Sun Life to Sell US Annuity Business to Delaware Life Holdings for $1.35B

Sun Life Financial

today announced the execution of a definitive agreement whereby Delaware Life Holdings, a company owned by shareholders of Guggenheim Partners, will purchase Sun Life's domestic U.S. annuity business and certain life insurance businesses for a base purchase price of US$1.35 billion, as adjusted to reflect the performance of the business through closing. Employees of Sun Life Financial U.S. in Wellesley, Massachusetts; Lethbridge, Alberta; and Waterford, Ireland will continue to support the acquired businesses, which will be renamed Delaware Life Insurance Company. Guggenheim Partners will provide services to the company including investment management. The transaction is expected to close by the end of Q2 2013 subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Dean A. Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial, stated, "This transaction represents a transformational change for Sun Life. It significantly advances our strategy of reducing Sun Life's risk profile and earnings volatility, focuses our U.S. operations on our areas of greatest strength and opportunity, and crystallizes future earnings and capital releases