Thrivent Life Insurance Review: 2026 Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

Thrivent Life Insurance Affordability

When it comes to life insurance pricing, Thrivent positions itself competitively within the life insurance market. Their term life rates fall into the second-most-affordable category according to independent analysis, making them a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who meet their membership criteria.

For term policies, a 35-year-old healthy woman could expect to pay somewhere in the competitive range for a $500,000, 20-year policy. Permanent life insurance costs vary significantly based on the product type and your individual circumstances. Still, Thrivent’s participating whole life policies offer the potential for dividends that can offset expenses over time. In 2025, the company distributed $564 million in dividends and policy benefits to eligible members, the highest annual payout in its history.

Thrivent doesn’t heavily advertise specific discount programs, so you’ll need to work with one of their financial advisors to understand what pricing options might apply to your situation. Payment frequency can affect your overall costs, as policies billed monthly or quarterly typically carry additional fees compared to annual payments.

Available riders include the waiver of premium for disability (which pauses your payments if you become unable to work), the accelerated death benefit for terminal illness (included at no extra cost), and various conversion options. The extended term conversion rider costs extra but lets you convert to permanent coverage without medical underwriting any time before age 70.

Their underwriting approach offers some flexibility. If you’re between 18 and 60 and seeking term coverage between $100,000 and $3 million, you may qualify without a complete medical exam, though you’ll still need to complete a health declaration form.

Thrivent Life Insurance Coverage Options

Thrivent offers a respectable menu of life insurance products covering both temporary and permanent needs.

Term life insurance comes in four durations: 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. Coverage amounts range from $100,000 up to $2 million, with level premiums guaranteed throughout your selected term. If your coverage needs extend beyond your initial term, renewable options allow you to continue coverage without requalifying medically, though premiums will increase annually.

Permanent life insurance options include several flavors. Their traditional whole-life product offers flexible payment options. You can pay level premiums until age 95, accelerate payments over a shorter period, such as 10 years, or pay a single lump sum. Cash value grows at a guaranteed rate, and participating policyholders may earn dividends. Minimum coverage starts at $10,000 or $100,000, depending on your risk classification.

Universal life offers greater flexibility, allowing you to adjust premium payments and death benefits as circumstances change. Coverage amounts start at $50,000 for adults, with age eligibility extending up to 75 or 85, depending on the specific product.

For those wanting investment exposure, variable universal life insurance allows you to direct cash value into stocks, bonds, and money market funds. This product offers a higher risk but greater growth potential, with minimum coverage of $100,000.

Conversion privileges are a standout feature. Basic term conversion lets you switch to permanent coverage within the first five years with no underwriting. The extended conversion option (available for an additional premium) expands this window until age 70 or term expiration, whichever comes first. You can convert some or all of your death benefit, giving you flexibility as your needs evolve.

The accelerated death benefit rider comes standard on all policies, providing access to a portion of your death benefit if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness with 24 months or less to live. An administrative fee of up to $150 applies when exercising this benefit.

Thrivent Life Insurance Reliability

When evaluating whether an insurance company will actually be there to pay claims decades from now, financial strength ratings matter enormously. Thrivent excels here.

AM Best assigns them an A++ rating with a stable outlook, the highest possible grade in their 13 rating categories. This superior designation, reaffirmed in August 2024, reflects their balance sheet strength, operating performance, and risk management practices. Moody’s rates them Aa2 with a stable outlook, the third-highest of 21 categories, citing strong capitalization and stable cash flows. S&P Global assigns them AA+, the second-highest rating in their 20 rating categories, as of their March 2024 assessment.

The company has operated continuously since 1902, giving it over 120 years of experience navigating economic cycles, market crashes, and global crises. They’ve merged, evolved, and expanded while maintaining their financial stability throughout.

Their complaint ratio with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is impressively low at 0.02. To put that in perspective, the industry baseline is 1.0, meaning Thrivent receives a tiny fraction of the complaints expected for a company of its size. This metric suggests policyholders generally have positive experiences or at least resolve issues without escalating to regulators.

With $194 billion in assets under management as of December 2024 and $228 billion worth of life insurance in force, Thrivent possesses substantial resources to fulfill its obligations. They paid out $1.9 billion in life and health insurance claims in 2024 alone.

Thrivent Life Insurance Customer Service

Reaching Thrivent works through traditional channels rather than cutting-edge digital options. Their customer service phone line operates weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm Central Time at 800-847-4836. For claims specifically, you can call 920-628-6312 or submit requests through their website.

