About Us  ——  Get to know even more about our past, our present and our future

Our Successful Past

The American Fraternal Union has a rich ethnic heritage that started on July 18, 1898.  A group of iron miners, needing to insure their lives, paid 10 cents per month to a common trust in the event of their injury or death.  On December 31, 1900, they incorporated under the laws of Minnesota as a Legal Reserve Insurance Company with assets of $500.00.  The American Fraternal Union, as an open society, operated not for profit, but for the benefit of its members.  Lodge memberships were established promoting fraternalism, acts of patriotism, benevolence, and family values.

As a fraternal benefit society, the American Fraternal Union established a representative form of government and made provisions for payment of death, sickness, or disability benefits. More than 10 million people belong to fraternal benefit societies in America and Canada.  Of these, 95% are represented by societies affiliated with the National Fraternal Congress of America of which the American Fraternal Union belongs.  Today, the Home Office of the American Fraternal Union continues to operate in Ely, Minnesota. 

Our Established and Secure Present

Presently, the American Fraternal Union operates as in our successful past, with the exception of selling health plans for its membership.  We have a large agent sales force located in fifteen states selling whole life, term life, and tax-deferred retirement accounts.  The American Fraternal Union is licensed to sell life insurance in California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  With a safe investment philosophy and an active sales force, we have continued to grow as a benefit society providing protection and security to its membership.  With exceptional benefits such as our Educational Scholarship Programs, we continue into the new millennium with fraternalism at the forefront.  Our current membership continues to benefit with an affordable life insurance portfolio, fast and fair claim settlement, and excellent customer service from a dedicated and well-trained home office staff.

Our Advances Toward the Future

With the continual development of new insurance products that reflect an ever-changing financial market, increased insurance technology, and quick access of member benefits, the American Fraternal Union will provide affordable insurance coverage to an increasing membership.  Our past, present, and future goals have always been to facilitate the growth of more acts of fraternalism for our membership and for society!