Dividends

Let's not forget one of the other key benefits of working with a mutual insurance company such as Northwestern Mutual.

There is the possibility that owners of Northwestern Mutual longevity insurance will receive a dividend.

Mutual insurers direct "surplus" back to their policyowners in the form of dividends.

This is in contrast to a publicly owned corporation which would shovel any surplus or profit right back to shareholders.

This is a huge potential benefit to longevity annuity owners because any potential dividend would increase the level of future income available to the contract holder.

Dividends and mutual insurers also seem to have interests that are better aligned with their customers.