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Our Mutual Advantage
Of all the reasons policyowners and clients value
Northwestern Mutual as their partner on the path
to financial security, one is paramount. It’s often
called the company’s “mutual advantage.”
Northwestern Mutual did not invent “mutuality.”
Over time, however, and continuing today, our company
has become what many point to as a pre-eminent
example of the power inherent in the mutual form of
corporate governance.

Indeed, Northwestern Mutual offers dramatic evidence that a company governed by mutual
values can be, in its field, best in the nation. Northwestern Mutual is the World’s Most
Admired life insurance company in FORTUNE® magazine’s 2011 annual survey. Further,
during the period that FORTUNE® conducted its survey of America’s Most Admired
companies, we were the only company to lead an industry for 25 consecutive years from
1983-2008.1

The mutual structure of Northwestern Mutual allows the company to act differently than
most publicly traded stock companies, which typically must split their focus between
customers and shareholders.

In the typical stock company, profits go to        As a mutual, Northwestern Mutual
shareholders. In contrast, Northwestern             has no shareholders. The company
Mutual manages the company in the best              focuses solely and directly on
interests of its policyowners. After setting        its customers.
aside a safe margin for reserves and surplus
each year, the company returns gains from
operations, which would otherwise be “profits,” to its participating policyowners in the form
of dividends. In other words, our mutual structure brings into alignment the interests of both
policyowners and the company. For policyowners, that’s an enormous “mutual advantage.”

There are others. As a mutual, the company is free to employ a long-term investment
approach when it comes to the general account assets that back our insurance products,
rather than focus on meeting the short-sighted expectations of quarterly earnings reports.2
As a strategy, long-term investing has served us well in all economic environments. Respected
experts praise the company’s mutual structure and values as underpinning a “very strong
competitive position” within the U.S. individual life insurance market3—one in which
Northwestern Mutual focuses on helping its policyowners and clients achieve financial security.

As practiced by Northwestern Mutual, mutuality extends well beyond these basic mutual
advantages. The benefits of our mutuality are manifested in four key values:

• Doing what’s right for policyowners and other clients
• Building long-term relationships to meet client needs
• Building and preserving financial strength
•  ffering world-class products and expert guidance that serve changing needs over a lifetime
  O

We invite you to explore these values on the following pages, to see how our brand of
mutuality sets us apart. We believe you will find it to be … a mutual advantage.

1
  F
   ORTUNE® magazine survey, “World’s Most Admired Companies,” March 3, 2011, and FORTUNE® magazine
  survey, “America’s Most Admired Companies,” March 17, 2008
2
  T
   he vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life, disability and long-term
  care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the investment of those
  assets. A portion of managed assets backs the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity liabilities)
  and have different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow.
3
  Standard  Poor’s, June 29, 2011
More than a Century and a Half of
        Doing the Right Thing for Policyowners
        Our steadfast dedication to doing the right             all policyowners fairly and equitably.
        thing for policyowners is as old as the company         This guiding principle extends to all areas:
        itself. Since our beginnings in 1857, generations       pricing, underwriting, claims, dividend
        of company leaders have tested the merits of            payouts, and more.
        corporate decisions against only one standard:
        “Is what we’re doing in the best long-term              Equitable treatment at work
        interest of our policyowners?”
                                                                As our life and disability insurance products are
        It’s an uncompromising focus on the customer,           enhanced or improved, our current policyowners
        one that embraces a strong belief in fairness—          are invited to share in the new benefits at no
        equitable treatment for all.                            charge, whenever possible and practical. The
                                                                same is true of policies offered by Northwestern
                                                                Long Term Care Insurance Company.
        Equitable treatment for all
        Elsewhere in the life insurance industry,               Throughout the years, the company has
        inequitable treatment of policyowners                   offered several life insurance enhancements
        has become commonplace. To attract new                  to existing policyowners—because doing so
        customers, many companies have offered                  serves the best interests of our policyowners.
        special benefits or attractive pricing unlike           One program alone offered life insurance
        what is available to their current policyowners.        policyowners $4.5 billion of additional
2
    |                                                           insurance at no increase in premium.n
        Such an approach is not the practice at
        Northwestern Mutual, which seeks to treat




        “… It (is) … pre-eminently the policyowner’s            “Our beliefs are not the easy way—
         company.”                                               but we think they are the right way. We do
                                – Executive Committee of the     not propose to change our philosophy of
                                     Board of Trustees, 1888     mutuality and fairness to all policyowner-
                                                                 members. This company is different.”
                                                                                 – Francis Ferguson, President and CEO,
                                                                                            Northwestern Mutual, 1973
        “The company is a mutual organization in the
         strictest and best sense … This is a company
         operated by the policyholders and for the best         “Northwestern Mutual executives use a simple
         interests of the policyholders.”                        yardstick to measure every business venture,
                               – Examination of the Wisconsin    every business decision, every contract:
                                 Insurance Department, 1905      Is it in the best interest of the 2.8 million
                                                                 policyowners …?”
                                                                                                – Best’s Review, 1999
|   3




“We believe mutuality provides Northwestern             “We believe mutuality is at the center of
 Mutual with great competitive advantage                 Northwestern Mutual’s success. We found
 and is one of the factors that has enabled              a near obsessive focus on the long term to
 the company to remain financially strong                deliver the ‘promise’ to all policyowners.”
 and to keep decisions focused on longer-                                          – Report of the Policyowners’
                                                                                   Examining Committee, 2004
 term implications (rather than on reported
 quarterly earnings).”
                        – Report of the Policyowners’   “… Northwestern Mutual has been able to stay
                        Examining Committee, 2001
                                                         the course, true to its founding principles and
                                                         with policyowners’ interest as its guiding light.”
“A commitment to policyowners and the mutual                                       – Report of the Policyowners’
                                                                                   Examining Committee, 2006
 structure are key aspects of Northwestern
 Mutual’s strategy. These principles underlie
 the company’s emphasis on efficiency,                  “Simply put, most mutual companies have more
 personalized ‘high-touch’ service and                   and better quality capital to absorb unexpected
 competitive dividends to policyowners.”                 shocks—a vital distinguishing factor in today’s
                          – Standard  Poor’s, 2011      challenging economy.”
                                                                     – Revenge of the Mutuals, Special Comment
                                                                         Moody’s Investors Service, August 2009
The Benefits of Taking the Long-term View
        Steady, stable, superior value                                  is commonly ranked as a leader in customer
                                                                        satisfaction. Again this year, we lead the
        Policyowners receive steady, stable, and
                                                                        industry among U.S. life insurers.4
        excellent value, in part because of the long-
        term investment strategy we employ when
                                                                        So satisfied are policyowners that they not
        it comes to the general account assets that
                                                                        only keep their policies, they return for more.
        back our insurance products. Long-term
                                                                        In a typical year, existing customers account
        investments typically outperform short-term
                                                                        for more than half of our life insurance sales.5
        investments. In addition, focusing on long-
        term strategies gives us flexibility in selecting
                                                                        The comment we so often hear from
        investments and asset classes while minimizing                  clients who have watched the cash value
        short-term risk and volatility.                                 of their policies grow over the years:

