Washington, D.C.  (September 18, 2012) — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) strongly supports Life Insurance Awareness Month, an annual event sponsored each September by LIFE, the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education.

During this time, industry professionals from across the country work in their respective communities to highlight the important role that life insurance can play in American families’ financial plans.

“Peace of mind is why millions of Americans turn to life insurance to protect their families’ finances. It can’t heal the emotional pain from the loss,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne in a September 14 letter to members of Congress. “It can, however, help a family look confidently toward its financial future—confident that they can stay in their home, send their children to college or simply pay bills.”

Life insurance delivers peace of mind in other ways. It can build savings that grow as part of the financial protection it provides, savings that can help fund a secure retirement or be a source of emergency funds in difficult times. In fact, life insurance and annuity products represent 20 percent of Americans’ long-term savings.

For 75 million American families, life insurers’ products provide peace of mind, long-term savings and a guarantee of lifetime income when it’s time to retire. Beyond helping families feel financially secure, life insurance companies contribute positively to the nation’s economy. Through their long-term investments in commercial mortgages, in federal, state and community bonds and in corporate bonds, life insurers contribute nearly $5 trillion to the U.S. economy. Their investments support public works projects, community development, business expansion and job creation.

During the month of September, ACLI will feature the Life Insurance Awareness Month logo on its website, www.acli.com, with links to real life examples of how life insurance has made an important difference in Americans’ lives.

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with more than 300 legal reserve life insurer and fraternal benefit society member companies operating in the United States. ACLI advocates in federal, state and international forums. Its members represent more than 90 percent of the assets and premiums of the U. S. life insurance and annuity industry. In addition to life insurance, annuities and other workplace and individual retirement plans, ACLI members offer long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance. Its public website can be accessed at www.acli.com.