Nationwide Financial(R) Launches Wealth Guard(SM)

Search Blogs that Mention this News Release
Click this link to view linked Bookmarking Services
Click this link to view linked Blogging Services
Nationwide Financial(R) Launches Wealth Guard(SM)
  Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit addresses consumer fear of losing
                                    money

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers who want the protection
of variable life insurance and the peace of mind knowing that their premiums
are at least partially protected against market loss now can have both.
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: NFS) today launched Wealth
Guard(SM), a patent-pending Guaranteed Minimum Accumulation Benefit rider,
available for an additional charge, with its flagship variable universal life
product.
    According to LIMRA, an insurance industry research group, 44 percent of
Americans believe they need more life insurance. Additionally, nearly 66
percent of households believe stocks are a good investment in the long run yet
half think the stock market is too risky(1). Because investing involves market
risk including the possible loss of principal, Wealth Guard provides consumers
with the life insurance protection they need and secures a measure of downside
protection for their premium investment.
    "Market volatility in recent years has resulted in Americans choosing more
conservative investments or products with a guaranteed death benefit. That's
because people want to mitigate potential losses and protect their financial
futures," said Peter Golato, senior vice president for Nationwide Financial.
"With Wealth Guard, consumers know their premium investment is protected
against negative market performance and they can lock in positive market gains
annually."
    Wealth Guard's benefit provides that the consumer's policy cash value at
rider maturity -- assuming all premium requirements are met -- is guaranteed
to be the greater of a percentage of their principal investment (either 85
percent or 100 percent depending on the option selected) or 85 percent of
their highest policy anniversary cash value.
    "Because variable universal life is often used to generate tax-advantaged,
supplemental income, Wealth Guard provides a guaranteed accumulation benefit
with the ability for consumers to customize their maturity date to ensure the
income is there when they need it most," Golato said.
    Wealth Guard, coupled with Nationwide Financial's free Automated Income
Monitor (AIM), enables consumers to turn their guaranteed accumulation benefit
into a reliable source of income. Once the rider has reached maturity,
consumers -- with the help of their investment professionals -- can use AIM to
set up an automated income stream based on policyholders' financial needs.
Each year, Nationwide provides an annual review package to ensure objectives
are being met. Consumers and their investment professionals establish a plan
and AIM automates the process for them. All guarantees are subject to the
claims-paying ability of the issuing life insurance company.
    Investment professionals wanting additional information can contact
Nationwide Financial at 1-800-321-6064. Consumers who would like more
information should contact their investment professional.

    About Nationwide Financial(R)
    Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: NFS) a publicly traded company
based in Columbus, Ohio, provides a variety of financial services that help
consumers invest(i) and protect their long-term assets, and offers retirement
plans and services through both public- and private-sector employers.

    It's part of the Nationwide(R) group of companies, which offers
diversified insurance and financial services. The group is led by Nationwide
Mutual Insurance Company, which is ranked No. 99 on the Fortune 500 based on
2004 revenue.(ii) For more information, visit http://www.nationwide.com.

    Nationwide, Nationwide Financial and the Nationwide Framemark are
federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Wealth Guard is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

    (1) The MarcroMonitor; March 2005

    (i) Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member NASD. In MI only:
        Nationwide Investment Svcs. Corporation.

    (ii) Fortune Magazine, April 2005

     Contacts:
     Dan Orzano  (614) 677-5115
     orzanod@nationwide.com

     Jeff Botti  (614) 249-6339
     bottij@nationwide.com
SOURCE Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.
http://www.nationwidefinancial.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/607050.html
CONTACT:
Dan Orzano, +1-614-677-5115, or
orzanod@nationwide.com, or Jeff Botti, +1-614-249-6339, or
bottij@nationwide.com, both of Nationwide Financial Services,
Inc.