About Us

Since 1883, Modern Woodmen of America has brought people together, supported families and strengthened communities.

About Us
Member stories

Hear from Modern Woodmen members

From financial planning to member programs to community involvement, we help members and their families through life.

Financial Planning

We can help you meet your current needs, achieve your future dreams and plan for all stages of life.

Planning for Life
Stories of strength from our history
An old black-and-white photo from Modern Woodmen's Tuberculosis Sanatorium.

Persevering Through Uncertain Times

Our Products

Modern Woodmen maintains a portfolio of high-quality financial products that can help you meet a wide range of life needs.

Our Products
Don't know where to start?
A computer screen with Modern Woodmen's life insurance calculator displayed.

Try our life insurance calculator

Each family is unique, with different needs and goals for the future. Taking a few minutes to answer some quick questions will give you an estimate of how much insurance is right for you.

Resource Hub

Visit our Resource Hub to learn more about life insurance and potential solutions to protect you and your loved ones. It’s a great place to find the answers to your questions and some hints from professionals.

Visit Resource Hub
Our guide to applying for life insurance

What to expect from the life insurance application process

From commonly used terms to hints for the medical exam and more, our handy guide helps you understand the application process.

 

My Membership

When you join Modern Woodmen, you become a member of the organization. You trust us with your financial needs. And you have the opportunity to access fraternal member programs and impact your community.

My Membership
Member Website
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Member Website Overview

Make a payment, update your address, and access account information, online forms and fraternal programs from the member website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about Modern Woodmen, your certificates (policies) or your membership? Here are answers to questions we frequently receive.

