NML VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C (Network Edition)
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Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2025
Registration No. 333-133381
Registration No. 811-21886
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933
//
Pre-Effective Amendment No.  
//
Post-Effective Amendment No. 23
/ X /
and/or
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT
COMPANY ACT OF 1940
//
Amendment No. 46
/ X /
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
 
NML Variable Annuity Account C
(Exact Name of Registered Separate Account)
THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Name of Insurance Company)
720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202
(Address of Insurance Company’s Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Insurance Company’s Telephone Number, including Area Code
414-271-1444
Raymond J. Manista, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Public Affairs Officer
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Wade C. DeArmond
Assistant General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary

720 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4797
(414) 665-6725 office
(414) 625-6725 fax
wadedearmond@northwesternmutual.com
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering
Continuous
It is proposed that this filing will become effective: (check appropriate space)
 
 
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
x
 
 
on May 1, 2025 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
 
 
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
 
 
on _________________pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”)
If appropriate, check the following space:
 
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Check each space that appropriately characterizes the Registrant:
 
New Registrant (as applicable, a Registered Separate Account or Insurance Company that has not filed a Securities Act registration
statement or amendment thereto within 3 years preceding this filing)
 
 
Emerging Growth Company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”))
 
If an Emerging Growth Company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act
 
X
Insurance Company relying on Rule 12h-7 under the Exchange Act
 
Smaller reporting company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act)
Title of Securities Being Registered: Interests in Individual Flexible Payment Variable Annuity Contracts offered without sales charge.

Individual Flexible Payment Variable Annuity (Network Edition)
Issued by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and NML Variable Annuity Account C
Prospectus May 1, 2025
This prospectus describes an individual flexible payment deferred variable annuity contract (“Contract”) offered for use in non tax-qualified situations to purchasers who are either current or retired registered representatives of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, principal underwriter and distributor of the Contract, or certain other eligible persons. The Contract provides for accumulation of Contract Value on a variable basis and a payment of annuity benefits on a fixed or variable basis. Net Purchase Payments may be invested, pursuant to the Contract, in the following variable investment options:
Investment Options
Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.
- Growth Stock Portfolio
- Focused Appreciation Portfolio
- Large Cap Core Stock Portfolio
- Large Cap Blend Portfolio
- Index 500 Stock Portfolio
- Large Company Value Portfolio
- Domestic Equity Portfolio
- Equity Income Portfolio
- Mid Cap Growth Stock Portfolio
- Index 400 Stock Portfolio
- Mid Cap Value Portfolio
- Small Cap Growth Stock Portfolio
- Index 600 Stock Portfolio
- Small Cap Value Portfolio
- International Growth Portfolio
- Research International Core Portfolio
- International Equity Portfolio
- Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
- Government Money Market Portfolio
- Short-Term Bond Portfolio
- Select Bond Portfolio
- Long-Term U.S. Government Bond Portfolio
- Inflation Managed Portfolio (“Inflation Protection Portfolio”
until 9/30/25)
- High Yield Bond Portfolio
- Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio
- Active/Passive Balanced Portfolio (“Balanced Portfolio”
until 06/30/2025)
- Active/Passive Moderate Portfolio (“Asset Allocation Portfolio”
until 06/30/2025)
Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products
- VIP Mid Cap Portfolio
- VIP Contrafund® Portfolio
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
- Sustainable Equity Portfolio
Russell Investment Funds
- U.S. Strategic Equity Fund
- U.S. Small Cap Equity Fund
- Global Real Estate Securities Fund
- International Developed Markets Fund
- Strategic Bond Fund
Russell Investment Funds LifePoints® Variable Target Portfolio Series
- Moderate Strategy Fund
- Balanced Strategy Fund
- Aggressive Strategy Fund
- Equity Aggressive Strategy Fund
Credit Suisse Trust
- Commodity Return Strategy Portfolio
The Contract and the investment options are not guaranteed to achieve their goals, are not bank deposits, are not federally insured, and are not endorsed by any bank or government agency. You could lose the money you invest in this Contract. All contractual guarantees are contingent upon the claims-paying ability of the Company. Some terms of the Contract may differ from the terms of the Contract delivered in another state because of state specific legal requirements but all material state variations are described in Appendix B.
Please read carefully this prospectus or any accompanying prospectuses for the variable options and keep them for future reference. These prospectuses provide information that you should know before investing in the Contract. No person is authorized to make any representation in connection with the offering of the Contract other than those contained in these prospectuses.
You may cancel your Contract within 10 days of receiving it without paying fees or penalties.
In some states, this cancellation period may be longer. Depending on your state of issue, upon cancellation you will receive either the full amount of your Purchase Payment(s) or your Contract Value. You should review the prospectus, or consult with your financial representative, for additional information about the specific cancellation terms that apply
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The Contract may not be available in all states and is only offered where it can be lawfully sold. Our Distributor may limit sales of the Contract to certain government entities and government entity plans. Additional information about certain investment products, including variable annuity contracts, has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission's staff and is available at www.Investor.gov.

Table of Contents
 
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32

Glossary of Special Terms
Unless otherwise specified in this prospectus, the words “Northwestern Mutual,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company” mean The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. The words “you” and “your,” unless otherwise specified, mean the Contract Owner. We use a number of special terms in this prospectus, including the following:
Accumulation UnitAn accounting unit of measure representing the Contract Value, before the date on which Annuity Payments begin, in one or more Divisions of the Separate Account. The related term “Accumulation Unit Value” (“AUV”) means the value of a particular Accumulation Unit at a particular time and is analogous to, but not the same as, the share price of a mutual fund.
AnnuitantThe person upon whose life the Contract is issued and Contract benefits depend. The Primary Annuitant is the person upon whose life the Contract is initially issued. The Contingent Annuitant is the person who becomes the Annuitant upon the death of the Primary Annuitant. If the Contract is annuitized under a single life income plan, there will be one Annuitant. If the Contract is annuitized under a joint life income plan, there will be two Joint Annuitants.
Annuity PaymentsMoney we pay under a variable income plan or a fixed income plan during the annuitization phase of the Contract.
Annuity UnitAn accounting unit of measure representing the actuarial value of a variable income plan’s interest in a Division of the Separate Account after Annuity Payments begin.
BeneficiaryA person who receives payments under the Contract pursuant to an Income Plan or upon the death of the Annuitant before the Maturity Date provided that the Annuitant was an Owner of the Contract at the time of death.
Company—The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
ContractThe agreement between you and us described in this variable annuity prospectus. During the accumulation period of the Contract, you may invest money under your Contract and any earnings on your investment will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. During the annuitization period, you receive periodic payments based largely on the amounts you accumulate, all or a portion of which will be taxable as ordinary income.
Contract Value—The value of your Contract on any Valuation Date is the sum of all your amounts held in the Divisions of the Separate Account on that Valuation Date.
DivisionA sub-account of the Separate Account, the assets of which are invested exclusively in the shares of one of the Portfolios of the underlying Funds.
FundA Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company or as a unit investment trust, or is not required to be registered under the 1940 Act. A Fund is available as an investment option under the Contract. The assets of each of the Divisions of the Separate Account are used to purchase shares of the corresponding Portfolio of a Fund.
General AccountAll assets of the Company, other than those held in the Separate Account or in other separate accounts that have been or may be established by the Company.
Income PlanAn optional method of receiving the death benefit, maturity benefit, surrender proceeds or withdrawal proceeds of an insurance policy or annuity contract generally through a series of periodic payments. An Income Plan may also be known as a “payment plan.”
Maturity DateThe date, stated on the specifications page of the Contract, on which Purchase Payments must cease and Annuity Payments become payable. The maximum Maturity Date is stated on the specifications page of the Contract and may not be changed.
Northwestern Mutual—The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
OwnerThe person with the sole right to exercise all rights and privileges under the Contract, except as the Contract otherwise provides.
PortfolioA series of a Fund available for investment under the Contract which corresponds to a particular Division of the Separate Account.
Prospectus— The full statutory prospectus for the Contract.
Purchase PaymentsMoney you give us to apply to your Contract. The related term “Net Purchase Payment” refers to Purchase Payments after all applicable deductions.
Required Minimum Distribution ("RMD") A minimum amount that the federal tax law generally requires be withdrawn from certain tax-qualified annuities each year.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
1

Separate AccountThe account the Company has established pursuant to Wisconsin law for those assets that, although belonging to the Company, are reserved for you and other owners of variable annuity contracts supported by the Separate Account.
Summary Prospectus—The summary version of the Contract, which summarizes key information found in the Prospectus for the Contract.
Valuation DateAny day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading and any other day we are required under the 1940 Act to value assets of a Division of the Separate Account.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
2

Important Information You Should Consider About the Contract
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
Cross-Reference(s)
to Location in
Prospectus
Charges for Early
Withdrawal
If you withdraw amounts or surrender your Contract, you will not be assessed a
surrender charge.
Fee and Expense
Tables – Contract
Fees and Expenses
Transaction Charges
You may be charged for transactions, such as tax-related charges, as well as
charges for expedited delivery or wire transfers.
Charges
Ongoing Fees and
Expenses
(annual charges)
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay each year,
depending on the options you choose. Please refer to your Contract
specifications page for information about the specific fees you will pay each
year based on the options you have elected.
Fee and Expense
Tables – Contract
Fees and Expenses,
Range of Annual
Portfolio Operating
Expenses, and
Examples
Annual Fee
Minimum
Maximum
Base Contract
0.30%1
0.75%1
Investment Options
(Portfolio company
fees and expenses)
0.21%2
2.73%2
Optional Benefits Available
for an Additional Charge (for single optional
benefit if elected)
0.10%3
0.40%3
1 As a percentage of Separate Account assets.
2 As a percentage of Portfolio assets.
3 As a percentage of the entire benefit.
 
Because your Contract is customizable, the choices you make affect how much
you will pay. To help you understand the cost of owning your Contract, the
following table shows the lowest and highest cost you could pay each year,
based on current charges. This estimate assumes that you do not take
withdrawals from the Contract, which could add surrender charges that
substantially increase costs. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower
than those shown below, based on these assumptions, your costs would be as
follows:
 
LOWEST ANNUAL COST
$5101
HIGHEST ANNUAL COST
$3,9531
Assumes:
Investment of $100,000
5% annual appreciation
Least expensive combination of Contract
Classes and Portfolio fees and expenses
No optional benefits
No sales charges
No additional Purchase Payments,
transfers or withdrawals
Assumes:
Investment of $100,000
5% annual appreciation
Most expensive combination
of Contract Classes and
Portfolio fees and expenses
No sales charges
No additional Purchase
Payments, transfers or
withdrawals
1 The lowest and highest dollar amount of fees that would be assessed, based
on the assumptions described in the tabular presentation above, for each of
the first 10 Contract years.
 
RISKS
 
Risk of Loss
You can lose money by investing in the Contract.
The Investment
Options
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
3

 
RISKS
Cross-Reference(s)
to Location in
Prospectus
Not a Short-Term
Investment
The Contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for you if
you need ready access to cash. It is intended for retirement and long-term
savings. Your Contract Value will be reduced if you withdraw money and
withdrawals may be subject to income taxes and penalties or other unfavorable
treatment.
The Contract –
Generally
Risks Associated
with Investment
Options
Investment in the Contract is subject to the risk of poor investment
performance and can vary depending on the performance of the investment
options (Portfolios) you choose. Each Portfolio will have its own unique risks.
You should review these investment options Portfolios before making an
investment decision.
 
The Investment
Options
Insurance Company
Risks
Investment in the Contract is subject to the risks related to the depositor
(Northwestern Mutual), and any obligations, guarantees, or benefits are
subject to the claims-paying ability of Northwestern Mutual. More information
about Northwestern Mutual, including its financial strength ratings, is available
upon request by calling (888) 455-2232.
The Company
 
RESTRICTIONS
 
Investments
Transfers among Divisions are subject to the Contract’s short-term and
excessive trading policies.
Under certain circumstances Northwestern Mutual reserves the right to
remove a Portfolio or substitute another Portfolio for such Portfolio.
The Investment
Options (Short Term
and Excessive
Trading)
Contract Owner
Services
(Substitution of
Portfolio Shares and
Other Changes)
Optional Benefits
Optional benefits may be subject to additional charges that may vary by issue
age, are not available for all issue ages, must be elected at issue and cannot be
added once it is removed or expires.
The Contract –
Death Benefit
(Enhanced Death
Benefit Examples)
 
TAXES
 
Tax Implications
You should consult with a tax professional to determine the tax implications of
an investment in, and payments received under, the Contract. There is no
additional tax benefit if the Contract is purchased through a tax-qualified plan
or individual retirement account (IRA). Withdrawals (and some distributions)
will generally be subject to ordinary income tax rates, and may be subject to
penalties.
Federal Income
Taxes
Overview of the Contract
The Contract is an individual flexible payment variable annuity contract, the purpose of which is primarily to provide for the accumulation of value through variable or fixed investment options, through allocations to a variety of Portfolios and/or fixed account options, and payment of annuity benefits on a fixed or variable basis. The Contract is not intended for short-term investment and is therefore not appropriate for people who may need to make early or frequent withdrawals or who intend to engage in frequent trading.
During the years when funds are being paid into your Contract, known as the accumulation (savings) phase, the earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. The annuitization (income) period begins when you start receiving a stream of periodic Annuity Payments under your Contract that begin on the date you select, and all or a portion of such payments will be taxed as ordinary income. Once you annuitize your Contract, your withdrawal rights will depend on the Income Plan selected. The amount you accumulate under your Contract, including the results of investment performance of your Divisions and interest earned under the fixed options will determine the amount of your monthly Annuity Payments. Additional information about the Portfolios in which the Divisions invest is provided in the Appendix (see “Appendix A: Portfolios Available Under Your Contract).
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
4

Below are other features and options that the Contract offers.
Accessing your money. During the accumulation phase, you may make a withdrawal of your Contract Value or surrender the Contract by submitting a request in writing or by telephone, subject to our administrative procedures. All withdrawals are subject to the limitations described in the prospectus. Withdrawal rights during the annuitization period will depend on the variable income plan selected.
Tax treatment. You may transfer Contract Value among the Divisions without tax implications, and earnings (if any) on your investments are generally tax-deferred. You are taxed only when (1) you make a withdrawal or surrender; (2) you receive an Annuity Payments under the Contract; or (3) upon payment of the death benefit.
Standard Death Benefit. Your Contract includes a death benefit that will pay your designated beneficiaries (1) the Contract Value if an Annuitant dies before the Contract Maturity Date and on or after his or her 75th birthday, or (2) the greater of the Contract Value or Purchase Payments less any adjustment for each withdrawal if an Annuitant dies before the Contract Maturity Date and before his or her 75th birthday. If an Annuitant dies after the Contract Maturity Date or any time after Annuity Payments begin, no death benefit is payable. The Contract has an Enhanced Death Benefit option available for an additional charge.
Additional Features and Services. We make certain additional services available under the Contract at no additional charge:
The Automatic Dollar Cost Averaging Plan allows you to transfer a set amount from the Government Money Market Division to other Divisions on a regular schedule. The Portfolio Rebalancing feature automatically rebalances your Contract Value among your selected Divisions in order to restore your allocation to the original level. You may participate only in one of the Automatic Dollar Cost Averaging Plan and Portfolio Rebalancing feature at a time. We do not charge for participation in these features.
The Systematic Withdrawal Plan allows you to set up automatic monthly withdrawals from your Contract Value. We will take any withdrawal under this plan proportionally from your Contract Value in your selected investment options or the investment options you designate subject to certain conditions. We do not charge for participation in this feature.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
5

Fee and Expense Tables
Contract Fees and Expenses
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you will pay when buying, owning, and surrendering the Contract. Please refer to your Contract specifications page for information about the specific fees you will pay each year based on the options you have selected.
The first table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay at the time that you buy the Contract, surrender, or make withdrawals from the Contract, or transfer Contract Value between investment options. These tables do not include any charge for state premium tax deductions, which we do not charge for at present, but we reserve the right to do so.
Transaction Expenses
Maximum
Fee
Current
Fee
Sales Load (as a percentage
N/A
N/A
Maximum Withdrawal Charge for Sales Expenses
N/A
N/A
Transfer Fee
N/A
N/A
Expedited Delivery Charges1
$17
$17
Wire Transfer Fee2
$15
$15
The next table describes the fees and expenses that you will pay each year during the time that you own the Contract (not including Portfolio company fees and expenses).
If you choose to purchase an optional benefit, you will pay additional charges as shown below.
Annual Contract Expenses
Maximum
Fee
Current
Fee
Administrative Expenses3
$30
$30
Base Contract Expenses (as a percentage of Separate Account assets)4
0.75
%
0.30
%
Optional Enhanced Death Benefit Expenses (as a percentage of the entire benefit)5
0.40
%
0.10
%

1
For express mail delivery with signature required; the express mail delivery charge without signature is $15.
2
We also charge $15 for wire transfers in connection with withdrawals.
3
We are currently waiving the Annual Contract Fee if Purchase Payments less withdrawals equal or exceed $25,000. We reserve the right to change this practice in the future. We will give at least 30 days notice.
4
We reserve the right to increase the current base contract charges to a maximum annual rate of 0.75%. The expense numbers shown in the tables reflect the maximum base contract charges. The Contracts may provide for charges for transfers between the Divisions of the Separate Account and for premium taxes, but we are not presently assessing such charges.
5
The maximum charge is for issue age (i.e., the age nearest the primary Annuitant’s birthday at the time the application is approved) 56-65. The charge is 0.10% for issue age 45 or less and 0.20% for issue age 46-55. The “entire” enhanced death benefit on any Valuation Date equals the greatest of (i) the Contract Value on that Valuation Date, (ii) the amount of Purchase Payments made under the Contract (adjusted for any withdrawals), or (iii) the EDB on the most recent Contract anniversary date prior to the primary Annuitant’s 80th birthday, increased by any Purchase Payments we received since that Contract anniversary and decreased by the percentage of Contract Value withdrawn since that Contract anniversary. The EDB is available only at the time the Contract is issued. At the time of issue, the value of the EDB would be equal to the greater of the initial Purchase Payment or the Contract Value.
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
The table below shows the minimum and maximum total operating expenses of the Portfolios that you may pay periodically during the time that you own the Contract. A complete list of the Portfolios available under the Contract, including their annual expenses, may be found at the back of this document (i.e., Appendix A: Portfolios Available Under Your Contract).
 
