Commonly Asked Questions

Beneficiaries

• How do I view the beneficiary on my Northwestern Mutual policy?

  To view beneficiary information, go to the details page of your individual policy or investment account by logging in here or registering for access to your online account here.

• Why aren't all of my designated beneficiaries shown?

  There are reasons why this may happen. If you're not able to view all of your designated beneficiaries, please call our Customer Service Center at
  (866) 950-4644,
  Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., CT

• Can I make a beneficiary change online for any of my products?

  A beneficiary change can be made online for all life insurance products by logging in here or registering for access to your online account here. For changes to other products, see below.

  • To make beneficiary changes on investment products, contact your financial representative or call Investment Client services at (866) 950-4644.
  • To make beneficiary changes on an Income Annuity or Income Plan, contact your financial representative or call Annuity Client Services at (866) 269-2950.
  • To make beneficiary changes on an Universal Life product, contact your financial representative or call Universal Life Services at (866) 464-3800.

• Do I need to create an account to change beneficiaries?

  The most efficient way to make a beneficiary change on an insurance policy is to quickly and easily create an account for online access to your policies. Your individual insurance policies will be listed under the 'Insurance' tab, and you can review and change beneficiary information by simply:

  • Selecting a policy
  • Click on "Manage Beneficiaries"

  Alternatively, you can complete, sign and return a Beneficiary Change form by:

  • Logging into the website and printing out the beneficiary change form
  • Contacting your Northwestern Mutual financial representative, or
  • Contacting Client Services at (877) 394-9524, Monday-Friday 7am-6pm CT.

• How do I change the beneficiary on an external account I've connected through my secure account?

  Since this external account is not held at Northwestern Mutual, you'll need to contact that financial institution to change the beneficiary.

Update Your Communications Preferences

Please use the forms below to subscribe, re-subscribe or opt-out of email communications.

• How do I subscribe to or update my preferences for email communications from Northwestern Mutual?

  You can subscribe to or update your email communication preferences here. If you're a client, you can also register for or login to your Northwestern Mutual online account to manage additional preferences. With an online account, you can tell us what servicing notifications you'd like to receive and pick the types of communications you'd like to get from Northwestern Mutual and your financial representative. You can also choose to go paperless with eDelivery.

• How do I unsubscribe from Northwestern Mutual email communications?

  You can unsubscribe from email communications here. If you're a client, you can also register for or login to your Northwestern Mutual online account to manage additional preferences. With an online account, you can tell us what servicing notifications you'd like to receive and pick the types of communications you'd like to get from Northwestern Mutual and your financial representative. You can also choose to go paperless with eDelivery. Note: Even if you unsubscribe from all, there are certain emails we're required to send. For example, you'll still get emails about your accounts and products, including billing notifications and important product-related updates from Northwestern Mutual.

Tax documents

This FAQ is not intended to be tax advice and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable tax law and you are advised to seek tax advice based upon your own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

• Why am I receiving a Form 1099 from Northwestern Mutual?

  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) require Northwestern Mutual to report certain distributions received from life insurance and annuity contracts, and interest earned. The IRS requires that we report this information on a Form 1099 to both the taxpayer and the IRS. Some common examples of taxable income Northwestern Mutual is required to report include Form 1099-INT and Form 1099-R.

• Can Northwestern Mutual advise me on tax matters?

  No, Northwestern Mutual cannot provide tax advice as tax laws are complex and circumstances can vary greatly. This FAQ provides answers to common questions about the Forms 1099 and what is reported on them. For tax advice you should consult with your tax advisor. For example, if you received a 1099-R indicating "taxable amount not determined" you may want to discuss with a tax advisor to determine the taxable portion. You may find helpful information on the Internal Revenue Service site at, www.irs.gov, including IRS Publication 17, which provides information on a variety of topics and is searchable.

Form 1099-INT

• Where do I report the interest income from the Form 1099-INT?

  Generally, interest income reported on Form 1099-INT is reported under the category of "taxable interest" on line 2 of the Yearly Tax Form 1040EZ or line 8a on the Yearly Tax Forms 1040A and 1040.

• I received a Form 1099-INT as beneficiary of a life insurance contract. I thought death benefits were tax-free. Why did I receive a Form 1099-INT?

  While the death benefits from a life insurance contract are generally tax-free, interest may be paid from the date of death until the claim is settled. The IRS requires that we report the interest you earned on Form 1099-INT.

Form 1099-R

• Where do I report the taxable gain from the Form 1099-R on my federal income tax return?

  If you receive income that is reported on Form 1099-R you cannot use Form 1040EZ. Generally, distributions from life insurance and annuity contracts are reported under the category of "pensions and annuities" on lines 12a and 12b on the Yearly Tax Form 1040A (11a and 11b if an IRA distribution) or lines 16a and 16b on Yearly Tax Form 1040 (15a and 15b if an IRA distribution).

• I surrendered multiple life insurance or annuity contracts. Why did I only receive one Form 1099-R?

  The IRS allows for consolidating information from multiple contracts on one form, if the information is similar. As a mutual insurance company that is owned by the policyowners, we take advantage of this opportunity to reduce costs. We do include a breakdown by contract on the page following the Form 1099-R.

Mailing Information

Please refrain from sending mail correspondence or checks to your local office. If you need to send documents to your advisor, please use email and electronic funds transmittals (ETFs). Your financial representative can help you set up an ETF. In case you are unable to send materials electronically, please use the mailing addresses below.