Milestone highlights the strength of mutuality and the company’s purpose:
helping people secure their future and protect the ones they love
MassMutual today marked its 175th anniversary, honoring a legacy built around one idea that has endured since its founding: when people look out for one another, everyone is stronger. It is the second mutual insurer based in Massachusetts, and the third entity in New England, to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2026, joining both the New Hampshire Insurance Department and Quincy Mutual in celebrations.
“At its heart, this milestone is about the people who rely on us and the commitments we have kept to the millions of families throughout our history,” said Roger Crandall, Chairman, President, and CEO of MassMutual. “From the moment we issued our first policy, we have been a steady source of strength and support for moments of change, challenge, and celebration — and we are proud to carry that responsibility forward for generations to come.”
Growth from Local Mutual to National Leader
Founded on May 15, 1851 in Springfield, Massachusetts by 31 investors who pooled together $100,000 to create a company to help their friends and neighbors protect their loved ones, MassMutual has grown into one of America’s largest mutual life insurance companies, serving more than four million customers 1 with over $1 trillion in life insurance in force1, more than $34 billion in capital strength1, and $584 billion in assets under management.2
As MassMutual celebrates its 175th year, the company remains as committed today as it was in 1851 to delivering on its purpose: We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. The driving force behind MassMutual’s ability to deliver on this purpose is its dedicated employees and more than 6,000 affiliated financial professionals across the U.S. who serve individuals, families, and business owners.
MassMutual: A mutual company built for long-term policyowner value
As a mutual company, MassMutual focuses on the long-term interests of its policyowners and customers. Through eras of extraordinary change, the company has honored its commitments, paying more than $10 billion in insurance and annuity benefits last year and more than $70 billion in the last decade.3
One benefit of being a mutual company is MassMutual’s ability to share its success with eligible participating policyowners. While dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid a dividend every year to eligible participating policyowners since 1869 – and the company’s cumulative dividend payments have exceeded $50 billion through 2025. Building on this, MassMutual will distribute an estimated record $2.9 billion to eligible participating policyowners in 2026.
Celebrating its 175th year: Community Impact and Anniversary Initiatives
Building on more than $230 million that MassMutual and the MassMutual Foundation have given back to the community in the last decade,3 the company’s legacy of people helping people and supporting the community will continue throughout MassMutual’s yearlong celebration, commencing with the following:
- The MassMutual Foundation gifted $1.5 million to employees and eligible financial professionals to donate to causes they care about. So far this year, more than $700,000 has been donated to over 2,500 nonprofit organizations, including children’s hospitals and pet rescues, through this special $175 per-employee gift.
- Earlier this month, 1,000 MassMutual employees contributed over 2,000 volunteer hours in support of nearly 50 nonprofit organizations as part of MassMutual’s fourth annual Live Mutual Week where employees came together to lend their time, skills, and expertise to acts of service by making improvements, repairs, and connections in the community. Over the last four years, employees have volunteered a total of 6,500 hours during MassMutual’s Live Mutual Week.
“Wherever the world takes us, one thing is certain for MassMutual: a strong, enduring foundation and bold, ambitious approach will continue to be a vital part of who we are and how we show up in the world – one person, family, and community at a time,” concluded Crandall.
To honor its legacy and inspire what’s next, MassMutual invites readers to explore a newly released timeline of historic moments and watch a short commemorative film that brings the company’s enduring purpose to life.
