RADNOR, Pa., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today announced record-breaking sales of Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve, a hybrid universal life insurance policy with a long term care insurance rider. As of September 30, 2009, Lincoln Financial had posted $290.1 million (first-year paid premiums) in Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve sales year-to-date, up 17% over the prior year's same-time-period sales of $247.7 million.

"This remarkable achievement comes as a result of Lincoln's commitment to providing an attractive, solid solution to meet the growing need for long term care," said Bob Klein, Head of MoneyGuard® Reserve Sales. "The greatest risk to retirement income may not be market downturns but rather the possibility of a long term care need. This risk directly impacts the security of an entire portfolio."

November was Long Term Care Awareness Month - and after a month dedicated to LTC issues, more Americans understand the challenges their finances may face in retirement, and how an insurance solution such as Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve offers protection against the financial risk of a long term care event. Surprisingly, despite the growing consumer need and ever-increasing life expectancies, only a small percentage of the market for LTC insurance has been penetrated. Traditional long term care insurance is often viewed as a 'use it or lose it' cost because if the insurance is never needed, the assets used to fund the premiums are lost. However, Lincoln MoneyGuard® Reserve is a protection option that addresses the need for long term care while resolving client concerns about overall value. This hybrid product combines the benefits of traditional universal life insurance with the protection of a LTC rider that reimburses policy owners for qualifying expenses of a long-term care event.

"Through selecting this product, if the insured needs long term care, an acceleration of the life insurance benefit along with an optional LTC extension of benefit rider can provide tax-qualified LTC protection. In the event no LTC need arises, the death benefit provides an income tax-free legacy plan. All of this is accomplished without sacrificing control over the asset, through a contractual return of premium feature," explained Michael Burns, Senior Vice President, Individual Life Product Management, Insurance Solutions Division.

And, just as with financial planning, there are significant advantages and reasons to begin planning early for long term care - considering one's health is one of them. Waiting too long to start the planning process could mean the difference between being able to obtain needed coverage or not.

"Planning ahead, and planning early, is a critical step in protecting one's portfolio against the risk of a long term care event, which only increases as one ages. Start early to ensure the right protections are in place to help secure your financial future," said Klein.

Important disclosures. Please read.

Lincoln MoneyGuard(®) Reserve is a universal life insurance policy with a rider that accelerates the specified amount of death benefit to pay for covered long-term care expenses. The cost of riders will be deducted from the policy value. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuer and are subject to policy terms and conditions. The insurance policy and riders have limitations, exclusions, and/or reductions.

Lincoln MoneyGuard(®) Reserve is issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, on Policy Form LN850 (8/05) with a Convalescent Care Benefits Rider (CCBR) on Rider Form LR851 (8/05). The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so. Contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.

Policies sold in New York are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, on Policy Form LN850 (8/05) with a Convalescent Care Benefits Rider on Rider Form LR851 (8/05). Contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York.

Products and features, including benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and definitions, may vary by state.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the operating companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $137 billion as of September 30, 2009. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; mutual funds; managed accounts; institutional investments; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. Affiliates also include: Delaware Investments, the marketing name for Delaware Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group

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