        It’s an approach that has worked. It’s the                      “I wish I had bought more back then.”
        reason that we pay more than twice the life
        insurance dividends of our closest competitor.                  The same mutual principles that protect our
        Our 2012 total dividend payout of nearly                        financial strength and stability also provide
        $5 billion includes:                                            policyowner value. We have paid outstanding
                                                                        dividends year after year, decade after decade.6
        •  4.5 billion in dividends on participating
          $                                                             In fact, we have paid dividends every year
          permanent life insurance policies;                            since 1872, no matter the economic climate.

4
    |   •  252 million in dividends on individual
          $
          disability income insurance policies;
                                                                        We work hard to secure customer loyalty:
                                                                        through our quality products, excellent value,
        •  12.8 million in dividends to long-term
          $                                                             consistent financial strength, and prudent yet
          care policyowners through our subsidiary,                     productive investment practices—as well as
          Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance                         through enduring customer relationships.
          Company.
                                                                        Lifetime customer relationships
        Customer loyalty that leads the industry
                                                                        It’s often said that we have what many others in
        Our mutual business practices and the value                     our industry hope to create—lasting relationships
        they deliver create extraordinary loyalty                       built on confidence and trust.
        among our policyowners. Northwestern Mutual
                                                                        These relationships begin with our well-trained
            “For our part, we have never lost sight                     network of financial representatives and the
             of our need for financial strength—                        financial specialists who help them meet each
             and never will. We will continue to                        client’s individual needs.
             build on a strength that is manifested
             in our industry-leading dividend                           We have long been committed to
                                                                        maintaining and building our field force
             payment and our exceptionally
                                                                        of financial representatives who make
             healthy surplus.”
            	               –  ohn Schlifske, Chairman  CEO,
                              J
                                                                        this profession their lifelong career.
                              Northwestern Mutual, 2010




        4
          A
           merican Customer Satisfaction Index, February 2011. Produced by the Ross School of Business at the University of
          Michigan, the American Society for Quality, and the international consulting firm CFI Group.
        5
          Source: Northwestern Mutual
        6
          N
           either the existence nor the amount of the dividend is guaranteed on any policy in any given policy year. For a fuller
          explanation of dividends, see back cover.
Rooted in the Northwestern Mutual                   “Thank you for the fine job you are doing
culture, our representatives—                        during these difficult times. You have my
                                                     100% support.”
•  evelop lifetime clients, not one-time
  D                                                                     -- South Dakota policyowner, 2010
  customers.
•  dentify each client’s long-term needs to help
  I
  people build sound plans aimed at ensuring        “Keep up the good work. [You’re] what other
  financial security.                                insurance companies wish they were. ”
                                                                              -- Florida policyowner, 2010
Only Northwestern Mutual financial
representatives can sell our products, and these
representatives share our values.
                                                    “The Policyowners’ Examining Committee
A long history of listening to customers             is an extraordinary thing. I don’t know of
                                                     any company, insurance or not, that opens
For more than a century, we have
                                                     up its entire shop, in intimate detail,
listened to our policyowners. We still do.
                                                     to its customers. The ultimate winners
Our Policyowners’ Examining Committee
is unique in our industry.                           are the policyowners.”
                                                                         – George Dickerman, Policyowner,
                                                                      Former Trustee and former member,
Since 1907, our Board of Trustees has
annually named a group of three to five
policyowners to produce an independent
                                                                     Policyowners’ Examining Committee;
                                                            Chairman (Retired), Spalding Sports Worldwide    |   5


and unrestricted evaluation of company
operations, management, and strategic plans.
                                                    “Over the years, we have always thought
We publish the committee’s report each year
                                                     in terms of the individual rather than the
in our Annual Report. Read the entire report
at www.northwesternmutual.com.                       mass and have consciously built toward
                                                     a personal relationship between the
Over the years, these reports have kept us           policyholder, the agent, and the company.”
sensitive to customer needs and prompted                          – Edmund Fitzgerald, President and CEO,
important improvements in company                                            Northwestern Mutual, 1958
structure and operations. n
Page Headings
        Maintaining Financial Strength
        Our mutuality sets us apart financially. We are built to withstand
        the good times and bad.

        On a basic level, of course, financial strength is an obligation. It arises
        from our commitment to policyowners, from the personal security
        they entrust with us. Company founders pioneered a culture of scrupulous
        responsibility for policyowner funds—to keep long-term financial promises.

        Very few companies have the highest financial strength ratings awarded
        to any life insurer by all four of the major credit rating agencies, let alone
        during the most trying economic times.

        Our approach to mutuality, including our long-term investment strategy
        and sharp focus on operating fundamentals, helps us maintain the highest
        industry financial strength ratings.


                               Financial Strength Ratings
                 A.M. Best                    A++ (Superior)
                 Fitch Ratings                AAA (Exceptionally Strong)
6
    |            Moody’s                      Aaa (Exceptional)
                 Standard  Poor’s            AA+ (Very Strong)

               A.M. Best Company, A++ (highest), 2/2011; Moody’s Investors’ Service Aaa
               (highest), 6/2011; Standard  Poor’s AA+ (second highest), 8/2011; and Fitch
               Ratings, AAA (highest), 8/2011. Third-party ratings are subject to change.