Minimum
Maximum
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses deducted from Portfolio assets, including management fees,
distribution (12b-1) fees, and other expenses as a percentage of average Portfolio assets)
0.21%
2.73%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Contractual Fee Waiver or Reimbursement*
0.19%
2.68%
*
The “Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Contractual Fee Waiver or Reimbursement” line in the above table shows the minimum and maximum fees and expenses as of December 31, 2024 charged by all of the Portfolios after taking into account contractual fee waiver or reimbursement arrangements in place. Those contractual arrangements are designed to reduce total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses and will continue for at least one year from the date of this prospectus.
For more information about voluntary fee waivers that may be in place, see the “Charges” section.
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Examples1
The following Examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Contract with the cost of investing in other variable annuity contracts. These costs include Contract Owner transaction expenses, annual Contract expenses, and annual Portfolio expenses. Because we impose no charges upon surrender or annuitization, your costs will be the same whether you continue to own, surrender, or annuitize the Contract at the end of the period shown. The Examples assume that you invest $100,000 in the Contract for the time periods indicated and that your investment has a 5% return each year. The Examples reflect the maximum expenses of the underlying Portfolios (as set forth above) as well as the Optional Enhanced Death Benefit Maximum Charge. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower than those shown below, based on these assumptions, your costs would be as follows:
Contract With the Enhanced Death Benefit
 
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
If you surrender your
Contract at the end of the
applicable time period:
$3,863
$11,823
$19,962
$41,115
If you annuitize at the end
of the applicable time
period:
$3,863
$11,823
$19,962
$41,115
If you do not surrender
your Contract:
$3,863
$11,823
$19,962
$41,115
1 The charge for the EDB above was determined by multiplying the maximum EDB percentage charge (40%) by the entire EDB. The EDB amounts assumed for purposes of this example are equal to the Contract Value at each anniversary. Such hypothetical amounts are for illustrative purposes only. The $30 annual Contract fee is reflected as 0.00% based on the annual Contract fees collected divided by the average assets attributable to the Contracts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Please remember that the examples are simply illustrations and do not represent past or future expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown in the examples. Similarly, your rate of return may be more or less than the 5% assumed in the examples.
Principal Risks
Investment Risk You can lose money by investing in the Contract.
The Contract is not a short-term investment and is not appropriate for you if you need ready access to cash. It is intended for retirement and long-term savings and from a tax perspective is generally less attractive if owned by a non-natural person. Your Contract Value will be reduced if you withdraw money and withdrawals may be subject to tax penalties or other unfavorable treatment. Your Contract has also adopted measures to deter short-term trading that may trigger additional restrictions.
Investment in the Contract is subject to the risk of poor investment performance and can vary depending on the performance of the investment options (Portfolios) available under the Contract, and each Portfolio will have its own unique risks. You should review the prospectuses for the Portfolios before making an investment decision.
Insurance Company Risks Investment in the Contract is subject to the risks related to the depositor (Northwestern Mutual), and any obligations , guarantees, or benefits are subject to the claims-paying ability of Northwestern Mutual. More information about Northwestern Mutual, including its financial strength ratings, is available upon request by calling (888) 455-2232.
Cybersecurity & Certain Business Continuity RisksThe Company has administrative, technical and physical safeguards in place with respect to information security, nevertheless, our variable product business is potentially susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from a cyber-attack as it is highly dependent upon the effective operation of our computer systems and those of our business partners. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, denial of service on websites and other operational disruption and unauthorized release of confidential customer information. Cyber-attacks affecting us, the underlying funds, intermediaries and other affiliated or third-party service providers may adversely affect us and your Contract Value. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with our processing of contract transactions, including the processing of orders from our website or with the underlying funds, impact our ability to calculate AUVs, cause the release and possible destruction of confidential customer or business information, impede order processing, subject us and/or our service providers and intermediaries to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. Cybersecurity risks may also impact the issuers of securities in which the underlying funds invest, which may cause the funds underlying your Contract to lose value. The risk of cyber-attacks may be
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higher during periods of geopolitical turmoil (such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the responses by the United States and other governments). There can be no assurance that we or the underlying funds or our service providers will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to cyber-attacks or information security breaches in the future.
Other disruptive events, including (but not limited to) natural or man-made disasters and public health crises or pandemics (such as COVID-19), may also adversely affect our ability to conduct business, including if our employees or the employees of intermediaries or other affiliated or third-party service providers are unable to perform their responsibilities as a result of any such event. Such disruptions to our business operations can interfere with issuance or our processing of transactions (including the processing of orders through our website or with the Portfolios), may interfere with our ability to receive, pick up and process mail and messages, impact our ability to calculate values, or cause other operational or system issues. Furthermore, these disruptions may persist even if our employees or the employees of intermediaries or other affiliate or third-party service providers are able to work remotely. These events may also impact the issuers of securities in which the Portfolios invest, which may cause the Portfolios to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Company, the Portfolios or our service providers will avoid losses affecting your Contract due to a disaster or other catastrophe.
The Company
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, or through its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers insurance products, investment products, and advisory services which are designed to address clients’ needs for financial security and protection, wealth accumulation and distribution, and estate preservation. Organized by a special act of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1857, the Company is licensed to conduct a conventional life insurance business in the District of Columbia and in all states of the United States. The Company’s total assets were over $378 billion as of December 31, 2024. The Home Office of Northwestern Mutual is located at 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
In addition to your fixed account allocations, General Account assets are used to guarantee the payment of the benefits under the Contract, including death benefits. To the extent that we are required to pay you amounts in addition to your Contract Value under these benefits, such amounts will come from General Account assets. Thus, Contract Owners must look to the strength of the Company and its General Account with regard to insurance contract guarantees. You should also be aware that the General Account is exposed to the risks normally associated with the operation of a life insurance company, including insurance pricing, asset liability management and interest rate risk, operational risks, and the investment risks of a portfolio of securities that consists largely, though not exclusively, of fixed-income securities. Some of the risks associated with such a portfolio include interest rate, option, liquidity, and credit risk. The financial statements contained in the Statement of Additional Information include a further discussion of risks inherent within the General Account investments. The assets in the General Account are subject to the claims of the Company’s general creditors.
The Separate Account
We established the NML Variable Annuity Account C (the “Separate Account”) on July 22, 1970 by action of our Board of Trustees in accordance with the provisions of the Wisconsin insurance law. The Separate Account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act.
You may allocate the money you invest under your Contract among the Divisions each of which corresponds to one of the Portfolios of the Funds. The Divisions and Portfolios are described elsewhere in this prospectus. Under Wisconsin law, the investment operations of the Separate Account are kept separate from our other operations. The values for your Contract supported by the Separate Account will not be affected by income, gains, or losses from the rest of our business. The income, gains or losses, realized or unrealized, for the assets we place in the Separate Account for your Contract will determine the value of your Contract benefits supported by the Separate Account, and will not affect the rest of our business. The assets in the Separate Account are reserved for you and other owners of variable annuity contracts, although the assets belong to us and we do not hold the assets as a trustee. While we and our creditors cannot reach the assets of the Separate Account to satisfy other obligations until our obligations under your Contract have been satisfied, all of our assets (except those we hold in certain other separate accounts) are available to satisfy our obligations under your Contract. The obligations under the variable annuity contracts are obligations of the Company as depositor.
When permitted by law and subject to any required regulatory approvals or votes by Contract Owners, we reserve the right to:
Operate the Separate Account or a Division as either a unit investment trust or a management company under the 1940 Act, or in any other form allowed by law, if deemed by the Company to be in the best interest of Contract Owners.
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Invest current and future assets of a Division in securities of another Portfolio as a substitute for shares of a Portfolio (or another share class of an existing Portfolio) already purchased or to be purchased.
Register or deregister the Separate Account under the 1940 Act or change its classification under that Act.
Create new separate accounts.
Combine the Separate Account with any other separate account.
Transfer the assets and liabilities of the Separate Account to another separate account.
Transfer cash from time to time between the Company’s General Account and the Separate Account as deemed necessary or appropriate and consistent with the terms of the Contracts, including but not limited to transfers for the deduction of charges and in support of payment options.
On behalf of the Company, transfer assets of the Separate Account in excess of reserve requirements (only for accrued fees and charges or any seed capital) applicable to Contracts supported by the Separate Account to the Company’s General Account.
Add, delete, or make changes to the securities and other assets that are held or purchased by the Separate Account.
Terminate and/or liquidate the Separate Account.
Restrict or eliminate any voting rights of Contract Owners or other persons who have voting rights as to the Separate Account.
Make any changes to the Separate Account to conform with, or required by any change in, federal tax law, the 1940 Act and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any other applicable federal or state laws.
In the event that we take any of these actions, we may make an appropriate endorsement of your Contract and take other actions to carry out what we have done.
The Investment Options
The Contract makes available a variety of variable investment options. The Company does not endorse or recommend any particular option nor does it provide investment advice. You are responsible for choosing your investment options and the amounts you allocate to each based on your individual situation and your personal savings goals and risk tolerances. After your initial investment decision, you should monitor your investments and periodically review the options you select and the amount allocated to each option to ensure your decisions continue to be appropriate. The amounts invested in the variable options are not guaranteed, and because both your principal and any return on your investment are subject to market risk, you can lose money.
Each Division of the Separate Account represents an investment option and its assets are invested in a corresponding Portfolio that is a series of one of the following mutual fund families: Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.; Fidelity® Variable Insurance Products; Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust; the Russell Investment Funds; and the Credit Suisse Trust. The Separate Account buys shares of the Portfolios at their respective net asset values without sales charge. The Portfolios are available for investment only by separate accounts supporting variable insurance products and are not publicly traded. Their performance can differ substantially from publicly traded mutual funds with similar names. The specific Portfolios available under your Contract may change from time to time, and not all Portfolios in which assets of the Separate Account are invested may be available under your Contract. Your ability to invest in a Portfolio may be affected by the actions of such Portfolio, such as when a Portfolio closes.
You may choose to allocate the Accumulation Value of your Contract among the Divisions of the Separate Account and you may, subject to certain conditions, transfer values from one Division to another. Amounts you allocate among the Divisions may grow in value, decline in value, or grow less than you expect, depending on the investment performance of the corresponding Portfolio.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolios will realize their objectives. You can find more detailed information about the Portfolios, including its (i) name, (ii) investment objective(s), (iii) investment adviser, (iv) current expenses, and (v) performance, in Appendix A to this prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. You can find these documents online at www.nmprospectus.com, by calling (866) 910-1232 or by sending an email request to vavldocrequest@northwesternmutual.com. Note: A summary prospectus for a Portfolio contains information on its first page about how to obtain a copy of the full Portfolio statutory prospectus. You can also visit www.nmprospectus.com to obtain these documents.
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Payments We ReceiveThe Contract makes available both proprietary and non-proprietary Portfolios. The Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc. is a proprietary Fund that has been included in part because it is managed by a subsidiary of the Company. For non-proprietary Portfolios offered through this Contract, we consider during the selection process whether the Portfolio’s investment adviser or an affiliate will make payments to us or our affiliates. Other factors we consider during the selection process include asset class coverage, management style, sector coverage, the strength of the investment adviser’s or sub-advisers’ reputation and tenure, brand recognition, performance, and the capability and qualification of each investment firm. We review the Portfolios periodically and may remove a Portfolio or limit its availability to new premiums and/or transfers of Contract Value if we determine that the Portfolio no longer meets one or more of the selection criteria, and/or if the Portfolio has not attracted significant allocations from Owners.
We do not provide any investment advice and do not recommend or endorse any particular Portfolio. You bear the risk of any decline in the Contract Value of your Contract resulting from the performance of the Portfolio you have chosen.
Owners, through their indirect investment in the Portfolios, bear the costs of the investment advisory or management fees that the Portfolios pay to their respective investment advisors (see the Portfolios’ prospectuses for more information). As described above, an investment adviser of a Portfolio, or its affiliates, may make payments to the Company and/or certain of our affiliates. However, the amount of such payments is not determinative as to whether a Portfolio is offered through the Contract. These payments may be derived, in whole or in part, from the advisory fee deducted from Portfolio assets. The amount of the compensation is based on a percentage of assets of the Portfolios attributable to the Contracts and certain other variable insurance products that the Company issues. The percentages differ and some investment advisers (or other affiliates) may pay more than others. The percentages currently range up to 0.20%. These payments are made for various purposes, including payment of services incurred by the Company and/or its affiliates in promoting and marketing the Contracts and Portfolios. The Company and its affiliates may profit from these payments.
While not currently the case, certain Portfolios available under the Contract may adopt a Distribution (and/or Shareholder Servicing) Plan under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, which is described in more detail in the Portfolios’ prospectuses. These payments, which may be up to 0.25%, would be deducted from assets of the Portfolios and are paid to our distributor, Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC. These payments would decrease such Portfolio’s investment return. We consider receipt of these payments when deciding whether to offer a Portfolio.
Additionally, an investment adviser of a Portfolio or its affiliates may provide the Company with wholesaling services that assist in the distribution of the Contracts and may pay the Company and/or certain of our affiliates amounts to participate in sales meetings. These amounts may be significant and may provide the investment adviser (or its affiliate) with increased access to persons involved in the distribution of the Contracts.
Transfers Between DivisionsThe short term and excessive trading limitations described below and any frequent trading policies adopted by the Funds that are described in their prospectuses, you may change the allocation of Purchase Payments among the Divisions and transfer values from one Division to another both before and after Annuity Payments begin. In order to take full advantage of these features you should carefully consider, on a continuing basis, which investment options are best suited to your long-term investment needs. See “Owner Inquiries and Instructions” for more information on how you may change the allocation of Accumulation or Annuity Units among the Divisions.
We will make the transfer based upon the next valuation of Accumulation or Annuity Units in the affected Divisions after our receipt of your request for transfer at our Home Office, provided it is in good order. If we receive your request for transfer before the close of trading on the NYSE (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), your request will receive same-day pricing. If we receive your request for transfer on or after the close of trading on the NYSE, we will process the order using the value of the units in the Divisions determined at the close of the next regular trading session of the NYSE. We will adjust the number of such units to be credited to reflect the respective value of the units in each of the Divisions. The minimum amount of Accumulation Units which may be transferred is the lesser of $100 or the entire value of the Accumulation Units in the Division from which the transfer is being made. There is no minimum transfer amount for Annuity Units.
Short Term and Excessive TradingShort term and excessive trading (sometimes referred to as “market timing”) may present risks to a Portfolio’s long-term investors such as Owners and other persons who may have material rights under the Contract (e.g., beneficiaries) because it can, among other things, disrupt Portfolio investment strategies, increase Portfolio transaction and administrative costs, require higher than normal levels of cash reserves to fund unusually large or unexpected redemptions, and adversely affect investment performance. These risks may be greater for Portfolios that invest in securities that may be more vulnerable to arbitrage trading including foreign securities and thinly traded securities, such as small cap stocks and non-investment grade bonds. These types of trading activities also may dilute the value of long-term investors’ interests in a Portfolio if it calculates its net asset value using closing prices that are no longer accurate. Accordingly, we discourage market timing activities.
To deter short term and excessive trading, we have adopted and implemented policies and procedures which are designed to control abusive trading practices. We seek to apply these policies and procedures uniformly to all Contract Owners, except to the extent we are prevented from doing so under applicable or federal law or regulations. Any exceptions must be either
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expressly permitted by our policies and procedures or subject to an approval process described in them. We may also be prevented from uniformly applying these policies and procedures under applicable state or federal law or regulation. Because exceptions are permitted, it is possible that investors may be treated differently and, as a result, some may be allowed to engage in trading activity that might be viewed as market timing.
Among the steps we have taken to reduce the frequency and effect of these practices are monitoring trading activity and imposing trading restrictions including the prohibition of more than twelve transfers among Divisions under a single Contract during a Contract year. Multiple transfers with the same effective date made by the same Owner will be counted as a single transfer for purposes of applying the twelve transfer limitation. Further, an investor who is identified as having made a transfer in and out of the same Division, excluding the Government Money Market Division, (“round trip transfer”) in an amount in excess of $10,000 within fourteen calendar days will be restricted from making additional transfers if a total of three round trips are made within that same Contract year or two round trip transfers are made within any subsequent year. The restriction will last until the next Contract anniversary date and the Contract Owner will be sent a letter informing him or her of the restriction. An investor who is identified as having made one round trip transfer within thirty calendar days aggregating more than one percent (1%) of the total assets of the Portfolio underlying a Division, excluding the Government Money Market Division and the Divisions corresponding to the Portfolios of the Russell Investment Funds LifePoints® Variable Target Portfolio Series, will be restricted from making additional transfers if a total of two round trips are made within that same Contract year or one round trip transfer is made within any subsequent year. The restriction will last until the next Contract anniversary date and the Contract Owner will be sent a letter informing him or her of the restriction. Unless we believe your trading behavior to be inconsistent with these short-term and excessive trading policies, these limitations will not apply to automatic asset transfers, scheduled or systematic transactions involving portfolio rebalancing, dollar cost averaging, interest sweeps, or to initial allocations or changes in future allocations, to the extent these features are available in your Contract. Once a Contract is restricted, we will allow one additional transfer into the Government Money Market Division until the next Contract anniversary. Additionally, in accordance with our procedures, we may modify some of these limitations to allow for transfers that would not count against the total transfer limit but only as necessary to alleviate any potential hardships to Owners (e.g., in situations involving a substitution of an underlying fund).
We may change these policies and procedures from time to time in our sole discretion without notice; provided, however, Contract Owners will be given advance, written notice if the policies and procedures are revised to accommodate market timing. Additionally, the Funds may have their own policies and procedures described in their prospectuses that are designed to limit or restrict frequent trading. Such policies may be different from our policies and procedures, and may be more or less restrictive. As the Funds may accept purchase payments from other investors, including other insurance company separate accounts on behalf of their variable product customers and retirement plans, we cannot guarantee that Funds will not be harmed by any abusive market timing activity relating to the retirement plans and/or other insurance companies that may invest in the Funds. Such policies and procedures may provide for the imposition of a redemption fee and may require us to provide transaction information to the Fund (including an Owner’s tax identification number) and to restrict or prohibit transfers and other transactions that involve the purchase of shares of a Portfolio(s). In the event a Fund instructs us to restrict or prohibit transfers or other transactions involving shares of a Portfolio, you may not be able to make additional purchases in an investment option until the restriction or prohibition ends. If you submit a request that includes a purchase or transfer into such a restricted investment option, we will consider the request “not in good order” and it will not be processed. You may, however, submit a new transfer request.
If we believe your trading activity is in violation of, or inconsistent with, our policies and procedures or otherwise is potentially disruptive to the interests of other investors, you may be asked to stop such activities and future investments, and allocations or transfers by you may be rejected without prior notice. Because we retain discretion to determine what action is appropriate in a given situation, investors may be treated differently and some may be allowed to engage in activities that might be viewed as market timing.
We intend to monitor events and the effectiveness of our policies and procedures in order to identify whether instances of potentially abusive trading practices are occurring. However, we may not be able to identify all instances of abusive trading practices, nor completely eliminate the possibility of such activities, and there may be technological limitations on our ability to impose restrictions on the trading practices of Contract Owners. We may be unable to monitor trading activity by individual participants in omnibus accounts established under group annuity contracts.
The Contract
GenerallyThe Contract is intended for retirement and long-term savings. The Contract provides for a death benefit during the years when funds are being accumulated and for a variety of income options following retirement. During the years when funds are being paid into your Contract, known as the accumulation phase, the earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. Generally, distributions are subject to tax as ordinary income if you make a withdrawal. The annuitization phase begins when
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you start receiving Annuity Payments under your Contract. Monthly Annuity Payments begin on the date you select. The amount you accumulate under your Contract, including the results of investment performance, will determine the amount of your monthly Annuity Payments. If, however, the Contract is owned by a non-natural person (e.g., a corporation or a trust), the tax deferral on earnings may be lost. While there are exceptions for certain employee benefit plans, any income on a Contract owned by a non-natural person will generally be treated as ordinary income subject to annual taxation.
Eligible PurchasersPursuant to a determination of eligibility by an officer of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (“NMIS”), principal underwriter and distributor of the Contract, or by his or her designee, Contracts may be sold to current or retired registered representatives of NMIS, immediate family members of such registered representatives, a family trust in the name of such a registered representative, or individuals directly employed by current representatives (“Eligible Persons”). For this purpose, “immediate family” means (a) current spouses (or spousal equivalents if recognized under local law), or (b) parents and children (under age 21), including parents and children in adoptive and current step relationships. After a Contract is purchased, additional investments can be made for the life of the Contract regardless of the eligibility status of the purchaser.
Free LookIf you change your mind about owning this Contract, you can cancel it within ten days after you receive it (or whatever period is required under applicable state law). There is no charge for our expenses but the amount you receive may be more or less than what you paid, based on actual investment experience following the date we received your purchase payment. We will refund the sum of (a) the value of the Accumulation Units of the Separate Account on the effective day of the return plus (b) any amount deducted from the portion of the Purchase Payments applied to the Separate Account. In the event applicable state law requires us to return the greater of your Contract value or your purchase payment, we will do so. All material state variations are described in Appendix B.
Contract ValuesThe value of your Contract on any Valuation Date is the sum of all your amounts held in the Divisions of the Separate Account on that Valuation Date. We use the “net investment factor” as a way to calculate the investment performance of a Division from valuation period to valuation period. For each Division, the net investment factor shows the investment performance of the underlying mutual fund Portfolio in which a particular Division invests, including the charges assessed against that Division for a given valuation period. The Portfolios will distribute investment income and realized capital gains to the Divisions, which we will reinvest in additional shares of those same Portfolios. Unrealized capital gains and realized and unrealized capital losses will be reflected by changes in the value of the shares held by the Division. We will notify you, if, before the Maturity Date no Purchase Payments have been received under the Contract for a period of two full years and both the Contract Value and the total Purchase Payments paid (less amounts withdrawn) are each less than $2,000. If you are unable to increase the Contract Value or the total Purchase Payments paid to $2,000 within 30 days after we notify you, we may surrender your Contract for its Contract Value (i.e., with no withdrawal charge) in accordance with applicable state law, provided such surrender does not affect or terminate any other benefits or riders provided or elected under the Contract.
Purchase Payments Under the Contract
Frequency and AmountA Purchase Payment is the money you give us to apply to your Contract. You may make Purchase Payments monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually, or on any other frequency acceptable to us. The minimum initial Purchase Payment is $10,000. The minimum amount for each subsequent Purchase Payment is $25, although we may accept lower amounts in certain circumstances. We will accept larger Purchase Payments than the minimums, but total Purchase Payments under any Contract may not exceed $5,000,000 without our consent.
In certain situations, we may, in our discretion, reduce or waive our minimum purchase payment requirements. For example, we may reduce the minimum initial purchase amount from $10,000 to no less than $5,000 provided you elect on your application to make additional subsequent Purchase Payments such that the total Purchase Payments you make on or before the first anniversary date of your Contract equal or exceed $10,000. Also, when initial Purchase Payments representing proceeds from annuity exchanges are determined to satisfy the Contract minimum based on values at the time you sign your application, but the amount subsequently received by us is less than the required minimum due to market value fluctuations and sales or administrative fees charged in connection with the exchange, we may reduce the required minimum by the sum of any such depreciation and fees.
Application of Purchase PaymentsWe credit Net Purchase Payments to the variable options as you direct, and invest those assets in shares of those Portfolios that correspond to the applicable Divisions; the term “Accumulation Units” describes the value of this interest in the Separate Account.
Initial Net Purchase Payments allocated to a Division will be priced at the Accumulation Unit Value determined no later than two Valuation Dates after we receive at our Home Office or a lockbox facility we have designated both your initial Purchase Payment and your application in good order. “Good order” means that the application is complete and accurate and all applicable requirements are satisfied. If your application is not in good order, we may take up to five Valuation Dates to resolve the problem. If we are unable to resolve the problem within that time, we will notify you in writing of the reasons for the delay. If you revoke the consent given with your application to hold your initial Purchase Payment pending resolution of the problem, we will return your payment. Otherwise, the number of Accumulation Units you receive for your initial Net Purchase Payment will
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be determined based upon the valuation of the assets of that Division we make not later than two Valuation Dates following the date on which the problem is resolved and your application is put into good order. Although we do not anticipate delays in our receipt and processing of applications or Purchase Payment requests, we may experience such delays to the extent applications and Purchase Payments are not forwarded to our Home Office in a timely manner. Such delays could result in delays in the issuance of Contracts and the allocation of Purchase Payments under existing Contracts.
Subsequent Net Purchase Payments will be priced based on the next determined Accumulation Unit Value after the payment is received in good order either at the Home Office or a lockbox facility we have designated. The number of Accumulation Units credited to a Contract is determined by dividing the Net Purchase Payments by the value of the Accumulation Unit on the effective date. This number of Accumulation Units will not be changed by any subsequent change in the dollar value of the Accumulation Units.
We deem receipt of a Purchase Payment to occur on a given Valuation Date if receipt occurs before the close of trading on the NYSE (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). If receipt occurs on or after the close of trading on the NYSE, we deem receipt to occur on the following Valuation Date. You may send Purchase Payments to our Home Office or to a payment center designated by us. All payments must be made in U.S. Dollars payable through a U.S. financial institution. We accept Purchase Payments by check or electronic funds transfer (“EFT”). We do not accept third-party checks at the Home Office as part of the initial Purchase Payment. We generally will not accept cash, money orders, traveler’s checks, or “starter” checks; however, in limited circumstances, we may accept some cash equivalents in accord with our anti-money laundering procedures. If you make a Purchase Payment with a check or bank draft and, for whatever reason, it is later returned unpaid or uncollected, or if a Purchase Payment by EFT is reversed, we reserve the right to reverse the transaction. We also reserve the right to recover any resulting losses incurred by us by withdrawing a sufficient amount of Contract Value. We may reject any application or Purchase Payment for any reason permitted by law. We may also be required to provide additional information about you and your account to government regulators.
The value of an Accumulation Unit in each Division varies with the investment experience of the Division (which in turn is determined by the investment experience of the corresponding Portfolio). We determine the value by multiplying the value on the immediately preceding valuation date by the net investment factor for the Division. The net investment factor takes into account the investment experience of the Portfolio, the deduction for mortality and expense risks we have assumed, and a deduction for any applicable taxes or for any expenses resulting from a substitution of securities. Since you bear the investment risk, there is no guarantee as to the aggregate value of your Accumulation Units. That value may be less than, equal to, or more than the cumulative net purchase payments you have made.
Maturity DateUnder Contracts currently offered, Purchase Payments may be made until the Maturity Date stated on the Contract’s specifications page, or until Annuity Payments begin, whichever is earlier. Distributions may be required before the Maturity Date. (See “Taxation of Contract Benefits.”) Any death benefit you elect will automatically terminate upon annuitization, which will occur no later than the contract’s maturity date (i.e., the date upon which you must either annuitize or take a lump sum).
Access to Your Money
WithdrawalsContract Owners may withdraw some or all of the Accumulation Unit Value of their Contract Value at any time before the Maturity Date. We may require that a Contract Value of at least $2,000 remain after a partial withdrawal. You may instruct us how to allocate your partial withdrawal request among your investments in the Divisions and Guaranteed Interest Fund. If no direction is received, your withdrawal will be deducted proportionately from each of your investments.
Withdrawals may also be made after the Maturity Date. If Annuity Payments are being made under variable income plan 1 (Period Certain), the payee may surrender the Contract and receive the value of the Annuity Units credited to his or her Contract. If Annuity Payments are being made under variable income plan 2 (Single Life Income with or without Period Certain) and the payee dies during the period certain (or if both payees die during the period certain of variable income plan 3 (Joint and Survivor Life Income with Period Certain)), the beneficiary may surrender the Contract and receive the withdrawal value of the unpaid payments for the period certain. The withdrawal value is based on the Annuity Unit value on the withdrawal date, with the unpaid payments discounted at the Assumed Investment Rate. (See “Description of Variable Income Plans”.)
We may accept withdrawal or full surrender requests (including, but not limited to exchanges reported under IRC §1035 and direct trustee to trustee transfers) in writing or by telephone, subject to our administrative procedures, which may include the proper completion of certain forms, the provision of appropriate identifying information, and other administrative requirements. Full surrenders may require a signed form. Withdrawal requests may be submitted on properly completed Northwestern Mutual forms or an electronic order ticket. See “Owner Inquiries and Instructions” for more information. Improperly submitted and incomplete forms will not be considered to be in good order and will not be processed. We will process your request at the accumulation value next determined only after our receipt of your request in good order, which includes satisfaction of all our administrative requirements. Subject to our administrative procedures and our approval, you may request that a withdrawal be processed (or that an Income Plan start) on a future date you specify. Otherwise, we will pay the
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amount of any withdrawal from the Separate Account within seven days (or earlier, if required under applicable state law) after we receive the request in good order unless the suspension of payments or transfers provision is in effect. You may revoke a request for withdrawal on a specified future date any time prior to such future date. Subject to our rules, requirements, and availability, your Financial Representative may provide us with instructions on your behalf involving the frequency, amount, and destination of partial and complete withdrawals made under your Contract.
If mandated under applicable law, we may be required to block an Owner’s account and thereby refuse to pay any requests for transfer, partial withdrawal, surrender or death benefits, until instructions are received from the appropriate regulator. We may also be required to provide additional information about an Owner and an Owner’s account to government regulators.
In reliance on relief from the SEC staff (“SEC Relief”), we may temporarily delay the payment of proceeds from a surrender or withdrawal attributable to the Divisions if we reasonably believe that financial exploitation of an Owner, who is (i) age 65 or older, or (ii) age 18 or older who we reasonably believe has a mental or physical impairment that renders them unable to protect their own interests, has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted. Subject to the conditions of the SEC Relief, payment of the proceeds may be delayed for up to 55 Valuation Dates. During the period of any such payment delay, the proceeds will be held in the Division of the Separate Account that invests in the Government Money Market Portfolio as we investigate and work with appropriate regulatory and other lawful authorities to resolve the matter. No later than two Valuation Dates after the temporary hold has been imposed, we will provide oral or written notice of the temporary hold and the reason for the temporary hold to the Owner, a trusted contact person the Owner previously identified to us and any other person(s) eligible to submit orders related to the Contract, unless we suspect that other person(s) of having engaged in, engaging in, having attempted or attempting financial exploitation of the Owner.
Benefits Provided Under the Contracts
Subject to the restrictions noted below, we will pay the death benefit of a Contract in a lump sum or under the Income Plans described below. We reserve the right to defer determination of the withdrawal value of the Contracts, or the payment of benefits under a variable income plan, until after the end of any period during which the right to redeem shares of a Portfolio is suspended, or payment of the redemption value is postponed pursuant to the provisions of the 1940 Act because of one or more of the following: (a) the NYSE is closed, except for routine closings on holidays or weekends; (b) the SEC has determined that trading on the NYSE is restricted; (c) the SEC permits suspension or postponement and so orders; (d) an emergency exists, as defined by the SEC, so that valuation of the assets of the Funds or disposal of securities they hold is not reasonably practical; or (e) such suspension or postponement is otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act. If, under SEC rules, the Government Money Market Portfolio suspends payments of redemption proceeds in connection with a liquidation of the Portfolio, we will delay payment of any transfer, partial surrender, surrender or death benefit from the Government Money Market Division until the Portfolio is liquidated.
Benefits Available Under the Contract
The following table summarizes information about a variety of standard and optional benefits available under the Contract. If applicable, information about the fees associated with a benefit included in the table may be found in the Fees and Expense Tables.
Name of Benefit
Purpose
Is Benefit
Standard or
Optional
Maximum Fee
Brief Description of Limitations/
Restrictions
Standard Death
Benefit
The Contract provides a death
benefit to be paid under a lump
sum, fixed or variable income
plans or continued in force as a
new contract for the payee(s)
Standard
No Charge
Only payable if the Annuitant dies
before the Maturity Date
Income Plans have their own
payout benefit rules at death (see
below)
Is reduced for withdrawals, such as
withdrawals from Contract Value to
cover the advisory fee
If payee elects to continue the
contract in force, additional
restrictions may apply
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Name of Benefit
Purpose
Is Benefit
Standard or
Optional
Maximum Fee
Brief Description of Limitations/
Restrictions
Enhanced Death
Benefit
An optional enhanced death
benefit is available that allows
the owner to annually “lock in”
certain increases in Contract
Optional
0.40%1
Not available for all issue ages and
enhanced death benefit
adjustments are limited by the
primary Annuitant’s age
Must be elected at issue
Cannot be added once terminated
There is a charge for this benefit
Annuity Payments and death
benefit payments are payable
under various income plans on a
variable or fixed basis
Standard
No charge2
Plans for Annuity Payments for a
specified period are not available
for Contracts issued after
May 1, 2013
Variable income plans are subject
to some Contract charges (as well
as expenses of the underlying
Portfolios) and are subject to
market risk
Fixed income plans are funded
through withdrawals from the
Transfers between Income Plans
are only allowed under limited
circumstances
Automatic Dollar
Cost Averaging
On a periodic basis,
automatically transfers a specific
amount from the Government
Money Market Division into
other Divisions you selected
Standard
No charge
Cannot use with portfolio
rebalancing
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan
Allows for monthly payments
drawn from your investment
options during the accumulation
phase either proportionately
from your investment options or
from specific investment options
Standard
No charge
Cannot use with dollar cost
averaging
Rebalancing
Automatically rebalances the
Divisions you select (either
monthly, quarterly, semi-
annually or annually) to
maintain your chosen mix of
Standard
No charge
Ordinarily ends upon transfers from
applicable Divisions
Cannot use with dollar cost
averaging
1
The annual charge for the Optional Enhanced Death Benefit is expressed as a percentage of the entire benefit and varies by issue age.
2
Variable income plans continue to be assessed Base Contract Charges.
Death Benefit
How Much is the Death Benefit? The amount of the Death Benefit depends in part on when the Annuitant dies. (Remember that the Annuitant is the person upon whose life the Contract is issued.)
If an Annuitant dies before the Contract’s Maturity Date—and on or after his or her 75th birthday—the Death Benefit will equal the Contract Value (determined as described below).
If an Annuitant dies after the Contract’s Maturity Date (which is stated on the specifications page of the Contract), or any time after Annuity Payments begin, no Death Benefit is payable. Income Plans have their own payout benefit rules at death. (See “Income Plans.”)
If an Annuitant dies before the Contract’s Maturity Date—and before his or her 75th birthday—the Death Benefit will equal the greater of the following:
the Contract Value (determined as described immediately below); or
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the amount of Purchase Payments we received, less an adjustment for every withdrawal. (For each withdrawal, we reduce the minimum death benefit by the percentage of the Contract Value withdrawn.)
When is the Death Benefit Determined?In determining the amount of the Death Benefit, the Contract Value is determined as of the date we receive proof of the Annuitant’s death at our Home Office. If we receive proof of death before the close of trading for the NYSE (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), we will determine the Contract Value based on the value of the units in the Divisions determined at the close of that day’s trading session. If, however, we receive proof of death on or after the close of NYSE trading, we will determine the Contract Value based on the value of the units in the Divisions determined at the close of the next NYSE trading session.
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit Examples
Set forth below are two numerical examples illustrating the effect of a withdrawal from the contract upon the minimum death benefit. The first example shows a hypothetical increase in Contract Value and a hypothetical withdrawal amount; the second shows a hypothetical decrease in Contract Value and a different hypothetical withdrawal amount (this method of calculating reductions has a greater effect on withdrawals when the death benefit exceeds the Contract Value):
 
