Aetna, The Aetna Foundation, and Employees Contributed More Than $33 Million to Nonprofits in 2008

HARTFORD, Conn., March 06, 2009 — Aetna (NYSE: AET) and the Aetna Foundation together awarded more than $25.5 million across the nation during 2008, to nonprofits that share the company's focus on fostering strong communities and promoting racial and ethnic health equality, health literacy, disease prevention and management, and overall wellness. 

In addition, through the company's matching gift program, Aetna employees, retirees and directors donated an additional $7.7 million in 2008, bringing combined giving in communities where Aetna employees and customers live and work, to over $33 million. 

But knowing that volunteer time can be as valuable to some nonprofit organizations as money, Aetna employee giving extended beyond their wallets.  Aetna's employees stepped up again in 2008, volunteering more than 300,000 hours of time on a range of efforts such as educating women about heart disease with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign, and building homes with Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity.  Since 2003, Aetna employees have logged more than 1.6 million volunteer hours.

"Working hard to be a caring part of the communities we serve is an important part of the Aetna tradition and values," said Floyd Green, Aetna's head of Community Relations.  "Aetna and the Aetna Foundation encourage volunteerism through an award-winning program and network of highly engaged employee volunteer councils and we are committed to supporting the many wonderful organizations and individuals who are working to build healthy communities across America."

About The Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Founded in 1972, the Foundation seeks to help build healthy communities by funding initiatives that improve the quality of life where our employees and customers work and live. The Foundation's giving is focused on health, diversity and employee community involvement, with broader programs in our home state of Connecticut.  Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $359 million in grants and sponsorships. Additional information about the Aetna Foundation is available at www.aetna.com/foundation.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.  For more information, see www.aetna.com.