        Ratings are for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and
        Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company. n
Page Headings
                “Northwestern Mutual’s Aaa insurance
                 financial strength rating is based upon
                 the company’s exceptional franchise in
                 individual participating life insurance, which
                 is demonstrated by its excellent persistency,
                 mortality, and expense management, as well
                 as by its solid capitalization.”
                                      – Moody’s Investors Service, 2010




                “Northwestern [Mutual] maintains
                 conservative financial management,
                 as its very strong liquidity and very
                 strong capitalization demonstrate.”
                                             – Standard  Poor’s, 2011




                “If you find a client with an existing
                 Northwestern Mutual Life policy, simply
                 insist on retention of that policy.
                 Northwestern Mutual is, by quite a margin,               |   7

                 the best. So it was in 1955 when I went
                 into the business. So it will likely be long
                 after I’m dead.”
                 – James Hunt, Consumer Federation of America website
                              (www.consumerfed.org), September 2001




                “Everything we do must be done wisely.
                 We won’t invest unless we can do it prudently.
                 We won’t grow unless it’s by our values.
                 And we may not follow the industry if we see
                 opportunity differently. We remain financially
                 strong because we make good decisions.
                 And because we’re financially strong, it gives
                 us the power to avoid poor decisions.”
                – Ed Zore, Chairman and CEO, Northwestern Mutual, 2009
How the Building Blocks of Mutuality Work
        We are able to offer policyowners superior                                                                                                                                       some of the best mortality results in the industry.7
        value because, as a mutual company, we                                                                                                                                           For example, when we pay a death claim, on
        diligently monitor our business practices and                                                                                                                                    average the policy has been in force for about
        results in four vital areas:                                                                                                                                                     40 years. Because our policyowners tend to live
        	   • Mortality                                                                                                                                                                  longer, our overall costs of claims is lower than
                                                                                                                                                                                         the industry. This is one factor that enables us to
        	   • Expenses                                                                                                                                                                   have more to pay in the form of dividends.
        	   • Customer Loyalty
                                                                                                                                                                                         The chart below represents an industry
        	   • Portfolio Management
                                                                                                                                                                                         study that compares the mortality rate of
                                                                                                                                                                                         Northwestern Mutual and 20 of its major
        These building blocks lay the groundwork for a
                                                                                                                                                                                         competitors over a period of years. It includes
        mutual company and create advantages for our
                                                                                                                                                                                         all ages and the best classes of smokers
        customers. As you’ll see in the four sections that
                                                                                                                                                                                         and non-smokers, the vast majority of our
        follow, we excel in these areas—and frequently
                                                                                                                                                                                         policyowners. The chart shows that our
        surpass the industry averages by a wide margin.
                                                                                                                                                                                         policyowners tend to live longer—producing
        Superior mortality results                                                                                                                                                       a mortality experience about 35 percent better
                                                                                                                                                                                         than the inter-company average.
        Selective underwriting of our typically high-
        quality clientele (which has more access to health                                                                                                                               This is only one building block that contributes
        care) helps drive our superior mortality results.                                                                                                                                to the long-term value we offer policyowners.
8
    |   The outcome is that Northwestern Mutual has



                     Society of Actuaries | Intercompany Mortality Study
                     All Ages, Select Period.


                                                                                                                        Intercompany Average                        Northwestern Mutual
                                                                                                                                                           SOA Intercompany Mortality Study
                                                                                                                                                          All Ages, Select Period, Excludes 9/11
                                                                                             160
                                                                                              160
                      Mortality Ratio (Using 1975-80 Basic Table)




                                                                                             140
                                                                                              140
                                                                    Mortality Ratio (using the 1975-80 Basic Table)




                                                                                             120
                                                                                              120



                                                                                             100
                                                                                              100



                                                                                                                      80
                                                                                                                       80
                                                                                         g




                                                                                                                      60
                                                                                                                       60



                                                                                                                      40
                                                                                                                       40




                                                                                                                      20
                                                                                                                       20



                                                                                                                        0
                                                                                                                       0
                                                                                                                            69- 71- 73- 75- 77- 79- 81- 83- 85- 87- 89- 91- 93- 95- 97- 99- 01- 03- 05-
                                                                                                                            69-74 71-76 73-78 75-80 77-82 79-84 81-86 83-88 85-90 87-92 89-94 91-96 93-98 95-00 97-02 99-04 01-06 03-08 05-10


                                                                                                                            74 76 78 80 82 84Intercompany Average 92 94 Northwestern Mutual00 02 04 06 08 10
                                                                                                                                                                86 88 90                      96 98
                                                                                                SOURCE: Society of Actuaries Intercompany Mortality Studies
                                                                                                For Internal or Financial Representative use only, Not for use with the general public
                                                                                                                                                                                         (5-year Periods)


                       Source: Society of Actuaries Intercompany Mortality Studies
                       Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI
                       Intercompany Average data is currently available only through 2007.
                     7
                       Society of Actuaries: 2005-2007 Individual Life Experience Report – Intercompany Mortality Study.
“Thanks Northwestern Mutual for being
Keeping expenses low                                         who you are—dependable, sound,
Taken together, our careful approach to                      trustworthy. In these times of economic
managing expenses and our favorable                          uncertainty, it is nice to have at least one
claims experience account for more than                      place where I am sure my principal is safe.”
one-half of the total dividends to be paid                                           – Alabama policyowner, 2010
during 2011.
                                                            “The company has a long-held reputation
Our vigilance in keeping costs down has                      for safety, stability, and performance
been a hallmark of ours for decades and                      during difficult times ...”
gives us a strong competitive advantage                                   – Business Management magazine, 2008
today. It’s another important factor that
                                                            “Our character means 108 years of
contributes to the value we offer clients.
                                                             adherence to principles and practices that
The chart below makes this case by                           have produced outstanding results. Our
comparing the expenses on our principal                      record of quality performance and integrity
product line with the industry average.                      gives this company unique character.”
We consistently spend about one-third less on                                 – Donald Slichter, President and CEO,
expenses than other companies. These savings                                          Northwestern Mutual, 1965

can contribute to dividend and surplus,
providing more value to policyowners.

                                                                                                                      |   9



Ordinary Life Expenses as Percent of Premium*
 Company**	                                              2006	 2008	2010
 Northwestern Mutual	                          18%	 17%	 18%
 Ameriprise Financial Group	                   31	  25	  20
 John Hancock/Manulife 	 (1)
                                               27	26	21
 Guardian Life	                                24	  23	  22
 AXA/Equitable 	 (2)
                                               27	28	23
 State Farm Life Group	                        26	  26	  23
 Lincoln National Corporation	                 29	  28	  24
 Prudential of America Group	                  25	  24	  24
 New York Life Group	                          29	  27	  25
 Principal Life Group	                         26	  30	  26
 Metropolitan Life and Affiliated Companies 	26	
                                           (3)
                                                    28	  28
 Genworth Financial Group	                     33	  27	  29
 Mass Mutual Financial Group	                  27	  24	  29
 AEGON USA, Inc.	                              21	  29	  31

 Industry Average	                                       28	                   28	                    26