On the digital front, Thrivent offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. User reviews present a mixed picture. Some appreciate the ability to view accounts, make payments, and track investments from their phones. Others express frustration with login issues, particularly around biometric authentication and the requirement for frequent reauthentication. The app doesn’t offer full website functionality, and Thrivent acknowledges it’s still adding features.

Their website has been updated, but some tasks can feel clunky. Getting term life quotes online is possible, though finding the quote function requires some digging. You’ll find it labeled as a “free calculator tool” rather than a quote function. For permanent life insurance, everything routes through financial advisors, which some appreciate for the personal guidance, and others find inconvenient.

Live chat isn’t available, which puts them behind more digitally-oriented competitors. Email contact works through fillable forms on their website. Response times vary based on complexity.

The Better Business Bureau gives Thrivent an A+ rating and accreditation, indicating that it meets BBB standards for trustworthiness and responds appropriately to customer issues. However, browsing actual customer complaints reveals recurring themes of delays in processing beneficiary claims and challenges in navigating complex situations, such as divorce settlements or long-term care claims.

Trustpilot shows only 11 reviews, a too-small sample for meaningful analysis. Yelp lists 52 reviews for their Minneapolis headquarters with a mix of positive and negative experiences. Reddit discussions about Thrivent tend to be neutral, with users noting reasonable pricing for those who meet their membership criteria.

Thrivent doesn’t appear in J.D. Power’s published life insurance rankings, which include only the largest providers by market share. While Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with significant assets, it doesn’t crack the top 25 by premium volume.

Thrivent Life Insurance Claims Process

Filing a life insurance claim with Thrivent starts by reporting the death of a loved one through their online form or by calling 920-628-6312. The company states it will contact beneficiaries of record within 10 business days of notification.

For claims up to $500,000, a certified death certificate is sufficient. Claims exceeding $500,000 require an original certified death certificate mailed to their Appleton, Wisconsin office. Documents can be faxed to 800-225-2264 for smaller claims.

Thrivent promises to make the process “supportive, simple, and swift.” Their claims page offers condolence resources and grief support alongside the practical paperwork. Beneficiaries work with claim coordinators who walk through eligibility, documentation requirements, and payout options.

Speaking of payouts, beneficiaries have options beyond the standard lump-sum payout. Options include periodic payments (monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually), life-income arrangements that provide payments for the beneficiary’s entire lifetime, and retained-asset accounts that hold funds and accrue interest until the beneficiaries decide. There’s no pressure to choose immediately.

Some claims require additional investigation. Policies in force for less than two years, those with accidental death riders, or deaths involving unusual circumstances, may trigger supplementary paperwork. Beneficiaries might need to provide information about the insured’s medical history and physician contacts.

Customer reviews of claims experiences vary considerably. Some beneficiaries report smooth, compassionate handling during difficult times. Others describe frustrating delays, repeated requests for documentation, and difficulty resolving disputed claims. Long-term care claims, in particular, seem to generate more friction than life insurance death benefits.

Thrivent provides 24/7 online claims reporting for life insurance products, making it convenient to initiate the process at any time.

Thrivent Life Insurance Application Process

Getting coverage from Thrivent starts with meeting their membership requirement. Applicants must attest to their Christian faith (or to being the spouse of a Christian) by providing a simple affirmation on the application. No proof of church membership or attendance is required.

For term life insurance, you can begin the quote process online through their calculator tool. After answering about half a dozen questions covering your state, height, weight, nicotine use, income, and birthdate, Thrivent suggests coverage amounts and term lengths. However, completing the application requires speaking with a financial advisor, either by phone at 855-300-7926 or by scheduling an appointment.

Permanent life insurance applications go exclusively through financial advisors from the start. You can search for local representatives on Thrivent’s website by entering your ZIP code.

Medical underwriting varies by product and coverage amount. For term policies between $100,000 and $3 million, applicants ages 18-60 may qualify without a full medical exam, though they must complete a Declaration of Insurability form. Some applications trigger a paramed exam lasting 20-50 minutes. New York residents must complete paramed exams regardless. Permanent insurance typically involves a more thorough medical evaluation.

Thrivent offers multiple risk classifications. All applicants receive underwriting review and placement in the most appropriate category for which they qualify. Their underwriters have earned a good reputation among independent agents for being willing to discuss cases and, at times, improve initial offers.

