Thrivent Financial News

Delivering More Value to You

This year, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will increase dividends 25 percent on average as it returns more than $320 million in dividends to members.

One of the benefits of being a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is that when we thrive, you thrive.

This year, eligible members will receive more than $320 million in dividends—a 25 percent increase on average over last year and one of the largest amounts we have returned to members in the history of our organization. Other members will receive more than $60 million in additional value in the form of higher interest rates and lower costs on selected insurance and annuity products.

Thrivent Financial Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bruce J. Nicholson answers questions about dividends and this year’s return.

Q. How is Thrivent Financial able to return this amount of money to members?
A. Thrivent Financial is a not-for-profit, membership organization. We don’t answer to shareholders. We answer to our members. When our financial performance exceeds expectations, the benefits are returned to them. In fact, in the last six years, we have returned more than $1.5 billion in dividends to eligible members.

Q. How will these funds be returned to members?
A. Eligible members will benefit in several ways. Some will receive an increased dividend. Others will see improved rates of interest or lower costs for their insurance or annuity products.

Q. What is a dividend?
A. A dividend is money paid annually to members who own certain insurance products. If you own one of these products, you can receive a dividend every year. The difference this year is that members who own these life insurance products will receive a significantly larger dividend—on average, 25 percent larger than last year.

Q. If I qualify for a dividend, how will I receive it?
A. Dividends are distributed annually on the date you initially purchased the insurance. At that time, you made a choice about how you wanted to receive the dividends. Some members opt to get a check delivered by mail, but most choose to put the dividend back into their insurance contract to either purchase more coverage or reduce the amount of future premiums.

Q. What happens if I don’t own a product that provides a dividend? Will I still receive a benefit?
A. Many of our members own products—such as universal life insurance contracts—that do not currently pay dividends. We will deliver more than $60 million in additional value to eligible members. This value will come in two ways: lower insurance charges and improved interest rates. If you own a universal life insurance contract, check your 2008 annual statement for details.

Q. What is my annual statement and when will I get it?
A. If you own an eligible product, these changes will be reflected on your annual statement. These statements, which are mailed on the anniversary date of your purchase, reflect the value and performance of the product during the past year.

Q. Will the dividend and increased returns be as high in future years?
A. We are pleased to announce our returns for 2008, but we don’t plan to stop there. While dividends are not guaranteed, our goal is to continue to build on our strong foundation and financial performance to provide value to our members for years to come.

Q. How can I understand how my insurance contract is performing and whether it’s still the right one for me?
A. Talking with your Thrivent Financial representative is the best way to review your contract’s performance, the benefit of these changes, and whether your contract is still the right one for you.

Questions? Watch for more details on your contract’s annual statement. You also can contact your financial representative.

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Expanded Commitment

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity will make an even bigger impact on poverty housing in 2008 and beyond.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has increased its financial commitment to Habitat for Humanity from $105 million to $125 million over a total of four years. “At the beginning of the alliance, we actually budgeted an additional $20 million that we could add later if the alliance proved successful,” says Brad Hewitt, senior vice president of Fraternal Operations at Thrivent Financial. “Given the high member interest and our results to date, we’re ready to make that additional commitment.”

The increase comes at the midpoint of the four-year alliance between Thrivent Financial and Habitat, and reflects the continued impact of the program and the positive response from members. In its first two years, more than 60,000 members have participated in Thrivent Builds and more than 650 homes have been built with families in the U.S. In addition, 1,258 members have been on 138 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips.

In 2008, plans include building another 322 homes with partner families in the U.S. through the Thrivent Builds Homes program. Also, 200 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trips are planned to destinations including the Gulf Coast, Central America, India and Africa. This funding increase essentially doubles the number of trips and homes being built through the Worldwide program.

“Thrivent Financial members have really embraced Thrivent Builds with Habitat,” says Jeff Hahn, who leads the Thrivent Builds Alliance Strategy Office. “Helping families become homeowners is a great hand-up on their way to economic self-sufficiency, and it’s possible because of Thrivent Financial members.”

Learn More about opportunities to participate in a Thrivent Builds project, either locally or worldwide, at www.thriventbuilds.com.

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Lutheran Learning

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is offering three programs during 2008 at Heartwood Conference Center & Retreat in Trego, Wisconsin. The educational programming is part of Thrivent Financial’s vision to use Heartwood as a benefit to Thrivent Financial members and the Lutheran community. Members receive a 50 percent discount on program registration fees. Programs in 2008 include:

Laughter, Marriage and the Healthy Church
June 3–5
For Lutheran church workers and their spouses. The event combines training along with current research and best practices in the nationwide healthy marriage movement, along with material and presentations and resources from the popular “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” seminar by the Rev. Mark Gungor, of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Grace Place Retreat for Educators
July 28–Aug. 1
For Lutheran teachers and their spouses to learn new ways to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. This program is offered in cooperation with Grace Place Retreat Ministries.

Colorama Lutherhostels
Sept. 28–Oct. 3 and Oct. 5–10
Both events are for adults ages 50 and older to enjoy the fall colors of northern Wisconsin along with a program of Lutheran speakers, music, planned learning activities and leisure time. This popular program is offered in cooperation with the Association of Lutheran Older Adults.