Northwestern Mutual: BusinessWeek honors Northwestern Mutual as one of the ‘Best Places to Launch a Career’

Company Plans to Recruit Thousands to Help Families Face Economic Challenges

MILWAUKEE — For the fourth year in a row, Northwestern Mutual is being named as one of the “Best Places to Launch a Career,” according to a BusinessWeek study featured in the September 14, 2009 edition. The annual survey measures wages, benefits, employee retention, mentorship programs, and opportunities for advancement.

“This economic environment has really showcased the value of a career with Northwestern Mutual,” said Todd M. Schoon, Northwestern Mutual senior vice president – agencies. “The ability to offer financial security to families and businesses when times are uncertain is an important reason people are attracted to this career. It’s played a significant role in our very successful recruiting efforts this year.”

The Milwaukee-based financial security company has been ranked among the top companies every year since the survey began in 2006.

Unlike other careers impacted by the downturn in the economy, financial professionals are in high-demand. Even as the overall economy continues to shed jobs, Northwestern Mutual network offices have been recruiting and training new financial representatives and interns at a record pace.

In 2009, the company expects to recruit an additional 2,200 financial representatives and more than 2,200 financial representative interns as part of a nationwide initiative to expand its field force. In 2008, Northwestern Mutual set a recruiting record, as thousands of experienced professionals and recent college graduates decided to work with the company.

“Families’ financial needs are growing, and to meet those needs, we are expanding our field force,” said Schoon. “People are facing enormous challenges and they’re looking for guidance. Financial professionals who can help families develop long-term strategies have never been more valuable.”

A Northwestern Mutual financial representative career begins with an award-winning training program. Training magazine named Northwestern Mutual in its 2009 “Training Top 125” in its February edition, recognizing the company’s excellence in training and leadership development.

Northwestern Mutual’s internship program, which was named one of America’s “Top 10 Internships” 13 consecutive times since 1997 according to the 2009 Vault Guide to Internships, provides real-world opportunities for thousands of full-time college and university students nationwide. Since 1967, more than 25,000 students have participated in the company’s internship program.

Watch and Share Northwestern Mutual Videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/northwesternmutual

* MTV-U’s “The Opening” Features Northwestern Mutual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BRrcHezrec

* A Day in the Life: A Recent College Graduate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSH9wkDqKDI

* A Day in the Life: Financial Representative Intern: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlQ4V3CV0Y

* A Day in the Life: A Career Changer Joining Northwestern Mutual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPPDU-nkKY

* Who Is Northwestern Mutual? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmTQDfQ82UI&

About Northwestern Mutual

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company – Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual) has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 150 years. As a mutual company with over $1 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual seeks to share its gains with policyowners and deliver consistent and dependable value to clients over time.

Northwestern Mutual is an industry leader in total individual life insurance and disability insurance dividends paid to participating policyowners. Though dividends are not guaranteed, are reviewed annually and are subject to change, the company has paid life insurance dividends every year since 1872.

Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability 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; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments. Further information can be found at http://www.northwesternmutual.com.