Press release

April 18, 2005

Standard Life expands its range of insurance products

Montreal, April 18, 2005 - In a continuing effort to offer competitive products of superior quality, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada has launched its new critical illness insurance product.

As increasing numbers of Canadians recognize the limitations of our public health care system, they expect the costs associated with a critical illness would adversely affect them financially. To meet the changing needs of clients and provide them with better protection in the event of a serious illness, Standard Life has added Protecta 65 to its family of critical illness products.

Protecta 65 offers joint protection, an option not offered by other insurance companies, making it ideal for mortgage protection. Protecta 65 is a level premium policy that provides clients with coverage up to age 65 and includes a Return of Premium on Death benefit.

"Standard Life's limited period critical illness policies enable families to be protected at a reasonable cost and enjoy the many advantages offered by insurance companies," said Michel Fortin, Manager, Product Development and Management, Retail Markets. "All of our products have been enhanced and now offer features that are even more competitive, such as our Return of Premium on Surrender benefit as well as a greater number of covered illnesses."

More investment options now available on universal life insurance

In addition to new features on the critical illness side, Standard Life has added managed accounts to the investment options available under Perspecta universal life insurance. This offers policyholders greater diversification on two levels - by asset type and geographic area. This new range of investment options meets the needs of clients who are comfortable building their own portfolios as well as those who prefer to leave portfolio selection and monitoring to the investment professionals. Perspecta policyholders can count on the expertise of Standard Life Investments Inc., a subsidiary of Standard Life Investments Limited of Edinburgh, one of the world's major asset management companies.

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Sources:

Alain Prvost
Senior Consultant
External Communications and Corporate Affairs
Standard Life
Telephone: (514) 499-2424

Note to the editor:

Note to the editor: In Canada, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and its affiliated companies have $36.1 billion in assets under management and offer a wide range of financial products, including group savings and retirement, group insurance, individual life insurance, savings and retirement, and mutual funds. They also provide portfolio management and real estate and mortgage investment services. Total premium income and deposits reached $4.7 billion in 2004 with over 1.2 million customers. (www.standardlife.ca)

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