Northwestern Mutual declares industry-leading dividends on life, disability insurance Northwestern Mutual will share its success with its policyowners in 2015 through an estimated $5.5 billion dividend payout. It will be a record payout for the financial security leader and is expected to exceed its estimated 2014 payout by $300 million. "This dividend result is great news for our policyowners," said John Schlifske, Northwestern Mutual chairman and chief executive officer. "It shows again why more people put their trust in Northwestern Mutual than in any other life insurance company." 1 With its 2015 dividend payout, the company expects to again lead the industry in total life and disability insurance dividends paid. "Our dividend payout is the primary reason why we deliver the best long-term product value of any company in our industry," said Schlifske. "Northwestern Mutual is paying record dividends on product lines in which many companies pay no dividends at all."