August 13, 2008 01:18 PM Eastern Time 

Benefits Go Green: The Hartford Delivers Thousands of Reusable Bags to Employees at Meetings Nationwide

SIMSBURY, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Would you be able to put food on the table if you could not work because you were sick or hurt? That’s the food for thought that hundreds of thousands of employees will receive along with a reusable grocery bag this benefits enrollment season.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the nation’s largest diversified financial services companies, will hand out approximately 300,000 fabric shopping totes during more than 1,000 benefits fairs throughout the U.S. The benefits provider hopes to demonstrate the value of group disability insurance while encouraging eco-friendly habits among U.S. workers.

“Many Americans would struggle to pay for essentials if they could not work due to an injury or illness. Our research shows 95 percent of consumers would have to change their lifestyle if they lost part of their family’s income for three to six months,” said Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The Hartford’s Group Benefits Division. “With The Hartford’s shopping bags, we hope to get the word out that workers can protect their paycheck with disability insurance and help ensure they can pay for everyday expenses like gas and groceries even if a disability keeps them out of work.”

The Hartford’s 70 benefits specialists will hand out the reusable bags during benefits fairs throughout the nation in September, October and November. The benefits specialists, who each have several years of benefits experience and knowledge, will be on hand to answer workers’ questions and walk them through the simple steps to help protect their family finances.

In addition, employees will receive new educational materials that are targeted for Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, and Millennials, born between 1982 and 2000. “These are the two largest generations in the workforce today, but they couldn’t be more different. Knowing that, our new guides are tailored for each generation’s specific needs,” Gendreau said. “We are giving Millennials the steps on how to get started with financial planning. We are talking with Boomers about the benefit that protects all other benefits – how disability insurance protects their retirement savings.”

The Hartford’s colorful bags are emblazoned with the words “Rethink…Reuse…Recycle” and an illustration of a fruit basket. “We want workers to re-think disability insurance. Our national consumer survey found many haven’t purchased the coverage because they think they can’t afford it,” said Gendreau. “Actually, you can spend a relatively small amount – about a dollar a day in many cases – and safeguard your income for a lifetime. Plus, by signing up for coverage at work, you don’t have to worry about writing checks because it’s handled through a payroll deduction.”

Gendreau added the new educational pieces and the grocery bags reflect The Hartford’s commitment to delivering simple, easy-to-understand benefits enrollment materials and programs. “In today’s world of voluntary benefits where employees are purchasing insurance coverage through the workplace, we feel we have a responsibility to help them understand all of their options and make the best decisions for themselves.”

For The Hartford’s survey, independent market research agency Opinauri, Inc., conducted an online survey polling 971 U.S. adults, aged 18-64, in February 2008. Survey data was re-balanced to a nationally representative sample of 750 U.S. adults aged 18-64. The margin of error was +/- 3.1 percent.

About The Hartford

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services companies, with 2007 revenues of $25.9 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Ireland. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.