Dave Cirulis Joins Lincoln as Head of Voluntary Marketplace Strategy

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Group Protection segment of Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) today announced that Dave Cirulis has joined Lincoln Financial Group as Head of Voluntary Marketplace Strategy for Distribution. Cirulis will direct the overall strategy for Lincoln's group distribution, to maximize the company's impact in the group voluntary market. Cirulis reports directly to Vice President, Group Protection Sales, Robert Risk.

"Lincoln Financial re-launched its voluntary business recently, with new products, enrollment, service and technology capabilities that will help Lincoln be a top-5 player in this market. Making an impact in the voluntary space is the key to Lincoln's continued growth and success," said Bob Risk, Vice President, Group Protection Sales. "We are excited to leverage Dave's strategic strengths in directing and executing our voluntary distribution strategy."

Cirulis joins Lincoln Financial with more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience within the financial services sector. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Trustmark Voluntary Benefit Solutions. Prior to his position at Trustmark, Cirulis was a Consultant for five years. During this time he led Gallagher Benefit Services' Voluntary initiative for three years, and was Executive Product manager at American Sterling Insurances Services for two years. Cirulis spent the first 14 years of his career at UNUM, where he managed offices in Kansas City, Cranford, and Milwaukee. Cirulis holds a B.B.A. degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

This release contains information that includes or is a "forward-looking statement" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA").  A forward-looking statement is a statement that does not strictly relate to a historical fact.  A forward looking statement includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "project", "will", "shall" and other words or phrases with similar meaning.  Lincoln claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, legislative and regulatory changes and proceedings, changes in interest rates, sudden or prolonged declines in the equity markets, deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency, mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from Lincoln's assumptions used in pricing its products, in establishing related insurance reserves, and elevated impairments or investments and intangible assets; ratings downgrades; or deterioration in general economic or business conditions. These risks and uncertainties, as well others, are described in Lincoln's 2009 Form 10-K, 2010 Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, Lincoln operates in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on Lincoln's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undo reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.  In addition, Lincoln disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.

Group insurance products are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (Fort Wayne, IN), which does not solicit business in New York, nor is it licensed to do so. In New York, group insurance products are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York (Syracuse, NY). Both are Lincoln Financial Group® companies. Product availability and/or features may vary by state. Limitations and exclusions may apply.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $140 billion as of June 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group