AFLAC is a fortune 500 company with assets exceeding $37 billion, insuring more than 40 million people worldwide. It is rated "AA" in insurer financial strength by Standard & Poor's (December 2000), "Aa3 (Excellent)" in insurer financial strength by Moody's Investors Service (December 2001), "A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best (February 2001). and "AA" in insurer financial strength by Fitch, Inc. (November 2001).