Curtis D. Sharp
Executive Officer for Denominational and Public Relations
214-720-2127
Curt.Sharp@GuideStone.org

GuideStone endorses LTC Financial Partners and MetLife to provide Long-Term Care education and insurance

March 17, 2008

DALLAS — GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention will begin making Long-Term Care education and insurance available to ministers, church staff, employees of ministry organizations and their families.

“After an extensive search, we’ve entered into an endorsed arrangement with LTC Financial Partners and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife),” said GuideStone President, O.S. Hawkins. “Through this arrangement, LTC Financial Partners will provide our participants and their families with superior Long-Term Care education and access to discounted rates for MetLife Long-Term Care insurance plans. Employees actively at work may qualify for simplified health underwriting for a limited time in addition to discounted rates.”

“Long-term care costs are an expense that can directly threaten the financial security and independence of an individual and their extended family, particularly in retirement,” Hawkins continued. “As a part of our core mission of enhancing the financial security of those GuideStone serves, we believe Long-Term Care education and access to quality insurance solutions will help our participants protect the retirement and investment savings they’ve work so hard to build.”

Long-term care is becoming an increasingly important consideration as the American population ages. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 60% of seniors over age 65 will need some type of long-term care. This year, that number is expected to be more than nine million Americans. By 2020, it could exceed 12 million.

LTC Financial Partners is one of the country’s most experienced long-term care organizations, specializing in educating and empowering consumers about long-term care issues. With offices nationwide, they offer face-to-face or telephone counseling and advice to individuals and employers regarding their specific long-term care financing needs. They are committed to helping people live life fully and completely in dignity, comfort and independence without financial burden.

MetLife has been at the forefront of helping Americans to prepare for a more secure retirement through the purchase of Long-Term Care insurance. The company offers a broad portfolio of comprehensive solutions and is committed to consumer education, making it uniquely positioned to meet the needs of GuideStone’s constituents. For over 139 years, MetLife has successfully provided products along with the highest quality customer service to individuals — and to many of the nation’s largest and most highly regarded companies. MetLife consistently receives high insurance agency ratings of “very strong,” “excellent” and “superior.”

This move represents a continuation of GuideStone’s commitment to endorsing quality long-term care solutions. “GuideStone participants who currently have Long-Term Care insurance policies through previous endorsed relationships with other companies can continue to rest assured that they have stable, quality products,” Hawkins said.

GuideStone will launch the new program immediately. Specific details about the program will be shared directly with GuideStone participants based upon a phased implementation plan.

Word version — GuideStone endorses LTC Financial Partners and MetLife to provide Long-Term Care education and insurance.