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<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2009 </FONT></B></P>
<P align="right">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Registration No. 333-</FONT></B></P>

<p style="border-bottom:3px double #000000"></p>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=5 face="serif">UNITED STATES <br>
</FONT></B><B><FONT size=5 face="serif">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <br>
</FONT></B><B><FONT size=2 face="serif">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </FONT></B></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=5 face="serif">FORM S-8 </FONT></B></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">REGISTRATION STATEMENT <br>
UNDER <br>
</FONT></B><B><FONT size=2 face="serif">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif"> </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=5 face="serif">Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Delaware <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">13-3355897 <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">80 Pine Street <br>
New York, New York 10005 <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Address of Principal Executive Offices) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Full title of the plans) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Gary A. Schwartz <br>
Senior Vice President <br>
and General Counsel <br>
80 Pine Street <br>
New York, New York 10005 <br>
(212) 770-2000 <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Name and address of agent for service) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(212) 770-2000 <br>
</FONT></B><FONT size=2 face="serif">(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Copies to: <br>
Lois F. Herzeca, Esq. <br>
</FONT><FONT size=2 face="serif">Gibson,
Dunn &amp; Crutcher LLP <br>
200 Park Avenue <br>
New York, NY 10166-0193 <br>
(212) 351-4000 </FONT></P>


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<P align="left">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2 face="serif">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (Check one): </FONT></P>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Large accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="WINGDINGS">&#254;</font> </TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face=WINGDINGS>o</font></TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Non-accelerated filer</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face=WINGDINGS>o</font></TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Smaller reporting company</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face=WINGDINGS>o</font></TD>
  <TD width=25% align=center nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr >
    <td width="40%">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="20%" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="40%">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>

<BR>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=1% align=center nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD colspan=5 align=center valign="top" style="border-bottom:3px double #000000;"><b><font size=1 face="serif">CALCULATION
    OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></b></TD>
  </TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=1% align=left nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=19% align=center valign="bottom" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Title of Each Class of</FONT></B>
<br><B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Securities to be Registered</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
    <B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Amount to be</FONT></B>
    <B><FONT size=1 face="serif"><br>
    Registered (1)</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Proposed Maximum</FONT></B>
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif"><br>
Offering Price Per</FONT></B>
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif"><br>
Share (2)</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Proposed Maximum</FONT></B>
<br>
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Aggregate</FONT></B>
<br>
<B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Offering Price (2)</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
    <B><FONT size=1 face="serif">Amount of</FONT></B>
    <B><FONT size=1 face="serif"><br>
    Registration Fee (2)</FONT></B>  </TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=1% align=left nowrap><font size="1">&nbsp;</font><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></TD>
  <TD width=19% align=left valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<p><FONT size=1 face="serif">Common Stock, par value &#36;1.00 per<br>
</FONT><FONT size=1 face="serif">share</FONT></p></TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<FONT size=1 face="serif">2,600,000</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<FONT size=1 face="serif">&#36;40.40</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<FONT size=1 face="serif">&#36;105,040,000.00</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=20% align=center valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<FONT size=1 face="serif">&#36;5,861.24</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>
<P align="left">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2 face="serif">(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-8 also shall cover any additional shares of Common Stock in respect of the
securities identified in the above table as a result of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2 face="serif">(2) The maximum offering price per share is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act based upon the
average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2009, which was &#36;40.40. </FONT></P>

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<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">EXPLANATORY NOTE </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">This Registration Statement on Form
    S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is filed by Transatlantic Holdings,
    Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant"), relating to 2,600,000
    shares of its Common Stock, par value &#36;1.00 per share (the
"Common Stock") issuable to eligible employees, officers and consultants of the
Company and its subsidiaries under the Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long
Term Incentive Plan.</FONT></P>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">PART I<br>
</FONT></B><B><FONT size=2 face="serif">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</FONT></B></P>

<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 1. Plan Information*</FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 2. Registrant Information
and Employee Plan Annual Information* </FONT></B></P>
<TABLE border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">*</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=95%>
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=95%>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">PART II <br>
</FONT></B><B><FONT size=2 face="serif">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") (File No. 001-10545) pursuant to the Securities Act, and 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: </FONT></P>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(a)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=95% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the portions of the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 10, 2009, incorporated by reference
therein);</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(b)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=95% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009;</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(c)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=95% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2009 and April 6, 2009; and</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=2>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(d)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=95% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">the description of our common stock set forth in our Form 8-A, dated May 25, 1990, filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that the Company discloses under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that it may from time to time furnish
to the Commission will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this Registration Statement. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Any statement, including financial statements, contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement
to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is </FONT></P>