When Contract Value Exceeds
Total Purchase Payments
When Contract Value is Less
Than Total Purchase Payments
Total Purchase Payments
$50,000
$50,000
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
immediately before withdrawal
$50,000
$50,000
Contract Value at the time of withdrawal
$100,000
$40,000
Withdrawal Amount
$25,000
$10,000
Proportionate Adjustment for Withdrawal
($25,000/$100,000) x $50,000 = $12,500
($10,000/$40,000) x $50,000 = $12,500
Percentage Reduction in Death Benefit
25%
25%
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit
immediately after the withdrawal
$50,000–$12,500 = $37,500
$50,000–$12,500 = $37,500
Example: John Doe was the Owner of a Contract. John dies before the Contract Maturity Date and after his 75th birthday. Upon his death, the Company pays the Contract Value to his wife Jane, his designated beneficiary.
John Doe was the Owner of a Contract. John dies before the Contract Maturity Date and before his 75th birthday. Upon his death, the Company pays the greater of the Contract Value or Purchase Payments less any adjustments for each withdrawal to his wife Jane, his designated beneficiary.
John Doe was the Owner of a Contract. John dies after the Contract Maturity Date. Since the Contract has matured, no death benefits are payable through the Contract. If John settled the funds from the Contract to an Income Plan, a death benefit may be payable based on the Income Plan chosen.
An enhanced death benefit (“EDB”) is available at extra cost. The EDB allows an Owner to “lock in” increases in Contract Value as measured on each Contract anniversary date prior to the Primary Annuitant’s 80th birthday, increased by the dollar amount of subsequent Purchase Payments and proportionally reduced for subsequent withdrawals, in determining the death benefit payable. The EDB also guarantees that the death benefit payable under the Contract will never be less than Purchase Payments made under the Contract (adjusted for any withdrawals). The EDB on any Valuation Date equals the greatest of (i) the Contract value on that date, (ii) the amount of Purchase Payments made under the Contract (adjusted for any withdrawals), or (iii) the EDB on the most recent Contract anniversary date prior to the Primary Annuitant’s 80th birthday, increased by any Purchase Payments we received since that Contract anniversary and decreased by the percentage of Contract value withdrawn since that Contract anniversary. We deduct the extra cost for the EDB from the Contract Value on each Contract anniversary while the EDB is in effect. (See “Enhanced Death Benefit Charge.”) The EDB is available through issue age 65 (i.e., the application must be approved no later than six months following the Primary Annuitant’s 65th birthday) and must be elected when the Contract is issued. The EDB will remain in effect until the Maturity Date or the death of the Primary Annuitant or if you ask us to remove it from your Contract. You cannot add it to your Contract again after it has been removed.
Example: John Doe was the Owner of a Contract and had elected to add the optional enhanced death benefit (“EDB”) to his Contract for an additional charge. John dies before the Contract Maturity Date, after one year of owning the Contract and before his 80th birthday. Upon his death, the Company pays the greatest of the Contract Value, Purchase Payments less any adjustments for each withdrawal, or the EDB on the most recent anniversary plus payments and less any adjustments for withdrawals since the prior anniversary to his wife Jane, his designated beneficiary.
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John Doe was the Owner of a Contract and had elected to add the optional enhanced death benefit (“EDB”) to his Contract for an additional charge. John dies before the Contract Maturity Date and after his 80th birthday. Upon his death, the Company pays the greater of the Contract Value or the EDB on the anniversary immediately prior to his 80th birthday plus payments and less any adjustments for withdrawals since that anniversary to his wife Jane, his designated beneficiary.
Enhanced Death Benefit Examples
Set forth below is a numerical example demonstrating the calculation of the enhanced death benefit (assuming an initial purchase payment of $100,000 with no subsequent purchase payments and no withdrawals):
Contract Anniversary
Contract Value
Enhanced Death Benefit
First
$120,000
$120,000
Second
$130,000
$130,000
Third
$110,000
$130,000
Set forth below is an example showing the calculation of both the death benefit and the enhanced death benefit for a contract with a subsequent purchase payment and a withdrawal (for illustrative purposes, the contract values are hypothetical and no annual fees are taken into account):
Date-Activity
Contract Value
Death Benefit
Enhanced Death Benefit
1/1/2024–$100,000 Initial
Purchase Payment
$100,000 (immediately after
Purchase Payment)
$100,000
$100,000
1/1/2025–$50,000 Purchase
Payment
$120,000 (immediately before
Purchase Payment)
$150,000 (i.e., the sum of the
two Purchase Payments)
$170,000 (i.e., the highest
anniversary account value plus
the $50,000 Purchase Payment)
6/1/2025–$20,000 withdrawal
$125,000 (immediately before
the withdrawal)
(1–$20,000/$125,000) x
$150,000 = $126,000
(immediately after the
withdrawal)
(1–$20,000/$125,000) x
$170,000 = $142,800
(immediately after the
withdrawal)
How is the Death Benefit Distributed?If the Owner is the Annuitant and dies before the Contract’s Maturity Date, the Beneficiary automatically becomes the new Owner and Annuitant. As a matter of current practice, the Contract continues in force, subject to limitations under federal and/or state law. (If there is more than one Beneficiary for a given Contract, each Beneficiary must make his or her own method of payment election.) If the Contract continues in force, we will set the Contract Value at an amount equal to the Death Benefit. If this results in an addition to the Contract Value, we will place the additional amount in the Government Money Market Division and the Beneficiary (now, the new Owner) may transfer it to the Divisions chosen by such Beneficiary/Owner. Pursuant to the terms of the Contract, the Contract Value will remain invested in the same investment options as those at the time of the Annuitant’s death until such time as the Beneficiary elects to transfer to different investment options or to make a withdrawal.
If the Owner is not the Annuitant and the Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date, the contingent Annuitant automatically becomes the new Annuitant and the Contract continues in force. If no contingent Annuitant is named within 60 days (or whatever period that may be required under applicable state law) after we receive proof of death of the Annuitant, the Death Benefit becomes payable to the Owner.
If an Owner is the Annuitant and, during his or her life, elected an Income Plan (see “Income Plans”) for a Beneficiary, Annuity Payments begin to such Beneficiary upon the death of the Owner, as described above. If the Owner did not elect an Income Plan for a Beneficiary, the Beneficiary may elect to:
continue the Contract (as described above),
receive the Death Benefit under an Income Plan, subject to limitations under federal and/or state law, or
receive the Death Benefit as a lump sum check.
In any event, the Beneficiary must take distributions from the Contract pursuant to the applicable minimum distribution requirements. (See “Taxation of Contract Benefits.”) If no affirmative election is made, the Beneficiary will receive the Death Benefit as a lump sum check. Generally, amounts distributed as the Death Benefit are includible in the income of the recipient as follows: (i) if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same manner as a surrender of the Contract, or (ii) if distributed under a payout option, they are taxed in the same way as annuity payments.
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Income Plans
GenerallyIf you decide to begin receiving Annuity Payments from your Contract, you may choose either: (1) monthly payments for a specified period (guaranteed only for contracts issued before May 1, 2013), or (2) monthly payments for your life (assuming you are the Annuitant), and you may choose to have payments continue to your Beneficiary for the balance of 10 or 20 years if you die sooner, or (3) monthly payments for your life and for the life of another person (usually your spouse) selected by you. These Income Plans are available to you on a variable or fixed basis, or a combination thereof, depending on applicable state law. Your Contract may guarantee the right to other Income Plans, and we may offer other Income Plans from time to time from which you may choose when deciding to start receiving Annuity Payments. While no charges are assessed on fixed income plans, we will continue to assess Base Contract Charges on variable income plans. You will also continue to incur the fees and expenses of the underlying Portfolios in which you direct the assets supporting your Income Plan be invested. Fixed income plans describe in the Contract or otherwise offered by the Company include income plans with a guaranteed income amount or income amount that changes annually based on the company’s declared rate. If you select a fixed income plan, we will cancel any Accumulation Units credited to your Contract, transfer the withdrawal value of the Contract to our General Account, and you will no longer have any interest in the Separate Account.
A variable income plan means that the amount representing the actuarial liability under the variable income plan will continue to be invested in one or more of the investment choices you select. Transfers made between investment options during pay-out cannot: (1) exceed 12 transfers per year, (2) transfer into and then out of the same fund within 14 days, if the transfer is $10,000 or more, and (3) transfer into and then out of the same fund within 30 days, if the transfer is in excess of 1% of the underlying fund’s total assets. Your monthly Annuity Payments will vary up or down to reflect continuing investment performance. Under a variable income plan, you bear the entire investment risk, since we make no guarantees of investment return. Accordingly, there is no guarantee of the amount of the variable payments, and you must expect the amount of such payments to change from month to month. A fixed income plan, on the other hand, guarantees the amount you will receive each month. For a discussion of tax considerations and limitations regarding the election of Income Plans, see “Federal Income Taxes.”
The annuitization period begins when you start receiving a stream of periodic annuity payments under your Contract on the date you select. For Income Plans, the earliest possible annuity commencement date is immediately after we issue your Contract. The latest possible annuity commencement date is the Maturity Date (i.e., the date you must annuitize or take the lump sum). Under Contracts currently offered, on the Maturity Date, if you have not elected a permissible Income Plan (i.e., one offered by the Company for your Contract), we will change the Maturity Date to the Contract anniversary nearest the Annuitant’s 98th birthday (if the Maturity Date is not already such date) and, upon that Maturity Date, we will pay the Contract Value in monthly payments for life under a variable income plan with payments certain for ten years, using your investment choices then in effect.
Example: John Doe was the Owner of a Contract and had elected a single life income plan for a ten-year certain period. John dies before the ten-year certain period is over and his wife Jane, his beneficiary, continues to receive income payments for the remainder of the certain period. After the ten-year certain period, no income payments are payable to Jane, his beneficiary.
Description of Variable Income PlansThe following variable income plans are available:
1. Period Certain (sometimes referred to as Installment Income for a Specified Period). An annuity payable monthly for a specified period of 10 to 30 years during the first five Contract years and over a specified period of 5 to 30 years beginning with the sixth Contract year (guaranteed only for contracts issued before May 1, 2013).
2. Single Life Income with or without Period Certain (sometimes referred to as Single Life Income with or without Certain Period). An annuity payable monthly until the payee’s death, or until the expiration of a selected period certain, whichever is later. You may select a period certain of either 10 or 20 years, or you may choose a plan with no period certain. After the payee’s death, we will make any remaining guaranteed payments to the designated beneficiary. Where no period certain was selected and the Income Plan beneficiary dies before the first scheduled payment, then no payments will be paid.
3. Joint and Survivor Life Income with Period Certain (sometimes referred to as Joint and Survivor Life Income with Certain Period). An annuity payable monthly for a period certain of 10 years and thereafter during the joint lifetime of two Joint Annuitants. On the death of either Joint Annuitant, payments continue for the remainder of the 10 years period certain or the remaining lifetime of the survivor, whichever is longer.
We may, subject to applicable state law, limit the election of a variable income plan to one that results in an initial payment of at least $20. A variable income plan will continue even if payments fall to less than $20 after the plan begins. From time to time we may establish variable income plan rates with greater actuarial value than those stated in the Contract and make them available at the time of settlement. We may also make available other plans, with provisions and rates we publish for those plans. Amounts (or portions thereof) payable under a variable income plan with a period certain may be redeemed after we have a request for redemption in good order at the Home Office. Where no period certain was selected and the Income Plan beneficiary dies before the first scheduled payment, then no payments will be paid.
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After the effective date of an Income Plan which does not involve a life contingency (i.e., Plan 1), a payee may transfer to either form of life annuity (i.e., Plans 2 or 3) at no charge. We will apply the value of the remaining payments to the new plan selected. We will determine the amount of the first Annuity Payment under the new plan on the basis of the particular plan selected, the Annuity Payment rate, and the Annuitant’s adjusted age and sex. Subsequent payments will vary to reflect changes in the value of the Annuity Units credited. We may permit other transfers between Income Plans, subject to such limitations we may reasonably determine. If you are in an Income Plan involving a life contingency (i.e., Plans 2 or 3), you will not be able to withdraw any Contract Value after the annuity commencement date. We will not permit a transfer to an Income Plan that involves a different life contingency. Income Plans for Beneficiaries may differ from those offered to Owners. At the written request of the Owner, we may impose restrictions on payments to beneficiaries.
Amount of Annuity PaymentsWe will determine the amount of the first Annuity Payment on the basis of the particular variable income plan you select, the Annuity Payment rate (i.e., the stream of projected annuity payments based on an actuarial projection of the length of time annuity payments will continue as well as other factors including the assumed investment rate) and, for plans involving life contingencies, the Annuitant’s adjusted age and sex. We will calculate the amount of the first Annuity Payment on a basis that takes into account the length of time over which we expect Annuity Payments to continue. The first payment will be lower for an Annuitant who is younger when payments begin, and higher for an Annuitant who is older, if the variable income plan involves life contingencies. The first payment will be lower if the variable income plan includes a longer certain period. Variable Annuity Payments after the first will vary from month to month to reflect the fluctuating value of the Annuity Units credited to your Contract. Annuity Units represent the actuarial value of a variable income plan’s interest in a Division of the Separate Account after Annuity Payments begin.
Assumed Investment RateThe variable annuity rate tables for the Contracts are based upon an Assumed Investment Rate of 3 ½%. Variable annuity rate tables based upon an Assumed Investment Rate of 5% are also available where permitted by state law. The Assumed Investment Rate affects both the amount of the first variable payment and the amount by which subsequent payments increase or decrease. The Assumed Investment Rate does not affect the actuarial value of the future payments as of the date when payments begin, though it does affect the actual amount which may be received by an individual Annuitant.
Over a period of time, if each Division achieved a net investment result exactly equal to the Assumed Investment Rate applicable to a particular variable income plan, the amount of Annuity Payments would be level. However, if the Division achieved a net investment result greater than the Assumed Investment Rate, the amount of Annuity Payments would increase. Similarly, if the Division achieved a net investment result smaller than the Assumed Investment Rate, the amount of Annuity Payments would decrease. A higher Assumed Investment Rate will result in a larger initial payment but more slowly rising and more rapidly falling subsequent payments than a lower Assumed Investment Rate.
Additional Features and Services
Automatic Dollar-Cost AveragingThe Dollar-Cost Averaging Plan is an investment strategy designed to reduce the investment risks associated with market fluctuations. The strategy spreads the allocation of money (expressed in whole percentages and in amounts of at least $100) into the Divisions over a period of time by systematically and automatically transferring, on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis, specified dollar amounts from the Government Money Market Division into the other Division(s). This allows you to potentially reduce the risk of investing most of your Purchase Payments into the Divisions at a time when prices are high. Transfers will end either when the amount in the Government Money Market Division is depleted or when you notify us to stop such transfers, whichever is earlier. There is no charge for the Dollar-Cost Averaging Plan. We reserve the right to modify or terminate the Dollar-Cost Averaging Plan at any time.
Dollar cost averaging does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. Carefully consider your willingness to continue payments during periods of low prices. You should consult your financial representative before deciding whether to elect dollar cost averaging.
Systematic Withdrawal PrivilegeYou can arrange to have regular amounts of money sent to you while your Contract is still in the accumulation phase. Our Systematic Withdrawal Plan allows you to automatically redeem Accumulation Units to generate monthly payments. The withdrawals may be taken either proportionately from each investment option or from specific investment options you designate . Systematic withdrawals continue until at least one of the following occurs: (1) the amount in any of the selected Portfolios or Guaranteed Accounts is depleted; (2) less than 100 Accumulation Units remain in the Contract; (3) a systematic withdrawal plan terminates; (4) when the final amount is distributed and there is no value left in the Contract (in which case the Contract will terminate); or (5) you terminate systematic withdrawals. You may have to pay income taxes and tax penalties on amounts you receive. There is no charge for the Systematic Withdrawal Plan service. We reserve the right to modify or terminate this Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time.
Portfolio RebalancingTo help you maintain your asset allocation over time, we offer a rebalancing service. This will automatically readjust your current investment option allocations, on a periodic basis (i.e., monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually), back to the allocation percentages you have selected. There is no charge for this Portfolio Rebalancing feature. We
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reserve the right to modify or terminate this Portfolio Rebalancing feature at any time. If you transfer between underlying investment options, automatic portfolio rebalancing (“APR”) will ordinarily end and you will need to make a new APR election if you want APR to continue.
Only contracts with accumulation values of $10,000 or more or those Contracts that have been annuitized are eligible. A program of regular investing cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
Charges
We will make the following deductions:
Base Contract Charges
Nature and Amount of the ChargesWhen we determine the value of Accumulation and Annuity Units, we deduct a charge for mortality rate and expense risks we have assumed. We assume, for example, the risk that Annuity Payments will continue for longer periods than anticipated because the Annuitants as a group live longer than expected. We also assume the risk that the charges we make may be insufficient to cover the actual costs we incur in connection with the Contracts, including other costs such as those related to marketing and distribution. We assume these risks for the duration of the Contract. In case these costs exceed the amount of the charges we collect, the costs will be paid out of our general assets. If the amount of the charge is more than sufficient to cover the mortality and expense risk, any excess may be used for any Company purpose.
The deduction from Accumulation Units and Annuity Units is at a current annual rate of 0.30% of the assets of the Separate Account. Our Board of Trustees may increase or decrease the deduction, but in no event may the deduction exceed an annual rate of 0.75%.
Other Expense RisksThe value of your Contract may reflect a deduction of any reasonable expenses which may result if there were a substitution of other securities for shares of the Portfolios as described under “The Separate Account” and any applicable taxes, (i.e., any tax liability) we have paid or reserved for resulting from the maintenance or operation of a Division of the Separate Account, other than applicable premium taxes which we may deduct directly from considerations. We do not presently anticipate that we will make any deduction for federal income taxes (see “Taxation of Northwestern Mutual”), nor do we anticipate that maintenance or operation of the Separate Account will give rise to any deduction for state or local taxes. However, we reserve the right to charge the appropriate Contracts with their shares of any tax liability which may result under present or future tax laws from the maintenance or operation of the Separate Account or to deduct any such tax liability in the computation of the value of such Contracts. Our right to make deductions for expenses resulting from a substitution of securities may be restricted by the 1940 Act.
Contract FeeOn each Contract anniversary prior to the Maturity Date, we make a deduction of $30 for administrative expenses relating to a Contract during the prior year. We make the charge by reducing the number of Accumulation Units credited to the Contract. We will apply the charge for the Contract Fee by reducing the number of Accumulation Units credited to your Contract. For purposes of allocating and deducting the annual Contract fee, we consider any investment in the Guaranteed Interest Fund as though it were an investment of the same amount in one of the Separate Account Divisions. We cannot increase this charge. The charge is intended only to reimburse us for our actual administrative expenses. We waive the Contract fee if the Contract Value on the Contract anniversary is $25,000 or more. Currently, we are also waiving the Contract fee if the Purchase Payments, less withdrawals, equal or exceed $25,000. We reserve the right to change this practice in the future. We will give prior notice.
Enhanced Death Benefit ChargeOn each Contract anniversary on which the enhanced death benefit is in effect, we deduct from the Contract Value a charge based on the amount of the enhanced death benefit on the Contract Anniversary and the age of the Annuitant when the Contract was issued. The charge is 0.10% of the amount of the enhanced death benefit for issue age 45 or less, 0.20% for issue age 46-55, and 0.40% for issue age 56-65. This charge is for the risks we assume in guaranteeing the enhanced death benefit. Except for some Contracts subject to New York law, we deduct the charge from the Divisions of the Separate Account and the Guaranteed Accounts in proportion to the amounts you have invested.
Premium TaxesThe Contracts provide for the deduction of applicable premium taxes, if any, from Purchase Payments or from Contract benefits. Various jurisdictions levy premium taxes. Premium taxes generally range from 0% to 3.5% of total Purchase Payments. Many jurisdictions presently exempt from premium taxes annuities such as the Contracts. As a matter of current practice, we do not deduct premium taxes from Purchase Payments received under the Contracts or from Contract benefits. However, we reserve the right to deduct premium taxes in the future. The amount deducted, if any, may be more or less than the percentage charged by your state of residence.
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Portfolio Expenses and ChargesThe expenses borne by the Portfolios in which the assets of the Separate Account are invested are described in the mutual fund prospectuses.
For certain Portfolios, certain expenses may have been reimbursed or fees may have been waived during 2024 in addition to any contractual fee waiver or reimbursements. It is anticipated that any such voluntary expense reimbursement and fee waiver arrangements would continue past the current year, although certain arrangements may be terminated at any time. After taking into account these arrangements, as well as any contractual fee waiver or expense reimbursement arrangements, Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses would have ranged from a minimum of 0.19% to a maximum of 2.68%.
Expedited Delivery ChargeWhen, at your request, we incur the expense of providing expedited delivery of your redemption request (e.g., a complete or partial withdrawal) we assess the following charges: $15 for express mail delivery (plus $2 for “signature required” service at your request) and $15 for a wire transfer.
Federal Income Taxes
Taxation of Contract Benefits
We offer the Contract for use in non tax-qualified situations (i.e., contributions are taxable). There are no limitations on who can purchase a non-tax qualified annuity or the amount that can be contributed to the Contract. Contributions to non-tax qualified Contracts are not deductible.
For Contracts held by individuals, no tax is currently payable as a result of any increase in the value of a Contract. Contract benefits will be taxable as ordinary income when received in accordance with Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If the Owner of a non-tax qualified Contract elects to receive the entire value of the Contract as Annuity Payments under a variable income plan or fixed income plan, or a portion of the Contract as Annuity Payments under either Income Plan for a period of at least the Owner’s life expectancy or ten years, benefits received will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent they exceed that portion of each payment which represents the ratio of the Owner’s “investment in the contract” to the Owner’s “expected return” as defined in Section 72 of the Code (the “exclusion ratio”), until the entire “investment in the contract” is recovered. Benefits received in a lump sum or as partial annuity payments that do not qualify for exclusion ratio taxation will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent they exceed the “investment in the contract.” A partial withdrawal or collateral assignment prior to the Maturity Date will result in the receipt of gross income by the Owner to the extent that the amounts withdrawn or assigned do not exceed the excess (if any) of the total value of Accumulation Units over total purchase payments paid under the Contract less any amounts previously withdrawn or assigned. Thus, any investment gains reflected in the Contract Values are considered to be withdrawn first and are taxable as ordinary income.
Investment gains will be determined by aggregating all non-tax qualified deferred Contracts we issue to the Owner during the same calendar year.
An additional tax equal to 10% of the amount of the payment which is includible in income will be imposed, by federal tax law, on non-exempt withdrawals of Contract benefits. Payments which are exempt from the additional tax include payments upon disability, death, after age 59½ and for certain substantially equal periodic payments.
For taxable years beginning in 2013, part or all of the taxable benefits from and sales of non-tax qualified Contracts may be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax. The tax will be assessed on the Owner’s net investment income for the year to the extent that the Owner’s adjusted gross income (with slight modifications) exceeds $250,000 (married filing jointly or surviving spouse), $125,000 (married filing separately) or $200,000 (other filers) (not indexed). The term “net investment income” is defined to include payments from non-tax qualified annuities and dispositions of property. You should consult a tax advisor about the impact of this new tax on distributions from your contract/policy. One or more non-tax qualified Contracts can be wholly or partially exchanged for one or more other annuity contracts under Section 1035 of the Code without recognition of gain or loss. However, withdrawals taken within 6 months after a partial exchange may cause the partial exchange to be taxed as a withdrawal. Certain nonqualified Contracts not held by individuals, such as Contracts purchased by corporate employers in connection with deferred compensation plans, will not be taxed as annuity Contracts and increases in the value of the Contracts will be taxable in the year earned.
In order to be treated as an annuity contract for Federal income tax purposes, Section 72(s) of the Code requires any non-tax qualified contract to contain certain provisions specifying how your interest in the Contract will be distributed in the event of the death of an Owner of the Contract. Specifically, section 72(s) requires that (a) if any owner dies on or after the annuity starting date, but prior to the time the entire interest in the contract has been distributed, the entire interest in the contract will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such owner’s death; and (b) if any owner dies prior to the annuity starting date, the entire interest in the contract will be distributed within five years after the date of such owner’s death. These requirements will be considered satisfied as to any portion of an owner’s interest which is
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
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payable to or for the benefit of a designated beneficiary and which is distributed over the life of such designated beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of that beneficiary, provided that such distributions begin within one year of the owner’s death. The designated beneficiary refers to a natural person designated by the owner as a beneficiary and to whom ownership of the contract passes by reason of death. However, if the designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the deceased owner, the contract may be continued with the surviving spouse as the new owner.
Taxation of Northwestern Mutual
We may charge the appropriate Contracts with their shares of any tax liability which may result from the maintenance or operation of the Divisions of the Separate Account. We are currently making no charge. (See “Charges.”)
Other Considerations
A transfer or assignment of ownership of a Contract, the designation of an annuitant other than the owner, the selection of certain maturity dates, or the exchange of a Contract may result in certain tax consequences to you that are not discussed herein. An owner contemplating any such transfer, assignment, or exchange should consult a tax advisor as to the tax consequences.
You should understand that the tax rules for annuities are complex and cannot be readily summarized. The foregoing discussion does not address special rules applicable in many situations, rules governing Contracts issued or purchase payments made in past years, current legislative proposals, or state or other law. We have the right to modify the Contract in response to legislative changes that could otherwise diminish the favorable tax treatment that annuity contract owners currently receive. We make no guarantee regarding the tax status of any contract and do not intend the above discussion as tax advice. This tax discussion is intended for the promotion of Northwestern Mutual Life products. It does not constitute legal or tax advice, and is not intended to be used and cannot be used to avoid any penalties that may be imposed on a taxpayer. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Before you purchase a Contract, we advise you to consult qualified tax counsel.
Contract Owner Services
Electronic Funds Transfer (“EFT”)Another convenient way to invest using the dollar-cost averaging approach is through our EFT Plan. These automatic withdrawals allow you to add Purchase Payments to the Division(s) within your traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or non-tax qualified Contract on a regular monthly basis through payments drawn directly on your checking account. There is no charge for the EFT service.
A program of regular investing cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
Substitution of Portfolio Shares and Other ChangesWhen permitted by law and subject to any required regulatory approvals, we reserve the right to eliminate a Portfolio and to substitute another Portfolio or mutual fund for such Portfolio (or substitute a class of shares of an existing Portfolio for a different class of the same Portfolio) if the shares of the Portfolio are no longer available for investment or, in our judgment, further investment in the shares of the Portfolio is no longer appropriate. In the event we take any action to substitute another Portfolio in the future, we may make an appropriate endorsement of your Contract and take other necessary actions.
Owner Inquiries and InstructionsGet up-to-date information about your Contract at your convenience with your User ID and password. Visit our website (www.northwesternmutual.com) to enroll for access to Division performance information, forms for routine service, and daily unit values for Contracts you own. Eligible Contract Owners may also set up certain electronic payments, transfer invested assets among Divisions and change the allocation of future contributions online, subject to our administrative procedures. For questions about your Contract or Division values, assistance with payments or distributions, or other contract changes (such as transferring among investment options, changing allocations, or obtaining Division performance information), please contact us toll-free at 1-888-455-2232.
The submission of transfer or withdrawal instructions by telephone or through our website (“Electronic Instructions”) must be made in accordance with our then current procedures for Electronic Instructions. However, we are not required to accept Electronic Instructions, and we will not be responsible for losses resulting from transactions based on unauthorized Electronic Instructions, provided we follow procedures reasonably designed to verify the authenticity of Electronic Instructions. Please note that the telephone and/or electronic devices may not always be available. Any telephone or electronic device, whether it is yours, your service provider’s, or your agent’s or ours, can experience outages or slowdowns for a variety of reasons, which may delay or prevent our processing of your request. Although we have taken precautions to limit these problems, we cannot
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promise complete reliability under all circumstances. If you are experiencing problems, you should make your transfer request by writing to our Home Office. We reserve the right to limit, modify, suspend, or terminate the ability to make transfers via Electronic Instructions.
HouseholdingTo reduce costs, we now send only a single copy of the same disclosure document(s) (such as prospectuses, prospectus supplements, reports, announcements, proxy statements, notices, and information statements) to each consenting household (rather than sending copies to each Owner residing in a household). If you are a member of such a household, you can revoke your consent to “householding” at any time, and can begin receiving your own copy of such disclosure documents by calling us at 1-888-455-2232.
Additional Information
The Distributor We sell the Contracts through our Financial Representatives who also are registered representatives of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (“NMIS”). NMIS, our wholly-owned company, was organized under Wisconsin law in 1998 and is located at 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. NMIS is a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC. You may obtain information about SIPC, including the SIPC brochure, by contacting SIPC at 202-371-3800 or visiting its website at www.SIPC.org. NMIS is the principal underwriter of the Contracts, and has entered into a Distribution Agreement with us. No sales charges are paid on sales of the Contracts, and no underwriting commissions have been paid, or retained, by NMIS.
Northwestern Mutual variable insurance and annuity products are available exclusively through NMIS and its registered representatives and cannot be held with or transferred to an unaffiliated broker-dealer. Except in limited circumstances, NMIS registered representatives are required to offer Northwestern Mutual variable insurance and annuity products. The amount and timing of sales compensation paid by insurance companies varies. The commissions, benefits, and other sales compensation that NMIS and its registered representatives receive for the sale of a Northwestern Mutual variable insurance or annuity product might be more or less than that received for the sale of a comparable product from another company.
NMIS and the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (“NMWMC”) use a system referred to as a “grid” for paying registered representatives commissions and fees for the sale or servicing of investments such as mutual funds in brokerage accounts or advisory accounts. The higher level of overall commissions or fees for investments that your registered representative is responsible for generating, the higher percentage of commissions or fees they receive, which in turn lowers the percentage of fees or commissions retained by NMIS or NMWMC; those breakpoints and percentages are what is referred to as the grid. The grid payout percentages range between 35% and 95% payable to the registered representative, depending on the level of sales or fees generated by that registered representative during the previous year. Therefore, a registered representative’s current year grid level is set based on the registered representative’s previous year’s sales production. Sales of Contracts count towards sales production used to measure grid placement for the following year, even though commissions for Contracts are not paid out through the grid. The ability to improve grid placement in the following year provides an incentive for your registered representative to sell the Contract.
Because registered representatives of the Distributor are also our appointed agents, they may be eligible for various cash benefits, such as additional bonuses, insurance benefits, retirement benefits, and non-cash compensation programs that we offer, such as conferences, achievement recognition, prizes, and awards. In addition, Distributor’s registered representatives who meet certain productivity, persistency and length of service standards and/or their managers may be eligible for additional compensation. For example, registered representatives who meet certain annual sales production requirements with respect to their sales of Northwestern Mutual insurance and annuity products can qualify to receive additional cash compensation for their other sales of investment products and services. Sales of the Contracts help registered representatives and/or their managers qualify for such compensation and benefits.
Certain of the Distributor’s registered representatives may receive other payments from us for the recruitment, development, training, and supervision of Financial Representatives, production of promotional literature, and similar services. Commissions and other incentives and payments described above are not charged directly to Owners or to the Separate Account. We intend to recoup sales expenses through fees and charges deducted under the Contract.
DividendsThis Contract is eligible to share in the divisible surplus, if any, of the Company, except while payments are being made under a variable income plan. Each year we determine, in our sole discretion, the amount and appropriate allocation of divisible surplus. Divisible surplus credited to your Contract is referred to as a “dividend.” There is no guaranteed method or formula for the determination or allocation of divisible surplus. The Company’s approach is subject to change. There is no guarantee of a divisible surplus. Even if there is a divisible surplus, the payment of a dividend on this Contract is not guaranteed. It is not expected that any dividends will be payable on this Contract, except, possibly, on certain fixed installment plans.
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We will credit dividends, if any, attributable to your Contract on the Contract anniversary. Dividends, if any, credited prior to the Maturity Date will be applied as a Net Purchase Payment on the Contract anniversary unless the Owner elects to have the dividend paid in cash. However, if the NYSE is closed on the Contract Anniversary, the amount of any dividend will be applied as of the next Valuation Date after the Contract anniversary. Dividends, if any, applied as a Net Purchase Payment will be allocated to the Divisions of the Separate Account according to the allocation of Net Premiums then in effect.
Voting RightsAs long as the Separate Account continues to be registered as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act, and as long as Separate Account assets of a particular Division are invested in shares of a given Portfolio, we will vote the shares of that Portfolio held in the Separate Account in accordance with instructions we receive from (i) the Owners of Accumulation Units supported by assets of that Division; and (ii) the payees receiving payments under variable income plans supported by assets of that Division. Periodic reports relating to the Portfolios, proxy material, and a form (on which one can give instructions with respect to the proportion of shares of the Portfolio held in the Account corresponding to the Accumulation Units credited to the Contract, or the number of shares of the Portfolio held in the Account representing the actuarial liability under the variable income plans, as the case may be) will be made available to each Owner or payee. The number of shares will increase from year to year as additional purchase payments are made by the Contract Owner; after a variable income plan is in effect, the number of shares will decrease from year to year as the remaining actuarial liability declines. We will vote shares for which no instructions have been received, as well as shares of the fund that the insurer itself owns, in the same proportion as the shares for which instructions have been received from Contract Owners and payees. Because of this proportional voting requirement, it is possible that a small number of Contract Owners and payees could determine the outcome of a particular vote.
We may, if required by state insurance regulations, disregard voting instructions which would require shares to be voted for a change in the sub-classification or investment objectives of a Portfolio, or to approve or disapprove an investment advisory agreement for a Portfolio. We may also disregard voting instructions that would require changes in the investment policy or investment adviser for a Portfolio, provided that we reasonably determine to take this action in accordance with applicable federal law. If we disregard voting instructions we will include a summary of the action and reasons therefore in the next annual report to Contract Owners.
Internal Annuity ExchangesAs a matter of current practice, which we may limit or stop at any time in our discretion, we permit owners of certain fixed and variable annuity contracts that we have previously issued to exchange those contracts forsales expenses. Such exchanges are not intended to be available for all owners, as they may not be in a particular owner’s best interest. We are not presently charging an administrative fee on these transactions. We permit only one such transaction in any 12-month period. Cumulative premium and guaranteed minimum death benefits are affected by an Internal Annuity Exchange. These values are transferred from the source contract to the receiving contract proportionally, relative to the amount of the contract that was exchanged before the application of any withdrawal charges. For exchanges from a fixed contract to a variable annuity contract, the guaranteed minimum death benefit is determined by the cumulative premium amount transferred. Internal Annuity Exchanges, as described above, are not available in all states.
Amounts exchanged from a front-load Contract to a Contract will not be subject to any additional front-end sales charge or withdrawal charge. We currently do not allow an exchange from a variable annuity contract we previously issued to a Contract when amounts exchanged from the previously issued variable annuity contract would be subject to a withdrawal charge, although we may allow such exchanges when there are no applicable withdrawal charges on the Contract being exchanged. Fixed annuity contracts, which are not described in this prospectus, are available for exchange to a Contract, however, any applicable withdrawal charge or market value adjustment may be assessed on amounts exchanged from the fixed annuity contract.
It is our current practice not to allow exchanges from a Contract to a back-load variable annuity contract or a front-load variable annuity contract.
Speculative InvestingDo not purchase this contract if you plan to use it, or any of its riders, for any type of speculative collective investment scheme (including, for example, arbitrage). Your Contract is not intended to be traded on any stock exchange or secondary market, and attempts to engage in such trading may violate state and/or federal law.
Abandoned Property RequirementsEvery state has unclaimed property laws which generally declare insurance contracts/policies to be abandoned after a period of inactivity of three to five years from the contract’s/policy’s maturity date, the date the death benefit is due and payable, or in some states, the date the insurer learns of the death of the insured. For example, if the payment of the death benefit has been triggered, but, if after a thorough search, we are still unable to locate the beneficiary, or if the beneficiary does not come forward to claim the death benefit proceeds in a timely manner, the death benefit proceeds will be paid to the abandoned property division or unclaimed property office of the state in which the beneficiary or you last resided, as shown on our books and records, or to our state of domicile. This “escheatment” is revocable, however, and the state is obligated to pay the death benefit proceeds (without interest) if your beneficiary steps forward to claim it with the proper documentation. To prevent such escheatment, it is important that you update your beneficiary designations, including addresses, if and as they change. Please call 888-455-2232 to make such changes.
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Legal ProceedingsNorthwestern Mutual, like other life insurance companies, generally is involved in litigation at any given time. Although the outcome of any litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that, as of the date of this prospectus, there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that will have a materially adverse impact on the ability of Northwestern Mutual to meet its obligations under the Contract, on the Separate Account, or on NMIS and its ability to perform its duties as underwriter for the Separate Account.
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Appendix A—Portfolios Available under Your Contract
The following is a list of Portfolios available under the Contract. More information about the Portfolios is available in the prospectuses for the Portfolios, which may be amended from time to time and can be found online at www.nmprospectus.com. You can also request this information at no cost by calling (866) 910-1232 or by sending an email request to vavldocrequest@northwesternmutual.com. In addition to the Portfolios listed below, the Contract also offers fixed options (see “Other Benefits Available Under the Contract - Fixed Options” above), subject to restrictions, which can earn interest for specified periods at declared rates.
The current expenses and performance information below reflects fees and expenses of the Portfolios, but do not reflect the other fees and expenses that your Contract may charge. Expenses would be higher and performance would be lower if these other charges were included. Each Portfolio’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of future performance.
Investment Objective
Portfolio
Adviser/
Sub-adviser (if applicable)
Current Expenses
Average Annual
Total Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Long-term growth of
capital; current income is
a secondary objective
Growth Stock Portfolio2
Mason Street Advisors, LLC
(MSA)/T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc
0.42%1
37.82%
14.77%
13.44%
Long-term growth of
capital
Focused Appreciation
Portfolio2
MSA/Loomis, Sayles &
Company, L.P.
0.61%1
34.43%
18.22%
16.94%
Long-term growth of
capital and income
Large Cap Core Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/Wellington
Management Company LLP
0.43%1
22.16%
13.86%
11.88%
Long-term growth of
capital and income
Large Cap Blend
Portfolio2
MSA/J.P. Morgan Investment
Management, Inc.
0.72%1
23.86%
10.92%
10.22%
Investment results that
approximate the
performance of the
Standard & Poor’s 500®
Composite Stock Price
Index
Index 500 Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/BlackRock Advisors, LLC
0.19%1
24.75%
14.30%
12.86%
Long-term growth of
capital; income is a
secondary objective
Large Company Value
Portfolio2
MSA/American Century
Investment Management,
Inc.
0.75%1
10.69%
7.46%
7.58%
Long-term growth of
capital and income
Domestic Equity
Portfolio2
MSA/Delaware Investments
Fund Advisers, a series of
Macquarie Investment
Management Business Trust
0.50%1
7.07%
5.90%
7.40%
Long-term growth of
capital and income
Equity Income Portfolio2
MSA/T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc
0.57%1
11.88%
8.60%
8.40%
Long-term growth of
capital
Mid Cap Growth Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/J.P. Morgan Investment
Management, Inc.
0.54%1
8.21%
5.55%
7.03%
Investment results that
approximate the
performance of the
Standard & Poor’s
MidCap 400® Stock Price
Index
Index 400 Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/Northern Trust
Investments, Inc.
0.24%1
13.63%
10.07%
9.41%
Long-term growth of
capital; current income is
a secondary objective
Mid Cap Value Portfolio2
MSA/American Century
Investment Management,
Inc.
0.72%1
8.65%
7.42%
8.15%
Long-term growth of
capital
Small Cap Growth Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/Wellington
Management Company LLP
0.56%
13.18%
5.89%
8.12%
Investment results that
approximate the
performance of the
Standard & Poor’s
SmallCap 600® Index
Index 600 Stock
Portfolio2
MSA/Northern Trust
Investments, Inc.
0.27%
8.43%
8.01%
8.61%
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Investment Objective
Portfolio
Adviser/
Sub-adviser (if applicable)
Current Expenses
Average Annual
Total Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Long-term growth of
capital
Small Cap Value
Portfolio2
MSA/T. Rowe Price
Investment Management,
Inc.
0.87%1
10.36%
6.59%
7.77%
Long-term growth of
capital
International Growth
Portfolio2
MSA/FIAM LLC
0.61%1
5.30%
5.96%
7.03%
Capital appreciation
Research International
Core Portfolio2
MSA/Massachusetts
Financial Services Company
0.72%1
3.25%
4.20%
5.48%
Long-term growth of
capital and income
International Equity
Portfolio2
MSA/Dodge & Cox
0.68%
3.94%
2.81%
3.02%
Capital appreciation
Emerging Markets Equity
Portfolio2
MSA/abrdn Investments
Limited
0.89%1
4.02%
0.12%
2.50%
Maximum current income
to the extent consistent
with liquidity and stability
of capital3
Government Money
Market Portfolio2
MSA/BlackRock Advisors, LLC
0.33%1
4.99%
2.28%
1.56%
Provide as high a level of
current income as is
consistent with prudent
investment risk
Short-Term Bond
Portfolio2
MSA/T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc.
0.40%
5.04%
1.92%
1.90%
Provide as high a level of
total return consistent
with prudent investment
risk; a secondary
objective is to seek
preservation of
shareholders’ capital
Select Bond Portfolio2
MSA/Allspring Global
Investments, LLC
0.31%1
1.76%
0.09%
1.57%
Maximum total return,
consistent with
preservation of capital
and prudent investment
management
Long-Term U.S.
Government Bond
Portfolio2
MSA/Pacific Investment
Management Company LLC
2.68%1
-5.78%
-5.29%
-0.93%
Pursue total return using
a strategy that seeks to
protect against U.S.
inflation
Inflation Managed
Portfolio2(“Inflation
Protection Portfolio”
until 9/30/2025)
MSA/American Century
Investment Management,
Inc.
0.45%1
1.96%
1.50%
1.95%
High current income and
capital appreciation
High Yield Bond
Portfolio2
MSA/Federated Investment
Management Company
0.46%
6.38%
3.71%
4.95%
Maximum total return,
consistent with prudent
investment management
Multi-Sector Bond
Portfolio2
MSA/Pacific Investment
Management Company LLC
0.75%1
6.42%
0.93%
3.33%
Realize as high a level of
total return as is
consistent with
reasonable investment
risk through appreciation
and income
Active/Passive Balanced
Portfolio2 (“Balanced
Portfolio” until 6/30/
2025)
MSA
0.47%1
7.43%
4.76%
5.53%
Realize as high a level of
total return as is
consistent with moderate
investment risk through
appreciation and
secondarily through
income
Active/Passive Moderate
Portfolio2(“Asset
Allocation Portfolio” until
6/30/2025)
MSA
0.53%1
9.72%
6.17%
6.72%
Long-term growth of
capital
Fidelity® VIP Mid Cap
Portfolio – Initial Class4
Fidelity Management &
Research Company LLC
(FMR)5
0.57%
17.49%
11.34%
9.21%
Long-term capital
appreciation
Fidelity® VIP
ContrafundSM Portfolio –
Initial Class4
FMR/FMR Co., Inc.5
0.56%
33.79%
17.04%
13.62%
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Investment Objective
Portfolio
Adviser/
Sub-adviser (if applicable)
Current Expenses
Average Annual
Total Returns
(as of 12/31/2024)
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
Long-term growth of
capital by investing
primarily in securities of
companies that meet the
Portfolio’s environmental,
social and governance
criteria
Sustainable Equity
Portfolio6
Neuberger Berman
Investment Advisers LLC
0.89%
25.84%
13.97%
11.44%
Long-term growth of
capital
U.S. Strategic Equity
Fund7
Russell Investment
Management LLC (RIM)8
0.90%1
20.50%
12.42%
11.07%
Long-term growth of
capital
U.S. Small Cap Equity
Fund7
RIM8
1.14%1
8.53%
8.00%
7.31%
Current income and long-
term growth of capital
Global Real Estate
Securities Fund7
RIM8
0.91%
1.42%
-0.20%
2.75%
Long-term growth of
capital
International Developed
Markets Fund7
RIM8
1.03%1
2.78%
4.23%
4.70%
Provide total return
Strategic Bond Fund7
RIM8
0.65%1
0.83%
-0.87%
1.04%
Current income and
moderate long-term
capital appreciation
LifePoints® Variable
Target Portfolio Series
Moderate Strategy Fund7
RIM8
0.85%1
6.48%
2.86%
3.67%
Above-average long-term
capital appreciation and a
moderate level of current
income
LifePoints® Variable
Target Portfolio Series
Balanced Strategy Fund7
RIM8
0.90%1
9.48%
5.00%
5.15%
High long-term capital
appreciation; and as a
secondary objective,
current income
LifePoints® Variable
Target Portfolio Series
Aggressive Strategy
Fund7
RIM8
0.97%1
11.94%
7.10%
6.50%
High long-term capital
appreciation
LifePoints® Variable
Target Portfolio Series
Equity Aggressive
Strategy Fund7
RIM8
1.00%1
13.09%
7.58%
6.97%
Total return
Commodity Return
Strategy Portfolio – Class
29
UBS Asset Management
(Americas) LLC10
0.80%1
5.12%
N/A
N/A
1
This reflects an expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangement that is in place and reported in the Portfolio’s registration statement. This agreement may be terminated in the future and, therefore, the expense figures shown reflect temporary fee reductions.
2
A series of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., for which Mason Street Advisors, LLC (MSA), our wholly-owned company, serves as investment adviser.
3
Although the Government Money Market Portfolio seeks to preserve its value at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Government Money Market Portfolio. An investment in a money market portfolio is neither insured nor guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency. During extended periods of low interest rates, the yield of a money market portfolio may also become extremely low and possibly negative.
4
The Fidelity® VIP Mid Cap Portfolio and the Fidelity® VIP Contrafund® Portfolio are series of Variable Insurance Products Fund III and the Variable Insurance Products Fund II, respectively.
5
The following affiliates of Fidelity Management & Research Company also assist with foreign investments for each Portfolio: Fidelity Management & Research (U.K.) Inc., Fidelity Management & Research (Hong Kong) Limited, and Fidelity Management & Research (Japan) Inc.
6
A series of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust.
7
A series of Russell Investment Funds.
8
Assets of each Portfolio are invested by one or more investment management organizations researched and recommended by Russell Investment Management LLC, the investment adviser for the Russell Investment Funds.
9
A series of Credit Suisse Trust.
10
Effective May 1, 2024, Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC merged into UBS Asset Management (Americas) LLC (“UBS AM (Americas)”) with UBS AM (Americas) as the surviving entity, and UBS AM (Americas) became the investment manager to the Portfolio.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
28

