October 15, 2008 15:59 ET

TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company Achieves National Ethics Recognition With IMSA

BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - October 15, 2008) - TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company, a New York domiciled company that primarily conducts its business operations from Charlotte, North Carolina, has attained qualification in the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), the leading independent standards-setting organization for the life insurance, annuity and long-term care insurance marketplace.

"We are very proud to receive this recognition by IMSA," said Eric Jones, CEO of TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company. "It illustrates the financial and ethical commitment we have made to clients for more than 90 years as we help them get to and through retirement."

"This market distinction not only assures TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company's customers of our sound business practices," adds Chief Compliance Officer Wayne Smiley, "it also reminds the insurance industry that it is well served by honesty, fairness and integrity in all customer contacts."

IMSA President & CEO Brian Atchinson applauded TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company for successfully completing the rigorous, independent review of its marketing, sales and compliance practices necessary to attain IMSA qualification.

"We congratulate TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company on this great achievement," said Atchinson. "This demonstrates their dedication to high standards of ethical business practices."

To qualify for IMSA membership, a company must complete a comprehensive review followed by an outside assessment to ensure quality business practices that safeguard the consumer. Qualification stands for a three-year period.

IMSA is the premier standards-setting organization for the life insurance, annuities and long-term care insurance marketplace for individually sold products. Qualified companies commit to maintaining high ethical standards and to being fair, honest, and open in the way they advertise, sell and service their products. The IMSA seal is a guidepost of excellence and integrity for consumers. For more information, visit www.IMSAethics.org.

TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 C43102