Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
	File:Mutual of Omaha logo.svg Logo since 2020 featuring a lion and slogan "Protect your kingdom"
Company type	Mutual
Industry	Insurance, Financial services
Founded	1909; 117 years ago
Founder	Dr. C.C. Criss, Mabel Criss
Headquarters	Omaha, United States
Area served	United States
Key people	James Blackledge (CEO and chairman)
Products	Medicare Supplement insurance, life insurance, long-term care protection, annuities, group benefits (life coverage, disability insurance, 401(k) plans)
Revenue	US$9.347 billion (2018)
Net income	US$277.3 million (2018)
Total assets	US$43.9 billion (2018)
Total equity	US$6.684 billion (2018)
Number of employees	6300+ (2018)
Website	www.mutualofomaha.com

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company is a prominent American Fortune 500 mutual insurance and financial services organization based in Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 1909 initially as the Mutual Benefit Health & Accident Association, it provides a diverse array of insurance and financial solutions tailored for individuals, businesses, and groups throughout the United States.

The company’s offerings encompass Medicare Supplement insurance plans, life insurance policies, long-term care protection, annuities, and group benefits including life coverage, disability insurance, and 401(k) retirement plans. In 2018, Mutual of Omaha reported revenues amounting to US$9.347 billion, with net earnings of US$277.3 million. Its total assets were valued at US$43.9 billion, accompanied by equity of US$6.684 billion. That year, the workforce exceeded 6,300 employees under the guidance of CEO and chairman James Blackledge.

Subsidiaries

Mutual of Omaha manages several subsidiary companies such as:

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company

Founded in 1909, this subsidiary focuses on life insurance, pension products, and annuities for both individual clients and group markets.

United World Life Insurance Company

Operating since 1983, this entity delivers health and accident insurance as well as specialized life insurance plans through direct marketing channels and independent agents.

Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.

This division provides mutual fund investment options to individuals via its network of agents and Retirement Plans brokers.

East Campus Realty, LLC

Created to oversee the development of Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, situated eastward of Mutual of Omaha’s main offices.

History

Mutual of Omaha was founded in 1909 by Dr. C.C. Criss, a medical student and entrepreneur, alongside his wife Mabel Criss. Over time, it has grown into a Fortune 500 corporation delivering comprehensive insurance and financial products nationwide.

V. J. Skutt joined the firm in 1927 and assumed the presidency in 1949. Under his leadership, the company expanded its licensing to cover all 48 states at the time and adopted a distinctive Native American emblem that strengthened its brand recognition during the 1950s.

In 1963, Mutual of Omaha introduced Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, a wildlife television program that significantly enhanced brand awareness for more than twenty years. The company was also a pioneer in offering disability insurance targeted at non-professional workers as well as supplemental Medicare coverage throughout the 1960s.

Major historical events include:

1909 – Formation as Mutual Benefit Health and Accident Association.
1920 – Premium revenues exceeded $1 million.
1926 – Launch of subsidiary United Benefit Life Insurance Company.
1950 – Officially renamed Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company.
1963 – Debut of Wild Kingdom on national television.
1981 – United Benefit Life rebranded as United of Omaha.
2001 – Undertook rebranding efforts and began sponsoring USA Swimming.
2005 – Daniel P. Neary appointed chairman and CEO.
2007 – Established Omaha Financial Holdings to serve as banking parent entity.
2015 – James T. Blackledge named CEO and joined board of directors.
2016 – Policyholder surplus reached $3 billion milestone.
2018 – Blackledge succeeded Neary as chairman.
2019 – Divested Mutual of Omaha Bank to CIT Bank for $1 billion.
2020 – Updated corporate logo featuring a lion alongside the slogan "Protect your kingdom".
2022 – Announced plans for a new headquarters tower in downtown Omaha set to become the tallest building in the city.

By 2020, Mutual of Omaha held the #300 position on the Fortune 500 ranking. With James T. Blackledge at the helm as CEO, the firm employs over 5,000 individuals supported by an extensive nationwide sales advisory network. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices spanning most U.S. states, it maintains strong financial ratings including an A+ from A.M. Best and AA− from Standard & Poor's.

Chief Executive Officers

1964–1983	V. J. Skutt
1984–1996	Thomas Skutt
1998–2004	John Weekly
2005–2015	Dan Neary
2015–present	James Blackledge

Board Chairpersons

1949–1953	Dr. C.C. Criss
1953–1985	V.J. Skutt
1986–1996	Thomas Skutt
1998–2004	John Weekly
2005–2018	Dan Neary
2018–present	James Blackledge

Accolades

2016 – Awarded an A+ grade by A.M. Best Company for its financial stability and commitment to policyholders.
2017 – Positioned fifth among major life insurance providers according to NerdWallet rankings.

Wild Kingdom and Golf Sponsorships

In 1963, Mutual of Omaha introduced the wildlife television series Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, which bolstered brand visibility through its distinctive toll-free contact number. The program aired until 1988 and was later revived; it currently broadcasts as part of NBC's The More You Know segment, produced by Hearst Media Production Group.

The organization supports seven PGA Tour players and two LPGA professionals, including prominent athletes such as Russell Knox, Henrik Stenson, Pádraig Harrington, and Paula Creamer, integrating sports sponsorship into its marketing initiatives.

External links