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2,676 Website: http://www.thrivent.com The largest fraternal benefit society in the United States, Thrivent Financial is composed of nearly 3 million members. Thrivent Financial offers a broad array of financial products and services, as well as charitable programs, to Lutherans, their families and their communities. The family of products available through
Thrivent Financial and its affiliates include: Thrivent Financial is organized for Lutherans and their families. Non-Lutherans may apply if they are affiliated with a Lutheran organization such as a church or business or if they are related to family member who is Lutheran. Membership starts at $10 per year. Thrivent has more than $65 billion in assets under management. History Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, two grassroots groups - one made up of German Lutherans in Wisconsin and the other of Norwegian Lutherans in Minnesota - were concerned about the security and well-being of their fellow Lutherans. Each group was determined to start a fraternal benefit society that would provide Lutherans with life insurance. Aid Association for Lutherans was certified for business on Nov. 4, 1902, but only after several years of hard work by dedicated churchmen such as Albert Voecks, Gottlieb Ziegler, William Zuhlke and John Grupe. They canvassed Lutherans throughout much of eastern Wisconsin to sign up the 500 members required for the new organization to obtain its first charter. The founding of Lutheran Brotherhood had its roots with the 1917 convention of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Lifelong Lutherans Jacob Preus, a Minnesota insurance commissioner, and Herman Ekern, a former Wisconsin insurance commissioner, proposed launching a not-for-profit mutual aid society. After much debate, the proposal passed and the society began life as "Lutheran Union." Three years later, the organization was renamed "Lutheran Brotherhood." From the beginning, Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood offered similar life insurance products. Over the years, the product offerings expanded to include annuities, mutual funds and bank products - marketed by subsidiaries of Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood. June 27, 2001 - Aid Association for Lutherans CEO John Gilbert and Lutheran Brotherhood CEO Bruce Nicholson formally announce the proposed merger of the two fraternal benefit societies via a satellite teleconference. September 29, 2001 - At special meetings of the Lutheran Brotherhood General Convention and AAL Board of Directors, unanimous approval is granted to merge the two organizations. January 1, 2002 - The merged organization officially begins operation. The organization adopts the trade name of AAL/LB until a new name can be approved. June 2002 - Members approve a new name - Thrivent Financial for Lutherans - following a mail ballot vote of adult contract benefit holders. Benefits - Group Health and Dental Plans Updated March 5, 2006 |