Prudential Annuities Enhances Investment Platform

Adding alternative strategies strengthens Prudential Annuities’ ‘unparalleled choice’

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Reinforcing its commitment to innovation and leadership in the guaranteed retirement income market, Prudential Annuities, the domestic annuity business for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), today announced the addition of two new investment options from world-class money managers to its leading lineup of asset allocation offerings.

The first company to offer an alternative investment asset allocation portfolio in a variable annuity, Prudential Annuities today added AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio and AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio. These two additions bring the number of alternative strategies to six and the total number of asset allocation portfolios that investors can combine to diversify among asset classes, investment styles and exposure to alternative investments to 18.

“We remain focused on expanding our investment options to provide broad flexibility and unparalleled choice that can work in tandem with our guarantees, to help annuity investors increase their retirement income,” said Douglas McIntosh , vice president of Investment Management for Prudential Annuities. “We believe expanding our offering to include six portfolios that provide exposure to alternative investment strategies strengthens the focus we initiated in 2006, and will help to further enhance the daily step-up component of our industry-leading guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.”

AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio delivers a flexible, broad-ranging mandate that is designed specifically for use with Prudential Annuities’ products. "BlackRock is thrilled to be partnering with Prudential on the launch of the AST BlackRock Global Strategies Portfolio," said Mike Saliba , managing director and head of BlackRock'sStrategic Alliances Group. "This portfolio is tailored specifically for Prudential Annuities’ investors and taps into some of our strongest talent and leading-edge risk management capabilities. We believe that the combination of a unique strategy offering a range of diversified investment strategies from our deep bench and Prudential Annuities will be a compelling proposition for financial professionals and the clients they serve."

AST Wellington Management Hedged Equity Portfolio is a 100 percent equity asset allocation that uses an index-option overlay in an attempt to provide downside market protection. “Working with Prudential Annuities’ innovative investment team, we are excited to launch a portfolio that provides investors with upside participation potential in the equity markets, as well as the potential for downside protection should we experience a significant market downturn in any one year,” said Kent Stahl , portfolio manager for Wellington Management.

McIntosh concluded, “Delivering new options from the world’s largest asset manager and one of the most highly respected institutional investment firms is consistent with our mandate to deliver continual innovation.”

Investors should consider the features of the contract and the underlying portfolios' investment objectives, policies, management, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Variable annuities are suitable for long-term investing, particularly retirement savings. Any guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing insurer.

Annuity contracts contain exclusions, limitations, reductions of benefits and terms for keeping them in force. Your licensed financial professional can provide you with complete details.

Asset allocation is a method of diversification that positions assets among major investment categories. Asset allocation can be used to manage investment risk and potentially enhance returns. However, use of asset allocation does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Inclusion of a subaccount in an asset allocation model does not indicate that it is superior to a subaccount not included in a model.

Certain portfolios may use leverage, short sales, and derivatives or engage in other speculative practices within their alternative investments. These practices include a high degree of risk and may increase the risk, size, and velocity of investment losses. Although certain alternative strategies seek to reduce risk by attempting to reduce correlation with equity and bond markets, no guarantee can be given that such efforts will be successful. The fees and expenses associated with alternative investments are generally higher than those for traditional investments.

Variable annuities are issued by Pruco Life Insurance Company (in New York, by Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey), Newark, NJ and distributed by Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc., Shelton, CT. All are Prudential Financial companies and each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.

Prudential Annuities, Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities.

Prudential Annuities, a division of Prudential Financial, Inc., creates and markets variable annuity products that provide tax advantages for those saving for retirement, and a way to transition their savings into guaranteed income they cannot outlive. Serving more than one million contract holders, Prudential Annuities is ranked No. 1 in variable annuity sales and No. 2 in advisor sold variable annuity assets with approximately $101.5 billion in account values as of December 31, 2010. Learn more at www.retirementredzone.com. (VARDS 4Q10 and company data; advisor-sold market excludes group/retirement plan contracts.)

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/

Prudential Financial, Inc.
Lisa M. Bennett
973-802-2894
Alicia Rodgers Alston
973-802-4446

Source: Prudential Financial, Inc.