-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-012570.txt : 20040227
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-012570.hdr.sgml : 20040227
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040227173230
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-012570
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040225
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040227

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:			MEAR PETER
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001072525

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11778
		FILM NUMBER:		04636719

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ACE LTD
		STREET 2:		ACE BLDG 30 WOODBOURNE AVE HAMILTON BER
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4412955200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ACE LTD
		STREET 2:		ACE BLDG 30 WOODBOURNE AVE HAMILTON BER
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd35049.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001072525</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MEAR PETER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE ACE BUILDING, 17 WOODBOURNE AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON, BERMUDA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM 08</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>General Counsel and Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Ordinary Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>43.56</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>92766.8681</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options to Acquire</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>43.56</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>43.56</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-25</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Ordinary Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>190500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock award pursuant to ACE Limited 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Stock vests as follows: 1/4 on the first anniversary of the date of the award, 1/4 on the second anniversary of the date of the award, 1/4 on the third anniversary of the date of the award and 1/4 on the fourth anniversary of the date of the award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Option award pursuant to ACE Limited 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Options vest as follows: 1/3 on the first anniversary of the date of the award, 1/3 on the second anniversary of the date of the award and 1/3 on the third anniversary of the date of the award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 819 shares purchased on June 30, 2003, pursuant to the ACE Limited Employee Stock Purchase Plan which meets the requirements of Rule 16b-3.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Signed for Peter N. Mear by Keith White pursuant to a power of attorney on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----