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National Life Group Insurance Review (2026)

Written and reviewed by Hans Goldstein, licensed insurance producer, NPN 20602398 · CA Insurance License #4273294
Last reviewed October 3, 2026 · Published October 3, 2026

Editorial review by a licensed agent who may earn a commission. No insurer pays for placement or grades. Hans is paid a commission by the insurer if you buy a policy through him. For life insurance, ask and he will tell you what he earns on your specific policy.

Short answer: National Life Group sells more IUL policies than any other carrier (LIMRA 2025, No. 1 by count; No. 3 by premium at $522 million) and is rated A+ by AM Best (affirmed 7/30/2026, upgraded from A in July 2025). Its strength is living benefits for middle-income families: no-cost accelerated benefit riders on its IULs, plus a charged Premium Chronic Care Rider that is not offered in California. Caps are not public.

National Life Group at a glance

Companies: National Life Insurance Company; Life Insurance Company of the Southwest (LSW)

AM Best financial strength: A+, stable, affirmed 7/30/2026 (Life Insurance Company of the Southwest); upgraded from A in July 2025 (AM Best: Life Insurance Company of the Southwest (National Life Group) rating (7/30/2026)).

Market position: No. 3 in 2025 IUL new premium ($522M); No. 1 by policy count (LIMRA: 2025 full-year top 20 IUL company rankings).

Product	Type	Provisional Goldstein Index
FlexLife IUL	IUL	Pending 40% graded

Four IULs, one philosophy

FlexLife: the flagship middle-market IUL. Full review: FlexLife review.
PeakLife: the accumulation-leaning sibling; no public cap or loan data, so it is covered here rather than graded.
SummitLife: the larger-case IUL. On 9/28/2026 National Life added four index options, including an S&P 500 account with no cap and a 2% floor (National Life release). A no-cap account usually trades the cap for a lower participation rate or a spread; ask which.
SurvivorLife: survivorship IUL for estate cases.

Living benefits: the reason families buy it

National Life's accelerated benefit riders come at no extra cost and pay a discounted amount at claim; its own agent guide says that is why terminal illness has the highest benefit amount (LSW accelerated benefits guide). Its Premium Chronic Care Rider is the exception: charged, not discounted, paying up to the full death benefit to $3 million, but not available in California or New York (National Life, 10/29/2025). How chronic illness riders pay.

Own National Life?

Get your policy graded.

Send your email and I'll send the in-force illustration request letter. Return it and I'll grade the policy within one business day.

We’ll email it to you. Hans Goldstein · NPN 20602398.

Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar.

Rate classes and loans: ask for them in writing

National Life uses its own class structure for some applicants with a health history, and offers several loan types on its IULs. Neither the class rules nor current loan rates are published for consumers, so ask for the class you would likely receive before you apply, and for the current loan rates and credits on an illustration. IUL loan rates in 2026.

Who National Life fits

Families who want permanent coverage with living-benefit triggers and can fund it for 15+ years.
Less ideal in California if the charged chronic rider is the reason you are buying.

Own a National Life policy, or comparing one?

Send the policy or quote. Within one business day you get a written read on the Goldstein Index and two alternatives.

Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar, or call 213-414-2808.

Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer

Frequently asked questions

Is National Life Group a good company?

National Life Group's Life Insurance Company of the Southwest holds an AM Best A+ rating, affirmed July 30, 2026, after an upgrade from A in July 2025.

What IULs does National Life sell?

FlexLife, PeakLife, SummitLife and SurvivorLife. SummitLife added an S&P 500 account with no cap and a 2% floor on September 28, 2026.

Are National Life living benefits free?

The standard accelerated benefit riders have no upfront cost but pay a discounted amount at claim. The Premium Chronic Care Rider is charged and is not available in California or New York.

What are National Life's IUL caps?

Current caps are not published for consumers. Ask for a current illustration.

Sources

Hans Goldstein, CA Insurance License #4273294 · NPN 20602398 · Goldstein & Co. LLC dba Goldstein Insurance Services, CA License #6016830

Contact: hans@hansgoldstein.com · 213-414-2808

General education, not tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on your facts and on current law, which can change. Talk to your CPA or estate attorney. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Guarantees apply only to the contractual terms of the policy. Caps, participation rates, loan rates, charges and dividends are not guaranteed and can change. Hans is paid a commission by the insurer if you buy a policy through him. For life insurance, ask and he will tell you what he earns on your specific policy. Product and company names are trademarks of their owners. Goldstein Insurance Services is an independent agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by any insurer named here. Life insurance requires underwriting; not everyone qualifies. This page describes products in general terms; read the policy and the insurer's disclosures before you buy.