About Us

Since 1883, Modern Woodmen of America has brought people together, supported families and strengthened communities.

About Us
Careers
Modern Woodmen of America, Rock Island, IL

Looking for a meaningful career?

Grow with Modern Woodmen! As a financial representative, you can make a positive impact for your family and your community.

Financial Planning

We can help you meet your current needs, achieve your future dreams and plan for all stages of life.

Planning for Life
Stories of strength from our history
A female nurse taking care of a male patient at Modern Woodmen's tuberculosis camp in 1909.

Persevering Through Uncertain Times

Our Products

Modern Woodmen maintains a portfolio of high-quality financial products that can help you meet a wide range of life needs.

Our Products
Don't know where to start?
Couple meeting with a Financial Rep

Financial planning

Browse our helpful tips and articles to understand what’s important to you and your loved ones.

Resource Hub

Visit our Resource Hub to learn more about life insurance and potential solutions to protect you and your loved ones. It’s a great place to find the answers to your questions and some hints from professionals.

Visit Resource Hub
Our guide to applying for life insurance

What to expect from the life insurance application process

From commonly used terms to hints for the medical exam and more, our handy guide helps you understand the application process.

 

My Membership

When you join Modern Woodmen, you become a member of the organization. You trust us with your financial needs. And you have the opportunity to access fraternal member programs and impact your community.

My Membership
Member Website
Father daughter playing together

Member Website Overview

Make a payment, update your address, and access account information, online forms and fraternal programs from the member website.

​What would happen to my business if I or another owner dies?

   

Article Hero Image
Business planning
Article Hero Image
Business planning

If you are the sole owner of your business, and you pass away, your business may be at risk of dying with you. If you have a business partner, your family might suddenly be put into business with him/her upon your death. On the flip side, you might find yourself in business with your business partner’s family should your partner pass away first.

What if the deceased’s family was forced to sell its share of the business? If so, what’s a fair price?

Many business owners have a buy-sell plan in place, leaving nothing to chance and doubt.

Which buy-sell agreement is right for you?

There are several ways to structure a buy-sell agreement. Which method is right for you depends largely on how your company is set up, how many owners/partners there are and how long you’ve been in business.

The most commonly used buy-sell agreements include:

  • Cross-purchase buy-sell agreements, where all of the individual owners agree to purchase the interest of the other owners following an agreed-upon trigger event.
  • Entity-purchase buy-sell agreements, where the business itself agrees to purchase the interests of each owner following an agreed-upon trigger event.
  • partnership buy-sell agreement, which utilizes a trust or partnership to facilitate the transfer of an owner’s share of the business to the remaining owners.
  • wait-and-see buy-sell agreement, where the owners agree that either they or the business will purchase the interests of a departing owner, depending on which method is most advantageous at the time.(While these types of agreements can be helpful in reducing paperwork and affecting a smooth business transfer, they can also be very complex. They should only be drafted and reviewed by a qualified attorney.)

Benefits of a buy-sell agreement

The benefits of a buy-sell agreement, especially to a small or family-owned business, cannot be overstated. If structured properly, it can address – and eliminate – potential problems or issues before they arise. Here are just a few of the benefits of a well-thought-out buy-sell agreement:

  • A known buyer for your business.
  • A known purchase price.
  • Estate liquidity.
  • Business value.
  • Stability.
  • Improved access to credit.
  • Greater retirement security.

Your financial representative

Meet a Modern Woodmen representative in your community and begin to explore how shared values can work for you.


Find a rep near you

Need help finding a representative?

If you’re unable to find a Modern Woodmen representative in your community, we’d like to help.

Contact the home office

I'm here to help

Headshot of Representative Cameron Smith
Cameron Cameron
Phone: 000-000-0000
Get started
Find another representative

Additional products and services

Talk to a representative to see what's best for you.

Whole life insurance
Product

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance helps protect your loved ones, providing tax-free money when you die, not just if you die during a specified time period. You can get peace of mind, knowing that your family is protected, and you can take advantage of cash value and other living benefits to help you plan ahead – no matter what life brings.