National Life Group holds an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best, the second-highest possible rating, and has over 175 years of experience. They’re the second-largest provider of indexed universal life insurance in the U.S. and offer term, whole life, and IUL policies. Their EZ Underwriting program allows qualified applicants ages 18-65 to get up to $3 million in coverage without a medical exam.
If you’re researching National Life Group, you’re probably wondering whether they’re a solid choice for your life insurance needs. That’s a fair question. With so many insurance companies out there making big promises, it’s smart to dig into the details before making a decision.
We’ve worked with National Life Group for years, placing policies for clients across the country. Here’s what we’ve learned about who they are, what they offer, and whether they might be the right fit for you.
National Life Group: Company Background
National Life Group has been around since 1848, making them one of the oldest life insurance companies in America. Their headquarters are in Montpelier, Vermont, with additional operations in Addison, Texas.
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Here’s something that sets them apart: they’re a mutual company. That means policyholders actually own the company, not shareholders. Why does that matter? Because the company’s decisions are focused on policyholder value rather than stock prices. They report paying dividends to eligible policyholders continuously since 1855, based on company records. That’s a 170-year track record that speaks for itself.
As of 2024, National Life Group manages $57.4 billion in assets and sold $635 million in new life insurance policies. They also sold $3.4 billion in annuities that same year. These aren’t small numbers. They indicate a company with serious financial muscle behind it.
Financial Strength Ratings
When you buy life insurance, you’re trusting that the company will be around to pay your claim decades from now. That’s why financial ratings matter.
National Life Group holds strong ratings from all major rating agencies:
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior). This is the second-highest rating possible and indicates excellent financial strength.
Standard & Poor’s: A+ (Strong). This reflects their solid market position and sound financial management.
Moody’s: A1 (Good). This rating highlights their consistent profitability and improving market position.
Better Business Bureau: A+ grade. While they’re not BBB accredited, they still earned the top grade.
The company was included in Forbes’ 2024 and 2025 Best Insurance Companies list based on customer surveys and performance criteria. In October 2025, the Wall Street Journal ranked them #2 in their Best Whole Life Insurance Companies list.
One thing worth noting: in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study, National Life Group ranked #14 out of 21 companies with a score of 641. That’s average, not exceptional. Most customers are satisfied, but there’s room for improvement in the overall experience.
Life Insurance Products
National Life Group offers a full range of life insurance options. Let’s break down what’s available.
Term Life Insurance
Term life insurance is the most straightforward and affordable option. You pay premiums for a set period, and if you pass away during that term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit. No cash value, no complexity.
National Life offers term policies for 10, 15, 20, and 30 years. They also offer an annually renewable term (ART) option, which has the lowest initial premiums but increases each year. ART works well when you only need coverage for a short time.
All term policies include convertible options, meaning you can switch to a permanent policy later without a new medical exam. That’s valuable if your health changes down the road.
Available riders for term policies:
- Accelerated Benefits Riders – Access death benefit early for terminal illness
- Children’s Term Rider – Coverage for your children
- Waiver of Premium Rider – Waives premiums if you become disabled
Whole Life Insurance (TotalSecure)
If you want guaranteed lifetime coverage with cash value growth, whole life insurance is the route to consider. National Life’s TotalSecure whole life policy offers fixed premiums that never increase and a guaranteed death benefit.
Because National Life is a mutual company, TotalSecure policyholders can receive dividends. You can use those dividends in several ways: take cash, reduce premiums, purchase additional coverage, or let them accumulate.
The minimum face amount is $50,000, and it’s available to applicants ages 0-85.
One consideration: TotalSecure uses a direct recognition loan policy. If you borrow against your cash value (which is common in strategies like infinite banking), the loaned amount may affect your dividend earnings. This is something to discuss with your advisor if policy loans are part of your strategy.
Universal Life Insurance (BasicSecure)
Universal life gives you more flexibility than whole life. You can adjust your premiums and death benefit within certain limits as your needs change over time.
National Life’s BasicSecure policy offers:
- Coverage for ages 0-85 – Wide age range for applicants
- Minimum death benefit of $50,000 – Accessible entry point
- Flexible premium payments – Pay more, pay less, or skip when needed
- Cash value growth – Based on a fixed interest rate
A standout feature is the no-cost Accelerated Benefits Rider, which provides access to your death benefit if you’re diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or critical illness. These living benefits are paid in cash and can help cover medical expenses or other needs.
Indexed Universal Life Insurance
This is where National Life really shines. They’re the second-largest provider of indexed universal life insurance in the country.
IUL policies tie your cash value growth to a market index like the S&P 500. When the index goes up, you earn interest. When it goes down, you’re protected by a 0% floor, meaning you won’t lose money due to market drops. This combination of growth potential and downside protection makes IUL popular for building tax-free retirement income.
National Life offers three IUL options:
FlexLife is their most accessible IUL product. It’s available for ages 0-85 with a minimum death benefit of $50,000. The Lifetime Income Benefit Rider (LIBR) can provide guaranteed income for life starting between ages 60-85, with a 10-year waiting period.
PeakLife is designed for higher-net-worth clients. The minimum face amount is $1,000,000, and it’s available for ages 18-85. This policy offers higher funding limits and is typically used for supplemental retirement planning and wealth building.
SummitLife is the premium option for affluent clients. It also has a $1,000,000 minimum and includes features for wealth transfer planning and guaranteed lifetime income.
All three IUL products include National Life’s comprehensive Accelerated Benefits Riders, which cover terminal illness, chronic illness, critical illness, and critical injury. In 2023-2024, they added two industry-first riders: an Alzheimer’s Disease Rider and a Fertility Journey Rider.
