Who Are We?

Founded in 1883 as a fraternal benefit society, today Modern Woodmen of America offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States. Founder Joseph Cullen Root envisioned an organization that could provide financial security to families from all walks of life.

Our name wasn't selected to identify our membership with logging or any other profession. It came from a sermon heard by Mr. Root. The minister spoke about "the work of the pioneer woodmen clearing away the forest." Root interpreted this as an analogy for the task of eliminating a man's financial burdens in the event of his death. Modern Woodmen was the resulting name for his benefit society. The phrase "of America" was added to signify patriotism.

Like other financial organizations, Modern Woodmen offers financial services for members through quality life insurance, annuity, investment* and banking products. But unlike some companies, Modern Woodmen is a fraternal organization. Along with products, Modern Woodmen offers fraternal programs for good times and fraternal member benefits for times of need.

Modern Woodmen Snapshot

• Modern Woodmen was established in 1883 in Lyons, Iowa.
• Home Office is located in Rock Island, Ill.
• Modern Woodmen offers life insurance, annuity, investment* and banking products for the family market.
• It serves more than 750,000 members nationwide.
• Members are joined by three common bonds: family financial security, positive family life and service to community.
• Over 1,600 representatives provide nationwide service.
• Life insurance in force totals nearly $31.3 billion.
• Total assets are nearly $7.5 billion.
• A.M. Best, an independent rating agency, rates Modern Woodmen's financial stability, security and management performance Superior or A+, which is the second highest of 15 ratings.
• More than 2,300 local camps provide fellowship and community service nationwide.
• Nearly 700 youth service clubs nationwide stress voluntarism, education, patriotism and fun.
• Through numerous fraternal member programs, benefits and activities, nearly $23 million goes back into the lives of members and their communities annually.
• Modern Woodmen's Creed: "There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his own way alone; all that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own."

*Securities offered through MWA Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America, 1701 1st Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201, 309-558-3100.  Member: NASD, SIPC.

Click here to learn more about Modern Woodmen of America.