outlook.

A.M. Best has also affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and assigned an ICR of "a-" to CIGNA Worldwide Insurance Company (Delaware). The rating has a stable outlook. Concurrently, A.M. Best has assigned a FSR of A- (Excellent) and ICRs of "a-" to 10 of CIGNA's dental subsidiaries. These ratings have a stable outlook.

These rating actions affect approximately $1.4 billion of senior debt, the indicative ratings for securities issuable under the shelf registration and 41 rated operating subsidiaries. Key financial metrics are commensurate with debt and financial strength ratings. Financial leverage is at the low end of CIGNA's guidance of 20% to 30%, and interest coverage - currently exceeding 19 times--is projected to remain strong in the near term. Fixed charge coverage has improved to almost 15 times from only 3.8 in 2004, further demonstrating the quality of CIGNA's operating performance.

CIGNA's operating earnings have continued to strengthen, demonstrating CIGNA's success to-date with its turnaround effort. This trend could continue during the medium term, owing to improved customer service and distribution capabilities, as well as the introduction of new health care segment products and services.

CIGNA's health care membership base has stabilized with modest growth (i.e., 1% to 2%) projected in 2006. CIGNA's profitable and diverse health care product portfolio is complemented by favorable returns from the specialty health services, disability and life and international businesses. The dental subsidiaries also recognize very favorable earnings and support CIGNA's strategy to provide a full continuum of products to employers.

CIGNA's favorable health care results and ability to grow its membership base profitably are subject to mounting competitive pressure. The health care market continues to become increasingly competitive, demonstrated through carrier consolidation and strategic pricing for specific accounts.

For a complete listing of CIGNA Corporation's financial strength, issuer credit and debt ratings, please visit http://www.ambest.com/press/122112cigna.pdf.> For Best's Debt Ratings, all other Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.> A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com.