Press Releases

Carmel, Ind. October 9, 2006— The Conseco insurance companies and Markman Group today announced that they have entered into an alliance to jointly develop a retirement solution for the middle-income retirement market. Together, Conseco and Markman will build a network of specially trained agents to respond to consumers’ retirement needs with a range of insurance products, including annuities, Medicare supplement and life insurance.

This new partnership is the product of a shared understanding of retirement concerns facing middle Americans today. Mike Dubes, president of Conseco Insurance Group, said “Consumers are considering the future of Social Security and the diminished availability of pension plans. They’re wondering how they’ll be able to guarantee the essential income they’ll need to fund retirement.?? In response to these concerns, Conseco and Markman will introduce “21st Century Retirement Solutions,?? a total-need approach to product and distribution for the middle-income retirement market.

“Seniors are most concerned with two retirement risks: having to pay catastrophic health care expenses and outliving their financial resources,?? said Jeff Warren, president and chief marketing officer of Markman Group. “The 21st Century Retirement Solutions program will provide retirees with education and products to meet these needs. Presenting the program with Conseco’s portfolio of life, health and annuity products gives us the opportunity to train agents to look at their clients’ total longevity needs.??

“Markman Group is respected throughout our industry for its extensive knowledge of the senior market’s income needs and proven experience with recruiting and training independent distribution,?? Dubes commented. “By combining Markman’s marketing strengths with Conseco’s diverse products and development capabilities, we can deliver a very compelling value proposition for independent agents who specialize in this market – including the products, training and resources they need to better serve their clients.??

About Markman

Markman Group and its predecessor Warren Group has over 30 years of experience in the senior market and in serving the independent agent. In recent years, Markman has developed successful marketing programs for major insurance carriers’ products, providing cross-sell training for a full-range of retirement market products and generating positive revenue growth for their carrier partners.

About Conseco

The Conseco insurance group, comprised of the insurance company subsidiaries of Conseco, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) based in Carmel, Indiana, serves over 2 million customers across America. The Conseco insurance companies offer supplemental health and life insurance products and annuities to working families and seniors. Visit us at www.conseco.com.