EXHIBIT 99.2

ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORPORATION DECLARES ANNUAL DIVIDEND


WORCESTER,  Mass.,  October  18,  2005 - The  Board of  Directors  of  Allmerica
Financial  Corporation (NYSE: AFC) today declared an annual dividend of 25 cents
($.25) per share on the  issued and  outstanding  common  stock of the  company,
payable  December 12, 2005, to  shareholders  of record at the close of business
November 28, 2005.

"I am pleased to announce the  resumption of a dividend for Allmerica  Financial
Corporation," said Frederick H. Eppinger,  President and Chief Executive Officer
of Allmerica Financial Corporation. "This demonstrates the confidence we have in
our ability to deliver solid and improving  financial  results each year,  while
further strengthening our financial position."


Allmerica is the holding company for a diversified group of insurance  companies
headquartered in Worcester, Mass.




CONTACTS:                  Investors:                Media:
                           Sujata Mutalik            Michael F. Buckley
                           (508) 855-3457            (508) 855-3099
                           smutalik@allmerica.com    mibuckley@allmerica.com