 * Direct premiums measured at 100%, excluding dividends to additions
** Family data
(1) Primary Companies – John Hancock, John Hancock USA
(2) Primary Companies – Equitable, MONY
(3) Primary Companies – Metropolitan Life, New England, General American
Source: SNL Financial
Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI
“As it happens, Northwestern Mutual,                       Customer satisfaction—our customers keep
          the master of loyalty, is also famous for                 what they buy
          its careful cost management … yet all of
                                                                    Satisfied policyowners are loyal—they keep what they
          Northwestern Mutual’s savings would not                   have purchased. In the insurance world, this is called
          sustain superior production if they weren’t               “persistency.”
          reinvested in the delivery of superior value
          to customers and agents, earning their                    We lead the industry in persistency, and that’s important
          loyalty in the process.”                                  to you.
                – Frederick Reichheld, “The Loyalty Effect,” 1996   •  ersistency is perhaps the truest measure of customer
                                                                      P
                                                                      satisfaction—people voting with their dollars, so to
         “A commandment that flows from our credo                     speak.
          is a policy of aggressive fairness. We treat              •  ersistency acts as an indicator that the products “fit.”
                                                                      P
          all of our policyowners with the same                       They were properly bought and sold in the first place.
          thorough respect.”
                       – Donald J. Schuenke, President and CEO,     Persistency benefits the company in two ways. First,
                                    Northwestern Mutual, 1988       incoming premiums create a steady cash flow that adds
                                                                    to our investment portfolio. Second, retaining clients
         “Our company has embraced mutuality for                    gives us a larger base over which to spread expenses.
          143 years. But ironically, today, as more                 Both can contribute to the dividend payout, resulting in
          and more companies abandon the mutual                     greater value for our policyowners.
          form, the advantage of mutuality is finally
                                                                    In the insurance industry, the “lapse ratio” is the inverse of
          getting its rightful attention. We like being
10
     |    a mutual company.”
                                                                    persistency. Policies lapse when people stop paying their
                                                                    premiums. The latest available data show Northwestern
                         – James D. Ericson, President and CEO,
                                                                    Mutual’s annual life insurance lapse ratio is about half
                                   Northwestern Mutual, 2000
                                                                    the industry average. Persistency and lapse ratios are two
                                                                    sides of the same coin.



         The Power of Our Portfolio
         How we manage our general account investment portfolio is the final building block of superior value.

         The following investment principles guide us to perform well both in good times and in bad.

            •	 aintain a balance between high-quality fixed
              M                                                     •	 anage risk across the entire investment
                                                                      M
              income investments and higher-risk assets.              portfolio and preserve capital to assure
            •	 iversify among and within asset classes and
              D                                                       financial strength.
              specific investments.                                 •	 eek opportunity in investment activity.
                                                                      S
            •	 Participate in all major asset classes and           •	 anage portfolios to maximize total returns.
                                                                      M
            	 market sectors.

         The vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life, disability, and long-term
         care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the investment of those
         assets. A portion of managed assets back the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity liabilities) and
         have different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow.

         This strategy has enabled us to maximize total returns with reduced volatility. To learn more about how
         we invest to create additional value for policyowners (pie chart at right), visit northwesternmutual.com |
         About Us | Investment Information | The Power of the Portfolio.8 n
Lapse Ratio by Amount, Combining New Business  In-Force Business9
                Company*	                                                   2006	 2008	2010
                Northwestern Mutual	                        3.5	 3.9	 4.0
                Metropolitan Life  Affiliated Companies(1)	5.3	 4.6	 4.2
                Genworth	                                   5.1	4.9	5.0
                Ameriprise	                                 5.0	6.3	5.2
                Guardian Life	                              5.6	 6.1	 5.6
                MassMutual Financial Group	                 4.7	 5.2	 5.6
                Prudential of America Group	                5.1	 5.9	 5.6
                Principal Life Insurance Company	           5.0	 6.1	 5.9
                AXA/Equitable 	 (2)
                                                            6.9	6.5	6.2
                Lincoln National Corporation	               6.0	 5.8	 6.3
                John Hancock/ManuLife 	 (3)
                                                            5.8	6.7	6.4
                New York Life Group	                        5.5	 5.9	 6.4
                State Farm Group	                           6.4	 7.4	 6.8
                AEGON USA, Inc.	                            7.1	 8.5	 7.1

                Industry Average	                                            6.3	                     7.6	                    6.8

              * Family data
            (1) Primary Companies – Metropolitan Life, New England, General American
            (2) Primary Companies – Equitable, MONY
            (3) Primary Companies – John Hancock, John Hancock USA
            Source: SNL Financial
                                                                                                                                       |   11

            Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI


Portfolio Composition



            Portfolio Composition
            Portfolio Composition

Fixed Income: 88% 2010 | Total Managed Assets: $141.7 Billion (Statement Value)
        December 31,
Equities: 12%
                Fixed Income: 88%
      Public Bonds12% Preferred Stock 55%
           Equities: and                                                                4% 1%
                                                                                5%
      Private Bonds BondsPreferred Stock 16%
               Public and and Preferred Stock 55%                             5% 4% 1%
                                                                               5%
      Mortgage Loans 14% Preferred Stock 16%
             Private Bonds and                                              5%
                   Mortgage Loans 14%
      Private Equities  Subsidiaries 5%                                 14%
                                                                         14%
                                                                                               55%
                                                                                             55%
                   Private Equities  Subsidiaries 5%
                            5%
      Public Common StockStock 5%
              Public Common
      Real Estate Equities 4% 4%
              Real Estate Equities                                         16%
                                                                           16%
      Money Market Market 1%
             Money 1%


            Source: Northwestern Mutual Investment Report

            8
              A
               vailable upon request, Northwestern Mutual’s brochure “The Power of the Portfolio”contains a fuller explanation
              of the investment portfolio. The vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life,
              disability, and long-term care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the
              investment of those assets. A portion of managed assets backs the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity
              liabilities) and has different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow.
            9
              A
               low lapse ratio means a company has a high retention rate, referred to as persistency. Northwestern Mutual views
              this as an indicator of policyowner satisfaction with the performance of their policies.
Meeting Changing Needs—For Life
         Northwestern Mutual’s world-class insurance           Our financial representatives
         products result from a vision and passion
                                                               These financial products are presented to
         to be “simply the best” in quality and value.
                                                               customers through Northwestern Mutual’s
         We have always aimed to:
                                                               network of financial representatives, who
         	   • Provide superior products                       develop enduring relationships with clients
         	   • Avoid fads and gimmicks                         by providing expert guidance for a lifetime of
                                                               financial security.
         	   •  pgrade our policies in both the scope
               U
               of coverage and ability to provide better 	     With access to a network of specialists, financial
               benefits at lower costs                         representatives take a holistic approach to
                                                               identifying client needs, including:
                                                               	   • Asset and income protection
         “This insurance and financial firm has zero           	   • Education funding
          new-economy glamour, and that’s just fine.
          It’s only gaining market share, boosting             	   • Business needs analysis
          sales, and successfully retaining its top-           	   • Investment services
          performing sales agents.”
                                                               	   • Employee and executive benefits
                         – Sales and Marketing Management,
                        #1 Sales Force: Co-Winner, July 2001   	   • Retirement solutions
                                                               	   • Estate analysis
12
     |   In recent decades, policyowners have brought
         to us a broader range of financial security
                                                               And our “mutual advantage” thrives. As we
                                                               continue to do what’s right for policyowners,
         needs. Northwestern Mutual has answered               we will draw upon the benefits of the culture
         with more complementary products and                  and values that have defined our company
         services. While keeping our focus on world-           over time: build long-term relationships to
         class insurance, we also offer a careful              meet client needs, build and preserve financial
         selection of related financial products.              strength, and provide expert guidance. n
“ e are one of a few companies who pay
 W
 dividends on term life, long-term care,
 and disability insurance. It’s another example
 of how we live by a set of mutual values
 unlike anyone else in the industry.”
	       – John Schlifske, Chairman  Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Mutual, 2011
Page Headings

