Will Fuller president of Lincoln Financial Group Distribution, the wholesale and retail wealth management businesses of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC), today received the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) 2014 Leadership Award. The award recognizes extraordinary contributions to the retirement income planning industry and to IRI, which is the industry’s leading association.

Fuller, who was elected to the IRI Board of Directors in 201l, accepted the award at this year’s IRI annual meeting, which is being held in Williamsburg, VA.

“I’m humbled by this honor, which truly recognizes Lincoln’s long history of consistent leadership and advocacy within the retirement income planning industry,” said Fuller. “Lincoln is proud to support the IRI and its emphasis on advocacy and education. Together, we are working to ensure that consumers continue to have access to a broad range of guaranteed income solutions, delivering wealth protection that only the insurance industry can provide.”

In addition to his role as an IRI director, Fuller co-chaired the IRI 2012 Annual Meeting Planning Committee; and currently chairs the board’s working group on advocacy. He also currently serves on other industry boards, and is a former board member of the Money Management Institute (MMI). Fuller, who has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, has been with Lincoln Financial since 2009.

“Will’s dedication and leadership to IRI, and by extension, the entire retirement income industry, has been instrumental in our success as an organization,” said Cathy Weatherford, IRI President and CEO. “It is through the commitment and contributions of leaders like Will Fuller that IRI has grown into the leading association for the retirement income industry. Because of his leadership as chair of the Board’s advocacy work group, we have been successful in deepening our footprint and our level of engagement on Capitol Hill, and it is in recognition of these efforts that Will has been selected by his peers for this honor.”

This is the second time this year that Lincoln has been recognized for its leadership by the IRI. In March, Lincoln received the IRI Marketing Innovation Award for developing its easy-to-use, web-based Annuity Visualizer application, which helps simplify retirement discussions for financial advisors and their clients.

About Lincoln Financial Distributors

Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc. (LFD), the wholesale distribution business of Lincoln Financial Group (LFG), provides expertise and access to a range of solutions that help advisors protect wealth and deliver outcomes for their clients. Lincoln’s broad portfolio includes innovative annuity, life insurance and retirement solutions that focus on addressing issues related to taxes, healthcare, longevity, inflation and market volatility. LFD comprises seasoned financial professionals who distribute Lincoln products through licensed insurance agents, registered broker-dealers, and other financial services intermediaries. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower Americans to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The company had $216 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2014. Learn more at: www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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