AXA Equitable Makes it Easier to Stop Ignoring Life Insurance

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To make the purchase of life insurance easier and more convenient, AXA Equitable introduced today in approved states a simplified issue underwriting process for its Return of Premium Term (ROP Term(SM)) life insurance on policy face amounts from $100,000 to $249,999. "ROP Term with Simplified Issue makes buying life insurance easier and more convenient," said Claude Methot, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer, who made today's announcement. "There are no needles. No samples. No lengthy applications and complicated underwriting questionnaires. No paramed exams. No waiting for attending physician statements from your doctor." Instead, applying for ROP Term(SM) with Simplified Issue involves a painless, self-administered oral swab, a private 15 to 20 minute telephone interview, and a short application. Two underwriting classes are available - Simplified Issue Non-Tobacco User and Simplified Issue Tobacco User.

The Appeal of ROP Term(SM) - Protection and Refund Potential

AXA Equitable's ROP Term(SM) series offers level death protection for a selected period and the potential to receive a premium refund. If a policyholder outlives the ROP Term(SM) level premium period selected (20, 25 or 30 years) and the policy is still inforce, he or she will receive a refund of 100% of the eligible cumulative premiums paid*. The cash refunded is federal income tax free. "In essence," said Mr. Methot, "with ROP Term(SM) the policyholder gets the needed coverage during the level premium period, but if the insured lives beyond that period, she receives her money back. And now with simplified issue underwriting, we're making it easier to access these benefits."

Ease of Convertibility

As families and/or businesses grow, it may make sense to 'move up' to permanent life insurance, which offers lifelong death benefit protection. During specified periods, ROP Term(SM) Simplified Issue is convertible to AXA Equitable's permanent life insurance, without having to furnish additional evidence of insurability. No medical exams or blood tests are required.

Giving clients time to make up their mind, AXA Equitable's conversion privilege is available for the earlier of the first 15 years of a 20-year ROP Term(SM) policy, the first 17 years of a 25-year ROP Term(SM) policy and the first 20 years of a 30-year ROP Term(SM) policy, or until the policy anniversary nearest the insured's 70th birthday. When a policyholder exercises the conversion privilege, the cash value of the policy can be applied to the new permanent policy or, if preferred, taken in cash. In addition, AXA Equitable guarantees a conversion credit to reduce the first-year cost of the new permanent insurance policy

    The Simplified Application Process - What to Expect

    What Not to Expect                 What to Expect

    Needles and blood                  Applicant self-administers a
                                       painless oral swab collection
                                       that takes two to five minutes.
                                       The swab is then sent to an
                                       independent lab for processing.
                                       There's no need to abstain from
                                       eating or drinking before the
                                       test.
    Scheduling a paramed exam          A private, professional telephone
                                       interviewer contacts the
                                       applicant for a medical history
                                       interview, lasting approximately
                                       15 to 20 minutes (but may take
                                       more or less time depending on
                                       personal circumstances). The
                                       interview is used to complete the
                                       rest of the application.
    Taking lots of time                ROP Term(SM) Simplified Issue
                                       underwriting uses a unique,
                                       simplified application; a third-
                                       party telephone interview and an
                                       oral swab test. Because no
                                       paramed or attending physician
                                       statements are required, the
                                       underwriting process results in
                                       significant time savings.

AXA Equitable's Return of Premium Term(SM) (Policy forms 148-20, 148-25, 148-30 or state variations) is issued by and is a service mark of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, New York, NY. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.

About AXA Equitable

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company has been in business since 1859 and is a leading nationwide issuer of life insurance and annuity products. The company has over 11,000 employees and sales personnel and approximately 4.8 million policy/contract holders nationwide as of December 31, 2006. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, New York, N.Y., is one of the premier U.S. organizations providing life insurance and annuity products and services for the financial services market. Variable products are co-distributed by affiliates AXA Advisors, LLC, and AXA Distributors, LLC.

AXA Equitable's parent company, AXA Financial, Inc., is a member of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA Group's operations are diverse geographically, with major operations in Western Europe, North America, and the Asia/Pacific region.

The AXA ordinary share is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol AXA. The AXA American Depositary Share is also listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AXA. AXA Equitable is solely responsible for its life insurance and annuity obligations.

AXA Equitable is a sponsor of the Variable Annuities Knowledge Center (www.variableannuityfacts.org), an online resource aimed at helping consumers understand the facts surrounding variable annuities. The Variable Annuities Knowledge Center is operated by a standalone non-profit organization and is overseen by an independent advisory board.

* Eligible cumulative premiums include premiums for the policy that were paid prior to the benefits expiration date and do not include premiums for riders or additional risks. Eligible cumulative premiums are also reduced by any outstanding policy loans.