Appendix B—State Variations
This Appendix contains important state-specific variations for Contracts issued in the states as noted below. The prospectus provides a general description of the Contract (and any endorsements) but your state of issue may provide different features from, and impose different costs than, those described in the body of the prospectus. Please see your Contract for specific details.
State
Policy
Feature/Benefit/Cost
Variation
Alabama
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Alaska
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Arizona
Right to Return
If the Contract is replacing an existing annuity contract, or if the Owner is
sixty-five (65) years of age or older on the issue date, it may be returned
within thirty (30) days after it was received.
California
Right to Return
If the Owner is sixty (60) years of age or older on the issue date, the
Contract may be returned within thirty (30) days after it was received.
Colorado
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Connecticut
Right to Return
The amount of the refund will be the amount of the Purchase Payments
paid.
Florida
Right to Return
The Contract may be returned within twenty-one (21) days after it was
received. The amount of the refund will be the cash surrender value
provided in the Contract plus any fees or charges deducted from the
premiums.
Maturity Benefit
The Maturity Date may be changed upon request. The Contract may be
annuitized at any time after twelve (12) months following the issue date.
The latest Maturity Date is the Contract anniversary nearest the
Annuitant’s 98th birthday.
Deferment of Benefit Payments
If payment of contract values of the Separate Account Divisions is
deferred, interest will be paid at an annual effective interest rate in
accordance with Florida law.
Georgia
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Hawaii
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Idaho
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Illinois
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Indiana
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Iowa
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Kentucky
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Louisiana
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
29

