The Hartford Increases Share Repurchase Authorization to $2 Billion and Announces Quarterly Dividend.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional $1 billion of shares of its common stock. This brings the company's total share repurchase authorization to $2 billion.

The company is executing on its previously disclosed plans to repurchase $800 million of its common stock and has made no decision to repurchase additional shares beyond that $800 million level in the near term. Today's action allows the company to maintain roughly $1 billion of share repurchase authorization, a practice it initiated in September 2004, to maximize the company's flexibility in managing its capital structure.

In addition, the company's directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share of common stock, payable on April 2, 2007, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2007.

The company's repurchase authorization permits purchases of common shares, which may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The company also may enter into derivative transactions to facilitate future repurchases of common shares. The timing of repurchases will be dependent upon several factors, including the market price of the company's securities, the company's capital position, consideration of the effect of any repurchases on the company's financial strength or credit ratings, and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2006 revenues of $26.5 billion. The Hartford is 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, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

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Some of the statements in this release should be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements about our future results of operations. 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, without limitation, those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2005 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.