Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI), the pioneer of Unit Linked Life Insurance plans amongst the private life insurers in India, today, announced the launch of Children’s Dream Plan- a unit linked child plan with Guaranteed Maturity Benefits.

Commenting on the launch of the plan, Mr.Vikram Mehmi, President & CEO, BSLI said, “A survey consisting of our policyholders and non-policyholders showed that there is a very high potential for the product category related to ‘planning for a child’s future’. On an average, one in every five parents in the age group 25 –35 years having at least one child (age 3 yrs to 18 yrs) invests specifically keeping the child’s future in mind. The Children’s Dream Plan, being introduced by BSLI provides unique solutions for the policyholders. It is a superior product platform. The plan guarantees 100 %, 200 % and 300 % guaranteed maturity options.”

BSLI’s Children’s Dream Plan is a long-term Unit Linked insurance plan that is specifically designed to help the policyholder provide financial security to the child when /he becomes an adult. The plan combines a guaranteed return on savings with upside potential based on the performance of the investment funds. Therefore, irrespective of future performance of the investment funds, the policyholder is always guaranteed the maturity amount chosen for the child.

Added Mr.Mehmi, “Children’s Dream Plan provides the flexibility to increase the Enhanced Sum assured to match the family’s changing protection needs.”

The superior benefits and key features of the plan are summarized below:

	• The plan guarantees the maturity benefits, no matter what happens and provides choices to double or even triple the Guaranteed Maturity Benefits, with the 100 %, 200 % and 300 % options. Maturity Benefit & Settlement Option: On maturity of the policy (i.e.when the child attains the age of 18), the plan provides the following three different guaranteed payments schedule as per the option chosen by the policyholder: Child’s Age 100% Option 200% Option 300% Option 18 100% 100% 100% 19 --- 20% 25% 20 --- 20% 25% 21 --- 20% 25% 22 --- 20% 25% 23 --- 20% 100% Total 100% 200% 300% As a percentage of the Guaranteed Maturity Benefit. On the last installment of the Guaranteed Maturity Benefit, the child  also gets the market upsides, if any.
	Optimises the savings with 100 % of premiums invested
	Optimises the family’s Insurance Cover with no reduction in guaranteed maturity benefits.
	A unique maturity continuation benefit. In the unfortunate event of death of life insured:
	BSLI will pay the Basic Sum Assured to the child ( the nominee); plus any Enhanced Sum Assured or ADD rider ( if applicable) BSLI will continue the policy as originally intended; and without reducing the savings to date. BSLI will pay all future premiums on behalf of the policyholder. Therefore Guaranteed Maturity Benefits & market upside potential will continue to fulfill the Child’s Dreams.
	Customises the Sum Assured to meet the insurance needs.
	Provides life cover throughout the policy term.
	Easy liquidity ensured via partial withdrawals and surrenders.
	Flexibility to invest additional savings in the policy with top-up premiums and increase the Guaranteed Maturity Benefit.
	Choice of three Investment fund options offered -Protector, Builder, Enhancer.
	Attractive fund values at maturity
	Choice to add the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit rider.
	Tax benefits under Section 80 (C) and Section 10 (10D) of the Income Tax act 1961
	Entry Ages for Life Insured (parent) is 18 years – 60 years and the Nominee (child) is 30 days – 13 years

Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between The Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest business houses in India and Sun Life Financial Inc., a leading international financial services organisation.  The local knowledge of the Aditya Birla Group combined with the expertise of Sun Life Financial Inc., offers a formidable protection for your future.

Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI) in its 5 successful years of operations has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the life insurance industry in India. It pioneered the launch of Unit Linked Life Insurance plans amongst the private players in India. It was the first player in the industry to sell its policies through the Bancassurance route and through the Internet. It was the first private sector player to introduce a pure Term plan in the Indian market. This was supported by sales practices, which brought a degree of transparency that was entirely new to the market. The process of getting sales illustrations signed by customers, offering a free look period on all policies, which are now industry standards were introduced by BSLI. Being a customer centric company, BSLI has invested heavily in technology to build world class processing capabilities. BSLI has covered more than a million lives since inception and its customer base is spread across more than 1000 towns and cities in India. All this has assisted the company in cementing its place amongst the leaders in the industry in terms of new business premium income. The company’s current capital base is Rs. 602 crores.

Additional information is available at www.adityabirla.com

The Aditya Birla Group has a turnover close to Rs. 38000 crores (as on March 31st , 2006) and is one of the largest business houses in India. It enjoys a leadership position in all the sectors in which it operates. With over 75 business units, spanning the South East Asian belt, Africa, Canada and the UK among others, it is reckoned as India's first multinational corporation. The group is anchored by 72,000 employees and has 7 lakh shareholders, with a market capitalization of Rs. 53,400 crores.

Additional information is available at www.adityabirla.com

Sun Life Financial Inc. is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of wealth accumulation and protection products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Tracing its roots back to 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of March 31st , 2006, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of USD 343 billion. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under ticker symbol "SLF".

Additional information can be found at www.sunlife.com

For further information kindly contact:
Ms. Anjana Grewal,
Sr. Vice President - Marketing & Communication,
Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited, Ph: 022-6678 3333.
E-mail: anjana@birlasunlife.com