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<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.</FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 4. Description of Securities </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Not applicable. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">The validity of the shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold pursuant to the Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") will be passed upon by Gary A. Schwartz, Esq., Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of TRH. Mr. Schwartz is employed by TRH, participates in various TRH employee benefit plans under which he may receive shares of Common Stock and currently beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">The certificate of incorporation of TRH, as amended, provides that TRH shall indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or employee of TRH or serves or served any other enterprise at the request of TRH. Section 6.4 of TRH's
amended and restated by-laws contains a similar provision. The amended and restated by-laws provide further that service at the request of TRH includes service as a director, officer or employee of TRH with respect to an employee benefit plan. The
amended and restated by-laws also provide that TRH may advance litigation expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that the
director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by TRH. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">The certificate of incorporation, as amended, also provides that a director will not be personally liable to TRH or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that
the exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits indemnification against expenses, fines, judgments and settlements incurred by any director, officer or employee of a company in the event of pending or threatened
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings, if such person was, or was threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of the company. Section 145 also provides that the
indemnification provided for therein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled. In addition, TRH and its subsidiaries maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance
policy. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Not applicable. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 8. Exhibits </FONT></B></P>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left valign="top" nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Exhibit No.</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=3% align="left">&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=92% align=center valign="top" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Description</FONT></B>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">4.1</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=3% align="left">&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=92% align=left valign="top">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., as amended through April 19, 1990</FONT>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(filed as an exhibit to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and</FONT>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">incorporated herein by reference).</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD align=left valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left valign="top" nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">4.2</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=3% align="left">&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=92% align=left valign="top">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.,</FONT>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">dated May 25, 1999 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K</FONT>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(File No. 001-10545) and incorporated herein by reference).</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">4.3</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Amended and Restated By-Laws of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., as of September 27, 2007 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10545) dated October 3, 2007, and
incorporated herein by reference).</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">4.4</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Form of Common Stock Certificate (filed as an exhibit to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by reference).</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">4.5</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">5.1</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Opinion of Gary A. Schwartz.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">23.1</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">23.2</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Consent of Gary A. Schwartz (included in exhibit 5.1).</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">24</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width="3%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width=92% align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Item 9. Undertakings </FONT></B></P>
<br>
<TABLE border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">1.</font></TD>
  <TD colspan="3" align="left" valign=top nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">The
    Company hereby undertakes:</font></TD>
  </TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD colspan=2 align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(a)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD colspan=2 align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(i)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=85%>
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(ii)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=85%>
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(iii)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD width=85%>
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration
Statement;</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="5%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD><TD colspan="2" align="left" valign="top">
  <P align="left"><I><FONT size=2 face="serif">provided</FONT></I><FONT size=2 face="serif">, </FONT><I><FONT size=2 face="serif">however</FONT></I><FONT size=2 face="serif">, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the information
    required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
    reference in this Registration Statement;</FONT></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(b)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD colspan=2 align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 </FONT><I><FONT size=2 face="serif">bona fide </FONT></I><FONT size=2 face="serif">offering thereof; and</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR align="left" valign="top"><TD colspan=4>&nbsp;</TD></TR><TR>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD width="5%" align="left" valign=top nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(c)</FONT>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;   </TD>
  <TD colspan=2 align="left" valign="top">
<P align="left"><FONT size=2 face="serif">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.</FONT></P>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">2. The Company hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that
is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement </FONT></P>

<HR noshade width="100%" size=4><P STYLE="page-break-before:always"></P><PAGE>

<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </FONT><I><FONT size=2 face="serif">bona fide</FONT></I><FONT size=2 face="serif"> offering
thereof. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to provisions and arrangements that exist whereby the
Company may indemnify such persons against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT></P>

<HR noshade width="100%" size=4><P STYLE="page-break-before:always"></P><PAGE>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">SIGNATURES </FONT></B></P>
<P align="left">
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company 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 New York, State of New York, on this 21st day of May, 2009. </FONT></P>
<TABLE width="30%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 style="margin-left:30%">
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left nowrap colspan=3>
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS, INC.</FONT></B>
  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left nowrap colspan=3>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(Registrant)</FONT>
  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=3>&nbsp;

