Historic Milestones for K of C Insurance

1882 – Father Michael J. McGivney’s name is the first one listed in the insurance ledger, and he becomes the first insured member of the Order. The original insurance program was based on an assessment system. When a member died, the others were sent an assessment to pay based on three grades of payment.

1892 – The Order establishes a Reserve Fund to guarantee financial solvency during epidemics.

1898 – A K of C committee on insurance rates is established, which results in the Knights’ first use of an actuary, David Parks Fackler

1902 – Sweeping reforms are made to the insurance program, including the implementation of a step-rate plan

1940 – An agency system is begun and five new insurance plans are adopted

1944 – The Order establishes the Juvenile Insurance Program for the sons of members

1945 – The first cash dividend is paid to policyholders

1958 – To further assist members and their families, the Order introduces spousal insurance products and coverage for members’ daughters

1960 – The Order reaches $1 billion of insurance in force and assets surpass $170 million

1970 – The Order opens a new, 23-story home office building in New Haven, Conn

1975 – A.M. Best bestows its first highest approval rating for the insurance program

1977 – Flexible retirement annuities are introduced to members

1980 – Total life insurance premiums surpass $1 billion

1982 – The New Member Plan is introduced to encourage greater member participation in the Order’s insurance program

1985 – Insurance in force reaches $10 billion as assets pass $1.7 billion

1987 – Certificates in force exceed one million

1989 – The Order distributes more than $100 million in life dividends

1992 – Insurance in force passes the $20 billion mark. The Order receives its first AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s

1994 – Family Fraternal Benefit, Orphan Fraternal Benefit and Member/Spouse Fraternal Benefit programs are approved at the 112th Supreme Convention

1996 – After issuing more than $4 billion of insurance in a single year, the Order reaches $30 billion of total insurance in force

1998 – The Order distributes more than $200 million in life dividends

1999 – The Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA) certifies the Order’s insurance program for its ethical business practices

2000 – The Order offers “Knights of Columbus Care,” a long-term care insurance plan for members and their spouses. Insurance in force exceeds $40 billion and assets top $8.5 billion

2002 – Out of more than 1,200 insurance providers in North America, the Order becomes one of only six to receive the highest ratings from Standard & Poor’s and A.M. Best, as well as IMSA certification

2003 – Life sales exceed $5 billion as assets pass $10 billion. Life dividends paid exceed $300 million

2005 – A limited life insurance program begins for members in Mexico

2006 – The Order reaches $10 billion in benefits paid to member families since its founding: $2.3 billion in death claims and $8 billion in living benefits

2007 – Record issue of $1 billion net life insurance face amount in 63 days

2008 – Newly priced and enhanced life insurance product portfolio, known as the 800 Series, is introduced

2010 – Insurance in force passes $75 billion.

2011 – Order introduces new “Income Armor” Disability income insurance for members and their eligible family members.

2014 – The Ethisphere Institute names the Knights of Columbus one of the “Word’s Most Ethical” Companies. It is one of only two life insurers to receive the honor. Total policies surpass the two million mark.

2015 – The Knights of Columbus earns its 40th consecutive highest possible rating (A++, Superior) for financial strength from A.M. Best, and passes $100 Billion of life insurance in force.