Last updated: Jan. 6, 2025

FAQ

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Tax forms
Q: What’s the difference between forms 1099-R, 1099-INT and 5498?
Q: When will I receive my 1099 tax form?
Q: When are forms 1099-R, 1099-INT and 5498 mailed?
Q: How do I request duplicates of forms 1099-INT, 1099-R or 5498?
Q: Why did I get this tax form?
Q: I didn’t get my tax form. Can you send me another one?
Q: The Social Security number shown on my tax form is incorrect. Can you correct it?
Q: I received an IRA distribution and then rolled some (or all) of the funds into another IRA. Why are you reporting this as taxable income?
Q: I didn’t receive the amount of money shown as a distribution in box 1 on the 1099-R. Why is Modern Woodmen reporting this amount if I didn’t receive it this year?
Q: I rolled my IRA distribution into another IRA within 60 days, as allowed by the IRS. Why did I receive a 1099-R?
Q: I have already filed my tax return(s) and have now received form 1099. How do I proceed?
Q: I have already filed my tax return(s). Why am I receiving form 5498 now?
Q: I received form 5498, but my contributions are incorrect. Who do I contact?
Q: Why do the contributions shown on form 5498 differ from my annual or quarterly statement(s)?
Q: Income received from life insurance death proceeds can be taxable. Why?
Q: How is the gain calculated for my life insurance certificate (policy)?
Q: My certificate (policy) lapsed due to nonpayment of premium during the year, but I didn’t receive any money. Why did I get a tax form?
Q: The reason for the withdrawal from my annuity was “hardship.” Why was the withdrawal coded as a Premature Distribution (box 7) and subject to the 10% IRS penalty?
Q: My certificate was terminated as a 1035 exchange. Why did I receive a tax form?
Q: How can the taxable amount be greater than the gross distribution of the surrender/lapse?
Q: Why was I taxed on the interest earned on accumulated dividends when I did not receive it in cash?
General
Q: What is a fraternal benefit society?
Q: What does it mean to be a “member” of Modern Woodmen?
Q: How can I get a life insurance quote?
Q: Where can I find my financial representative’s contact information?
Q: I have a former Equitable Reserve Association (ERA) certificate. What do I need to know?
Q: Can you give me information about my deceased relative’s life insurance?
Q: How can I tell if an email from Modern Woodmen is legitimate?
Change requests and certificate (policy) ownership
Q: What’s the difference between the applicant, assignee, beneficiary, insured and owner of a certificate?
Q: What is a rider?
Q: How do I change the address on my life insurance or annuity plan?
Q: How do I change my name on my life insurance or annuity plan?
Q: How do I change the beneficiary on my life insurance or annuity plan?
Q: I lost my original life insurance or annuity certificate (policy). Can I get a copy?
Q: Who has ownership of a life insurance/annuity certificate on a minor?
Q: How do I change an applicant/owner on a child’s life insurance/annuity certificate?
Q: Can I transfer ownership of my life insurance to someone else?
Q: Can I transfer ownership of my annuity to someone else?
Q: Can I transfer ownership of my life insurance to a funeral home?
Q: What is an assignment?
Q: Can I assign my life insurance to a creditor as collateral?
Q: Can I assign my annuity to a creditor as collateral?
Life insurance loans, withdrawals, dividends and surrenders
Q: I don’t want to terminate or cash surrender my life insurance. What other options do I have?
Q: What’s the difference between a loan, a partial withdrawal and a release of dividends?
Q: How do I request a loan?
Q: How do I request a partial withdrawal from my life insurance?
Q: How do I request a release of dividends?
Q: Do I have to repay a loan?
Q: I want to repay my loan. What options are available?
Q: Can I pay off my loan by taking a partial withdrawal?
Q: Can I repay a partial withdrawal?
Q: Can you mail my check using UPS?
Q: Can you direct deposit my check?
Q: Can you make my check payable to a third party?
Annuities
Q: How do I request a partial withdrawal from my annuity?
Q: Is there a charge to take a withdrawal on my annuity?
Q: Will a partial withdrawal from my annuity be subject to income tax?
Q: Will the IRS penalize me if I take a partial withdrawal from my annuity while I’m under age 59½?
Q: Can I take a loan against the account value in my annuity?
Q: How do I change the federal/state tax withholding status on my annuity?
Q: What is the minimum/maximum partial withdrawal amount I can request?
Premium payments
Q: How can I pay my premium or make a loan payment?
Q: Can I pay my premium or make a loan payment through the Modern Woodmen member website?
Q: What do I need to initiate an online payment?
Q: Is my account information secure when I make an online payment?
Q: Do you charge service fees to make a payment online or over the phone?
Q: Can I pay a monthly premium over the phone?
Q: Can I use my credit or debit card to make a premium payment over the phone?
Q: How do I use tel-debit?
Q: Can I set up automatic premium payments from my bank account?
Q: What is the automatic bank check (ABC) plan?
Q: I’m currently paying my premiums on an automatic bank check plan. Can I choose my debit day?
Q: How do I stop my automatic bank check plan?
Q: How do I change the bank information for my automatic bank check plan?
Q: If I choose to pay my premium payments by mail, how often will I be billed?
Q: Can I increase or decrease the premium on my life insurance?
Q: I currently pay my premiums every month. Can I pay annually instead?
Q: I received a premium notice for my annuity. Am I required to make a payment?
Q: What happens if I forgot to make my payment?
Q: Can I still make a payment on my life insurance after my grace period is over?
Q: How do I reinstate my insurance once it has lapsed or terminated?
Q: Am I still covered under my life insurance while I’m going through the reinstatement process?
Q: Online member accounts (member website)
Q: How do I register for an online member account? What information will I need?
Q: Who can and can't register for an online member account?
Q: Why can't I register for an online member account?
Q: Why can't I log in to my online member account?
Q: Why can’t I see all my certificates on the member website?
Q: Why can’t I see all the certificates in my family on the member website?
Q: I used to have access to more certificates in my account summary on the member website. What happened?
Q: Can I use the member website to change the beneficiary on my certificate?
Q: Can I view upcoming chapter events in my online member account?
Claim
Q: How do I file a claim?
Q: How do I check the status of a claim?
Q: What information will I need to provide when I report the claim?
Q: What documentation do I need to submit with the claim?
Q: Will you accept a photocopy of the death certificate?
Q: How can I get information about the amount of my claim?
Q: Can I fax or email my claim form and other documents?
Q: Can you pay proceeds directly to the funeral home?
Q: What are my options to receive payment?
Q: How can I check the balance of my preferred benefits account?
Q: How long will the claim process take?
Q: Does Modern Woodmen pay interest on claims?
Q: What is the mailing address for claims?
Q: Can you give me information about my deceased relative’s life insurance?
Historical
Q: Can you look up historical member records for historical societies or those doing genealogy research?
Q: I found a historical Modern Woodmen artifact. Can you tell me about it?
Q: How can I donate or sell a historical artifact to Modern Woodmen’s archives?
Q: What is the significance of emblems, initials or camp numbers on historical artifacts?
Q: What were the Modern Woodmen Foresters?
Q: What is the history of Modern Woodmen’s Tuberculosis Sanatorium?


Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Talk to a financial representative in your area. Or contact our Service Center by email at Service.Center@modern-woodmen.org (or using this online form), or by phone at 309-558-3077 or 800-447-9811, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central.

Note: Modern Woodmen is not authorized to offer tax advice. If you have additional questions regarding how your tax form impacts you, please contact your tax advisor or the IRS.