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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GkxEE5zGDCSK4FYTwt3C2kHk2Rg/egQob+YTq2gQYfyy8oiTY2rnIv/mLHRw9WRe
 9Faz438XPIwMwApa6zLAQw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-029435.txt : 20080507
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-029435.hdr.sgml : 20080507
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080507130406
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-029435
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080507
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080507

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Haefner Larry A.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001433209

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05823
		FILM NUMBER:		08809082

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		312-822-6312

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60604

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CNA FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021175
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				366169860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA
		STREET 2:		333 S. WABASH
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60604
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128225000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA
		STREET 2:		333 S. WABASH
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60604
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd204649.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021175</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CNA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001433209</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Haefner Larry A.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>333 SOUTH WABASH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60604</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; Chief Actuary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.75</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-04-30</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-04-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock appreciation rights paid in CNA Financial Common Stock vest annually in four equal installments commencing on April 30, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Larry A. Haefner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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