PRESS RELEASE

Variable Annuities Knowledge Center Introduced;
AXA Equitable Focuses On Educating Public

Online Resource Seeks to Empower Consumers with Facts Behind VAs; CEO Condron Says Education Effort Needed

New York, NY -- Christopher M. “Kip” Condron, chairman and chief executive officer of AXA Equitable, today unveiled an online resource aimed at helping consumers understand the facts surrounding variable annuities. In a speech to industry peers during the 16^th Annual Conference for the Life Insurance Industry sponsored by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Condron introduced the new resource, called the Variable Annuities Knowledge Center (www.variableannuityfacts.org). The Variable Annuities Knowledge Center covers a wide range of topics regarding variable annuities, including, but not limited to:

• What variable annuities are
• The benefits and risks associated with variable annuities
• The fees a consumer can expect when purchasing a variable annuity
• What consumers should ask their financial professional before purchasing a variable annuity 

To ensure the objectivity of the content, the Variable Annuities Knowledge Center is overseen by an independent advisory board. The board currently consists of leaders such as Eleanor A. Lowder, an independent consultant specializing in retirement and deferred compensation plans, and Cindy Hounsell, President of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, and more board members are expected to join in the coming weeks.

“The generation of Americans nearing retirement is faced with complex choices when creating retirement plans, and the spotlight on variable annuities has in many ways only added to the confusion,” said Condron.  “We see a wide variety of perspectives on variable annuities in the marketplace, but these perspectives are not always accurate. That’s why I believe now is the time for leaders in the insurance industry to place a new focus on education.  Consumers can only make responsible choices in their retirement if they have all the facts, and I hope the Knowledge Center will help give them the information they need to make informed choices.   I invite other insurance industry leaders and independent retirement experts to offer input so we are sure to provide the most objective information to consumers.”

The Variable Annuities Knowledge Center is operated by a standalone non-profit organization and will seek the support of other insurance industry leaders to help ensure that the resource continues to provide current, fact-based information to the general public.

About AXA Equitable

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company is the principal life insurance subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc., providing life insurance, annuities and other needs-based products and services for the financial services market, co-distributed by AXA Advisors, LLC, and AXA Distributors, LLC.  AXA Financial is one of the premier U.S. organizations providing financial protection and wealth management, and had approximately $574.8 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2005.  AXA Financial is a member of the global AXA Group, which had $1.1 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2005.

GE – 34468 (12/05)