After Strong 2017 Performance, Lincoln Financial Group Awards Employees One-Time Stock Grant

Following the company's record-setting business performance in 2017, Lincoln Financial Group LNC announced today that it will make a one-time grant of 20 shares of company stock to full- and part-time employees who do not participate today in the equity plan. This grant ensures that 100 percent of Lincoln's eligible employees are owners in the company's future.

"2017 was an exceptional year for Lincoln with significant sales growth across each of our businesses and record earnings and share price," said Dennis R. Glass, president and CEO of Lincoln Financial Group. "These results and our bright future are due largely to the skill, creativity and talent of our dedicated employees and we are pleased to offer them an opportunity to become shareholders in Lincoln."

Earlier this month, Lincoln Financial announced full year 2017 results that included record operating earnings per share and an all-time high book value per share. In addition, each of Lincoln's four businesses generated sales or deposit gains including a year-over-year increase in annuity sales for the first time since 2013, the highest level of life insurance sales in a decade, back-to-back years of growth in Group Protection sales and record Retirement Plan Services deposits. Lincoln also returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.

The one-time equity grant was approved by the compensation committee of Lincoln Financial's board of directors and offers eligible employees an opportunity to own shares of Lincoln Financial stock and potentially profit from Lincoln Financial's future success. Eligible employees will receive the grant in addition to the annual incentive plan that includes a cash bonus tied to the company's financial performance. A small number of employees with certain classifications such as planner assistants and benefit counselors do not participate in Lincoln Financial's corporate-based compensation programs and are not eligible for the grant.

The equity grant is an example of Lincoln Financial's commitment to maintaining a culture that supports employees and invests in their long-term future. Lincoln Financial provides a wide range of company-sponsored benefits, programs and resources and was named one of the Forbes Best Employers for 2017.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower people to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation LNC and its affiliates. The company had $253 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2017. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate citizen and was named one of the Forbes Best Employers for 2017, is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America, and received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at http://newsroom.lfg.com.

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