ACQUISITION SPECULATION

Aviva PLC
07 July 2006




News release


7 July 2006




                AVIVA STATEMENT ON RECENT ACQUISITION SPECULATION



Further to recent speculation, Aviva plc ('Aviva') confirms it is in discussions
with AmerUs Group Co. ('AmerUs'), which may or may not lead to the acquisition
of AmerUs. A transaction, if agreed, is expected to be funded from a combination
of Aviva's internal resources, external debt and a market placing of Aviva
shares.


If a transaction is agreed, any equity placing will be accompanied by an update
on Aviva's current trading.


These discussions are consistent with Aviva's stated strategy of pursuing value
creating acquisition opportunities in key growth segments of the major global
long term savings markets.

                                    - ends -



Enquiries:



Analysts

Charles Barrows, investor relations director               [phone]
Jessie Burrows, head of investor relations                 [phone]



Media

Sue Winston, head of media relations                        [phone]
Rob Bailhache, Financial Dynamics                           [phone]



Notes to editors:



•         Aviva is the world's sixth-largest insurance group based on gross
world-wide premiums and market capitalisation (at 31 December 2004); it is one
of the leading providers of life and pensions in Europe and has substantial
businesses in other markets around the world.



•         Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund
management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £35 billion and
assets under management of £317 billion at 31 December 2005.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange