Royal Neighbors of America Pioneers Patent-Pending Insurance Product Designed with Women in Mind

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2 Royal Neighbors of America Pioneers Patent-Pending Insurance Product Designed with Women in Mind (ROCK ISLAND, IL) April 2, 2015 Angelina Jolie-Pitt isn t the only one who has taken preventative action that has resulted in a heightened awareness of female cancers. Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation s largest women-led life insurers, has launched the new, groundbreaking Promise Plus coverage. It is a whole life insurance product offering a Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider to benefit women in the event of a diagnosis of cervical, ovarian, or breast cancer. Many insurance companies are marketing their products to women, but none has ever developed life insurance coverage like Promise Plus specifically addressing issues around these cancers, said Cynthia Tidwell, President/CEO of Royal Neighbors. For women with a strong history of female cancers, the life insurance gives them peace of mind for themselves and their families. The Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider is designed to protect women under 60 if they are diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, or breast cancer at Stage II or higher. When added to a Royal Neighbors whole life insurance certificate, this rider waives the premiums for the next two years following the diagnosis. The coverage is the first of its kind in the nation. Promise Plus has a patent pending, yet another demonstration that Royal Neighbors is Insurance with a DifferenceSM. For over a century, our mission has been to empower women, whether it was earning the right to vote in the past or supporting the fight against female cancers in the present, said Tidwell. We anticipate Promise Plus will be a huge success, and will allow those receiving a cancer diagnosis to focus on getting well and spending time with loved ones rather than worrying about their insurance premiums. The rates for this rider vary depending upon the insured s situation and are affordable. For example, a 35-year-old female with standard non-tobacco underwriting would pay $95.44 monthly to age 121 for $100,000 in whole life coverage adding the rider coverage only increases this payment by $.76 to $96.20 until she reaches the age of 60 when the rider terminates. Promise Plus is now available through Royal Neighbors of America agents. For more information about Promise Plus and Royal Neighbors complete line of financial products, visit Media Co ntact: Sa ll y Marks (480 ) Sa lly. Ma a lne ighb ors.org Promise Plus is Essential Whole Life insurance (Form Series 1314) + Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider (Form Series 2084). Certificate and riders are not available in all states. Contractual provisions and limitations may vary by state. Subject to reinsurance and underwriting requirements. Patent Pending. Form 2979-MK; Rev

3 About Royal Neighbors of America Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation s largest women-led life insurance organizations, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, term, final expense, and universal life. It has the financial strength and stability to ensure its nearly 180,000 members are protected when the expected, and unexpected, happen. In addition to insurance products, Royal Neighbors provides value-added member benefits not available with traditional insurance companies, which currently include scholarship opportunities, free and discounted legal services, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization s local chapters. Royal Neighbors philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women s lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors SM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Royal Neighbors is headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. For more information, visit or call (800) Organization Backgrounder: Royal Neighbors of America Royal Neighbors of America has been protecting women since 1895 as one of the largest women-led life insurance organizations. The organization is designed to protect women financially and empower them to improve their lives, families, and communities. In addition to life insurance and financial protection solutions, Royal Neighbors provides member benefits which currently include scholarship opportunities, health and retail discounts, and participation in volunteer activities that give back to communities through the organization s local chapters, all of which help women achieve their goals. Royal Neighbors began in 1888, when Marie Kirkland of Council Bluffs, IA, put an ad in a local newspaper asking women to meet to plan a social. She wanted to build an organization that would empower women to be the best that they could be in a time when women were not supposed to be educated, conduct business, own life insurance, vote, or assume leadership roles in the community. Eight women responded to her ad. By 1895, Royal Neighbors was one of the first organizations to insure women. Today, it remains one of the largest women-led insurers with nearly 180,000 members.

