Hi °C | Lo °C 1939: Irish Life Assurance incorporated, as part of the amalgamation of nine British and Irish life assurance companies.
1947: Government buys out British Life Assurance companies, State takes 90pc holding in Irish Life.
1979: Irish Life Building Society established.
1988: Opens US operations with acquisition of Interstate Assurance Company.
1991: Public flotation of Irish Life plc on Dublin and London stock exchanges in July.
1996: UK life operations closed to new business.
1999: Merger of Irish Life plc and Irish Permanent plc in April. Acquisition of Cornmarket Financial Services Group.
2003: Disposal of remaining US business, Guarantee Reserve, to Swiss Re
2004: Disposal of Irish Estates Management Ltd (IEM) to a group of private and institutional investors.
2011: Permanent TSB seeks to sell Irish Life as part of its restructuring. Talks are held with investment fund Apollo and Great-West Lifeco.
2011: Great-West Lifeco pulls out of talks as the future of the euro becomes more uncertain.
2012: The Government pays Permanent TSB €1.3bn for Irish Life as part of the bank's bailout.
2012: In December the Government and Great-West resume talks about a deal.
2013: February – the sale of Irish Life to Great-West Lifeco for €1.3bn is confirmed. The deal will close in July.
Irish Independent
