We are a company with many distinctions. Here are just a few: Corporate Distinctions •Northwestern Mutual is among the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies according to executives, directors and analysts in FORTUNE® magazine's 2012 annual survey.1 •Northwestern Mutual has a persistency rate of 96% for life insurance in-force, a key indicator of customer satisfaction. •Northwestern Mutual has the highest financial strength ratings awarded to any life insurer by all four of the major credit rating agencies.2 •We are the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance.3 •We expect to pay almost $5 billion in total dividends to policyowners in 2012, approximately three times the ordinary life insurance dividends of our nearest competitor.4