EXHIBIT 99.1




CNA Center  Chicago  IL  60685-0001

[Date]

Private and Confidential

{Name}
{Address}
{Address}


Re:   Grant of 2006-2008 Cash Long-Term Incentive Award
      -------------------------------------------------

CNA Financial Corporation (the "Company") has granted you a long-term incentive
cash award (the "Long-Term Incentive Award") under the CNA Financial Corporation
2000 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan") for the performance period
beginning January 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2008 (the "Performance
Period"). The Long-Term Incentive Award generally provides that you will be
eligible for an award based on the achievement of the predetermined levels of
the Company's net operating income ("NOI"). The NOI target goal and a range for
minimum and maximum performance levels will be set annually for each year within
the relevant performance cycles. At the end of each year NOI results will be
determined and Long-Term Incentive Award payouts (if any) will be accrued. No
interest will be applied to the accruals.

For each year within the performance cycle of the target award percentage
will be applied to your year-end base salary. Your target award for 2006-2008
Performance Period is __%. ("target bonus"). For the calendar year 2006, NOI
goals and Long-Term Incentive Award attainment will be determined according to
the following schedule.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  2006 Net Operating Income Goal       Percent of Long-Term Incentive Award
                                                 Target Attainment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              $___M                                   __%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              $___M                                   __%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              $___M                                  ___%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              $___M                                  ___%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              $___M                                  ___%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Awards will be determined by interpolating between minimum and maximum target
attainment schedule.

At the end of the Performance Period, the Incentive Compensation Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors ("Committee") that administers the Plan will
determine the performance level achieved for the period, and the amount
distributable to you for your award under the terms of the Plan.
This letter provides a summary of your Long-Term Incentive Award. This Long-Term
Incentive Award is subject to the Long-Term Incentive Award terms (the "Award
Terms") enclosed with this letter. (In the attached Award Terms, you are
referred to as the "Participant.") This Award Letter shall be subject to the
Award Terms, and the

Award Terms shall be subject to the provisions of the Plan. If discrepancies
arise between this Award Letter and the Award Terms, the Award Terms will
govern, and if discrepancies arise between the Award Terms and the Plan, the
terms of the Plan will govern. Note that the Award Terms impose certain
restrictions on your Long-Term Incentive Award, and provide that the Committee
has the authority to reduce the amount of the Long-Term Incentive Award
otherwise payable to you or cancel the Long-Term Incentive Award otherwise
payable to you entirely, all in its discretion as it determines necessary or
appropriate.

Sincerely,