A Message From Northwestern Mutual CEO John Schlifske About the Debt Ceiling

Uncertainty seems to have become a constant in today’s economic world. Like many Americans, Northwestern Mutual has been closely monitoring the evolving debt ceiling negotiations that have dominated recent headlines. We certainly hope an agreement is achieved, helping to avoid significant market and economic turmoil that would impact businesses and consumers. This serves as yet another reminder that economic and financial uncertainty is a reality in our daily lives and the best approach to achieving financial security is being prepared.

That approach applies equally to our clients and our company. In the case of Northwestern Mutual, we are well-prepared for that uncertainty and potential volatility. We can withstand extreme, worst-case conditions, and remain strong. We know this because we plan for these events and stress-test our business against the most severe scenarios. Further, we carefully manage our finances to ensure we have the strength and flexibility to confront the unpredictable economic challenges that inevitably arise.

That’s why, at the end of 2022, Northwestern Mutual set aside a record $37 billion for the unexpected, all while returning a record dividend to our policyowners.

This preparation and resilience helped earn Northwestern Mutual the industry’s highest-possible financial strength ratings. In fact, Moody’s Investors Service’s top rating and stable outlook places Northwestern Mutual among the five strongest companies in America across all industries.

This level of financial strength and preparation is intended to do one thing – ensure we can always meet the commitments we make to our clients today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. This thinking has helped Northwestern Mutual to successfully navigate the last 166 years and still guides our decisions today.