Lincoln Financial Group's story begins over a century ago, in 1905, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A group of business leaders, led by Arthur F. Hall, came together with a vision to create a life insurance company built on the bedrock principles of dependability, honesty, and service. To embody these values, they sought and received permission from Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's son, to use the revered president's name and likeness, thus founding The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. This deliberate association with Abraham Lincoln was intended to project an image of trustworthiness, a quality often sought in the insurance industry of that era.
The early years were marked by steady growth, even through challenging times. Remarkably, Lincoln National Life Insurance Company was one of only 11 insurers founded in 1905 to survive the Great Depression, a testament to its foundational stability and prudent management. During this period, the company not only weathered the economic storm without layoffs but also reached the significant milestone of $1 billion of insurance in-force. Over the decades, the company expanded its offerings and reach. In 1968, Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) was formed as a holding company. A significant branding evolution occurred in 1998 when Lincoln National Corporation introduced 'Lincoln Financial Group' as its marketing name to better reflect its broader identity as a comprehensive financial services organization. This period also saw strategic shifts, including moving its headquarters from Fort Wayne to Philadelphia in 1999, and later to Radnor, Pennsylvania, in 2007, to be closer to major financial hubs. Throughout its history, Lincoln Financial Group has made strategic acquisitions and divestitures to sharpen its focus on core business areas: life insurance, annuities, retirement plan services, and group protection. Today, Lincoln Financial Group stands as a Fortune 200 company, serving millions of customers and continuing its legacy of helping people achieve financial security and confidence in their future.