Wondering how National Life stacks up against other carriers? Check out our comparison of the best IUL companies.
EZ Underwriting: Skip the Medical Exam
One of the biggest barriers to getting life insurance is the traditional underwriting process. Blood tests, medical exams, weeks of waiting. National Life’s EZ Underwriting program removes a lot of that friction.
Qualified applicants ages 18-65 can potentially skip the medical exam entirely and still get:
- Up to $3,000,000 in coverage – For permanent products
- Up to $2,000,000 in coverage – For term products
- Immediate approval – If you qualify
Not everyone will qualify. The program uses data-driven underwriting to make quick decisions, but applicants with certain health conditions may still need traditional underwriting. Still, for healthy applicants who want coverage fast, this is a significant advantage.
RapidProtect: Instant-Decision IUL
In September 2025, National Life launched RapidProtect, an instant-decision IUL product designed for middle-market families. Here’s what makes it different:
- Coverage from $50,000 to $500,000 – Accessible range for most families
- Available for ages 0-60 – Adults and juveniles
- No medical tests or lab work – Simplified process
- Decision in minutes – Not weeks
- Includes all Accelerated Benefits Riders – Full living benefits package
RapidProtect uses predictive underwriting, and applicants receive the top three reasons for their underwriting decision. This transparency is unusual in the industry and helps both clients and agents understand the outcome.
Additional Products and Services
Beyond life insurance, National Life Group offers:
Annuities: Fixed, indexed, and variable annuities for retirement income planning. They’re particularly strong in indexed annuities.
Retirement Plans: 403(b) and 457(b) plans for employers, particularly popular with educators and public sector employees.
IRAs: Traditional and Roth options for individual retirement savings.
Mutual Funds: Through their Sentinel Investments subsidiary, they offer money market funds, bond funds, index funds, and equity funds.
Who Is National Life Group Best For?
Based on our experience placing policies with National Life, here’s who tends to benefit most:
IUL buyers: If you’re looking for indexed universal life insurance with strong living benefits, National Life is a top-tier option. Their product lineup is comprehensive, and their Accelerated Benefits Riders are among the best in the industry.
Clients who want to skip the medical exam: The EZ Underwriting and RapidProtect programs make National Life a strong choice for healthy applicants who want fast approval without the hassle of exams and lab work.
Whole life buyers who value dividends: As a mutual company with a 170-year dividend history, National Life is worth considering if dividends are part of your strategy. Just be aware of the direct recognition loan policy if you plan to borrow against your cash value.
Families needing living benefits: The comprehensive Accelerated Benefits Riders, including the Alzheimer’s Disease and Fertility Journey riders, provide financial protection for situations that many policies don’t cover.
What to Consider Before Buying
No company is perfect for everyone. Here are some things to keep in mind:
No online quotes: You can’t get a quote directly from National Life’s website. You’ll need to work with an agent or broker to get pricing. That’s where we come in.
J.D. Power score is average: While their financial ratings are excellent, customer satisfaction scores are middle-of-the-pack. Most customers are happy, but the experience isn’t as polished as some competitors.
Direct recognition loans: If you’re planning an infinite banking strategy with whole life, the direct recognition policy may reduce your dividend earnings on loaned amounts. Non-direct recognition companies handle this differently.
Limited no-exam coverage for older applicants: The EZ Underwriting program is available for ages 18-65. Older applicants may need to go through traditional underwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Life Group a good life insurance company?
Yes. National Life Group holds an A+ rating from A.M. Best and has been in business since 1848. They’re the second-largest provider of indexed universal life insurance in the country and were included in Forbes’ 2024 and 2025 Best Insurance Companies list. Their financial strength is solid, and they report paying dividends continuously for over 170 years based on company records.
Does National Life Group require a medical exam?
Not always. Their EZ Underwriting program allows qualified applicants ages 18-65 to get up to $3 million in permanent coverage or $2 million in term coverage without a medical exam. Their new RapidProtect IUL product offers instant decisions with no medical tests for coverage up to $500,000.
What types of life insurance does National Life Group offer?
National Life offers term life (10, 15, 20, and 30-year options), whole life (TotalSecure), universal life (BasicSecure), and three indexed universal life products (FlexLife, PeakLife, and SummitLife). They also offer annuities, retirement plans, and mutual funds.
What are National Life Group’s living benefits?
Their Accelerated Benefits Riders allow policyholders to access a portion of their death benefit if diagnosed with a terminal illness, chronic illness, critical illness, or critical injury. They also offer industry-first riders for Alzheimer’s Disease and fertility treatments. These benefits are included at no additional cost on most permanent policies.
How do I get a quote from National Life Group?
National Life doesn’t offer online quotes. You’ll need to work with a licensed agent or broker. As an independent agency, we can provide quotes from National Life and compare them with other carriers to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Strong financial foundation – A+ ratings from A.M. Best and S&P, 170+ years of dividend payments, and $57.4 billion in assets under management.
- Leading IUL provider – Second-largest in the country with three product tiers (FlexLife, PeakLife, SummitLife) and comprehensive living benefits.
- Fast approval options – EZ Underwriting offers up to $3 million without a medical exam. RapidProtect provides instant decisions for coverage up to $500,000.
- Industry-first riders – Alzheimer’s Disease and Fertility Journey riders provide unique protection most companies don’t offer.
- Mutual company advantage – Policyholders share in company profits through dividends, though direct recognition loans may affect whole life strategies.
Want to see how National Life Group stacks up for your situation? We work with National Life and dozens of other carriers, so we can show you your options side by side. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest look at what makes sense for you.
