Chief Financial Officer Jess Merten said that the deal will generate a financial book gain of about $450 million and increase deployable capital by $900 million.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) announced a definitive agreement to sell its Group Health business to Nationwide for $1.25 billion in cash, adjusted for the closing balance sheet, and subject to standard closing conditions including regulatory approvals.

Allstate (NYSE:ALL) said Thursday it has agreed to divest of its Group Health business to Nationwide Life Insurance Company for $1.25B in cash, adjusted for the closing balance sheet. The deal comes as Allstate (NYSE:ALL) progresses in its strategy to combine the Health & Benefits units "with companies that have greater strategic alignment,