KARACHI (APP) - The State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) of Pakistan has successfully secured Rs.5.0 billion as the first year premium (New Business) by showing an increase of 34.42% thus providing financial protection to 4 million new policy holders and their families nationwide in 2008. This was announced by the spokesperson of the SLIC here on Monday. He said that the SLIC Chairman, Shahid Aziz Siddiqi, has paid tribute and congratulated the marketing force, employees of State Life on securing what he termed the historic new business in 2008. It was pointed out that the State Life's new business strategy has paid rich dividends by securing renewal premium that stood at Rs.12.65 billion in the year 2008 by showing an increase of 25%. The Second and Third Year Persistency stood at 84.39% and 94.09% which is higher than international standard. It was further stated that State Life has paid Rs.6.16 billion on account of claims in 2008. Rs.1.15 billion as 'death claims' and Rs.5.01 billion as 'maturity claims'. On the Group Life side, the State Life has successfully secured Rs.3.51 billion as premium income by marketing 189 new groups till quarter four of 2008. Region wise, State Life's Central Region has topped by securing Rs.1.74 billion followed by North Region with Rs.1.18 billion, Multan Region of Rs.1.10 billion and South Region with Rs.0.93 billion while showing an increase of Rs 39.45%, 24.66%, 46.90% and 25.78% respectively in 2008. State Life has shown robust corporate portfolio performance in 2008 and its life fund stood at Rs.174 billion, which resulted in the better yearly allocation of bonuses towards the policies of millions of policy holders while the investment income stood at Rs.18.61 billion in 2008. In 2009 State Life aims to provide a better savings and financial protection by marketing its various life insurance plans and policies to all the families in the country, it was further pointed out.