About Us

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

About Us
Member stories

Hear from Modern Woodmen members

From financial planning to member programs to community involvement, we help members and their families through life.

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
An old black-and-white photo from Modern Woodmen's Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

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?
A computer screen with Modern Woodmen's life insurance calculator displayed.

Try our life insurance calculator

Each family is unique, with different needs and goals for the future. Taking a few minutes to answer some quick questions will give you an estimate of how much insurance is right for you.

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
A father holding his daughter in the air with her arms out.

Member Website Overview

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

The Benefits of Belonging to a Fraternal Financial Services Organization

 

What makes Modern Woodmen, a member-owned fraternal financial services organization, unique?

As a fraternal organization, Modern Woodmen of America offers sound financial products that ensure a bright future for your family. Many financial institutions can offer similar products. Being a part of something bigger – that’s part of what makes us different. It’s not just a sense of security; it’s a true sense of belonging.

 

What does fraternal mean?

“Fraternal” is a somewhat unknown word, but it’s at the heart of Modern Woodmen. In part, it means we were built for our members’ benefit, not for stockholders.

Simply put, when you join Modern Woodmen, you become a member of the organization.

  • Members support Modern Woodmen’s commitment to financial security, quality family life and community impact.
  • They can trust Modern Woodmen for help with their financial needs, such as life insurance and retirement planning.
  • They can also access a variety of programs, social and educational activities, and community impact opportunities – many of which are available exclusively to members.

Fraternalism is a unique combination of business and giving back to those we serve – a continuous cycle of good.

In fact, fraternal financial services organizations like Modern Woodmen form some of the nation’s most efficient volunteer networks, delivering billions of dollars of direct financial aid and community service to those who need it most.1

 

Our member programs

Membership opens the doors to a world of fraternal programs that help make Modern Woodmen so much more than just financial products.

Birthday Book Club– Unlock imagination and help make your child’s big day even more special. Modern Woodmen kids can receive a fun box with age-appropriate, high-quality books in the mail for each birthday up to age 12.

Getting the books in the mail is kind of like receiving a birthday card. But it’s even more exciting and serves a purpose, too!
Angie Walker, member from Indiana

Chapters – These local groups of Modern Woodmen members come together regularly for social, educational and volunteer activities. Chapter activities are experiences, not sales events, and are open to members of all ages.

 

Life’s about service to your fellow man. It gives you a satisfied feeling, rather than doing things for yourself all the time. I’m glad I was able to help out.
Dallas Hensley, member from Tennessee

Do-Good Grant® – Apply to receive a $200 bank card, T-shirts and other resources to coordinate a small-scale volunteer project with family and friends. Modern Woodmen awards a limited number of grants to members each year on a first-come, first-served basis.

My dad always had a willingness to help others. I wanted to do something special to keep his memory alive.
Ashley Ash, member from Wisconsin

Final Wishes Resources – Get your “house” in order and share your late-in-life/end-of-life wishes ... or help a loved one with this important task. These guides help members plan, organize and start conversations.

Financial Relief Fund – Members may qualify to have life insurance premium payments covered for a limited time if they experience a severe financial hardship due to accident, illness, fire, natural disaster, or medical emergency.

Modern Woodmen Travels – Groups of members can attend special trips to exciting destinations, hosted and planned by Modern Woodmen. Enjoy discounted rates, exclusive events and a unique community impact experience tied to the local culture.

Newborn Life Insurance Benefit – This program ensures member parents can obtain $10,000 of permanent life insurance coverage their newborn can build on as an adult ... regardless of health. In case of early tragedy, the program offers $10,000 in financial support for the newborn’s funeral or medical costs.

At one point, I felt I had failed them. I felt it was somehow my fault they were born that early, so anything I can do to help them now, I’m going to do.
Molly Becker, member from South Dakota

Orphan Support Benefit – Modern Woodmen supports qualifying children who lose both parents by providing a monthly allowance of $700 to the child’s guardian. This program includes an education grant of up to $50,000 to help with college.

It’s not something you want to qualify for. But, in the same breath, it definitely has helped us.
Roberta Ellis-Stevens, member from South Dakota

PerkSpot – This discount hub helps members save on thousands of products, services and experiences – from electronics and apparel to pet supplies, entertainment and more.

Scholarships – Modern Woodmen supports member students pursuing college, trade school and other forms of higher education. Current high school seniors can win up to $10,000 in a scholarship competition exclusively for member students. Older students can apply for a continuing education grant.

Terminal Illness Interest Relief – Qualifying members can receive a portion of their life insurance proceeds in advance to help with medical costs and alleviate immediate financial worries. Although the advance is treated as a lien against the contract, this member program pays up to $5,000 of the accrued interest on the lien.

Youth Service Clubs – These groups help Modern Woodmen kids make an impact close to home. Club members form lifelong friendships while helping their schools, neighborhoods and favorite causes.

… when you do something like that, it helps them to know that they are cared for by other people. And when you do that, it makes you feel better… it puts a smile on their face and it just makes you a lot happier.
Luke, youth club member from Utah

You can feel good about choosing Modern Woodmen. We’ll be here to help with your financial needs throughout life. And our fraternal difference – well, that can make all the difference for yourself, your community and those you love.

Learn more about the above programs and see some of them in action on our member programs page.