Maine
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Maryland
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Massachusetts
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Michigan
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Minnesota
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Mississippi
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Missouri
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Montana
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Nebraska
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Nevada
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
New Hampshire
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
New Jersey
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
New Mexico
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
New York
Maturity Benefit
The latest Maturity Date is the contract anniversary nearest the
Annuitant’s 98th birthday.
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
 
Right to Return
You may generally return the Policy for a refund within 10 days for any
reason or sixty (60) days for replacements after you receive it by
returning the Policy to us at our Home Office or to your Financial
Representative. The amount of your refund will equal the sum of (a) the
difference between the Purchase Payments paid and the amounts, if any,
allocated to the Separate Account plus (b) the value of the Accumulation
Units of the Separate Account on the effective date of return.
North Carolina
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
North Dakota
Right to Return
The Contract may be returned within twenty (20) days after it was
received.
Ohio
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Oklahoma
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
30

Oregon
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Pennsylvania
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Rhode Island
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
South Carolina
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
South Dakota
Incontestability
While the Contract is contestable, the Company may rescind the
Contract or deny a claim under the Disability Waiver of Purchase
Payment Benefit on the basis of a misstatement in the application.
Tennessee
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Texas
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Utah
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Vermont
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Virginia
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Washington
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
West Virginia
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Wisconsin
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Wyoming
Misstatements
If the Company has underpaid any amounts due to a misstatement of
age or sex, the underpayment will be paid with interest at an annual
effective rate of 3.50%.
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
31

Additional Information
Financial statements of the Separate Account and the financial statements of Northwestern Mutual appear in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The financial statements of the Company should only be considered with respect to the Company’s ability to meet its obligations under the Contract and not with respect to Contract Value held in the Separate Account, which is principally derived from the investment performance of the Portfolios. The SAI is available free of charge at www.nmprospectus.com. Semiannually, we will send you reports containing financial information and schedules of investments for the Portfolios underlying the Divisions in which you invest. We will notify you by mail that reports containing financial information and schedules of investments for the Portfolios underlying the Divisions in which you invest are available online. More information about the Contract and NML Variable Annuity Account C (the “Separate Account”) is included in the SAI dated May 1, 2025. The SAI is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and is available free of charge at www.nmprospectus.com.
To receive a copy of the SAI, send a written request to Northwestern Mutual, Risk Products Department, Room T10, 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202. You can also request a copy of the SAI by calling us at (866) 910-1232 free of charge.
Information about the Separate Account (including the SAI) is available on the SEC’s internet site at www.sec.gov, or may be obtained, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.  
Edgar Contract Identifier: C000034306
Account C (Network Edition) Prospectus
32


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 1, 2025
INDIVIDUAL FLEXIBLE PAYMENT VARIABLE ANNUITY
(Network Edition)
An individual flexible payment deferred variable annuity contract (the “Contract”) offered for use in non tax-qualified situations to purchasers who are either current or retired registered representatives of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, principal underwriter and distributor of the Contract or certain other eligible persons.
Issued by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
and
NML Variable Annuity Account C
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but supplements and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Contract identified above and dated the same date as this SAI.

