8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

February 22, 2012

Everest Re Group, Ltd.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda	1-15731	98-0365432
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
Wessex House – 2nd Floor 45 Reid Street PO Box HM 845 Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda		Not Applicable
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 441-295-0006

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On February 22, 2012, the registrant issued a news release announcing an increase in its share repurchase authorization by an additional 5 million shares.  A copy of that news release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c)	Exhibits
	Exhibit No.	Description
	99.1	News Release of the registrant,
		dated February 22, 2012

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.
By:	/S/ KEITH T. SHOEMAKER
	Keith T. Shoemaker
	Comptroller
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

Dated:  February 22, 2012

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number	Description of Document	Page No.
99.1	News Release of the registrant,
	dated February 22, 2012	5

EX-99.1

      NEWS RELEASE               

EVEREST RE GROUP, LTD.

Wessex House, 45 Reid Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda

Contact:

Elizabeth B. Farrell

Vice President, Investor Relations

Everest Global Services, Inc.

908.604.3169                                                                                                         For Immediate Release

Everest Re Group Announces Dividend and

Increased Share Repurchase Authorization

HAMILTON, Bermuda – February 22, 2012 – Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE: RE) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.48 per share payable on or before March 21, 2012 to all shareholders of record as of March 7, 2012.

In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization by an additional 5 million shares.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. is a Bermuda holding company that operates through the following subsidiaries. Everest Reinsurance Company provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in both the U.S. and international markets. Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., including through its branch in the United Kingdom, provides reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets and reinsurance to life insurers. Everest Reinsurance Company (Ireland), Limited provides reinsurance to non-life insurers in Europe. Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company provide property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the U.S. Everest Indemnity Insurance Company offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the U.S.  Everest Insurance Company of Canada provides property and casualty insurance to policyholders in Canada.  Additional information on Everest Re Group companies can be found at the Group’s web site at www.everestre.com.