National Life Grouphas improved its environmental conservation efforts in several key areas, as well as invested more heavily in the communities it serves, according to its newly released2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Report.Through greater efficiency and increased production of its own power, the company has driven down its electricity use per employee over the past four years. This spring, construction began on a new 500 kilowatt solar energy field. A biomass heating plant continues to decrease total emissions to 1,366 tons in 2013 from 4,078 in 2010.The company has also increased its recycling and continues to successfully encourage the use of alternate transportation.
“Sustainability is part of our DNA,” said Mehran Assadi, president and CEO. “Our business requires us to focus on the future, to think long term. We don’t make widgets or cars or computers. We make promises. Our job is to deliver on those commitments 10, 20 or 50 years down the road.”
National Life Group has also invested in the community, granting $500,000 to nonprofits last year through itscharitable foundation; giving employees 40 hours per year of paid time to volunteer at area nonprofits; and through its Community Giving Campaign in which employees can donate to nonprofits of their choice through payroll deduction.
The company also sponsored the inaugural Do Good Fest this year, a daylong music festival that attracted 1,500 people and raised nearly $11,000 for Branches of Hope, the cancer patient fund at Central Vermont Medical Center’s National Life Cancer Treatment Center.
The companies of National Life Group offer a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, and investments, and financial solutions in the form of estate, business succession and retirement planning strategies. They are a leading provider of 403(b)and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans,primarily in theK-12 school marketplace.
National Life Group® is a trade name of National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, Vt., Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Addison, Texas, and their affiliates. Each company of National Life Group is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. Life Insurance Company of the Southwest is not an authorized insurer in New York and does not conduct insurance business in New York. Equity Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, is a Broker/Dealer and Registered Investment Adviser affiliate of National Life Insurance Company. All other entities are independent ofEquity Services, Inc.