4 Fact Sheet: Royal Neighbors of America Location: th Street, Rock Island, IL Contact: (800) (309) Mission: Since 1895, Royal Neighbors of America has held true to its mission to support women and those they care about by providing opportunities that other organizations don t. Unlike most life insurers, Royal Neighbors offers discretionary benefits. These currently include scholarships, disaster aid, health and retail discounts, and the opportunity to volunteer and give back to their own communities. Products: Term life insurance Whole life insurance Final Expense life insurance Universal life insurance Fixed annuities Support: Today, Royal Neighbors has nearly 180,000 members across the nation volunteering in their communities through their chapter system. In the last 40 years alone members have donated $350 million in time and talent to their communities. Through philanthropic programs such as Nation of Neighbors SM, Royal Neighbors has helped women provide transitional housing for other women and their families, establish a maternity home for homeless teens, fight sex trafficking, and create anti-bullying and self-esteem programs. Financial Strength Assets: $904 Million Surplus: $209 Million Surplus Ratio: 23% (industry average is 8%) A.M. Best: Rated A- (Excellent) for overall financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders (4th highest out of 15 possible) as of December 31, 2014

5 Story Angles Story Angle #1: A New Product Created for Women Concerned with Cancer Since 1895, Royal Neighbors of America has always offered women several life insurance products and an ear to their concerns. Royal Neighbors of America is aware of the worry many women share of developing certain types of female cancers. In recognition of this, Royal Neighbors developed Promise Plus. Promise Plus is a permanent whole life insurance with an added benefit of Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider for all women who are concerned about certain types of cancers. The cancer rider allows women under age 60 to waive two years of premium payments if diagnosed with Stage II or greater cervical, ovarian, or breast cancer. A Royal Neighbors representative can discuss how the organization learns from its customers and what other concerns they have. Story Angle #2: Secrets of 120 Years of Success How does an organization stay in business, and not only survive, but thrive for 120 years? This article can explore the secrets to a well-built sustainable business with wisdom from Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors current President/CEO. She understands the challenges facing business today and she has the strategies and business acumen to keep the organization moving forward. She can discuss how she helped Royal Neighbors upon becoming president in 2005 and how she navigated the existing challenges to increase the organization s market share and innovation. Cynthia can also offer her visions for the organization s future as she reaches her 10th anniversary as president. Story Angle #4: FEATURE FOR OCTOBER: Royal Neighbors Makes a Difference Every October Every October, Royal Neighbors employees and chapter members across America fill Baskets of Hope for local charities, many of which support women in their own communities. Members have filled baskets with toiletries for women s shelters, baskets of baby supplies for new mothers, backpacks for school children, and totes of financial education tools for women pursuing their careers. They have even filled baskets of food for local pantries as well as supplies for soldiers overseas. Story Angle #5: FEATURE FOR MARCH: Female Support Builds a Strong Foundation for Royal Neighbors of America March is Women s History Month and a perfect time to reflect on the history of women in business. Celebrating 120 years in business this year, Royal Neighbors was created by nine women during a time when women were powerless in society. That didn t stop this pioneering group from laying down the foundation to a successful organization that still today empowers and protects women and their families. Interview Questionnaire 1. Why are women so important to Royal Neighbors? 2. How do you think Royal Neighbors impacts women s lives? The community? 3. What was the inspiration behind the launch of Promise Plus? 4. Give us some examples of women and their communities that have benefitted from Royal Neighbors programs. 5. How has Royal Neighbors remained successful for more than 120 years? Story Angle #3: Ways Businesses Help Women Achieve Their Dreams Some businesses, like Royal Neighbors of America, help women achieve their dreams through financial assistance and scholarships. Since its inception in 2007, Royal Neighbors Nation of Neighbors SM Program has awarded more than $1.7 million to over 1,200 individuals who are changing lives. Through this program, women with a dream are nominated for a monetary grant to be used to affect positive change in the lives of other women. One of the organizations that has benefitted from the recipient of such grants includes Braking Traffik, a non-profit which fights domestic sex trafficking. Promise Plus is Essential Whole Life insurance (Form Series 1314) + Cancer Waiver of Premium Rider (Form Series 2084). Certificate and riders are not available in all states. Contractual provisions and limitations may vary by state. Subject to reinsurance and underwriting requirements. Patent Pending. Form 2979-MK; Rev