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.