       “ orthwestern Mutual is committed to retaining its mutuality,
        N
        which Moody’s believes can be a competitive advantage
        in today’s market. While stock companies have greater access
        to capital, there are significant advantages of remaining
        a mutual company. These advantages include extremely
        competitive returns to participating policyowners in the form
        of dividends, and a greater tolerance of short-term earnings
        volatility, thereby permitting the company to take a longer-
        term planning horizon and benefit from more favorable long-
        term equity and alternative market returns.”
                                                                                     – Moody’s Investors Service, October 2011




           6
               Dividends for Northwestern Mutual policies are distributions of the company’s surplus. They arise when premiums
           	   plus investment income are more than enough to cover company operating expenses (including taxes), claim costs, 	
           	   guaranteed increases in policy cash values, and additions to surplus. Dividends are paid annually to policyowners in 	
           	   proportion to company earnings on their policies. However, decisions with respect to the determination and allocation 	
           	   of divisible surplus are at the discretion and sound business judgment of the company’s board of trustees. There is no 	
           	   guaranteed specific method or formula for the determination and allocation of divisible surplus. Accordingly, the 		
           	   company’s approach is subject to change. Also, there is no guarantee that any dividend will be paid on an individual 	
           	   policy in any given year.

           Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI,
           and its subsidiaries.

           Securities are offered through Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, 1-866-664-7737, a wholly owned
           company of Northwestern Mutual, broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC.

           Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance) is a subsidiary of
           Northwestern Mutual.



                                                                                     Charts contained in this brochure
                                                                                     were prepared and calculated by
                                                                                     The Northwestern Mutual Life
                                                                                     Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI.

                                                                                     The Northwestern Mutual
                                                                                     Life Insurance Company • Milwaukee, WI
                                                                                     www.northwesternmutual.com




19-0185 (1002)                                                                       (REV 1211)

