Northwest Mutual Pledges $1 Million to Katrina Relief

Northwestern Mutual is pledging support to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort through a $1 million grant to the American Red Cross from the Northwestern Mutual Foundation.

The company is prepared to handle special circumstances for policyowners and customers relating to benefit payments, premium payments, or other servicing needs in the affected regions of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The company has temporarily suspended automatic policy lapses and insurance account terminations for affected policyowners. In addition, special arrangements have been made to expedite payment of policy loans, and all FedEx and bank wire fees for loan and benefit payments will be waived for customers in these areas.

If customers need assistance or have questions, they can call the company’s toll-free customer service line at 1-800-388-8123.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wis., is the nation’s largest direct provider of individual life insurance. The company, its subsidiaries and affiliates are also providers of annuities, mutual funds, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance and employee benefit services to the group employee and executive markets through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and its financial representatives.