  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">By:</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width="90%" align=left nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
    <FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Gary A. Schwartz</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width="90%" align=left nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Gary A. Schwartz</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD width=5% align=left nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width="90%" align=left nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Senior Vice President and General Counsel</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE><BR>

<HR noshade width="100%" size=4><P STYLE="page-break-before:always"></P><PAGE>

<P align="left">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2 face="serif">KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE
PRESENTS: that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
Robert F. Orlich, Steven S. Skalicky and Gary A. Schwartz, and each of them,
as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement on Form S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection herewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-law and agents,
and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing required and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing as fully
for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. </FONT></P>
<P align="left">
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT size=2 face="serif"> 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 the dates indicated. </FONT></P>
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Name</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Title</FONT></B>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap style="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">Date</FONT></B>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Chairman of the Board of Directors,</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">President and Chief Executive</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Robert F. Orlich</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Officer</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Robert F. Orlich</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Steven S. Skalicky</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Executive Vice President and</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Steven S. Skalicky</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Chief Financial Officer</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">(Principal Financial and Accounting</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Officer)</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Ian H. Chippendale</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Ian H. Chippendale</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ John G. Foos</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">John G. Foos</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ John L. McCarthy</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">John L. McCarthy</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ William J. Poutsiaka</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">William J. Poutsiaka</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Richard Press</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Richard Press</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
  <TD colspan=5>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<U><FONT size=2 face="serif">/s/ Thomas R. Tizzio</FONT></U>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Director</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">May 21, 2009</FONT>  </TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>
<FONT size=2 face="serif">Thomas R. Tizzio</FONT>  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD width=5%>&nbsp;  </TD>
  <TD align=left width=30% nowrap>&nbsp;  </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<HR noshade width="100%" size=4><P STYLE="page-break-before:always"></P><PAGE>

<P align="center">
<B><FONT size=2 face="serif">EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></B></P>

<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><b><font size=2 face="serif">Exhibit
    No.</font></b></td>
    <td width="90%" align="center" valign="top"><b><font size=2 face="serif"> Description </font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">4.1</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Certificate
        of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. , as amended through
        April 19, 1990 (filed as an exhibit to the Company&#146;s Registration
    Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by reference). </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">4.2</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Certificate
        of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings,
        Inc. , dated May 25, 1999 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's 1999
    Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No.  001-10545)  and incorporated herein
    by reference).  </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">4.3</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Amended
        and Restated By-Laws of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. , as of September
        27, 2007 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form
        8-K (File No. 001-10545) dated October 3, 2007, and incorporated herein
    by reference). </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">4.4</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Form
        of Common Stock Certificate (filed as an exhibit to the Company&#146;s
        Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by
    reference). </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">4.5</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Transatlantic
    Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan. </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">5.1</font></td>
    <td align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif"> Opinion of Gary
    A. Schwartz. </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">23.1</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Consent
    of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. </font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">23.2</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Consent
    of Gary A. Schwartz (included in exhibit 5.1) .</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap>&nbsp;</td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="10%" align="center" valign="top" nowrap><font size=2 face="serif">24</font></td>
    <td width="90%" align="left" valign="top"><font size=2 face="serif">Power
    of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<br>




