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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri officials plan to distribute $75 million in payments from the failed General American Life Insurance Co.

The state Department of Insurance said Tuesday it will distribute the checks to 300,000 current and former customers between now and early December.

State officials placed General American's parent company, General American Mutual Holding Co., into receivership in 1999. The process is aimed at helping shut down failing insurers and paying claims.

This will be the fourth distribution to General American policyholders. The department is trying to locate and liquidate additional assets of the company to increase future payouts.