September 12, 2005

Nationwide CEO Jerry Jergensen has announced that to assist in the relief effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Nationwide Foundation is donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to benefit the victims along the Gulf Coast. Nationwide also vows to match personal donations by its associates, retirees, and agents to the United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund.

Nationwide has mobilized in a strong response to this disaster. 300 representatives are on the ground throughout the Gulf Region to assist victims. Call centers are fully staffed and ready to process claims. Storm centers have been established to serve as bases for Nationwide claims staff called to the affected regions. Nationwide has sent humanitarian relief teams to the worst hit areas, with truckloads of ice, cases of bottled water, diapers, toilet paper and food. More is on the way.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions has established an expedited response process for Unforeseeable Emergency withdrawal requests. NRS will process requests up to $9,999 or the participant's 457 account value, whichever is less, in the areas impacted by this hurricane. In most cases, participants can have a check within three days and the process can be completely handled within one toll-free phone call: 1-877-677-3678, option 1, then 2. NRS has sent this alert to all plan sponsors so that swift service may be made available in the Gulf Coast region. As the recovery situation changes daily, NRS encourages plan sponsors to visit www.nrsforu.com frequently for updates.

Jerry Jergensen stated, "I'm proud that our dedication to helping others continues to strengthen the connections we have with our communities, our customers and all those in need in these trying times."