MLP proposes much higher dividend payments for business year 2005

• Dividend payments of 60 cents per share proposed for the 2005 business year (previous year 22 cents)
• Thereof special dividend payments of 30 cents per share for the successful sale of the insurance subsidiaries

Heidelberg, 21st March 2006 - After completing a very successful business year in 2005 and with positive future company development forecasts, the MLP executive and supervisory board will be proposing an increase in dividend payments by 38 cents per share to 60 cents at the Annual General Meeting (previous year 22 cents). 30 cents of this will comprise a special dividend payment which MLP will be awarding to shareholders following the successful sale of both insurance subsidiaries (MLP Lebensversicherung AG and MLP Versicherung AG). Accordingly, the dividend payments from operating business rise by 36 percent. The proposal is subject to approval by the AGM and would result in an increase in total dividend payouts from EUR 24 million to about EUR 63 million.

As previously announced in February, MLP has succeeded in increasing its profit before tax and disposal result by 38 per cent to EUR 119.9 million (previous year EUR 86.6 million) with slightly declining total revenues.

The Annual Press Conference is scheduled for March 28th, 2006 when detailed information will be provided concerning the business. The Annual General Meeting will convene on May 31st, 2006 in Mannheim, Germany.