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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99(i)

                                     [LOGO]
NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Michael Trevino
          (847) 402-5600

         ALLSTATE SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR REINSURANCE OF VARIABLE ANNUITIES

     Northbrook, Ill., March 8, 2006 -- Today, The Allstate Corporation
announced it has reached definitive agreements with Prudential Financial, Inc.
for the reinsurance of its existing variable annuity business and for an
exclusive distribution arrangement. The price for the entire transaction is
$580.5 million and is subject to adjustment for market changes for the period
between the execution date of the agreement and the closing date. The agreement
is subject to regulatory approval and the transaction is expected to be
completed by the end of the second quarter of 2006.

     The company's variable annuity products, with approximately $16 billion in
account values, are manufactured by Allstate Financial, the business segment
that provides life insurance, retirement and investment products to individuals
and institutional customers. As part of the transaction, Prudential Financial
will become the exclusive provider of variable annuity products through
Allstate's exclusive agency channel and will take on Allstate's distribution
responsibilities in the broker-dealer channel. Allstate Financial will continue
to market variable annuities through its extensive set of bank distribution
relationships by transitioning to an Allstate-branded, Prudential designed
variable annuity product.

     "This transaction will enable Allstate Financial to dedicate additional
resources and better deploy capital to a more focused portfolio of life
insurance, fixed annuity and equity indexed annuity products where we have scale
and significant market presence," said Casey Sylla, chairman and president,
Allstate Financial. "It represents another action we are taking to deliver
products and services on a more cost effective basis."

     Prudential Financial will manufacture variable annuity products for sale
through Allstate's proprietary distribution force, which consists of
approximately 12,400 exclusive agency owners in the U.S. (8,000 of whom are
licensed to sell securities products) and 1,300 exclusive financial service
representatives for the next three years. After this exclusive period,
Prudential Financial will be a non-exclusive preferred provider for the
following two years.

     "We are very pleased with this agreement and look forward to an outstanding
relationship with Prudential Financial. We think it is a win for our business,
our agency force and our customers. Allstate Financial can focus on leveraging
our strengths in our core products."

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NEWS

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     After operating expenses and the amortization of deferred acquisition
costs, the variable annuity business had historically only a minor contribution
to Allstate Financial's operating results. The company expects to recognize a
small GAAP gain on the transaction, which will be amortized into earnings over
the life of the agreement.

     Now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Allstate Insurance
Company, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly
held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With
Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million
households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through
approximately 14,100 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S.
and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto
insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select
states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). EncompassSM and Deerbrook(R)
Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through
independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance,
supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement
products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are
distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial
institutions and broker-dealers.

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