EXHIBIT 5.1

May 30, 2003

Board of Directors
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut 06115-1900

Gentlemen:

         In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 30, 2003 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, you have
requested that I furnish you with my opinion as to the legality of the 384,759
shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), which are being registered under the Registration
Statement and reserved for issuance under the 2000 PLANCO Non-Employee Option
Plan (the "Plan").

       I am familiar with the written documents that comprise the Plan and in
rendering the opinion expressed below, I have examined and am relying on
originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of
such other corporate records, documents, certificates or other instruments, as I
consider necessary in order to form a basis for the opinion hereinafter
expressed.

         Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock which may be issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan have been duly
authorized and when issued in accordance with the terms of the Plan will be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Connecticut and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, including
the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported cases
interpreting those laws.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Company's Registration Statement. In giving such consent, I do not hereby admit
that I come within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

                                  Very truly yours,


                                  /s/ Brian S. Becker, Esq.
                                  Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary