Foresters Life A.M. Best rating upgraded to "A" (Excellent)

Foresters and its subsidiaries receive "Excellent" ratings

TORONTO, July 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Foresters™, an international life insurance provider, and its subsidiary Foresters Life Insurance Company have received "A" (Excellent) ratings from A.M. Best Company¹.  In addition, the independent insurance rating source upgraded Foresters Life Insurance Company from "A-"(Excellent) to "A" (Excellent).  A.M Best has now affirmed Foresters "A" rating for 12 consecutive years.

Foresters subsidiary First Investors Life Insurance Company received an "A-"(Excellent) rating.  A.M. Best also gave Foresters an issuer credit rating of "a+" and noted that the outlook for all ratings is stable.

Commenting on the ratings, George Mohacsi, President and CEO of Foresters said, "The upgraded rating for Foresters Life in such a challenging economic environment and the continued "Excellent" ratings for Foresters and First Investors attest to Foresters financial strength and stability.  We're looking forward to increased growth and continued financial strength. We are well positioned to build on recent success as we deliver on our commitment to the well-being of families and the communities they live in."

Foresters has shared its financial strength with its members and their communities for over 135 years and is today, in a strong financial position with assets of $8.6 billion. Foresters gross premium income increased by 14% in 2011 and at the end of the year had more than 1.2 million certificates under management and almost 950,000 members.

Foresters conservative investment strategy has resulted in a strong surplus of $1.4 billion CDN², assuring its ability to withstand adverse business and market conditions. With a Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) ratio of 336% as of December 31, 2011, Foresters solvency ratios³ are above local regulatory requirements and industry averages in all three countries in which it operates - Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

For more information about A.M. Best Company's ratings, visit ambest.com.

About Foresters
Foresters™ is a life insurance provider with a difference.  The fraternal benefit society, founded in 1874, supports family well-being through quality products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities. Foresters shares its financial strength with almost 950,000 members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Foresters has assets of over $8.6 billion with liabilities of $7.1 billion resulting in a surplus of $1.4 billion (all figures in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2011) and maintains an "A" (Excellent) rating by A.M. Best¹. For more information visit foresters.com.

Foresters^TM the trade name and a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9; its subsidiaries are licensed to use this mark.

¹ An "A" (Excellent) rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. A.M. Best assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ and A+ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings. In assigning Foresters rating on July 6, 2012, A.M. Best stated that the rating outlook is "stable", which means it is unlikely to change in the near future. See ambest.com for our latest rating.

²This surplus represents excess funds above the amount required as legal reserves for insurance and annuity certificates in force and provides additional assurances to our members for our long term financial strength.

³Solvency ratios indicate that our ability to meet long-term obligations is above and beyond what is required.

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