-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CGHbJGH017DMErPwiIzah4nau/u6yXlEWKJfbqIjHJChGTHLsxFy2f4IuHVWASFa
 MT0+wqAr8THIqzETlX+reg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-004914.txt : 20040128
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-004914.hdr.sgml : 20040128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040128142541
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-004914
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040128

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACE LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000896159
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D0
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ACE BLDG
		STREET 2:		30 WOODBOURNE AVE
		CITY:			HAMILTON HM 08 BERMU
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8092955200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX HM 1015
		CITY:			HAMITON BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMURFIT DERMOT F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001072515
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11778
		FILM NUMBER:		04548811

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SMURFIT STONE CONTAINER CORP
		STREET 2:		150 NORTH MICHIGAN AVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123466600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SMURFIT STONE CONTAINER CORP
		STREET 2:		150 NORTH MICHIGAN AVE
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd30500.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000896159</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACE LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ACE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001072515</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SMURFIT DERMOT F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>GLOUCESTER PARK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>12 GLOUCESTER GATE, REGENT'S PARK</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>NW1 4HG</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Ordinary Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>22</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9846</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents Ordinary Shares granted as board, commitee meeting or chairman award pursuant to the ACE Limited 1995 Outside Directors Plan which meets the requirements of Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Signed for Dermot F. Smurfit by Keith White pursuant to a power of attorney on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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