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Our Mutual Advantage

  • 2. Of all the reasons policyowners and clients value Northwestern Mutual as their partner on the path to financial security, one is paramount. It’s often called the company’s “mutual advantage.”
  • 3. Northwestern Mutual did not invent “mutuality.” Over time, however, and continuing today, our company has become what many point to as a pre-eminent example of the power inherent in the mutual form of corporate governance. Indeed, Northwestern Mutual offers dramatic evidence that a company governed by mutual values can be, in its field, best in the nation. Northwestern Mutual is the World’s Most Admired life insurance company in FORTUNE® magazine’s 2011 annual survey. Further, during the period that FORTUNE® conducted its survey of America’s Most Admired companies, we were the only company to lead an industry for 25 consecutive years from 1983-2008.1 The mutual structure of Northwestern Mutual allows the company to act differently than most publicly traded stock companies, which typically must split their focus between customers and shareholders. In the typical stock company, profits go to As a mutual, Northwestern Mutual shareholders. In contrast, Northwestern has no shareholders. The company Mutual manages the company in the best focuses solely and directly on interests of its policyowners. After setting its customers. aside a safe margin for reserves and surplus each year, the company returns gains from operations, which would otherwise be “profits,” to its participating policyowners in the form of dividends. In other words, our mutual structure brings into alignment the interests of both policyowners and the company. For policyowners, that’s an enormous “mutual advantage.” There are others. As a mutual, the company is free to employ a long-term investment approach when it comes to the general account assets that back our insurance products, rather than focus on meeting the short-sighted expectations of quarterly earnings reports.2 As a strategy, long-term investing has served us well in all economic environments. Respected experts praise the company’s mutual structure and values as underpinning a “very strong competitive position” within the U.S. individual life insurance market3—one in which Northwestern Mutual focuses on helping its policyowners and clients achieve financial security. As practiced by Northwestern Mutual, mutuality extends well beyond these basic mutual advantages. The benefits of our mutuality are manifested in four key values: • Doing what’s right for policyowners and other clients • Building long-term relationships to meet client needs • Building and preserving financial strength • ffering world-class products and expert guidance that serve changing needs over a lifetime O We invite you to explore these values on the following pages, to see how our brand of mutuality sets us apart. We believe you will find it to be … a mutual advantage. 1 F ORTUNE® magazine survey, “World’s Most Admired Companies,” March 3, 2011, and FORTUNE® magazine survey, “America’s Most Admired Companies,” March 17, 2008 2 T he vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life, disability and long-term care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the investment of those assets. A portion of managed assets backs the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity liabilities) and have different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow. 3 Standard Poor’s, June 29, 2011
  • 4. More than a Century and a Half of Doing the Right Thing for Policyowners Our steadfast dedication to doing the right all policyowners fairly and equitably. thing for policyowners is as old as the company This guiding principle extends to all areas: itself. Since our beginnings in 1857, generations pricing, underwriting, claims, dividend of company leaders have tested the merits of payouts, and more. corporate decisions against only one standard: “Is what we’re doing in the best long-term Equitable treatment at work interest of our policyowners?” As our life and disability insurance products are It’s an uncompromising focus on the customer, enhanced or improved, our current policyowners one that embraces a strong belief in fairness— are invited to share in the new benefits at no equitable treatment for all. charge, whenever possible and practical. The same is true of policies offered by Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company. Equitable treatment for all Elsewhere in the life insurance industry, Throughout the years, the company has inequitable treatment of policyowners offered several life insurance enhancements has become commonplace. To attract new to existing policyowners—because doing so customers, many companies have offered serves the best interests of our policyowners. special benefits or attractive pricing unlike One program alone offered life insurance what is available to their current policyowners. policyowners $4.5 billion of additional 2 | insurance at no increase in premium.n Such an approach is not the practice at Northwestern Mutual, which seeks to treat “… It (is) … pre-eminently the policyowner’s “Our beliefs are not the easy way— company.” but we think they are the right way. We do – Executive Committee of the not propose to change our philosophy of Board of Trustees, 1888 mutuality and fairness to all policyowner- members. This company is different.” – Francis Ferguson, President and CEO, Northwestern Mutual, 1973 “The company is a mutual organization in the strictest and best sense … This is a company operated by the policyholders and for the best “Northwestern Mutual executives use a simple interests of the policyholders.” yardstick to measure every business venture, – Examination of the Wisconsin every business decision, every contract: Insurance Department, 1905 Is it in the best interest of the 2.8 million policyowners …?” – Best’s Review, 1999
  • 5. | 3 “We believe mutuality provides Northwestern “We believe mutuality is at the center of Mutual with great competitive advantage Northwestern Mutual’s success. We found and is one of the factors that has enabled a near obsessive focus on the long term to the company to remain financially strong deliver the ‘promise’ to all policyowners.” and to keep decisions focused on longer- – Report of the Policyowners’ Examining Committee, 2004 term implications (rather than on reported quarterly earnings).” – Report of the Policyowners’ “… Northwestern Mutual has been able to stay Examining Committee, 2001 the course, true to its founding principles and with policyowners’ interest as its guiding light.” “A commitment to policyowners and the mutual – Report of the Policyowners’ Examining Committee, 2006 structure are key aspects of Northwestern Mutual’s strategy. These principles underlie the company’s emphasis on efficiency, “Simply put, most mutual companies have more personalized ‘high-touch’ service and and better quality capital to absorb unexpected competitive dividends to policyowners.” shocks—a vital distinguishing factor in today’s – Standard Poor’s, 2011 challenging economy.” – Revenge of the Mutuals, Special Comment Moody’s Investors Service, August 2009
  • 6. The Benefits of Taking the Long-term View Steady, stable, superior value is commonly ranked as a leader in customer satisfaction. Again this year, we lead the Policyowners receive steady, stable, and industry among U.S. life insurers.4 excellent value, in part because of the long- term investment strategy we employ when So satisfied are policyowners that they not it comes to the general account assets that only keep their policies, they return for more. back our insurance products. Long-term In a typical year, existing customers account investments typically outperform short-term for more than half of our life insurance sales.5 investments. In addition, focusing on long- term strategies gives us flexibility in selecting The comment we so often hear from investments and asset classes while minimizing clients who have watched the cash value short-term risk and volatility. of their policies grow over the years: It’s an approach that has worked. It’s the “I wish I had bought more back then.” reason that we pay more than twice the life insurance dividends of our closest competitor. The same mutual principles that protect our Our 2012 total dividend payout of nearly financial strength and stability also provide $5 billion includes: policyowner value. We have paid outstanding dividends year after year, decade after decade.6 • 4.5 billion in dividends on participating $ In fact, we have paid dividends every year permanent life insurance policies; since 1872, no matter the economic climate. 4 | • 252 million in dividends on individual $ disability income insurance policies; We work hard to secure customer loyalty: through our quality products, excellent value, • 12.8 million in dividends to long-term $ consistent financial strength, and prudent yet care policyowners through our subsidiary, productive investment practices—as well as Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance through enduring customer relationships. Company. Lifetime customer relationships Customer loyalty that leads the industry It’s often said that we have what many others in Our mutual business practices and the value our industry hope to create—lasting relationships they deliver create extraordinary loyalty built on confidence and trust. among our policyowners. Northwestern Mutual These relationships begin with our well-trained “For our part, we have never lost sight network of financial representatives and the of our need for financial strength— financial specialists who help them meet each and never will. We will continue to client’s individual needs. build on a strength that is manifested in our industry-leading dividend We have long been committed to maintaining and building our field force payment and our exceptionally of financial representatives who make healthy surplus.” – ohn Schlifske, Chairman CEO, J this profession their lifelong career. Northwestern Mutual, 2010 4 A merican Customer Satisfaction Index, February 2011. Produced by the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, the American Society for Quality, and the international consulting firm CFI Group. 5 Source: Northwestern Mutual 6 N either the existence nor the amount of the dividend is guaranteed on any policy in any given policy year. For a fuller explanation of dividends, see back cover.
