1. AA- A A1 A3 Comdex Rankings Northwestern Mutual 100 Berkshire Life 99 Guardian 98 Mass Mutual 98 MetLife 94 Principal 90 Ameritas 83 Standard 79 Unum 77 Peer Ratings and Comdex As of April 2015 A- AA+ Northwestern Mutual Fitch: AA+ Very strong capacity to meet contractual obligations GUARDIAN BERKSHIRE LIFE Mass Mutual MetLife Principal AA- A AAA Standard Unum Aa2 Aa3 A1 A2 Moody’s: Aa2 Excellent financial security Aaa Northwestern Mutual GUARDIAN Mass Mutual MetLifeStandard Unum Principal Ameritas Standard Unum A.M. Best: A++ Superior ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders A++ MetLife Principal A+ A Northwestern Mutual Mass Mutual GUARDIAN BERKSHIRE LIFE Standard & Poor’s: AA+ Very strong financial security characteristics Ameritas Principal Standard Unum Northwestern Mutual Mass Mutual GUARDIAN BERKSHIRE LIFE MetLife AA+ A+ A AA- All financial ratings as of April 3, 2015 in VitalSigns.. Neither Berkshire Life nor Ameritas is rated by Moody’s. Ameritas is also not rated by Fitch.. Ratings are subject to change. Pub4743BL-VAR (04/15) 2015-04598 (Exp. 04/16)

2. A.M. Best A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating agency dedicated to serving the financial and healthcare service industries. Best's credit ratings are based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile, or, where appropriate, the specific nature and details of a debt security. One type of rating A.M. Best issues is an independent opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and ability to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. This rating is assigned to insurance companies. Standard & Poor’s Standard & Poor’s provides ratings for entities that offer different types of insurance products and services including life insurance, property and casualty insurance, annuities, health insurance, reinsurance, title insurance, mortgage and bond insurance. One type of ratings services for insurance-related entities includes an Insurance Financial Strength Rating, useful for buyers of insurance, risk managers and employee benefit administrators. This type of rating provides details on an insurance organization’s ability to pay its policies and contracts. Insurance brokers and agents may also use these ratings to meet due diligence and disclosure requirements. When choosing a carrier, financial strength can go a long way. Moody’s Moody’s Investors Service is among the world’s most respected and widely utilized sources for credit ratings, research and risk analysis. Moody’s commitment and expertise contribute to stable, transparent and integrated financial markets, protecting the integrity of credit. Fitch Fitch ratings denote a low expectation of ceased or interrupted payments. They indicate strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. This capacity may, nonetheless, be more vulnerable to changes to circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. Comdex The Comdex gives the average percentiles ranking of this company in relation to all other companies that have been rated by the rating services. The Comdex Ranking is the percentage of companies that are rated lower than this company. You’re choosing protection not only for today’s income and circumstances, but for your growing income and business as well. Select a company with a demonstrated track record of surviving both the most prosperous as well as most turbulent of financial times. After all, a disability income policy is a promise to pay a benefit when you most need it. And a promise is only as good as the company that can honor it. Here’s an overview of the role the independent rating agencies play: Individual disability income products underwritten and issued by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA, a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. or provided by Guardian. Product provisions and availability may vary by state.. Rating Agency Information