The Hartford Receives 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award From U.S. Paralympics

Latest award recognizing insurer`s ground-breaking support, focus on abilities
SIMSBURY, Conn.--(Business Wire)--
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) announced today it has
received the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award from U.S. Paralympics, a
division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, in recognition of its long-time support
of disabled sports organizations and athletes.

U.S. Paralympics presents the Paralympic Amazing Investor Award to a person or
organization that has been instrumental in the creation of resources in support
of the Paralympic movement. The Hartford is the founding sponsor of U.S.
Paralympics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting and training elite
athletes with physical disabilities.

"We are honored to receive the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award. We
believe the athletes of U.S. Paralympics are amazing. They are the true
embodiment of our Ability Philosophy - that success is possible when we focus on
abilities, not limitations," said Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The
Hartford`s Group Benefits Division. "We are grateful for the opportunity to
continue helping them reach their dreams."

"This award recognizes The Hartford`s ground-breaking leadership in the
Paralympic sport movement," said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, USOC.
"Because of The Hartford`s long-standing commitment and enthusiastic support,
thousands upon thousands of athletes have had opportunities to achieve success
in and out of the sports arena."

In presenting the award during the 2009 Developing Amazing Leaders Paralympic
Conference on April 17 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Huebner praised the personal
commitment by The Hartford`s employees, noting the many hours that they
volunteer in support of Paralympic programs. "This award is for their amazing
engagement," he said.

In addition to the 2009 Paralympic Amazing Investor Award, The Hartford recently
received two additional honors for its lengthy history of helping people of all
abilities, through its products, services, research, and philanthropy. The
Hartford was named to the Top 50 Employers List by CAREERS & the disABLED
magazine and is the recipient of the 2009 Disability Matters award presented by
Springboard Consulting LLC in partnership with Work Life Matters magazine.

The Hartford`s investment in the abilities of U.S. Paralympic athletes began 15
years ago this month, with the launch of Team Ability, a group of elite disabled
athletes. In 2003, The Hartford increased its support by becoming the first
company to forge a multi-year agreement exclusively with U.S. Paralympics. This
past December, The Hartford renewed its commitment by extending its support
through the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

"The elite athletes of U.S. Paralympics are powerful, positive role models for
our disability claimants. They demonstrate that the healing power of sports, and
they show that with the right resources and support, what one`s heart, mind and
body can accomplish is limitless," said Gendreau.

As part of its partnership, The Hartford sponsors and organizes more than 200
events with Paralympic athletes throughout the United States annually. A
majority are educational programs to promote awareness among Americans -
particularly within the business community - about the value that employees with
disabilities bring to the workplace.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is one of the nation's largest financial services companies and a
leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits;
automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty
insurance. International operations are located in Japan, the United Kingdom,
Canada, Brazil and Ireland. The Hartford's Internet address is

www.thehartford.com.

HIG-L

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking
statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should
consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to
differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the
other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no
obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Kelly J. Carter, 860-843-9420
Kelly.Carter@hartfordlife.com
or
David Potter, 860-843-8993
david.potter1@hartfordlife.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009