A copy of the prospectus may be obtained by writing The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Risk Products Department, Room T10, 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202, calling telephone number 1-888-455-2232, or visiting the website www.northwesternmutual.com.
B-1

Table of Contents
 
Page
B-3
B-3
B-3
B-3
B-4
B-4
B-4
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE ACCOUNT
F-1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL
NM-1
B-2

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Account was originally named NML Separate Account C but was renamed NML Variable Annuity Account C on November 23, 1983. The Account is used for the Contracts and for other variable annuity contracts issued by the Company.
DETERMINATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The following discussion of the method for determining the amount of monthly annuity payments under a variable income plan is intended to be read in conjunction with these sections of the prospectus for the Contracts: “Variable Income Plans,” including “Description of Variable Income Plans,” “Amount of Annuity Payments,” and “Assumed Investment Rate”; “Dividends”; and “Deductions.”
Amount of Annuity PaymentsThe amount of the first annuity payment under a variable Income Plan will be determined on the basis of the particular Income Plan selected, the annuity payment rate and, for plans involving life contingencies, the Annuitant’s adjusted age. The amount of the first payment is the sum of the payments from each Division of the Account determined by applying the appropriate annuity payment rate to the product of the number of Accumulation Units in the Division on the effective date of the Income Plan and the Accumulation Unit value for the Division on that date. Annuity rates currently in use are based on the 2012 Individual Annuity Mortality Period Table with 125% of Projection Scale G2, a 5.00% load, and an age adjustment. For currently-issued contracts (“RR series”), the Company may offer higher initial payment rates.
Variable annuity payments after the first will vary from month to month and will depend upon the number and value of Annuity Units credited to the Annuitant. After the effective date of an Income Plan a Contract will not share in the divisible surplus of Northwestern Mutual. The number of Annuity Units in each Division is determined by dividing the amount of the first annuity payment from the Division by the value of an Annuity Unit on the effective date of the Payment Plan. The number of Annuity Units thus credited to the Annuitant in each Division remains constant throughout the annuity period. However, the value of Annuity Units in each Division will fluctuate with the investment experience of the Division.
The amount of each variable annuity payment after the first is the sum of payments from each Division determined by multiplying this fixed number of Annuity Units each month by the value of an Annuity Unit for the Division on (a) the fifth valuation date prior to the payment due date if the payment due date is a valuation date, or (b) the sixth valuation date prior to the payment due date if the payment due date is not a valuation date. To illustrate, if a payment due date falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the amount of the payment will normally be based upon the Annuity Unit value calculated on the preceding Friday. The preceding Friday would be the fifth valuation date prior to the Friday due date, and the sixth valuation date prior to the Saturday or Sunday due dates.
Annuity Unit ValueThe value of an Annuity Unit for each Division was established at $1.00 as of the date operations began for that Division. The value of an Annuity Unit on any later date varies to reflect the investment experience of the Division, the Assumed Investment Rate on which the annuity rate tables are based, and the deduction for mortality rate and expense risks assumed by Northwestern Mutual.
The Annuity Unit value for each Division on any valuation date is determined by multiplying the Annuity Unit value on the immediately preceding valuation date by two factors: (a) the net investment factor for the current period for the Division; and (b) an adjustment factor to reflect the Assumed Investment Rate used in calculating the annuity rate tables.
B-3

Illustrations of Variable Annuity PaymentsTo illustrate the manner in which variable annuity payments are determined consider this example. Item (4) in the example shows the applicable monthly payment rate for an annuitant, adjusted age 65, who has elected a life annuity Income Plan with a certain period of 10 years with an Assumed Investment Rate of 3-1/2% (Plan 2, as described in the prospectus). The example is for a Contract with sex-distinct rates.
(1)
Assumed number of Accumulation Units in Balanced Division on maturity date
25,000
(2)
Assumed Value of an Accumulation Unit in Balanced Division at maturity
$2.000000
(3)
Cash Value of Contract at maturity, (1) X (2)
$50,000
(4)
Assumed applicable monthly payment rate per $1,000 from annuity rate table
$4.90
(5)
Amount of first payment from Balanced Division, (3) X (4) divided by $1,000
$245.00
(6)
Assumed Value of Annuity Unit in Balanced Division at maturity
$1.500000
(7)
Number of Annuity Units credited in Balanced Division, (5) divided by (6)
163.33
The $50,000 value at maturity provides a first payment from the Balanced Division of $245.00, and payments thereafter of the varying dollar value of 163.33 Annuity Units. The amount of subsequent payments from the Balanced Division is determined by multiplying 163.33 units by the value of an Annuity Unit in the Balanced Division on the applicable valuation date. For example, if that unit value is $1.501000, the monthly payment from the Division will be 163.33 multiplied by $1.501000, or $245.16.
However, the value of the Annuity Unit depends entirely on the investment performance of the Division. Thus in the example above, if the net investment rate for the following month was less than the Assumed Investment Rate of 3-1/2%, the Annuity Unit would decline in value. If the Annuity Unit value declined to$1.499000 the succeeding monthly payment would then be 163.33 X $1.499000, or $244.83.
For the sake of simplicity the foregoing example assumes that all of the Annuity Units are in the Balanced Division. If there are Annuity Units in two or more Divisions, the annuity payment from each Division is calculated separately, in the manner illustrated, and the total monthly payment is the sum of the payments from the Divisions.
VALUATION OF ASSETS OF THE ACCOUNT
The value of Portfolio or Fund shares held in each Division of the Account at the time of each valuation is the redemption value of such shares at such time. If the right to redeem shares of a Portfolio or Fund has been suspended, or payment of redemption value has been postponed, for the sole purpose of computing annuity payments the shares held in the Account (and Annuity Units) may be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of Northwestern Mutual.
EXPERTS
The statutory financial statements of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the financial statements of NML Variable Annuity Account C as of December 31, 2024 and for the periods indicated, included in this Statement of Additional Information constituting part of this Registration Statement, have been so included in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 833 East Michigan Street, Suite 1200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
B-4


 

Annual Report December 31, 2024

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

Financial Statements


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Contract Owners of NML Variable Annuity Account C

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of each of the divisions of NML Variable Annuity Account C indicated in the table below as of December 31, 2024, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the divisions of NML Variable Annuity Account C as of December 31, 2024, and the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Growth Stock Division (1)    Mid Cap Value Division (1)    Select Bond Division (1)    U.S. Strategic Equity Division (1)
Focused Appreciation Division (1)    Small Cap Growth Stock Division (1)    Long-Term U.S. Government Bond Division (1)    U.S. Small Cap Equity Division (1)
Large Cap Core Stock Division (1)    Index 600 Stock Division (1)    Inflation Protection Division (1)    International Developed Markets Division (1)
Large Cap Blend Division (1)    Small Cap Value Division (1)    High Yield Bond Division (1)    Strategic Bond Division (1)
Index 500 Stock Division (1)    International Growth Division (1)    Multi-Sector Bond Division (1)    Global Real Estate Securities Division (1)
Large Company Value Division (1)    Research International Core Division (1)    Balanced Division (1)    LifePoints Moderate Strategy Division (1)
Domestic Equity Division (1)    International Equity Division (1)    Asset Allocation Division (1)    LifePoints Balanced Strategy Division (1)
Equity Income Division (1)    Emerging Markets Equity Division (1)    Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Division (1)    LifePoints Growth Strategy Division (1)
Mid Cap Growth Stock Division (1)    Government Money Market Division (1)    Fidelity VIP Contrafund Division (1)    LifePoints Equity Growth Strategy Division (1)
Index 400 Stock Division (1)    Short-Term Bond Division (1)    AMT Sustainable Equity Division (1)    Credit Suisse Trust Commodity Return Strategy Division (1)

(1)  Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and statement of changes in net assets for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements of each of the divisions of NML Variable Annuity Account C based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to each of the divisions of NML Variable Annuity Account C in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.


We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of investments owned as of December 31, 2024 by correspondence with the custodians and the transfer agents of the investee mutual funds. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

April 28, 2025

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the divisions of NML Variable Annuity Account C since 1971.


Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

Table of Contents

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     F-1  

Statements of Operations

     F-5  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     F-8  

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-18  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except accumulation unit values)

 

    

Growth Stock

Division

    

Focused

Appreciation

Division

    

Large Cap Core

Stock Division

    

Large Cap

Blend Division

    

Index 500

Stock Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 1,349      $ 4,817      $ 890      $ 842      $ 17,084  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     1,349        4,817        890        842        17,084  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        1  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        1  

Total Net Assets

   $ 1,349      $ 4,817      $ 890      $ 842      $ 17,083  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 1,349      $ 4,817      $ 890      $ 842      $ 16,013  

Annuity Reserves

     -        -        -        -        1,070  

Total Net Assets

   $ 1,349      $ 4,817      $ 890      $ 842      $ 17,083  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 974      $ 3,626      $ 784      $ 850      $ 11,506  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     320        1,019        466        751        1,789  

Units Outstanding

     176        332        177        254        2,396  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 5.245235      $ 12.131021      $ 4.294491      $ 2.861147      $ 5.689024  

Highest

   $ 192.362205      $ 159.010652      $ 125.213871      $ 35.681932      $ 347.412989  

 

    

Large

Company Value

Division

    

Domestic

Equity Division

     Equity Income
Division
    

Mid Cap

Growth

Stock

Division

    

Index 400

Stock Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 703      $ 2,798      $ 2,321      $ 810      $ 4,298  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     703        2,798        2,321        810        4,298  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 703      $ 2,798      $ 2,321      $ 810      $ 4,298  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 693      $ 2,764      $ 2,321      $ 810      $ 3,753  

Annuity Reserves

     10        34        -        -        545  

Total Net Assets

   $ 703      $ 2,798      $ 2,321      $ 810      $ 4,298  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 762      $ 2,977      $ 2,165      $ 813      $ 3,791  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     839        1,824        1,328        241        1,831  

Units Outstanding

     256        640        414        190        474  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 2.307457      $ 3.499173      $ 4.663975      $ 2.809906      $ 7.773247  

Highest

   $ 28.778577      $ 46.883092      $ 61.137682      $ 202.486497      $ 107.123025  

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-1


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except accumulation unit values)

 

    

Mid Cap Value

Division

    

Small Cap

Growth Stock

Division

    

Index 600

Stock Division

    

Small Cap

Value Division

    

International

Growth

Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 1,648      $ 1,375      $ 3,420      $ 1,250      $ 2,683  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        12        -        -  

Total Assets

     1,648        1,375        3,432        1,250        2,683  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 1,648      $ 1,375      $ 3,432      $ 1,250      $ 2,683  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 1,643      $ 1,367      $ 2,929      $ 1,243      $ 2,553  

Annuity Reserves

     5        8        503        7        130  

Total Net Assets

   $ 1,648      $ 1,375      $ 3,432      $ 1,250      $ 2,683  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 1,714      $ 1,314      $ 3,183      $ 1,220      $ 2,561  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     1,078        544        2,140        619        1,385  

Units Outstanding

     256        317        779        187        727  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 5.376967      $ 4.233352      $ 3.228993      $ 5.380595      $ 2.884514  

Highest

   $ 70.483078      $ 103.862828      $ 40.271432      $ 72.091245      $ 38.648665  
    

Research

International

Core

Division

    

International

Equity Division

    

Emerging

Markets Equity

Division

    

Government

Money Market

Division

    

Short-Term Bond

Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value (1)

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 2,241      $ 4,207      $ 3,619      $ 869      $ 1,354  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     2,241        4,207        3,619        869        1,354  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 2,241      $ 4,207      $ 3,619      $ 869      $ 1,354  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 2,199      $ 4,058      $ 3,470      $ 863      $ 1,352  

Annuity Reserves

     42        149        149        6        2  

Total Net Assets

   $ 2,241      $ 4,207      $ 3,619      $ 869      $ 1,354  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 2,195      $ 4,159      $ 3,972      $ 869      $ 1,358  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     2,075        2,639        3,778        869        1,306  

Units Outstanding

     1,344        1,630        2,866        553        1,005  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 1.396245      $ 2.416279      $ 1.037988      $ 1.423211      $ 1.180203  

Highest

   $ 17.414904      $ 6.666887      $ 12.946145      $ 48.515467      $ 14.717839  

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-2


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except accumulation unit values)

 

    

Select Bond

Division

    

Long-Term U.S.

Government

Bond Division

    

Inflation

Protection

Division

    

High Yield

Bond Division

    

Multi-Sector

Bond Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 6,411      $ 408      $ 1,220      $ 2,272      $ 4,454  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     6,411        408        1,220        2,272        4,454  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 6,411      $ 408      $ 1,220      $ 2,272      $ 4,454  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 6,277      $ 408      $ 1,217      $ 2,259      $ 4,423  

Annuity Reserves

     134        -        3        13        31  

Total Net Assets

   $ 6,411      $ 408      $ 1,220      $ 2,272      $ 4,454  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 7,195      $ 504      $ 1,330      $ 2,381      $ 4,714  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     5,931        682        1,191        3,401        4,522  

Units Outstanding

     2,528        249        787        555        2,125  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 2.475586      $ 1.401010      $ 1.351406      $ 4.057769      $ 1.775572  

Highest

   $ 247.096448      $ 17.472664      $ 16.853807      $ 71.289348      $ 22.143446  
    

Balanced

Division

    

Asset

Allocation

Division

    

Fidelity VIP Mid

Cap Division

    

Fidelity

VIP

Contrafund

Division

    

AMT

Sustainable

Equity Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ 4,422      $ 396      $ -      $ -      $ -  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        2,618        5,173        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        1,256  

Russell Investment Funds

     -        -        -        -        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     4,422        396        2,618        5,173        1,256  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     7        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     7        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 4,415      $ 396      $ 2,618      $ 5,173      $ 1,256  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 4,197      $ 391      $ 2,618      $ 5,094      $ 1,252  

Annuity Reserves

     218        5        -        79        4  

Total Net Assets

   $ 4,415      $ 396      $ 2,618      $ 5,173      $ 1,256  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 4,629      $ 416      $ 2,460      $ 3,914      $ 937  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     3,335        353        70        89        31  

Units Outstanding

     990        109        280        923        279  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 2.975002      $ 2.929411      $ 7.782032      $ 4.751604      $ 3.855796  

Highest

   $ 311.423909      $ 39.248830      $ 102.011340      $ 59.258452      $ 48.086216  

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-3


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

December 31, 2024 (in thousands, except accumulation unit values)

 

    

U.S. Strategic

Equity Division

    

U.S. Small Cap

Equity Division

    

International

Developed

Markets

Division

    

Strategic Bond

Division

    

Global Real

Estate

Securities

Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     516        262        604        2,101        2,692  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     516        262        604        2,101        2,692  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 516      $ 262      $ 604      $ 2,101      $ 2,692  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 516      $ 262      $ 604      $ 2,098      $ 2,574  

Annuity Reserves

     -        -        -        3        118  

Total Net Assets

   $ 516      $ 262      $ 604      $ 2,101      $ 2,692  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 417      $ 276      $ 593      $ 2,439      $ 2,826  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     24        19        51        248        203  

Units Outstanding

     112        61        279        911        509  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 3.745253      $ 3.986158      $ 2.043426      $ 1.872752      $ 4.249128  

Highest

   $ 51.614127      $ 54.934915      $ 28.161237      $ 25.807502      $ 58.560099  
     LifePoints
Moderate
Strategy
Division
     LifePoints
Balanced
Strategy
Division
     LifePoints
Growth
Strategy
Division
     LifePoints
Equity Growth
Strategy
Division
    

Credit Suisse

Trust Commodity

Return Strategy

Division

 

Assets:

              

Investments, at fair value

              

Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc.

   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -  

Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund

     -        -        -        -        -  

Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust

     -        -        -        -        -  

Russell Investment Funds

     920        1,756        1,519        658        -  

Credit Suisse Trust

     -        -        -        -        1,656  

Due from Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Assets

     920        1,756        1,519        658        1,656  

Liabilities:

              

Due to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

     -        -        -        -        -  

Due to Participants

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Liabilities

     -        -        -        -        -  

Total Net Assets

   $ 920      $ 1,756      $ 1,519      $ 658      $ 1,656  
                                            

Net Assets:

              

Accumulation Units

   $ 920      $ 1,756      $ 1,519      $ 658      $ 1,644  

Annuity Reserves

     -        -        -        -        12  

Total Net Assets

   $ 920      $ 1,756      $ 1,519      $ 658      $ 1,656  
                                            

Investments, at cost

   $ 942      $ 1,724      $ 1,431      $ 591      $ 1,915  

Mutual Fund Shares Held

     96        179        147        66        92  

Units Outstanding

     513        879        714        344        260  

Accumulation Unit Value

              

Lowest

   $ 1.635588      $ 1.837679      $ 1.966185      $ 1.911681      $ 5.622554  

Highest

   $ 20.398355      $ 22.919261      $ 24.522311      $ 23.842459      $ 6.670393  

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-4


Statements of Operations

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands)

 

   

Growth Stock

Division

    Focused
Appreciation
Division
    Large Cap
Core
Stock Division
    Large Cap
Blend Division
    Index 500
Stock Division
 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 1     $ -     $ 6     $ 7     $ 203  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    5       20       5       3       82  

Net investment income (loss)

    (4     (20     1       4       121  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    14       599       55       8       2,063  

Realized gain distribution

    -       394       40       190       292  

Realized gains (losses)

    14       993       95       198       2,355  

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    356       358       72       (41     1,175  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 366     $ 1,331     $ 168     $ 161     $ 3,651  
                                       
   

Large

Company Value
Division

    Domestic
Equity Division
    Equity Income
Division
    Mid Cap
Growth Stock
Division
    Index 400
Stock Division
 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 13     $ 53     $ 49     $ 1     $ 52  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    3       10       9       9       20  

Net investment income (loss)

    10       43       40       (8     32  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    (10     (2     (18     (13     109  

Realized gain distribution

    27       211       83       -       140  

Realized gains (losses)

    17       209       65       (13     249  

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    38       (78     136       99       257  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 65     $ 174     $ 241     $ 78     $ 538  
                                       
    Mid Cap Value
Division
    Small Cap
Growth Stock
Division
    Index 600
Stock Division
    Small Cap
Value Division
   

International

Growth
Division

 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 33     $ 5     $ 32     $ 9     $ 23  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    7       6       11       5       11  

Net investment income (loss)

    26       (1     21       4       12  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    (23     (41     14       (72     65  

Realized gain distribution

    49       -       60       43       67  

Realized gains (losses)

    26       (41     74       (29     132  

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    76       210       86       139       (21

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 128     $ 168     $ 181     $ 114     $ 123  
                                       

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-5


Statements of Operations

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands)

 

    Research
International
Core Division
   

International

Equity Division

    Emerging
Markets
Equity
Division
    Government
Money Market
Division
   

Short-Term

Bond Division

 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 42     $ 125     $ 54     $ 37     $ 43  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    8       20       14       4       7  

Net investment income (loss)

    34       105       40       33       36  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    42       38       19       -       (3

Realized gain distribution

    14       -       -       -       -  

Realized gains (losses)

    56       38       19       -       (3

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    (21     26       70       -       23  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 69     $ 169     $ 129     $ 33     $ 56  
                                       
   

Select Bond

Division

   

Long-Term U.S.

