A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of Swiss Re Life & Health Limited, Swiss Reinsurance Co UK and Swiss Reinsurance Ireland Limited

Business Wire, August 19, 2008

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "aa" of Swiss Re Life & Health Limited and Swiss Reinsurance Company UK Limited (both of London, England). Concurrently, A.M. Best has withdrawn the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of "a" of Swiss Reinsurance Ireland Limited (Dublin, Ireland). All the above companies have been assigned a category NR-5 (Not Formally Followed).

These rating actions follow the announcement that the existing businesses of these companies have been transferred to Swiss Re Europe S.A. (Swiss Re Europe) (Luxembourg), a subsidiary of Swiss Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) (Zurich, Switzerland).

The consolidation of the European reinsurance business under Swiss Re Europe is part of Swiss Re's plan to optimize its legal entity structure in the European Union. Swiss Re Europe has been gradually assuming the assets, liabilities and ongoing businesses of Swiss Re's various reinsurance subsidiaries and branches in Europe.

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.