WoodmenLife
WoodmenLife is a 135-year-old Omaha-based fraternal benefit society offering life insurance, Medicare supplement, annuities, and securities products to U.S. consumers in all 50 states through a field-sales network and member portal, holding approximately $11.3 billion in assets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersOmaha, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WoodmenLife does
WoodmenLife, formally Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society, is an Omaha, Nebraska-based fraternal benefit society founded in 1890 that provides life insurance and retirement products to individual consumers across all 50 U.S. states. The company operates as a not-for-profit membership organization owned by its members rather than shareholders, governed by a 12-member National Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors, and held approximately $11.3 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Its core product set spans multiple life insurance lines — term, whole, universal (including indexed universal life and no-lapse guarantee universal life), family term, and final expense — alongside Medicare supplement insurance and a full retirement annuity suite covering SPDA, FPDA, immediate, non-qualified, and variable annuities. Securities products, including mutual funds and 529 College Savings Plans, are distributed through its wholly-owned subsidiary Woodmen Financial Services, Inc., a FINRA/SIPC member.
WoodmenLife monetizes through recurring insurance premiums and annuity contributions, with rate cards publicly disclosed for fixed deferred annuities (SPDA lock-in rates from 3.70% to 4.70% and FPDA from 3.55% to 4.55% depending on premium tier) and variable annuity fees including mortality and expense risk charges, surrender charges, and administrative fees. Distribution is sales-led: a network of licensed field representatives operates from headquarters in Omaha and regional offices in 18+ states, supported by a member self-serve portal at member.mywoodmen.org. The fraternal structure layers community engagement — local chapters, scholarships, volunteering, and a WoodmenLife Magazine — on top of the financial product offering.
The company has held an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best for 50+ years (effective February 20, 2026) and was ranked #1 in the permanent life insurance category in the Forbes 2026 America's Best Insurance Companies list out of more than 3,100 eligible insurers, based on a survey of over 18,000 policyholders. Additional recognition includes a BBB A+ accredited rating, the International Torch Award for Ethics 2025, and Greater Omaha Chamber Business Excellence awards. Leadership includes President and CEO Patrick Dees and Governance Committee Chair Dr. James W. Shaver. No external funding, M&A, or AI/technology platform disclosures are present in the source data.
WoodmenLife firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WoodmenLife
- Legal name
- Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society
- Website
- https://woodmenlife.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- WoodmenLife is a 135-year-old Omaha-based fraternal benefit society offering life insurance, Medicare supplement, annuities, and securities products to U.S. consumers in all 50 states through a field-sales network and member portal, holding approximately $11.3 billion in assets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where WoodmenLife is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Omaha
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
WoodmenLife business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Life Insurance Premiums: WoodmenLife generates revenue primarily through life insurance premiums, including term life, whole life, universal life, and final expense insurance products. The company has been in operation for over 135 years.
- Annuity Products: The company offers various annuity products including deferred fixed annuities (SPDA and FPDA), immediate annuities, variable annuities, and non-qualified annuities. These products generate revenue through premium payments and fees.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance: WoodmenLife provides Medicare supplement insurance plans that help fill gaps in Medicare coverage, generating premium revenue.
- Securities and Investment Products: Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), the company offers securities including mutual funds and 529 College Savings Plans, operating as a FINRA/SIPC member.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Single Premium Deferred Fixed Annuity (SPDA) with tiered rates based on premium amount |
| Subscription | Annual | Fixed Premium Deferred Fixed Annuity (FPDA) with tiered rates based on premium amount |
| Subscription | Annual | Variable Annuity |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
WoodmenLife product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WoodmenLife is a fraternal benefit society selling life insurance (term, whole, universal, indexed universal, no-lapse guarantee universal, final expense, and family term), Medicare supplement insurance, and retirement annuity products (deferred fixed annuities, immediate annuities, variable annuities, and non-qualified annuities). Through subsidiary Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. it also distributes mutual funds and 529 College Savings Plans. Products are sold primarily through a network of licensed field representatives across the United States.