Government

Bond Division

   

Inflation

Protection

Division

    High Yield
Bond Division
   

Multi-Sector

Bond Division

 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 245     $ 15     $ 38     $ 138     $ 199  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    23       2       6       8       14  

Net investment income (loss)

    222       13       32       130       185  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    (74     (69     (15     (12     (38

Realized gain distribution

    -       -       -       -       -  

Realized gains (losses)

    (74     (69     (15     (12     (38

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    (64     32       -       7       81  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 84     $ (24   $ 17     $ 125     $ 228  
                                       
   

Balanced

Division

   

Asset

Allocation

Division

   

Fidelity VIP
Mid Cap

Division

   

Fidelity VIP

Contrafund
Division

   

AMT

Sustainable

Equity Division

 

Income:

         

Dividend income

  $ 115     $ 7     $ 14     $ 9     $ 3  

Expenses:

         

Mortality and expense risk charges

    24       1       10       19       4  

Net investment income (loss)

    91       6       4       (10     (1

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

         

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

    (165     (2     47       219       100  

Realized gain distribution

    107       11       327       583       57  

Realized gains (losses)

    (58     9       374       802       157  

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

    342       14       24       541       112  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 375     $ 29     $ 402     $ 1,333     $ 268  
                                       

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-6


Statements of Operations

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands)

 

    

U.S. Strategic

Equity Division

 

 

   

U.S. Small Cap

Equity Division

 

 

   

International

Developed

Markets Division

 

 

 

   
Strategic Bond
Division

 

Income:

        

Dividend income

   $ 5     $ 4     $ 19     $ 101  

Expenses:

        

Mortality and expense risk charges

     2       2       2       7  

Net investment income (loss)

     3       2       17       94  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

        

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

     20       3       5       (29

Realized gain distribution

     38       20       11       -  

Realized gains (losses)

     58       23       16       (29

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

     27       (5     (19     (54

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 88     $ 20     $ 14     $ 11  
                                
    

Global Real

Estate

Securities

Division

 

 

 

 

   

LifePoints

Moderate

Strategy

Division

 

 

 

 

   

LifePoints

Balanced

Strategy

Division

 

 

 

 

   

LifePoints

Growth

Strategy

Division

 

 

 

 

Income:

        

Dividend income

   $ 63     $ 33     $ 50     $ 37  

Expenses:

        

Mortality and expense risk charges

     13       7       13       12  

Net investment income (loss)

     50       26       37       25  

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

        

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

     (25     (6     5       12  

Realized gain distribution

     -       -       -       -  

Realized gains (losses)

     (25     (6     5       12  

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

     8       36       93       120  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 33     $ 56     $ 135     $ 157  
                                
    

LifePoints

Equity Growth

Strategy

Division

 

 

 

 

   


Credit Suisse
Trust Commodity
Return Strategy
Division
 
 
 
 
   

Income:

        

Dividend income

   $ 15     $ 51      

Expenses:

        

Mortality and expense risk charges

     8       6      

Net investment income (loss)

     7       45      

Realized gain (loss) on investments:

        

Realized gain (loss) on sale of fund shares

     1       (3    

Realized gain distribution

     -       -      

Realized gains (losses)

     1       (3    

Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments during the period

     61       36      

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 69     $ 78      
                    

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Growth Stock Division          Focused Appreciation Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (4   $ (4      $ (20   $ (18

Net realized gains (losses)

     14       (15        993       402  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     356       368          358       1,138  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     366       349          1,331       1,522  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     60       107          244       237  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       (1

Surrenders and other (net)

     (104     (33        (538     (127

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     870       706          5,304       4,348  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (893     (796        (6,035     (4,535

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (67     (16        (1,025     (78

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     299       333          306       1,444  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     1,050       717          4,511       3,067  

End of period

   $ 1,349     $ 1,050        $ 4,817     $ 4,511  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     192       231          432       480  

Units redeemed during the period

     (203     (248        (521     (487

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (11     (17        (89     (7
                                   
     Large Cap Core Stock Division          Large Cap Blend Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 1     $ 3        $ 4     $ 3  

Net realized gains (losses)

     95       53          198       52  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     72       93          (41     60  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     168       149          161       115  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     35       11          52       42  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (172     (16        (8     (7

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     798       572          2,838       2,304  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (682     (581        (2,875     (2,349

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (21     (14        7       (10

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     147       135          168       105  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     743       608          674       569  

End of period

   $ 890     $ 743        $ 842     $ 674  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     209       183          927       952  

Units redeemed during the period

     (212     (189        (921     (956

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (3     (6        6       (4
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-8


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Index 500 Stock Division          Large Company Value Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 121     $ 127        $ 10     $ 19  

Net realized gains (losses)

     2,355       758          17       60  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     1,175       2,404          38       (59

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     3,651       3,289          65       20  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     561       836          42       30  

Annuity payments

     (87     (78        (1     (1

Surrenders and other (net)

     (1,983     (944        (43     (3

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     20,049       16,834          1,102       808  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (21,135     (16,962        (1,095     (846

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (2,595     (314        5       (12

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     1,056       2,975          70       8  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     16,027       13,052          633       625  

End of period

   $ 17,083     $ 16,027        $ 703     $ 633  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     3,291       3,514          433       358  

Units redeemed during the period

     (3,571     (3,723        (433     (363

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (280     (209        -       (5
                                   
     Domestic Equity Division          Equity Income Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 43     $ 37        $ 40     $ 44  

Net realized gains (losses)

     209       107          65       183  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (78     (57        136       (34

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     174       87          241       193  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     97       155          91       46  

Annuity payments

     (2     (2        -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (154     (141        (66     (188

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     6,309       5,496          2,738       2,455  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (6,196     (5,322        (2,991     (2,588

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     54       186          (228     (275

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     228       273          13       (82

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     2,570       2,297          2,308       2,390  

End of period

   $ 2,798     $ 2,570        $ 2,321     $ 2,308  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,480       1,464          511       530  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,468     (1,415        (555     (590

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     12       49          (44     (60
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-9


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Mid Cap Growth Stock Division          Index 400 Stock Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (8   $ (8      $ 32     $ 32  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (13     -          249       170  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     99       160          257       348  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     78       152          538       550  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     20       20          76       341  

Annuity payments

     -       -          (44     (38

Surrenders and other (net)

     (486     (32        (419     (144

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     967       775          9,203       7,232  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (1,011     (763        (9,242     (7,166

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (510     -          (426     225  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (432     152          112       775  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     1,242       1,090          4,186       3,411  

End of period

   $ 810     $ 1,242        $ 4,298     $ 4,186  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     368       325          965       902  

Units redeemed during the period

     (417     (321        (1,015     (933

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (49     4          (50     (31
                                   
     Mid Cap Value Division          Small Cap Growth Stock Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 26     $ 31        $ (1   $ (5

Net realized gains (losses)

     26       187          (41     (37

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     76       (131        210       235  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     128       87          168       193  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     28       99          36       202  

Annuity payments

     -       -          (2     (1

Surrenders and other (net)

     (88     (85        (154     (74

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     2,487       2,273          2,158       1,577  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (2,522     (2,187        (2,232     (1,487

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (95     100          (194     217  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     33       187          (26     410  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     1,615       1,428          1,401       991  

End of period

   $ 1,648     $ 1,615        $ 1,375     $ 1,401  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     398       414          533       510  

Units redeemed during the period

     (414     (396        (564     (448

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (16     18          (31     62  
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-10


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Index 600 Stock Division          Small Cap Value Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 21     $ 16        $ 4     $ 2  

Net realized gains (losses)

     74       107          (29     53  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     86       226          139       110  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     181       349          114       165  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     55       287          9       26  

Annuity payments

     (38     (34        -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (53     (102        (65     (16

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     6,541       4,676          3,154       2,794  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (5,912     (4,506        (3,331     (2,777

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     593       321          (233     27  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     774       670          (119     192  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     2,658       1,988          1,369       1,177  

End of period

   $ 3,432     $ 2,658        $ 1,250     $ 1,369  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,281       1,034          501       516  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,125     (1,066        (540     (511

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     156       (32        (39     5  
                                   
     International Growth Division          Research International Core Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 12     $ 10        $ 34     $ 28  

Net realized gains (losses)

     132       137          56       95  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (21     286          (21     127  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     123       433          69       250  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     143       140          77       182  

Annuity payments

     (10     (9        (3     (3

Surrenders and other (net)

     (112     (135        (85     (153

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     5,050       4,399          4,249       3,797  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (5,022     (4,483        (4,296     (3,830

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     49       (88        (58     (7

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     172       345          11       243  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     2,511       2,166          2,230       1,987  

End of period

   $ 2,683     $ 2,511        $ 2,241     $ 2,230  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,303       1,318          2,562       2,594  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,290     (1,377        (2,593     (2,596

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     13       (59        (31     (2
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-11


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     International Equity Division          Emerging Markets Equity Division  
    


Year Ended

December 31,
2024

 

 
 

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 105     $ 107        $ 40     $ 58  

Net realized gains (losses)

     38       (109        19       52  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     26       621          70       96  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  

     169       619          129       206  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     77       183          116       195  

Annuity payments

     (15     (14        (13     (12

Surrenders and other (net)

     (584     (298        (160     (276

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     8,254       7,274          6,918       6,096  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (8,127     (7,465        (6,807     (5,959

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from contract transactions

     (395     (320        54       44  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (226     299          183       250  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     4,433       4,134          3,436       3,186  

End of period

   $ 4,207     $ 4,433        $ 3,619     $ 3,436  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     3,246       3,209          5,409       5,129  

Units redeemed during the period

     (3,312     (3,400        (5,369     (5,177

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (66     (191        40       (48
                                   
     Government Money Market Division          Short-Term Bond Division  
    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 33     $ 35        $ 36     $ 19  

Net realized gains (losses)

     -       -          (3     (4

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     -       -          23       45  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  

     33       35          56       60  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     325       298          20       100  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (1,187     (648        (45     (86

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     1,534       1,213          2,646       2,381  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (692     (975        (2,676     (2,298

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from contract transactions

     (20     (112        (55     97  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     13       (77        1       157  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     856       933          1,353       1,196  

End of period

   $ 869     $ 856        $ 1,354     $ 1,353  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,329       1,123          1,975       1,934  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,346     (1,212        (2,018     (1,857

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (17     (89        (43     77  
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-12


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Select Bond Division         
Long-Term U.S. Government
Bond Division
 
 
    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 222     $ 123        $ 13     $ 9  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (74     (127        (69     (19

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (64     321          32       25  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     84       317          (24     15  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     134       371          9       25  

Annuity payments

     (22     (21        -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (507     (742        (19     (14

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     11,803       9,544          1,027       948  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (10,782     (9,369        (1,051     (871

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     626       (217        (34     88  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     710       100          (58     103  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     5,701       5,601          466       363  

End of period

   $ 6,411     $ 5,701        $ 408     $ 466  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     4,818       4,167          622       571  

Units redeemed during the period

     (4,507     (4,254        (640     (518

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     311       (87        (18     53  
                                   
     Inflation Protection Division          High Yield Bond Division  
    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 32     $ 55        $ 130     $ 103  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (15     (13        (12     (11

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     -       (2        7       148  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     17       40          125       240  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     18       80          56       199  

Annuity payments

     -       -          (2     (2

Surrenders and other (net)

     (53     (120        (141     (123

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     2,254       2,120          3,614       3,002  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (2,268     (2,121        (3,542     (2,963

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (49     (41        (15     113  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (32     (1        110       353  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     1,252       1,253          2,162       1,809  

End of period

   $ 1,220     $ 1,252        $ 2,272     $ 2,162  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,450       1,442          931       889  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,481     (1,470        (933     (857

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (31     (28        (2     32  
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-13


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Multi-Sector Bond Division          Balanced Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 185     $ 74        $ 91     $ 79  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (38     (68        (58     140  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     81       313          342       379  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     228       319          375       598  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     100       242          60       500  

Annuity payments

     (2     (2        (17     (10

Surrenders and other (net)

     (136     (387        (904     (124

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     10,265       8,312          1,424       1,378  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (9,755     (8,058        (2,053     (1,436

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     472       107          (1,490     308  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     700       426          (1,115     906  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     3,754       3,328          5,530       4,624  

End of period

   $ 4,454     $ 3,754        $ 4,415     $ 5,530  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     5,105       4,589          480       677  

Units redeemed during the period

     (4,877     (4,530        (753     (612

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     228       59          (273     65  
                                   
     Asset Allocation Division          Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Division  
    


Year Ended

December 31,
2024

 

 
 

   


Year Ended

December 31,
2023

 

 
 

      


Year Ended

December 31,
2024

 

 
 

   


Year Ended

December 31,
2023

 

 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 6     $ 8        $ 4     $ 4  

Net realized gains (losses)

     9       (6        374       52  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     14       49          24       256  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     29       51          402       312  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     42       4          32       38  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (8     (6        (152     (167

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     468       447          3,712       3,147  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (442     (601        (3,767     (3,193

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     60       (156        (175     (175

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     89       (105        227       137  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     307       412          2,391       2,254  

End of period

   $ 396     $ 307        $ 2,618     $ 2,391  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     145       147          414       430  

Units redeemed during the period

     (128     (197        (435     (453

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     17       (50        (21     (23
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-14


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

     Fidelity VIP Contrafund Division          AMT Sustainable Equity Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 
 

 

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,

2024

 
 

 

   


Year Ended

December 31,
2023

 

 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (10   $ 3        $ (1   $ -  

Net realized gains (losses)

     802       341          157       43  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     541       745          112       189  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,333       1,089          268       232  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     144       171          71       30  

Annuity payments

     (6     (5        -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (125     (390        (26     (36

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     5,522       4,745          2,171       1,940  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (5,771     (5,044        (2,319     (1,956

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (236     (523        (103     (22

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     1,097       566          165       210  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     4,076       3,510          1,091       881  

End of period

   $ 5,173     $ 4,076        $ 1,256     $ 1,091  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,106       1,331          544       619  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,150     (1,470        (567     (625

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (44     (139        (23     (6
                                   
     U.S. Strategic Equity Division          U.S. Small Cap Equity Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 3     $ 2        $ 2     $ -  

Net realized gains (losses)

     58       4          23       1  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     27       88          (5     30  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     88       94          20       31  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     55       5          1       4  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (9     (12        (6     (9

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     618       491          283       238  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (670     (539        (301     (234

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (6     (55        (23     (1

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     82       39          (3     30  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     434       395          265       235  

End of period

   $ 516     $ 434        $ 262     $ 265  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     150       143          66       64  

Units redeemed during the period

     (152     (159        (72     (64

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (2     (16        (6     -  
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-15


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

    
International Developed
Markets Division
 
 
       Strategic Bond Division  
    

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 
      

Year Ended
December 31,
2024
 
 
 
   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 17     $ 7        $ 94     $ 47  

Net realized gains (losses)

     16       (12        (29     (29

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     (19     124          (54     49  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     14       119          11       67  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     31       79          25       114  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (65     (104        (93     (173

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     1,115       982          4,999       4,318  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (1,299     (1,046        (4,753     (4,221

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (218     (89        178       38  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (204     30          189       105  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     808       778          1,912       1,807  

End of period

   $ 604     $ 808        $ 2,101     $ 1,912  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     537       532          2,193       1,991  

Units redeemed during the period

     (640     (576        (2,114     (1,974

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (103     (44        79       17  
                                   
    
Global Real Estate Securities
Division
 
 
      
LifePoints Moderate Strategy
Division
 
 
    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      


Year Ended

December 31,
2024

 

 
 

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2023
 
 
 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 50     $ 35        $ 26     $ 8  

Net realized gains (losses)

     (25     (92        (6     (4

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     8       308          36       88  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     33       251          56       92  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     62       231          2       3  

Annuity payments

     (11     (9        -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (172     (150        (22     (3

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     4,690       4,108          210       255  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (4,672     (4,121        (283     (275

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     (103     59          (93     (20

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     (70     310          (37     72  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     2,762       2,452          957       885  

End of period

   $ 2,692     $ 2,762        $ 920     $ 957  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     832       825          112       151  

Units redeemed during the period

     (852     (834        (161     (163

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     (20     (9        (49     (12
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-16


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C

(in thousands)

 

    

LifePoints Balanced Strategy

Division

 

 

      

LifePoints Growth Strategy

Division

 

 

    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 37     $ 10        $ 25     $ -  

Net realized gains (losses)

     5       6          12       34  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     93       176          120       183  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     135       192          157       217  

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     147       6          5       7  

Annuity payments

     -       -          -       -  

Surrenders and other (net)

     (87     (62        (73     (305

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     4,008       3,709          2,264       1,942  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     (4,030     (3,709        (2,264     (1,933

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     38       (56        (68     (289

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     173       136          89       (72

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     1,583       1,447          1,430       1,502  

End of period

   $ 1,756     $ 1,583        $ 1,519     $ 1,430  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     1,977       2,027          1,005       1,024  

Units redeemed during the period

     (1,960     (2,062        (1,035     (1,207

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     17       (35        (30     (183
                                   
    

LifePoints Equity Growth

Strategy Division

 

 

      

Credit Suisse Trust

Commodity Return Strategy

Division

 

 

 

    

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

      

Year Ended

December 31,

2024

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

 

 

 

Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 7     $ (5      $ 45     $ 325  

Net realized gains (losses)

     1       18          (3     (42

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

     61       86          36       (431

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     69       99          78       (148

Contract Transactions:

           

Contract owners’ net payments

     3       6          40       149  

Annuity payments

     -       -          (2     (2

Surrenders and other (net)

     -       (279        (103     (104

Transfers from other divisions or sponsor

     -       8          3,517       2,973  

Transfers to other divisions or sponsor

     -       -          (3,336     (3,053

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from contract transactions

     3       (265        116       (37

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     72       (166        194       (185

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

     586       752          1,462       1,647  

End of period

   $ 658     $ 586        $ 1,656     $ 1,462  
                                   

Units issued during the period

     2       8          573       498  

Units redeemed during the period

     -       (185        (553     (503

Net units issued (redeemed) during period

     2       (177        20       (5
                                   

 

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of the Financial Statements.

 

F-17


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.

Organization

Northwestern Mutual Variable Annuity Account C (“the Account”) is registered as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is a segregated asset account of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual” or “sponsor”) used to fund unallocated group combination variable annuity contracts (“contracts”) to provide retirement annuity benefits for self-employed persons and their eligible employees and individual flexible payment deferred variable annuity contracts (“Network Edition”) of certain eligible persons. Three versions of the contract are currently offered: Front Load contracts with a sales charge up to 4.50% of purchase payments; Simplified Load contracts with an installment fee of $750; and Network Edition contracts with no sales or withdrawal charges.

All assets of each Division of the Account are invested in shares of the corresponding Portfolio of Northwestern Mutual Series Fund, Inc., Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund, Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust, Russell Investment Funds and Credit Suisse Trust (collectively known as “the Funds”). The Funds are open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The financial statements for the Funds should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Divisions. Each Division of the Account indirectly bears exposure to the market, credit and liquidity risks of the Fund in which it invests.

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies

 

  A.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  B.

Investment Valuation – Shares of the Funds are valued at each Fund’s offering and redemption prices per share. As of December 31, 2024, all of the Account’s investments are identified as Level 1 securities for valuation purposes under the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Level 1 fair value is determined by unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 fair value is determined by other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities). Level 3 fair value is determined by significant unobservable inputs (including the Account’s own assumptions in determining fair value). All changes in fair value are recorded as change in unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) of investments during the period in the statements of operations of the applicable Division.

 

  C.

Investment Income, Securities Transactions and Contract Dividends – Transactions in the Funds’ shares are accounted for on the trade date. The basis for determining cost on sale of the Funds’ shares is identified cost. Dividend income and distributions of net realized gains from the Funds are reinvested in additional shares of the respective portfolios of the Funds and are recorded on the ex-date of the dividends. Certain contracts are eligible to receive contract dividends from Northwestern Mutual. Any contract dividends reinvested in the Account are reflected in Contract owners’ net payments in the accompanying financial statements.

 

  D.

Due to Participants – Upon notification of death of the contract owner or maturity of a contract, a liability is recorded and is included in Due to Participants in the accompanying financial statements.

 

  E.

Annuity Reserves – Annuity reserves represent the present value of all future payments on current variable income plans and are represented as annuity reserves in the statements of assets and liabilities. Annuity reserves are based on published annuity

 

F-18


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

tables with age adjustment and interest based on actual investment experience and assumed investment rates of 3.50% or 5.00%. For those contract holders that elect a fixed income plan option, the values accumulated are transferred out of the Account to the sponsor and all related payouts are funded by Northwestern Mutual.

 

  F.

Taxes – Northwestern Mutual is taxed as a “life insurance company” under the Internal Revenue Code. The operations of the Account are included in Northwestern Mutual’s consolidated income tax return. Under current law, no federal income taxes are payable with respect to the Account. Accordingly, no provision for any such liability has been made.

 

  G.

New Accounting Pronouncements – During the reporting period, the Account adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023- 07”). Adoption of the new standard impacted financial statement disclosures only and did not affect the Account’s financial position or its results of operations. The intent of the ASU 2023-07 is, through improved segment disclosures, to enable investors to better understand an entity’s overall performance and to assess its potential future cash flows.

Collectively, the Variable Insurance Product Underlying Funds Committee and Vice President of Insurance Solutions of Northwestern Mutual, act as the Account’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) assessing performance and making decisions about resource allocation. The CODM periodically reviews information regarding each Division’s net assets, net cash flows, and total return. The CODM has determined that each Division is a single operating segment based on the fact that the CODM monitors the operating results of each Division as a whole. The financial information provided to and reviewed by the CODM is consistent with that presented within each Division’s Statement of Operations, Statements of Changes in Net Assets, and Financial Highlights.

 

3.

Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of the Funds’ shares for the year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

 

 Fund Name    Purchases      Sales  

Growth Stock Division

   $ 95      $ 166  

Focused Appreciation Division

     817        1,468  

Large Cap Core Stock Division

     257        236  

Large Cap Blend Division

     276        76  

Index 500 Stock Division

     2,057        4,238  

Large Company Value Division

     95        53  

Domestic Equity Division

     608        301  

Equity Income Division

     240        346  

Mid Cap Growth Stock Division

     193        712  

Index 400 Stock Division

     486        739  

Mid Cap Value Division

     212        232  

Small Cap Growth Stock Division

     82        277  

Index 600 Stock Division

     926        264  

Small Cap Value Division

     90        277  

International Growth Division

     425        295  

Research International Core Division

     290        300  

International Equity Division

     574        864  

Emerging Markets Equity Division

     444        350  

Government Money Market Division

     1,638        1,624  

 

F-19


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 Fund Name    Purchases      Sales  

Short-Term Bond Division

   $ 230      $ 250  

Select Bond Division

     1,547        700  

Long-Term U.S. Government Bond Division

     83        104  

Inflation Protection Division

     229        246  

High Yield Bond Division

     368        254  

Multi-Sector Bond Division

     1,062        405  

Balanced Division

     580        1,866  

Asset Allocation Division

     93        16  

Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Division

     453        297  

Fidelity VIP Contrafund Division

     962        625  

AMT Sustainable Equity Division

     228        275  

U.S. Strategic Equity Division

     101        66  

U.S. Small Cap Equity Division

     46        48  

International Developed Markets Division

     128        318  

Strategic Bond Division

     435        163  

Global Real Estate Securities Division

     320        373  

LifePoints Moderate Strategy Division

     35        103  

LifePoints Balanced Strategy Division

     198        122  

LifePoints Growth Strategy Division

     42        85  

LifePoints Equity Growth Strategy Division

     19        8  

Credit Suisse Trust Commodity Return Strategy Division

     330        169  

 

4.

Expenses and Related Party Transactions

A deduction for mortality and expense risks is determined daily and paid to Northwestern Mutual as compensation for assuming the risk that annuity payments will continue for longer periods than anticipated because the annuitants as a group live longer than expected, and the risk that the charges made by Northwestern Mutual may be insufficient to cover the actual costs incurred in connection with the contracts.