One quirk worth noting: upon approval, Thrivent requires payment and a statement of good health before officially issuing the policy. This differs from many competitors who issue first and collect payment after. You do get a 30-day free look period to return the policy for a full refund if you change your mind.

Digital conveniences are limited. Thrivent accepts electronic applications but doesn’t offer electronic policy delivery or accept DocuSign. Expect physical documents in the mail.

Once you’re a policyholder, you can manage your online account through the My Thrivent portal to make bill payments, update personal information, and view your policy.

Pros & Cons of Thrivent Life Insurance

Weighing whether Thrivent fits your needs requires considering both its genuine advantages and fundamental limitations.

Pros

• Their financial strength stands out immediately. An A++ from AM Best and comparable top-tier ratings from Moody’s and S&P provide about as much security as you’ll find in the insurance industry. You can feel confident they’ll exist and pay claims decades from now.
• The complaint ratio of 0.02 suggests most customers have positive experiences. When problems arise, Thrivent resolves them more successfully than average insurers without regulatory intervention.
• The dividend potential of participating policies offers meaningful value. Their 2025 payout of $564 million demonstrates they actually distribute profits back to members rather than just promising to do so.
• The fraternal benefits structure creates unique perks. Choice Dollars let you direct charitable funds to organizations you support, Thrivent Action Teams provide seed money for community projects, and membership connects you with like-minded people.
• Competitive term rates make them worth quoting for Christians shopping for temporary coverage, and their liberal underwriting guidelines, especially for applicants ages 61-75 or those carrying extra weight, may yield better outcomes than stricter carriers.

Cons

• The Christian affiliation requirement immediately disqualifies a large portion of the population. Non-religious buyers and those of other faiths simply cannot access their products.
• Website transparency falls short of modern expectations. Finding quote information requires hunting, permanent coverage involves phone calls, and online tools don’t match competitors’ polish.
• The advisor-dependent model frustrates self-directed buyers who prefer researching and purchasing independently. Every meaningful transaction routes through a representative.
• Customer reviews reveal inconsistent experiences, particularly in complex situations such as beneficiary disputes, long-term care claims, and divorce-related matters.
• Digital capabilities lag behind industry leaders. No live chat, limited app functionality, and paper-based policy delivery feel dated.

Our Verdict & Rating for Thrivent

Thrivent occupies an interesting niche in the life insurance landscape. They combine exceptional financial stability with a values-driven approach that resonates deeply with their target audience. For Christians seeking life insurance from an organization that shares their faith perspective and returns profits to members rather than shareholders, Thrivent presents a compelling option.

Their rock-solid ratings from AM Best, Moody’s, and S&P should reassure anyone concerned about company longevity. Insurance is fundamentally about trust, and Thrivent’s 120-plus-year track record and minimal complaint ratio suggest they’ve earned it from most policyholders. The dividend distributions, totaling more than half a billion dollars in 2025, demonstrate that the member-owned structure delivers tangible benefits.

That said, Thrivent won’t suit everyone. The membership requirement creates an obvious barrier, and even qualifying Christians may find the advisor-centric model inconvenient compared to fully digital competitors. Their product selection is solid but not exceptional, and the website experience could improve significantly.

Who Should Consider This Company

Christians seeking alignment between their financial decisions and faith will find a natural fit here. If participating in charitable giving programs and community service initiatives appeals to you, Thrivent offers opportunities that most insurers don’t. People prioritizing financial stability over flashy apps or minimal human interaction should give them serious consideration. Those who need permanent life insurance and appreciate working with a dedicated advisor may prefer this model. Applicants who face challenges with stricter underwriters, particularly older adults or those with higher body weight, may find more favorable treatment here.

Who Should Consider Another Provider

Non-Christians are automatically excluded. Consider a plaform like Ethos life insurance for online quotes.  Buyers who strongly prefer self-service digital experiences will find Thrivent frustrating. Those seeking the absolute lowest premiums should comparison shop, as Thrivent’s term rates are competitive but not always the cheapest. Anyone wanting guaranteed issue or simplified issue products without health questions should look elsewhere, as Thrivent requires underwriting. People who’ve had negative experiences with advisor-based insurance purchasing may want to consider direct carriers, like Corebridge.

Methodology

We evaluated Thrivent using weighted criteria that reflect what matters most to life insurance buyers.

Category Weights:

• Financial Stability: 20%
• Coverage Options: 10%
• Affordability: 30%
• Claims Process: 20%
• Customer Service: 20%