Product overview
WoodmenLife is a fraternal benefit society offering a comprehensive portfolio of life insurance and retirement financial products. The core offerings include various life insurance types (term life, whole life, universal life with indexed and no-lapse guarantee variants, and final expense), Medicare supplement insurance, and a full range of retirement products including deferred fixed annuities (SPDA and FPDA), immediate annuities, non-qualified annuities, and variable annuities. Products are offered alongside member extras including financial education resources, scholarships, and community programs. The company operates through a network of representatives and regional offices across the United States, with securities offered through its subsidiary Woodmen Financial Services, Inc.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary providing securities and investment services, member FINRA/SIPC.
Products and services
- Life Insurance Core life insurance product line providing financial security for loved ones after death, encompassing term, whole, and universal life options. Designed for individuals and families seeking to protect beneficiaries against the financial impact of the policyholder's death.
- Family Term Life
Companies that use WoodmenLife
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
WoodmenLife technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WoodmenLife partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- American Fraternal AllianceminorWoodmenLife is a member of the American Fraternal Alliance, which unites 59 not-for-profit fraternal benefit societies operating in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Alliance members represent nearly 8 million people, making it one of America's largest member-volunteer networks.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WoodmenLife competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Thrivent: Large fraternal benefit society providing life insurance, annuities, and investment products to members, with comparable faith- and community-oriented values and a similar not-for-profit member-owned structure.
- Knights of Columbus: Catholic fraternal benefit society offering life insurance, disability income, and annuities through a member-rep and chapter-based model—directly comparable to WoodmenLife's fraternal structure and field distribution.
- Modern Woodmen of America: Direct peer fraternal benefit society offering life insurance and annuities with a similar field-rep distribution model and community-based membership approach; near-identical target customer of working American families.
Broad incumbents
- Sammons Financial Group: Midwestern-based insurer with life insurance and annuity subsidiaries (North American Company, Midland National); directly comparable product mix and middle-American customer target.
- Northwestern Mutual: Largest U.S. mutual life insurer offering permanent and term life, disability income, and annuities via a financial advisor-led model; benchmark for top-tier financial strength ratings and advisor-driven distribution.
- Ameritas: Nebraska-headquartered mutual insurer offering individual life, annuities, and retirement plans with comparable mid-market American customer focus and traditional agent distribution.
- Lincoln Financial Group: Publicly traded insurer and annuity provider with strong life insurance and retirement plan offerings; competitor for fixed and variable annuity market share and life insurance distribution.
- New York Life: Largest U.S. mutual life insurer with extensive life, annuity, and long-term care products distributed through a career-agent force—competes directly for the same life insurance and retirement customer.
- Globe Life: Large U.S. life and supplemental health insurer targeting middle-income American families; directly comparable customer segment and product emphasis on life insurance.
- Mutual of Omaha: Omaha-headquartered mutual insurer offering individual life, Medicare supplement, and retirement products; comparable in product mix and geographic customer base though broader and stock-distribution adjacent.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WoodmenLife social profiles
Digital presenceWoodmenLife compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance16 records
WoodmenLife financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WoodmenLife leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
WoodmenLife subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
WoodmenLife funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WoodmenLife M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WoodmenLife
What does WoodmenLife do?
WoodmenLife is a fraternal benefit society selling life insurance (term, whole, universal, indexed universal, no-lapse guarantee universal, final expense, and family term), Medicare supplement insurance, and retirement annuity products (deferred fixed annuities, immediate annuities, variable annuities, and non-qualified annuities). Through subsidiary Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. it also distributes mutual funds and 529 College Savings Plans. Products are sold primarily through a network of licensed field representatives across the United States.
Is WoodmenLife a public or private company?
WoodmenLife is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WoodmenLife founded?
WoodmenLife was founded in 1890. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is WoodmenLife based?
WoodmenLife is headquartered in Omaha, United States, in the North America region.
How does WoodmenLife make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Life Insurance Premiums are the primary driver. The others are annuity Products, medicare Supplement Insurance and securities and Investment Products.
Who are WoodmenLife's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Thrivent, Knights of Columbus and Modern Woodmen of America. Broad incumbents are Sammons Financial Group, Northwestern Mutual, Ameritas, Lincoln Financial Group, New York Life, Globe Life and Mutual of Omaha.
Does WoodmenLife have an API?
No public API is recorded for WoodmenLife.