  • 7. Rooted in the Northwestern Mutual “Thank you for the fine job you are doing culture, our representatives— during these difficult times. You have my 100% support.” • evelop lifetime clients, not one-time D -- South Dakota policyowner, 2010 customers. • dentify each client’s long-term needs to help I people build sound plans aimed at ensuring “Keep up the good work. [You’re] what other financial security. insurance companies wish they were. ” -- Florida policyowner, 2010 Only Northwestern Mutual financial representatives can sell our products, and these representatives share our values. “The Policyowners’ Examining Committee A long history of listening to customers is an extraordinary thing. I don’t know of any company, insurance or not, that opens For more than a century, we have up its entire shop, in intimate detail, listened to our policyowners. We still do. to its customers. The ultimate winners Our Policyowners’ Examining Committee is unique in our industry. are the policyowners.” – George Dickerman, Policyowner, Former Trustee and former member, Since 1907, our Board of Trustees has annually named a group of three to five policyowners to produce an independent Policyowners’ Examining Committee; Chairman (Retired), Spalding Sports Worldwide | 5 and unrestricted evaluation of company operations, management, and strategic plans. “Over the years, we have always thought We publish the committee’s report each year in terms of the individual rather than the in our Annual Report. Read the entire report at www.northwesternmutual.com. mass and have consciously built toward a personal relationship between the Over the years, these reports have kept us policyholder, the agent, and the company.” sensitive to customer needs and prompted – Edmund Fitzgerald, President and CEO, important improvements in company Northwestern Mutual, 1958 structure and operations. n
  • 8. Page Headings Maintaining Financial Strength Our mutuality sets us apart financially. We are built to withstand the good times and bad. On a basic level, of course, financial strength is an obligation. It arises from our commitment to policyowners, from the personal security they entrust with us. Company founders pioneered a culture of scrupulous responsibility for policyowner funds—to keep long-term financial promises. Very few companies have the highest financial strength ratings awarded to any life insurer by all four of the major credit rating agencies, let alone during the most trying economic times. Our approach to mutuality, including our long-term investment strategy and sharp focus on operating fundamentals, helps us maintain the highest industry financial strength ratings. Financial Strength Ratings A.M. Best A++ (Superior) Fitch Ratings AAA (Exceptionally Strong) 6 | Moody’s Aaa (Exceptional) Standard Poor’s AA+ (Very Strong) A.M. Best Company, A++ (highest), 2/2011; Moody’s Investors’ Service Aaa (highest), 6/2011; Standard Poor’s AA+ (second highest), 8/2011; and Fitch Ratings, AAA (highest), 8/2011. Third-party ratings are subject to change. Ratings are for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company. n
  • 9. Page Headings “Northwestern Mutual’s Aaa insurance financial strength rating is based upon the company’s exceptional franchise in individual participating life insurance, which is demonstrated by its excellent persistency, mortality, and expense management, as well as by its solid capitalization.” – Moody’s Investors Service, 2010 “Northwestern [Mutual] maintains conservative financial management, as its very strong liquidity and very strong capitalization demonstrate.” – Standard Poor’s, 2011 “If you find a client with an existing Northwestern Mutual Life policy, simply insist on retention of that policy. Northwestern Mutual is, by quite a margin, | 7 the best. So it was in 1955 when I went into the business. So it will likely be long after I’m dead.” – James Hunt, Consumer Federation of America website (www.consumerfed.org), September 2001 “Everything we do must be done wisely. We won’t invest unless we can do it prudently. We won’t grow unless it’s by our values. And we may not follow the industry if we see opportunity differently. We remain financially strong because we make good decisions. And because we’re financially strong, it gives us the power to avoid poor decisions.” – Ed Zore, Chairman and CEO, Northwestern Mutual, 2009
  • 10. How the Building Blocks of Mutuality Work We are able to offer policyowners superior some of the best mortality results in the industry.7 value because, as a mutual company, we For example, when we pay a death claim, on diligently monitor our business practices and average the policy has been in force for about results in four vital areas: 40 years. Because our policyowners tend to live • Mortality longer, our overall costs of claims is lower than the industry. This is one factor that enables us to • Expenses have more to pay in the form of dividends. • Customer Loyalty The chart below represents an industry • Portfolio Management study that compares the mortality rate of Northwestern Mutual and 20 of its major These building blocks lay the groundwork for a competitors over a period of years. It includes mutual company and create advantages for our all ages and the best classes of smokers customers. As you’ll see in the four sections that and non-smokers, the vast majority of our follow, we excel in these areas—and frequently policyowners. The chart shows that our surpass the industry averages by a wide margin. policyowners tend to live longer—producing Superior mortality results a mortality experience about 35 percent better than the inter-company average. Selective underwriting of our typically high- quality clientele (which has more access to health This is only one building block that contributes care) helps drive our superior mortality results. to the long-term value we offer policyowners. 8 | The outcome is that Northwestern Mutual has Society of Actuaries | Intercompany Mortality Study All Ages, Select Period. Intercompany Average Northwestern Mutual SOA Intercompany Mortality Study All Ages, Select Period, Excludes 9/11 160 160 Mortality Ratio (Using 1975-80 Basic Table) 140 140 Mortality Ratio (using the 1975-80 Basic Table) 120 120 100 100 80 80 g 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 0 69- 71- 73- 75- 77- 79- 81- 83- 85- 87- 89- 91- 93- 95- 97- 99- 01- 03- 05- 69-74 71-76 73-78 75-80 77-82 79-84 81-86 83-88 85-90 87-92 89-94 91-96 93-98 95-00 97-02 99-04 01-06 03-08 05-10 74 76 78 80 82 84Intercompany Average 92 94 Northwestern Mutual00 02 04 06 08 10 86 88 90 96 98 SOURCE: Society of Actuaries Intercompany Mortality Studies For Internal or Financial Representative use only, Not for use with the general public (5-year Periods) Source: Society of Actuaries Intercompany Mortality Studies Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI Intercompany Average data is currently available only through 2007. 7 Society of Actuaries: 2005-2007 Individual Life Experience Report – Intercompany Mortality Study.
  • 11. “Thanks Northwestern Mutual for being Keeping expenses low who you are—dependable, sound, Taken together, our careful approach to trustworthy. In these times of economic managing expenses and our favorable uncertainty, it is nice to have at least one claims experience account for more than place where I am sure my principal is safe.” one-half of the total dividends to be paid – Alabama policyowner, 2010 during 2011. “The company has a long-held reputation Our vigilance in keeping costs down has for safety, stability, and performance been a hallmark of ours for decades and during difficult times ...” gives us a strong competitive advantage – Business Management magazine, 2008 today. It’s another important factor that “Our character means 108 years of contributes to the value we offer clients. adherence to principles and practices that The chart below makes this case by have produced outstanding results. Our comparing the expenses on our principal record of quality performance and integrity product line with the industry average. gives this company unique character.” We consistently spend about one-third less on – Donald Slichter, President and CEO, expenses than other companies. These savings Northwestern Mutual, 1965 can contribute to dividend and surplus, providing more value to policyowners. | 9 Ordinary Life Expenses as Percent of Premium* Company** 2006 2008 2010 Northwestern Mutual 18% 17% 18% Ameriprise Financial Group 31 25 20 John Hancock/Manulife (1) 27 26 21 Guardian Life 24 23 22 AXA/Equitable (2) 27 28 23 State Farm Life Group 26 26 23 Lincoln National Corporation 29 28 24 Prudential of America Group 25 24 24 New York Life Group 29 27 25 Principal Life Group 26 30 26 Metropolitan Life and Affiliated Companies 26 (3) 28 28 Genworth Financial Group 33 27 29 Mass Mutual Financial Group 27 24 29 AEGON USA, Inc. 21 29 31 Industry Average 28 28 26 * Direct premiums measured at 100%, excluding dividends to additions ** Family data (1) Primary Companies – John Hancock, John Hancock USA (2) Primary Companies – Equitable, MONY (3) Primary Companies – Metropolitan Life, New England, General American Source: SNL Financial Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI
