100 years and growing: Sun Life Financial celebrates the centennial year of its Canadian headquarters

Business continues to expand to support the region's growing retirement needs

WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial today celebrates the 100^th anniversary of its Canadian headquarters building as the Company continues to grow its business in the region and support the retirement needs of an aging population in both Kitchener-Waterloo and across the country. Today's celebration included a public event featuring the unveiling of a provincial plaque from the Ontario Heritage Trust.

"On behalf of our 3,000 employees and advisors in the region, I'm thrilled to be celebrating 100 years of our building's history and receive this honour from the Ontario Heritage Trust," said Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial. "Sun Life Financial's Canadian headquarters is a symbol of our evolution and commitment to the region. We remain focused on supporting the financial planning needs of our clients in the community."

Sun Life continues to grow its business in the region to support the retirement needs of the aging population. According to Statistics Canada, more than 21 per cent of the region's population will be 65 or older by 2031, representing 126,000 people of a projected 600,000*.

"The record number of baby boomers who will be retired in less than 20 years in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and across Canada is a trend that's quite striking," said Kevin Dougherty, President, Sun Life Financial Canada. "We've been in the region for more than 100 years and we are continuing to grow at a time when the aging population is on the rise and the need for help with financial planning for retirement has never been greater."

Sun Life's financial advisors in Kitchener-Waterloo continue to provide financial planning support across the region, a presence that began in1869. Sun Life contributes to the local economy as one of the region's largest employers, and in 2011 invested $250 million towards employee payroll, business and property taxes. Sun Life is also a committed community partner, supporting organizations like the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, the Kitchener Rangers and local events including: Sun Life Financial Waterloo Busker Carnival, Sun Life Financial UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival and Culture Days. Employees and advisors organize annual coat, toy and food drives to give back to the less fortunate during the holiday season.

*Source: Statistics Canada 2011, Census metropolitan area Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth accumulation products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Chartered in 1865, Sun Life Financial and its partners today have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2012, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total AUM of $496 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

SOURCE: Sun Life Financial Inc.