Exhibit 24
                                                                                December 1, 2008

Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Re:  Authorization to Sign Rule 16 Forms
     -----------------------------------

To whom it may concern:

     I am the Senior Vice President -- Chief Investment Officer of Genworth Financial, 
Inc. ("Genworth") effective December 1, 2008 and, until further written notice, I hereby 
individually authorize Leon E. Roday (Genworth's Senior Vice President, General Counsel 
and Secretary), Richard J. Oelhafen, Jr. (Genworth's Vice President and Assistant Secretary)
and Christine A. Ness (Genworth's Assistant Secretary) to sign on my behalf a Form 3 and 
any Form 4 or Form 5 or related form that I have filed or may file hereafter in connection 
with my direct or indirect beneficial ownership of Genworth securities, and to take any 
other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the foregoing which in his or her 
opinion may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by me.
                                                        
                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                        /s/ Ronald P. Joelson

                                                        Ronald P. Joelson