  • 12. “As it happens, Northwestern Mutual, Customer satisfaction—our customers keep the master of loyalty, is also famous for what they buy its careful cost management … yet all of Satisfied policyowners are loyal—they keep what they Northwestern Mutual’s savings would not have purchased. In the insurance world, this is called sustain superior production if they weren’t “persistency.” reinvested in the delivery of superior value to customers and agents, earning their We lead the industry in persistency, and that’s important loyalty in the process.” to you. – Frederick Reichheld, “The Loyalty Effect,” 1996 • ersistency is perhaps the truest measure of customer P satisfaction—people voting with their dollars, so to “A commandment that flows from our credo speak. is a policy of aggressive fairness. We treat • ersistency acts as an indicator that the products “fit.” P all of our policyowners with the same They were properly bought and sold in the first place. thorough respect.” – Donald J. Schuenke, President and CEO, Persistency benefits the company in two ways. First, Northwestern Mutual, 1988 incoming premiums create a steady cash flow that adds to our investment portfolio. Second, retaining clients “Our company has embraced mutuality for gives us a larger base over which to spread expenses. 143 years. But ironically, today, as more Both can contribute to the dividend payout, resulting in and more companies abandon the mutual greater value for our policyowners. form, the advantage of mutuality is finally In the insurance industry, the “lapse ratio” is the inverse of getting its rightful attention. We like being 10 | a mutual company.” persistency. Policies lapse when people stop paying their premiums. The latest available data show Northwestern – James D. Ericson, President and CEO, Mutual’s annual life insurance lapse ratio is about half Northwestern Mutual, 2000 the industry average. Persistency and lapse ratios are two sides of the same coin. The Power of Our Portfolio How we manage our general account investment portfolio is the final building block of superior value. The following investment principles guide us to perform well both in good times and in bad. • aintain a balance between high-quality fixed M • anage risk across the entire investment M income investments and higher-risk assets. portfolio and preserve capital to assure • iversify among and within asset classes and D financial strength. specific investments. • eek opportunity in investment activity. S • Participate in all major asset classes and • anage portfolios to maximize total returns. M market sectors. The vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life, disability, and long-term care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the investment of those assets. A portion of managed assets back the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity liabilities) and have different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow. This strategy has enabled us to maximize total returns with reduced volatility. To learn more about how we invest to create additional value for policyowners (pie chart at right), visit northwesternmutual.com | About Us | Investment Information | The Power of the Portfolio.8 n
  • 13. Lapse Ratio by Amount, Combining New Business In-Force Business9 Company* 2006 2008 2010 Northwestern Mutual 3.5 3.9 4.0 Metropolitan Life Affiliated Companies(1) 5.3 4.6 4.2 Genworth 5.1 4.9 5.0 Ameriprise 5.0 6.3 5.2 Guardian Life 5.6 6.1 5.6 MassMutual Financial Group 4.7 5.2 5.6 Prudential of America Group 5.1 5.9 5.6 Principal Life Insurance Company 5.0 6.1 5.9 AXA/Equitable (2) 6.9 6.5 6.2 Lincoln National Corporation 6.0 5.8 6.3 John Hancock/ManuLife (3) 5.8 6.7 6.4 New York Life Group 5.5 5.9 6.4 State Farm Group 6.4 7.4 6.8 AEGON USA, Inc. 7.1 8.5 7.1 Industry Average 6.3 7.6 6.8 * Family data (1) Primary Companies – Metropolitan Life, New England, General American (2) Primary Companies – Equitable, MONY (3) Primary Companies – John Hancock, John Hancock USA Source: SNL Financial | 11 Prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI Portfolio Composition Portfolio Composition Portfolio Composition Fixed Income: 88% 2010 | Total Managed Assets: $141.7 Billion (Statement Value) December 31, Equities: 12% Fixed Income: 88% Public Bonds12% Preferred Stock 55% Equities: and 4% 1% 5% Private Bonds BondsPreferred Stock 16% Public and and Preferred Stock 55% 5% 4% 1% 5% Mortgage Loans 14% Preferred Stock 16% Private Bonds and 5% Mortgage Loans 14% Private Equities Subsidiaries 5% 14% 14% 55% 55% Private Equities Subsidiaries 5% 5% Public Common StockStock 5% Public Common Real Estate Equities 4% 4% Real Estate Equities 16% 16% Money Market Market 1% Money 1% Source: Northwestern Mutual Investment Report 8 A vailable upon request, Northwestern Mutual’s brochure “The Power of the Portfolio”contains a fuller explanation of the investment portfolio. The vast majority of managed assets back the company’s surplus and most of the life, disability, and long-term care insurance liabilities. The investment strategies described in this booklet apply to the investment of those assets. A portion of managed assets backs the remaining liabilities (including fixed-rate annuity liabilities) and has different investment exposures than described in the pages that follow. 9 A low lapse ratio means a company has a high retention rate, referred to as persistency. Northwestern Mutual views this as an indicator of policyowner satisfaction with the performance of their policies.
  • 14. Meeting Changing Needs—For Life Northwestern Mutual’s world-class insurance Our financial representatives products result from a vision and passion These financial products are presented to to be “simply the best” in quality and value. customers through Northwestern Mutual’s We have always aimed to: network of financial representatives, who • Provide superior products develop enduring relationships with clients • Avoid fads and gimmicks by providing expert guidance for a lifetime of financial security. • pgrade our policies in both the scope U of coverage and ability to provide better With access to a network of specialists, financial benefits at lower costs representatives take a holistic approach to identifying client needs, including: • Asset and income protection “This insurance and financial firm has zero • Education funding new-economy glamour, and that’s just fine. It’s only gaining market share, boosting • Business needs analysis sales, and successfully retaining its top- • Investment services performing sales agents.” • Employee and executive benefits – Sales and Marketing Management, #1 Sales Force: Co-Winner, July 2001 • Retirement solutions • Estate analysis 12 | In recent decades, policyowners have brought to us a broader range of financial security And our “mutual advantage” thrives. As we continue to do what’s right for policyowners, needs. Northwestern Mutual has answered we will draw upon the benefits of the culture with more complementary products and and values that have defined our company services. While keeping our focus on world- over time: build long-term relationships to class insurance, we also offer a careful meet client needs, build and preserve financial selection of related financial products. strength, and provide expert guidance. n
  • 15. “ e are one of a few companies who pay W dividends on term life, long-term care, and disability insurance. It’s another example of how we live by a set of mutual values unlike anyone else in the industry.” – John Schlifske, Chairman Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Mutual, 2011
  • 16. Page Headings “ orthwestern Mutual is committed to retaining its mutuality, N which Moody’s believes can be a competitive advantage in today’s market. While stock companies have greater access to capital, there are significant advantages of remaining a mutual company. These advantages include extremely competitive returns to participating policyowners in the form of dividends, and a greater tolerance of short-term earnings volatility, thereby permitting the company to take a longer- term planning horizon and benefit from more favorable long- term equity and alternative market returns.” – Moody’s Investors Service, October 2011 6 Dividends for Northwestern Mutual policies are distributions of the company’s surplus. They arise when premiums plus investment income are more than enough to cover company operating expenses (including taxes), claim costs, guaranteed increases in policy cash values, and additions to surplus. Dividends are paid annually to policyowners in proportion to company earnings on their policies. However, decisions with respect to the determination and allocation of divisible surplus are at the discretion and sound business judgment of the company’s board of trustees. There is no guaranteed specific method or formula for the determination and allocation of divisible surplus. Accordingly, the company’s approach is subject to change. Also, there is no guarantee that any dividend will be paid on an individual policy in any given year. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Securities are offered through Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, 1-866-664-7737, a wholly owned company of Northwestern Mutual, broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC. Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance) is a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual. Charts contained in this brochure were prepared and calculated by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI. The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company • Milwaukee, WI www.northwesternmutual.com 19-0185 (1002) (REV 1211)