Lincoln Financial Group joins our Alliance Partnership Program

CLEVELAND, OH (11/12/09) --- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) has joined Benefit Advisors Network’s (BAN) newly formed Alliance Partnership Program.

As an Alliance Partner, Lincoln Financial Group (LFG), joins an elite group of companies that also includes Principal Financial Group, SunLife, and Unum.

The Alliance Partnership Program was formed earlier this year by BAN “to bring a full array of resources and product solutions to BAN member firms, known as Smart Partners®. These solutions can be tailored to meet specific client needs, while helping members to create exclusive marketing solutions to differentiate themselves in their marketplace,” says BAN Director Deane Elek.

BAN is the premier national network of independent benefit advisory and consulting companies. BAN’s Smart Partners® are widely regarded as the ‘best of the best’ in their respective markets.

“Lincoln Financial Group places a great deal of value on our strategic partnerships, and BAN represents a significant opportunity to partner for shared growth and success,” says Lincoln Financial’s Nicole Delimitros. “We look forward to a successful partnership and shared success both locally and nationally with BAN."

The partnership between Lincoln Financial Group and BAN includes financial support for BAN's Educational Conferences and Strategic Sales Summits.

In addition, Lincoln Financial Group will offer BAN Smart Partners® its core strengths in both employer-paid and voluntary Life, STD, LTD, and Dental benefit programs.

Lincoln Financial’s centralized service model continues to get the highest client satisfaction ratings from JHA, including top ratings for Overall Experience with a Carrier, Ease of Installing a New Case, Overall Account Management Services, and Plan Design Flexibility.

BAN recently announced plans to expand into 21 additional markets across the country. Unlike many other industry organizations, BAN only selects one firm per market or market segment to join the organization. That unique structure and philosophy allow members to share best practices, unencumbered by concern about the presence of their competitors.

Partially as a result of that market exclusivity and BAN’s peer-to-peer sharing of best practices, resources, and world-class services, BAN members produce 65% higher revenues per employee than their peers, according to a recent survey.

About Benefit Advisors Network - Benefit Advisors Network is a federated association of benefits brokers who leverage their combined size to bring employers the right solutions at competitive prices. Together they represent more than 10,000 employer groups and 8.5 million employees. For more information about Benefit Advisors Network contact Director Deane Elek at (440) 528-0301 or visit the organization’s website at www.benefitadvisorsnetwork.com.

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 companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $181 billion as of June 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; and Lincoln UK. For more information, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.