Peace Corps Alumni Association, Bankers Life and Casualty Company Reach Deal To Market Med Sup,...

CHICAGO -- Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Chicago, reached a marketing agreement with the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) in October to offer Medicare supplement, long-term care and possibly disability insurance to seniors who are current and former volunteers and members.

The deal, which encompasses 36,000 former and current Peace Corps volunteers, staff and friends of the Peace Corps, of which almost half are over the age of 50, is the brainchild of Bankers' agent Herb Resnick, of Cleveland, Ohio, a former Peace Corps volunteer. Resnick set up a booth at a Peace Corps conference earlier in 2004 and was rewarded with a high level of interest among attendees.

David Bledsoe, vice president of Development at Bankers, said, "Herb Resnick initiated the deal with the NPCA based on his own history with the organization."

"He has a special understanding of the needs of the wonderful seniors who have volunteered at some point in their lives to endure hardship in order to help people worldwide. He's a great source of information for us because of his personal connection with the Peace Corps," said Bledsoe.

Bankers is developing a marketing plan which will include direct mail, direct marketing at NPCA conferences, and possible advertising in collateral reaching Peace Corps volunteers.

Established in 1879 and headquartered at the world-famous Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses exclusively on the financial security needs of seniors. The company offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for them. These products are distributed through a national network of professionally trained company agents.