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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS INC", "cik": "0000862510", "assigned-sic": "6331", "irs-number": "133355897", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-159398", "film-number": "09846098"}, "business-address": {"street1": "80 PINE ST", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10005", "phone": "2127702000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "80 PINE STREET", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10005"}}
c57690_s-8.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
13-3355897
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Gary A. Schwartz
Senior Vice President
and General Counsel
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
(212) 770-2000
(Name and address of agent for service)
(212) 770-2000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Lois F. Herzeca, Esq.
Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166-0193
(212) 351-4000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION
    OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be
Registered (1)
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share (2)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (2)
Amount of
Registration Fee (2)
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share
2,600,000
$40.40
$105,040,000.00
$5,861.24
(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-8 also shall cover any additional shares of Common Stock in respect of the
securities identified in the above table as a result of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction.
(2) The maximum offering price per share is estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act based upon the
average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on May 15, 2009, which was $40.40.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form
    S-8 (the "Registration Statement") is filed by Transatlantic Holdings,
    Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant"), relating to 2,600,000
    shares of its Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Common Stock") issuable to eligible employees, officers and consultants of the
Company and its subsidiaries under the Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long
Term Incentive Plan.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information*
Item 2. Registrant Information
and Employee Plan Annual Information*
*
Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
The following documents, which have heretofore been filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") (File No. 001-10545) pursuant to the Securities Act, and 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:
(a)
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the portions of the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 10, 2009, incorporated by reference
therein);
(b)
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009;
(c)
the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2009 and April 6, 2009; and
(d)
the description of our common stock set forth in our Form 8-A, dated May 25, 1990, filed pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless specifically stated to the contrary, none of the information that the Company discloses under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K that it may from time to time furnish
to the Commission will be incorporated by reference into, or otherwise included in, this Registration Statement.
Any statement, including financial statements, contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement
to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
The validity of the shares of Common Stock to be offered and sold pursuant to the Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") will be passed upon by Gary A. Schwartz, Esq., Senior Vice
President and General Counsel of TRH. Mr. Schwartz is employed by TRH, participates in various TRH employee benefit plans under which he may receive shares of Common Stock and currently beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The certificate of incorporation of TRH, as amended, provides that TRH shall indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or employee of TRH or serves or served any other enterprise at the request of TRH. Section 6.4 of TRH's
amended and restated by-laws contains a similar provision. The amended and restated by-laws provide further that service at the request of TRH includes service as a director, officer or employee of TRH with respect to an employee benefit plan. The
amended and restated by-laws also provide that TRH may advance litigation expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that the
director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by TRH.
The certificate of incorporation, as amended, also provides that a director will not be personally liable to TRH or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that
the exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits indemnification against expenses, fines, judgments and settlements incurred by any director, officer or employee of a company in the event of pending or threatened
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings, if such person was, or was threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer or employee of the company. Section 145 also provides that the
indemnification provided for therein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may otherwise be entitled. In addition, TRH and its subsidiaries maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance
policy.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., as amended through April 19, 1990
(filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and
incorporated herein by reference).
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.,
dated May 25, 1999 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K
(File No. 001-10545) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc., as of September 27, 2007 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10545) dated October 3, 2007, and
incorporated herein by reference).
4.4
Form of Common Stock Certificate (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Gary A. Schwartz.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent of Gary A. Schwartz (included in exhibit 5.1).
24
Power of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).
Item 9. Undertakings
1.
The
    Company hereby undertakes:
(a)
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;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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; notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration
Statement;
provided
,
however
, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the information
    required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
    reference in this Registration Statement;
(b)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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; and
(c)
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.
2. The Company hereby further undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that
is incorporated by reference in this 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.
3. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to provisions and arrangements that exist whereby the
Company may indemnify such persons against liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Company 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 New York, State of New York, on this 21st day of May, 2009.
TRANSATLANTIC HOLDINGS, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Gary A. Schwartz
Gary A. Schwartz
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE
PRESENTS: that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
Robert F. Orlich, Steven S. Skalicky and Gary A. Schwartz, and each of them,
as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this registration statement on Form S-8, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection herewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-law and agents,
and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing required and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing as fully
for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.
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 the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
May 21, 2009
President and Chief Executive
/s/ Robert F. Orlich
Officer
Robert F. Orlich
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Steven S. Skalicky
Executive Vice President and
May 21, 2009
Steven S. Skalicky
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
/s/ Ian H. Chippendale
Director
May 21, 2009
Ian H. Chippendale
/s/ John G. Foos
Director
May 21, 2009
John G. Foos
/s/ John L. McCarthy
Director
May 21, 2009
John L. McCarthy
/s/ William J. Poutsiaka
Director
May 21, 2009
William J. Poutsiaka
/s/ Richard Press
Director
May 21, 2009
Richard Press
/s/ Thomas R. Tizzio
Director
May 21, 2009
Thomas R. Tizzio
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
    No.
Description
4.1
Certificate
        of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. , as amended through
        April 19, 1990 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration
    Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2
Certificate
        of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of Transatlantic Holdings,
        Inc. , dated May 25, 1999 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's 1999
    Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No.  001-10545)  and incorporated herein
    by reference).
4.3
Amended
        and Restated By-Laws of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. , as of September
        27, 2007 (filed as an exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form
        8-K (File No. 001-10545) dated October 3, 2007, and incorporated herein
    by reference).
4.4
Form
        of Common Stock Certificate (filed as an exhibit to the Company's
        Registration Statement (File No. 333-34433) and incorporated herein by
    reference).
4.5
Transatlantic
    Holdings, Inc. 2009 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Gary
    A. Schwartz.
23.1
Consent
    of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2
Consent
    of Gary A. Schwartz (included in exhibit 5.1) .
24
Power
    of Attorney (contained on signature page hereto).