Life and health insurance industry supports Financial Literacy Month with 'Ready For Life' campaign

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian life and health insurance industry supports the designation of November as Financial Literacy Month by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and is participating in the Agency's 2012 launch event in Ottawa today.

"It is important to dedicate a time period to shine the spotlight on the vital issue of financial literacy," noted Frank Swedlove, President of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). "This year's event is particularly meaningful as Canadians continue to cope with the uncertainties of a fragile economy and their own financial situations."

Throughout the month, the CLHIA is focusing on financial literacy with respect to helping Canadians understand life and health insurance matters with its 'Ready for Life' campaign. The Association has enhanced the financial literacy area on its website where consumers will be able to access resources including brochures on various life and health insurance products and a web-based tool to keep track of important personal and financial documents. The CLHIA's tweets (@CLHIA) throughout November will also centre around the 'Ready for Life' campaign.

About the CLHIA

Established in 1894, the CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business. The industry provides a wide range of financial security products such as life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance to more than 26 million Canadians. It also holds $574 billion of assets in Canada and employs about 139,000 Canadians.

SOURCE: Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.

Wendy Hope, Vice President, External Relations [phone]