1924
1925
75th anniversary
National Life celebrates its 75th anniversary with a book on the company’s history written by Arthur B. Bisbee.
1926
Accidental death benefits are added
Accidental death benefits are added to new and in-force policies.
1927
Office suffers heavy damages
The 133 State Street office suffers heavy damages in basement in 1927 flood. Most archival company documents destroyed.
The importance of typwriters
1928
U.S. Supreme Court decision
The company wins National Life Insurance Company vs United States in a U.S. Supreme Court decision. (277 U.S. 508) This struck down portions of the Revenue Act of 1921 and returned $1.5 million of collected federal taxes back to National Life.
1933
Expanding business in northern Texas
Coleman Mutual Aid Society assesses each member $1.10 on each death claim and acquires two burial associations, expanding its business in northern Texas.
1934
First advertisement in National Life’s Historic Art Series appears
First advertisement in National Life’s Historic Art Series appears in Saturday Evening Post and Time magazines. The primary artist is Roy F. Heinrich.
Historic Art Series
1935
Actively promotes Vermont roots
The company begins to actively promote its Vermont roots. The annual report shows “VERMONT” heavily bolded in the logo with a large font.
Coleman Mutual Aid Society expands by acquiring J.E. Stevens Company Burial Association and Stevens-Gober Burial Association of Brady, Texas.
1937
Elbert S. Brigham is elected President
Elbert S. Brigham is elected President.
National Life ad appears in Saturday Evening Post and Time magazines advertising the Living Benefits of National Life policies.
1938
Retirement plan for employees established
Retirement plan for employees established on a formal basis.
1941
World War II
War clauses suspended for all policies in order to pay death benefits on those who died in combat.
1942
Working longer hours
President Brigham announces that due to the war the company will begin working longer hours, including Saturdays. Employee pay was increased by 5% to cover the extra time.
1943
Vermont coat-of-arms
The company begins to use the Vermont coat-of-arms with a “National Life of Vermont” banner as the logo. This was used occasionally until 1948.
Retirement plan was extended to regular salaried workers in agency and loan offices.
1945
Home Office training schools
Home Office training schools are established, offering three courses for agents.
Juvenile insurance for ages 0–4 introduced.
1946
First female agent to attend a Training School
Mrs. Elva F. Phillips of the Harrisburg Agency is the first female agent to attend a Training School in the Home Office.
Rolodex
1948
Ernest M. Hopkins is elected President
Ernest M. Hopkins is elected President.
First edition of the employee magazine Contact is issued as suggested by President Hopkins and initially is not published on a regular schedule.
“Men of the Year” inaugurated.
First appearance of the tag line, “Solid as the Granite Hills of Vermont.
The Quarter Century Club is created.
