A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company Due to Legal Entity Merger

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2007

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Superior) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "aa" of Peoples Benefit Life Insurance Company (Peoples Benefit Life) (Cedar Rapids, IA). Peoples Benefit Life was a life/health member of AEGON USA (Cedar Rapids, IA), which represents the U.S. operations of AEGON N.V. (The Netherlands) (NYSE:AEG).

Effective October 1, 2007, Peoples Benefit Life was merged with and into Monumental Life Insurance Company (Cedar Rapids, IA). The FSRs and ICRs of the remaining life/health members of AEGON USA are unchanged.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.> Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.