Human Resources

Retirement Investors' Club (RIC)

Credit Ratings

Independent rating agencies such as A.M. Best, Moody's, Fitch, and Standard & Poor's evaluate financial institutions on their financial strength and ability to pay claims and interest.

Active Provider Credit Ratings as of January 2007

Rating Company	AIG Retirement	Hartford	ING	Nationwide	Rating scale
A.M.Best	A++	A+	A+	A+	A++, A+ A, A- B++, B+ B, B-	Superior Excellent Very Good Fair
Fitch (Duff & Phelps)	AA+	AA	AA	AA-	AAA AA+, A, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB-	Exceptionally Strong Very Strong Strong Good
Moody's	Aa¹	Aa³	Aa³	Aa³	Aaa Aa¹, Aa², Aa³ A¹, A², A³ Baa¹, Baa², Baa³	Exceptional Excellent Good Adequate
Standard & Poor's	AA+	AA-	AA	AA-	AAA AA+, A, AA, AA- A+, A, A- BBB+, BBB, BBB-	Exceptionally Strong Very Strong Strong Good