The bailed-out Dutch insurer Aegon NV announced on Thursday that it returned to profit in the third-quarter, helped by improved life insurance sales and lower write-downs.

Aegon said it pocketed net profit of €145 million (equivalent to $217.2 million) in the third-quarter, against a loss of €329 million in the year ago period.

The insurer reported €285 million in the third-quarter impairments, down from €407 million in 2008. In addition, the company reported lower losses on assets related to the US housing-market.