Northwestern Mutual CEO Among Highest Rated CEOs Of 2014

John E. Schlifske named in top five of Glassdoor's annual "50 Highest Rated CEOs" report

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Mar 24, 2014, 03:00 ET

MILWAUKEE, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John E. Schlifske has been named one of the five highest rated CEOs in the U.S. by Glassdoor – an online career and workplace community.

Schlifske received a 95% approval rating from Northwestern Mutual employees and members of the company's field force of financial representatives who participated in Glassdoor's annual "50 Highest Rated CEOs" report released March 21, 2014. Glassdoor calculates CEO approval ratings similar to Presidential approval ratings by asking employees a simple question: 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way your CEO is leading the company?'

Schlifske joins other prominent CEOs in the top five: LinkedIn's Jeff Weiner, Ford Motor Company's Alan R. Mulally, Edelman's Richard W. Edelman, and Qualcomm's Paul E. Jacobs.

"This recognition reflects the strength and excellence of our management team and our field management, particularly our managing partners," said Schlifske. "It's an honor to represent our employees and financial representatives, as they have been the driving force behind our success for the past 157 years."

The Glassdoor recognition comes on the heels of a record-breaking 2013 for Northwestern Mutual that included the announcement of the highest dividend payout to policyowners in the company's history expected to exceed $5.2 billion in 2014 – more than three times its nearest competitor. In addition, the company's premium revenue grew 8 percent while total surplus increased to more than $20 billion. Also, independent sources confirm the company's unsurpassed financial strength. In 2013, Northwestern Mutual continued to receive the highest possible financial strength ratings awarded to any U.S. life insurer by all four of the major credit rating agencies.[i]

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has helped clients achieve financial security for 157 years. As a mutual company with $1.5 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them over time. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

[i] Current ratings for Northwestern Mutual and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company: A.M. Best Company A++ (highest), April 2013; Fitch Ratings AAA (highest), January 2014; Moody's Investors Service AAA (highest), January 2014; and Standard & Poor's AA+ (second highest), June 2013. Ratings are subject to change.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual