Headquarters: 720 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202-4797
http://www.northwesternmutual.com

2009 Annual Revenue: $21.37 billion

Key Officers: Edward J. Zore, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer; John E. Schlifske, President, Trustee; Gary A. (Skip) Poliner, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, Trustee

Three years after the inception of Northwestern Life, two policyholders lost their lives in a train accident. Although claims totaled $3,500, Northwestern Mutual only had $2,000 on hand, and the company president and trustees personally borrowed the needed funds and paid the claims immediately.

Since 1875, Northwestern Mutual allows a select group of policyholders the chance to complete a report on the workings of the company. The unedited report is then published in Northwestern Mutual’s annual report.

Northwestern Mutual offers life, disability, long-term care and employee benefits, as well as various financial products and retirement plans. The company currently sits at number 115 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies based on revenue.

Sources: northwesternmutual.com, money.cnn.com, Hoover’s

Compiled by Life Quotes, Inc. staff