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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;7, 2005
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">File No.&nbsp;333-
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CNA Financial Corporation</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>36-6169860</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">of Incorporation or Organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>CNA Center</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Chicago, Illinois</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>60685</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION<BR>
2000 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN</B><BR>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">(Full Title of the Plan)<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Jonathan D. Kantor<BR>
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
CNA Financial Corporation<BR>
CNA Center<BR>
Chicago, Illinois 60685<BR>
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">(312)&nbsp;822-5000<BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV><BR>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="42%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="23%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="17" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="CENTER"><B>Title of Securities to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Offering Price Per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Aggregate Offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Amount to be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Share*</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Price*</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common
Stock, $2.50 par value per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,000,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$30.54</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$61,080,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">7,189.12</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="17" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule
457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, computed on the basis of the average of the high and
low sales prices of the Common Stock on October&nbsp;31, 2005.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>







<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN<BR>
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of documents by reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by CNA Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), are incorporated by reference
herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2005;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2005;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, 2005;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current reports on Form 8-K dated February&nbsp;9, 2005 (filed on February&nbsp;14, 2005), dated
April&nbsp;27, 2005 (filed on May&nbsp;2, 2005), dated April&nbsp;27, 2005
(filed on May&nbsp;3, 2005) (with respect to Item&nbsp;4.02 only), dated May&nbsp;17, 2005 (filed on May&nbsp;20, 2005), dated
May&nbsp;26, 2005 (filed June&nbsp;20, 2005) and dated June&nbsp;10, 2005 (filed on June&nbsp;13, 2005); and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Description of the Company&#146;s common stock contained in the registration statement on
Form S-3 (File No.&nbsp;33-35250) filed on June&nbsp;6, 1990.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the &#147;DGCL&#148;) provides in relevant part
that &#147;a corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful.&#148;
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With respect to derivative actions, Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides in relevant part that
&#147;&#091;a&#093; corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the
right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor .... &#091;by reason of the person&#146;s service
in one of the capacities specified in the preceding paragraph&#093; against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except
that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the
case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court
of Chancery or other court shall deem proper.&#148;
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;X of the Company&#146;s By-Laws contains provisions similar to Section&nbsp;145 of the DGCL,
although providing mandatory indemnification in certain of the circumstances covered by Section
145(a) of the DGCL.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Such indemnification may apply to claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted for
directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and therefore unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company maintains directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance, subject to appreciable
deductibles at the corporate level, for each wrongful act where corporate reimbursement is
available to any director or officer.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="15%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="15%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="15%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="15%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><U>Provided</U>, <U>however</U>, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and
(A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or
Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="10%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">3.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
provisions of the registrant&#146;s articles of incorporation or by-laws or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on November&nbsp;7, 2005.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="58%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
   <TD align="center" valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
   <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">/s/ Stephen W. Lilienthal
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center">Stephen W. Lilienthal&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center"><I>Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Jonathan D. Kantor and Robert M.
Mann, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of
substitution and resubmission to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that the attorney may deem
necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration
statement registration, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the power and authority to sign his or her name, in his or her respective capacity as a
member of the board of directors or officer of the registrant, the registration statement and/or
any other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as any of them may deem appropriate in connection therewith, to any and all amendments
thereto, including post-effective amendments, to such registration statement, to any related Rule
462(b) registration statement and to any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and
hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or
her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this prospectus.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on November&nbsp;7, 2005.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">


<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Name</B></U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Title</U></B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/  Stephen W. Lilienthal
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen W. Lilienthal</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ D. Craig Mense
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
D. Craig Mense</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Lawrence J. Boysen
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Lawrence J. Boysen</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Brenda J. Gaines
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Brenda J. Gaines</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Paul J. Liska
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Paul J. Liska</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Don M. Randel
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Don M. Randel</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="12%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="18%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Joseph Rosenberg
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Joseph Rosenberg</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ James S. Tisch
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James S. Tisch</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">

<TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Preston R. Tisch</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">/s/ Marvin Zonis
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Marvin Zonis</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">
Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Exhibit</B></U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U><B>Document Description</B></U></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Incorporation of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended May&nbsp;6, 1987 and May
6, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Company&#146;s registration statement on
Form&nbsp;S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-65493)).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Incorporation of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended May&nbsp;20, 1999
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Company&#146;s annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K for
the year ended December&nbsp;31, 1999).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">3.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By-laws of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended effective April&nbsp;28, 2004 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of the Company&#146;s annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2004).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CNA Financial Corporation 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;A of the Company&#146;s definitive proxy statement on Schedule&nbsp;14A filed on March&nbsp;31,
2005).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe &#038; Maw LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Mayer, Brown, Rowe &#038; Maw LLP (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included as part of signature page hereto).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

</BODY>
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sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2005
File No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CNA Financial Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
36-6169860
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of Incorporation or Organization)
CNA Center
Chicago, Illinois
60685
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
2000 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Jonathan D. Kantor
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
CNA Financial Corporation
CNA Center
Chicago, Illinois 60685
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)
(312) 822-5000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities to be
Offering Price Per
Aggregate Offering
Amount of
Registered
Amount to be Registered
Share*
Price*
Registration Fee
Common
Stock, $2.50 par value per share
2,000,000
$30.54
$61,080,000
$
7,189.12
*
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule
457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, computed on the basis of the average of the high and
low sales prices of the Common Stock on October 31, 2005.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of documents by reference.
The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by CNA Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), are incorporated by reference
herein and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:
•
Annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004;
•
Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005;
•
Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005;
•
Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005;
•
Current reports on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2005 (filed on February 14, 2005), dated
April 27, 2005 (filed on May 2, 2005), dated April 27, 2005
(filed on May 3, 2005) (with respect to Item 4.02 only), dated May 17, 2005 (filed on May 20, 2005), dated
May 26, 2005 (filed June 20, 2005) and dated June 10, 2005 (filed on June 13, 2005); and
•
Description of the Company's common stock contained in the registration statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 33-35250) filed on June 6, 1990.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and shall be deemed a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") provides in relevant part
that "a corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened
to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful."
With respect to derivative actions, Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides in relevant part that
"[a] corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the
right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor .... [by reason of the person's service
in one of the capacities specified in the preceding paragraph] against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except
that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that
the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the
case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court
of Chancery or other court shall deem proper."
Article X of the Company's By-Laws contains provisions similar to Section 145 of the DGCL,
although providing mandatory indemnification in certain of the circumstances covered by Section
145(a) of the DGCL.
Such indemnification may apply to claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted for
directors, officers or persons controlling the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the
Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and therefore unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance, subject to appreciable
deductibles at the corporate level, for each wrongful act where corporate reimbursement is
available to any director or officer.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
See Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1.
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided
,
however
, that paragraphs (A)(1)(i) and
(A)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or
Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
2.
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3.
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
provisions of the registrant's articles of incorporation or by-laws or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on November 7, 2005.
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Stephen W. Lilienthal
Stephen W. Lilienthal
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Jonathan D. Kantor and Robert M.
Mann, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of
substitution and resubmission to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that the attorney may deem
necessary or advisable under the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration
statement registration, including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the power and authority to sign his or her name, in his or her respective capacity as a
member of the board of directors or officer of the registrant, the registration statement and/or
any other form or forms as may be appropriate to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as any of them may deem appropriate in connection therewith, to any and all amendments
thereto, including post-effective amendments, to such registration statement, to any related Rule
462(b) registration statement and to any other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, and
hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or
her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this prospectus.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on November 7, 2005.
Name
Title
/s/  Stephen W. Lilienthal
Stephen W. Lilienthal
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ D. Craig Mense
D. Craig Mense
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Lawrence J. Boysen
Lawrence J. Boysen
Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Brenda J. Gaines
Brenda J. Gaines
Director
/s/ Paul J. Liska
Paul J. Liska
Director
/s/ Don M. Randel
Don M. Randel
Director
/s/ Joseph Rosenberg
Joseph Rosenberg
Director
/s/ James S. Tisch
James S. Tisch
Director
Preston R. Tisch
Director
/s/ Marvin Zonis
Marvin Zonis
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Document Description
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended May 6, 1987 and May
6, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's registration statement on
Form S-8 (File No. 333-65493)).
3.2
Certificate of Incorporation of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended May 20, 1999
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999).
3.3
By-laws of CNA Financial Corporation, as amended effective April 28, 2004 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004).
4.1
CNA Financial Corporation 2000 Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit A of the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 31,
2005).
5.1
Opinion of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP.
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2
Consent of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included as part of signature page hereto).