For contracts issued prior to December 17, 1981 or beginning May 1, 1984 and prior to January 6, 1992 there is no deduction for mortality and expense risks. For those contracts issued beginning May 1, 1984 and prior to January 6, 1992 the rates may be increased by the Board of Trustees of Northwestern Mutual, not to exceed a 0.25% annual rate.

There are no contracts outstanding that were issued prior to May 1, 1984.

For contracts issued on or after January 6, 1992, for the Front Load version and the Simplified Load version, the deduction for mortality and expense risks is determined daily at annual rates of 0.65% and 1.25%, respectively, of the net assets of each Division attributable to these contracts and is paid to Northwestern Mutual. For these contracts, the rates may be increased or decreased by the Board of Trustees of Northwestern Mutual not to exceed 1.00% and 1.50% annual rates, respectively.

For Network Edition contracts issued on or after October 16, 2006, the deduction for mortality and expense risks is determined daily at an annual rate of 0.35% of the net assets of each Division attributable to these contracts and is paid to Northwestern Mutual. For these contracts, the rate may be increased by the Board of Trustees of Northwestern Mutual not to exceed 0.75% annual rate.

 

F-20


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5.

Subsequent Events

Management has determined that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements.

 

6.

Financial Highlights

The following is a summary of units outstanding, unit values, net assets, expense ratios, investment income ratios, and total return ratios for each of the periods presented for each contract that had outstanding units as of and for the period ended December 31, 2024. A specific unit value or ratio may be outside of the range presented in this table due to the initial assigned unit values, combined with varying performance and/or length of time since inception of the presented expense ratios.

 

F-21


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     As of the respective period end date:             For the respective period ended:  
      Units
Outstanding
(000’s)
     Unit Value, Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest Expense
Ratio
    Net Assets
(000’s)
             Dividend
Income as
a % of
Average
Net Assets
   

Expense Ratio,
Lowest to

Highest (1)

     Total Return
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio(1)
 

Growth Stock Division

 

                                  

2024

     176      $ 13.114924     to    $ 192.362205     $ 1,349           0.10  %      0.00 %         to      1.25 %          36.10  %      to        37.82  % 

2023

     187        9.636073 (2)    to      139.569955       1,050           0.04       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            47.84       to        49.69  

2022

     204        6.517806 (2)    to      93.238655       717           0.00       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            (39.46     to        (38.70

2021

     163        10.765725 (2)    to      152.095850       1,014           0.00   (3)      0.00         (4)        to        1.25            15.22       to        16.67  

2020

     164        9.343486 (2)    to      130.365531       880                 0.67       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  33.30       to        34.97  

Focused Appreciation Division

 

                                  

2024

     332      $ 12.131021     to    $ 14.738066     $ 4,817           0.00  %      0.35 %         to      1.25 %          32.75  %      to        33.95  % 

2023

     421        9.138455     to      11.002409 (2)      4,511           0.00       0.35           to        1.25            49.13       to        50.47    (2) 

2022

     428        6.127912     to      7.312168 (2)      3,067           0.01       0.35           to        1.25            (28.72     to        (28.08 )  (2) 

2021

     409        8.597069     to      108.543824       4,076           0.17       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            17.43       to        18.90  

2020

     424        7.321217     to      91.289389       3,729                 0.54       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  30.90       to        32.55  

Large Cap Core Stock Division

 

                                  

2024

     177      $ 4.294491     to    $ 8.536744     $ 890           0.65  %      0.35 %         to      1.25 %          20.63  %      to        21.72  % 

2023

     180        3.528028     to      7.076895 (2)      743           1.02       0.35           to        1.25            24.23       to        25.35    (2) 

2022

     186        2.814643     to      5.696639 (2)      608           0.89       0.35           to        1.25            (19.89     to        (19.16 )  (2) 

2021

     175        7.110610 (2)    to      100.458713       711           0.79       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            23.55       to        25.10  

2020

     195        5.755230 (2)    to      80.301917       661                 1.23       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  21.21       to        22.74  

Large Cap Blend Division

 

                                  

2024

     254      $ 2.861147     to    $ 3.353594     $ 842           0.86  %      0.35 %         to      1.25 %          22.32  %      to        23.43  % 

2023

     248        2.717065 (2)    to      2.717065 (2)      674           0.83       0.35           to        0.35         (4)         20.19    (2)      to        20.19    (2) 

2022

     252        2.260679 (2)    to      2.260679 (2)      569           0.62       0.35           to        0.35         (4)         (14.08 )  (2)      to        (14.08 )  (2) 

2021

     230        2.306054     to      27.701179       604           0.65       0.00         (4)        to      1.25            16.99       to        18.46  

2020

     229        1.971217     to      23.385328       519                 5.26       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  8.68       to        10.05  

Index 500 Stock Division

 

                                  

2024

     2,396      $ 22.229423     to    $ 347.412989     $ 17,083           1.20  %      0.00 %         to      1.25 %          23.19  %      to        24.75  % 

2023

     2,677        18.044646 (2)    to      278.486027 (2)      16,027           1.34       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            24.49       to        26.04  

2022

     2,886        14.495240 (2)    to      220.942531       13,052           1.29       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            (19.30     to        (18.28

2021

     2,674        17.960899 (2)    to      270.376034       15,033           1.25       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            26.86       to        28.45  

2020

     2,495        14.158399 (2)    to      210.492951       11,479                 1.65       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  16.71       to        18.18  

Large Company Value Division

 

                                  

2024

     256      $ 2.307457     to    $ 2.704825     $ 703           1.84  %      0.35 %         to      1.25 %          9.31  %      to        10.30  % 

2023

     256        2.110942     to      2.452177 (2)      633           3.46       0.35           to        1.25            2.51       to        3.44    (2) 

2022

     261        2.059162     to      2.370702 (2)      625           3.08       0.35           to        1.25            (1.57     to        (0.68 )  (2) 

2021

     256        2.092019     to      2.387048 (2)      618           1.17       0.35           to        1.25            20.41       to        21.49    (2) 

2020

     255        1.964770 (2)    to      1.964770 (2)      511                 2.16       0.35                 to        0.35         (4)         2.28   (2)      to        2.28    (2) 

Domestic Equity Division

 

                                      

2024

     640      $ 4.026182     to    $ 4.318761     $ 2,798           1.92  %      0.35 %         to        0.65 %          6.37  %      to        6.69  % 

2023

     628        3.785068 (2)    to      4.047886 (2)      2,570           1.93       0.35           to        0.65         (4)         3.04   (2)      to        3.35    (2) 

2022

     579        3.673231 (2)    to      3.916578 (2)      2,297           1.68       0.35           to        0.65         (4)         (3.61 )  (2)      to        (3.32 )  (2) 

2021

     605        3.810923 (2)    to      43.518946       2,446           1.87       0.00         (4)        to        0.65         (4)         21.92   (2)      to        22.71  

2020

     575        3.125782 (2)    to      35.463950       1,902                 2.19       0.00         (4)        to        0.65         (4)         0.07   (2)      to        0.73  

Equity Income Division

 

                                  

2024

     414      $ 4.663975     to    $ 5.666472     $ 2,321           2.12  %      0.35 %         to      1.25 %          10.48  %      to        11.48  % 

2023

     458        4.221684     to      5.082904 (2)      2,308           2.34       0.35           to        1.25            8.33       to        9.30    (2) 

2022

     518        3.897129     to      4.650331 (2)      2,390           2.02       0.35           to        1.25            (4.42     to        (3.56 )  (2) 

2021

     543        4.077248     to      51.480302       2,600           2.06       0.00         (4)        to        1.25            24.14       to        25.70  

2020

     577        3.284293     to      40.954303       2,217                 4.82       0.00         (4)        to        1.25                  (0.06     to        1.20  

(1) Total return includes deductions for management and other expenses; it excludes deductions for sales loads and other charges, which are a reduction in units. The expense ratios further reflect only those expenses which impact total return. For additional information regarding all expenses assessed, refer to the accompanying notes.

(2) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the unit value or total return corresponding to the lowest and highest expense ratios.

(3) Ratio is less than 0.005%.

(4) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the lowest and highest expense ratios for products for which units were issued or outstanding during the period.

 

F-22


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     As of the respective period end date:             For the respective period ended:  
      Units
Outstanding
(000’s)
     Unit Value, Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest Expense Ratio
    Net Assets
(000’s)
             Dividend
Income as
a % of
Average
Net Assets
    Expense Ratio,
Lowest to
Highest (1)
    Total Return
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio(1)
 

Mid Cap Growth Stock Division

 

                             

2024

     190      $ 2.809906       to      $ 14.033119     $ 810           0.09  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      6.85  %      to        7.82  % 

2023

     239        2.606006       to        13.133162 (2)      1,242           0.24       0.35       to        1.25       13.53       to        14.55    (2) 

2022

     235        2.274906       to        11.567624 (2)      1,090           0.15       0.35       to        1.25       (24.71     to        (24.03 )  (2) 

2021

     239        15.364526 (2)      to        213.536458       1,624           0.15       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       8.81       to        10.18  

2020

     230        14.120404 (2)      to        193.811117       1,486                 0.29       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       23.85       to        25.41  

Index 400 Stock Division

 

                             

2024

     474      $ 7.773247       to      $ 7.936852     $ 4,298           1.20  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      12.21  %      to        13.23  % 

2023

     524        6.927170       to        7.009238 (2)      4,186           1.35       0.35       to        1.25       14.78       to        15.81    (2) 

2022

     555        6.035376       to        6.052460 (2)      3,411           1.15       0.35       to        1.25       (14.38     to        (13.61 )  (2) 

2021

     539        7.049211 (2)      to        93.570328       3,821           0.95       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       22.92       to        24.46  

2020

     551        5.734890 (2)      to        75.180406       3,203                 1.39       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       11.96       to        13.37  

Mid Cap Value Division

 

                             

2024

     256      $ 5.376967       to      $ 6.532658     $ 1,648           1.99  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      7.29  %      to        8.27  % 

2023

     272        5.011387       to        6.033638 (2)      1,615           2.47       0.35       to        1.25       4.95       to        5.89    (2) 

2022

     254        4.775155       to        5.697952 (2)      1,428           1.93       0.35       to        1.25       (2.37     to        (1.49 )  (2) 

2021

     237        4.891257       to        61.756931       1,358           1.17       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       21.74       to        23.27  

2020

     248        4.017711       to        50.098747       1,200                 1.90       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       0.40       to        1.67  

Small Cap Growth Stock Division

 

                             

2024

     317      $ 4.233352       to      $ 7.536373     $ 1,375           0.35  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      11.76  %      to        12.78  % 

2023

     348        3.753666       to        6.743158 (2)      1,401           0.03       0.35       to        1.25       16.89       to        17.94    (2) 

2022

     286        3.182585       to        5.768661 (2)      991           0.00       0.35       to        1.25       (29.38     to        (28.74 )  (2) 

2021

     244        8.168117 (2)      to        108.425869       1,202           0.02       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       2.81       to        4.11  

2020

     244        7.944528 (2)      to        104.149054       1,226                 0.11       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       31.81       to        33.47  

Index 600 Stock Division

 

                             

2024

     779      $ 3.228993       to      $ 3.785048     $ 3,432           1.15  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      7.07  %      to        8.05  % 

2023

     623        3.015727       to        3.503202 (2)      2,658           1.10       0.35       to        1.25       14.33       to        15.36    (2) 

2022

     655        2.637754       to        3.036819 (2)      1,988           1.10       0.35       to        1.25       (17.40     to        (16.66 )  (2) 

2021

     586        3.193533       to        38.363170       2,135           0.78       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       24.65       to        26.22  

2020

     640        2.561959       to        30.394793       1,896                 1.83       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       9.55       to        10.93  

Small Cap Value Division

 

                             

2024

     187      $ 5.380595       to      $ 6.640722     $ 1,250           0.75  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      8.98  %      to        9.97  % 

2023

     226        4.937325       to        6.038713 (2)      1,369           0.52       0.35       to        1.25       12.44       to        13.45    (2) 

2022

     221        4.390979       to        5.322620 (2)      1,177           0.27       0.35       to        1.25       (19.54     to        (18.82 )  (2) 

2021

     206        5.457584       to        70.431381       1,340           0.40       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       21.48       to        23.00  

2020

     220        5.047024 (2)      to        57.260960       1,185                 0.52       0.00   (3)      to        0.65   (3)      8.58   (2)      to        9.29  

International Growth Division

 

                             

2024

     727      $ 2.884514       to      $ 3.560110     $ 2,683           0.87  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      3.98  %      to        4.93  % 

2023

     714        2.774095       to        3.392961 (2)      2,511           0.85       0.35       to        1.25       19.27       to        20.34    (2) 

2022

     773        2.325847       to        2.819373 (2)      2,166           0.59       0.35       to        1.25       (24.09     to        (23.40 )  (2) 

2021

     682        3.063761       to        39.539175       2,483           0.55       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       14.48       to        15.92  

2020

     626        2.676266       to        34.110132       2,070                 1.62       0.00   (3)      to        1.25       16.44       to        17.91  

Research International Core Division

 

                          

2024

     1,344      $ 1.636815       to      $ 1.636815     $ 2,241           1.79  %      0.35  %      to        0.35  %      2.89  %      to        2.89  % 

2023

     1,375        1.590888 (2)      to        1.590888 (2)      2,230           1.70       0.35       to        0.35   (3)      12.55   (2)      to        12.55    (2) 

2022

     1,377        1.413453 (2)      to        1.413453 (2)      1,987           2.23       0.35       to        0.35   (3)      (17.45 )  (2)      to        (17.45 )  (2) 

2021

     1,235        1.638483 (2)      to        18.026460       2,134           1.17       0.00   (3)      to        0.65   (3)      11.34   (2)      to        12.07  

2020

     1,138        1.471544 (2)      to        16.084924       1,767                 2.14       0.00   (3)      to        0.65   (3)      12.73   (2)      to        13.46  

(1) Total return includes deductions for management and other expenses; it excludes deductions for sales loads and other charges, which are a reduction in units. The expense ratios further reflect only those expenses which impact total return. For additional information regarding all expenses assessed, refer to the accompanying notes.

(2) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the unit value or total return corresponding to the lowest and highest expense ratios.

(3) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the lowest and highest expense ratios for products for which units were issued or outstanding during the period.

 

F-23


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     As of the respective period end date:             For the respective period ended:  
      Units
Outstanding
(000’s)
     Unit Value, Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest Expense
Ratio
    Net Assets
(000’s)
            

Dividend

Income as
a % of
Average

Net Assets

    Expense Ratio,
Lowest to
Highest (1)
    Total Return
Corresponding to
Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio(1)
 

International Equity Division

 

                             

2024

     1,630      $ 2.416279       to      $ 4.488649     $ 4,207           2.82  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      2.64  %      to        3.57  % 

2023

     1,696        2.332928       to        4.373224 (2)      4,433           2.96       0.35       to        1.25       14.65       to        15.68    (2) 

2022

     1,887        2.016624       to        3.814274 (2)      4,134           2.46       0.35       to        1.25       (7.99     to        (7.16 )  (2) 

2021

     1,773        4.145278 (2)      to        5.930327       4,181           2.35       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       3.70       to        5.00  

2020

     1,713        3.997280 (2)      to        5.647675       3,916                 3.58       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (3.92     to        (2.71

Emerging Markets Equity Division

 

                             

2024

     2,866      $ 1.037988       to      $ 1.216765     $ 3,619           1.50  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      2.72  %      to        3.66  % 

2023

     2,826        1.010464       to        1.173819 (2)      3,436           2.14       0.35       to        1.25       5.59       to        6.54    (2) 

2022

     2,874        0.957001       to        1.101801 (2)      3,186           1.31       0.35       to        1.25       (26.20     to        (25.54 )  (2) 

2021

     2,248        1.296801       to        15.578805       3,331           0.53       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (5.74     to        (4.55

2020

     2,101        1.375728       to        16.321818       3,277                 2.28       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       25.28       to        26.86  

Government Money Market Division

 

                             

2024

     553      $ 1.423211       to      $ 2.953211     $ 869           4.96  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      3.68  %      to        4.62  % 

2023

     570        1.360326       to        2.848379 (2)      856           4.80       0.35       to        1.25       3.54       to        4.47    (2) 

2022

     659        1.302115       to        2.751015 (2)      933           1.34       0.35       to        1.25       0.11       to        1.01    (2) 

2021

     712        2.747974 (2)      to        43.483468       1,017           0.00   (3)      0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (1.23     to        0.01  

2020

     1,183        2.782276 (2)      to        43.480109       2,419                 0.19       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (0.94     to        0.31  

Short-Term Bond Division

 

                             

2024

     1,005      $ 1.180203       to      $ 1.383462     $ 1,354           3.32  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      3.72  %      to        4.67  % 

2023

     1,048        1.137835       to        1.321789 (2)      1,353           2.00       0.35       to        1.25       3.96       to        4.90    (2) 

2022

     971        1.094508       to        1.260105 (2)      1,196           1.36       0.35       to        1.25       (5.70     to        (4.85 )  (2) 

2021

     1,026        1.160639       to        13.941366       1,333           1.81       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (1.33     to        (0.10

2020

     921        1.176335       to        13.954768       1,259                 2.28       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       3.00       to        4.29  

Select Bond Division

 

                             

2024

     2,528      $ 2.475586       to      $ 14.221164     $ 6,411           3.94  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      0.49  %      to        1.40  % 

2023

     2,217        2.441293       to        14.151716 (2)      5,701           2.59       0.35       to        1.25       4.87       to        5.82    (2) 

2022

     2,304        2.307053       to        13.493913 (2)      5,601           1.68       0.35       to        1.25       (14.40     to        (13.63 )  (2) 

2021

     2,347        15.764793 (2)      to        263.835613       6,605           2.14       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (2.81     to        (1.59

2020

     2,188        16.220194 (2)      to        268.089237       6,510                 2.75       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       7.63       to        8.98  

Long-Term U.S. Government Bond Division

 

                          

2024

     249      $ 1.642259       to      $ 1.642259     $ 408           3.30  %      0.35  %      to        0.35  %      (6.11 ) %      to        (6.11 ) % 

2023

     267        1.749188 (2)      to        1.749188 (2)      466           2.43       0.35       to        0.35 (4)      2.97 (2)      to        2.97    (2) 

2022

     214        1.698809 (2)      to        1.698809 (2)      363           1.46       0.35       to        0.35 (4)      (29.78 ) (2)      to        (29.78 )  (2) 

2021

     209        2.120232       to        25.468271       506           0.87       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       (6.55     to        (5.37

2020

     198        2.268738       to        26.913884       505                 1.47       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       15.91       to        17.37  

Inflation Protection Division

 

                             

2024

     787      $ 1.351406       to      $ 1.584132     $ 1,220           3.08  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      0.69  %      to        1.60  % 

2023

     818        1.342162       to        1.559115 (2)      1,252           4.91       0.35       to        1.25       2.61       to        3.53    (2) 

2022

     846        1.308004       to        1.505890 (2)      1,253           3.31       0.35       to        1.25       (14.04     to        (13.27 )  (2) 

2021

     864        1.521651       to        18.278682       1,479           0.98       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       5.28       to        6.61  

2020

     831        1.445291       to        17.146141       1,403                 1.99       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       8.21       to        9.57  

High Yield Bond Division

 

                             

2024

     555      $ 4.057769       to      $ 4.860681     $ 2,272           6.32  %      0.35  %      to        1.25  %      5.05  %      to        6.01  % 

2023

     557        3.827743       to        4.626815 (2)      2,162           5.64       0.35       to        1.25       11.84       to        12.85    (2) 

2022

     525        3.392006       to        4.136969 (2)      1,809           5.54       0.35       to        1.25       (12.43     to        (11.64 )  (2) 

2021

     521        4.724197 (2)      to        66.738383       2,026           5.30       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       4.00       to        5.31  

2020

     480        4.542495 (2)      to        63.375613       1,797                 5.84       0.00   (4)      to        1.25       5.32       to        6.64  

(1) Total return includes deductions for management and other expenses; it excludes deductions for sales loads and other charges, which are a reduction in units. The expense ratios further reflect only those expenses which impact total return. For additional information regarding all expenses assessed, refer to the accompanying notes.

(2) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the unit value or total return corresponding to the lowest and highest expense ratios.

(3) Ratio is less than 0.005%.

(4) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the lowest and highest expense ratios for products for which units were issued or outstanding during the period.

 

F-24


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     As of the respective period end date:             For the respective period ended:  
     

Units

Outstanding

(000’s)

    

Unit Value, Corresponding to

Lowest to Highest Expense

Ratio

   

Net Assets

(000’s)

            

Dividend

Income as

a % of
Average Net

Assets

   

Expense Ratio,

Lowest to

Highest (1)

   

Total Return

Corresponding to

Lowest to Highest

Expense Ratio(1)

 

Multi-Sector Bond Division

 

                          

2024

     2,125      $ 2.081256     to    $ 2.081256     $ 4,454           5.03  %      0.35  %    to      0.35  %      6.05  %      to        6.05  % 

2023

     1,897        1.962612 (2)    to      1.962612 (2)      3,754           2.52       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      9.32    (2)      to        9.32    (2) 

2022

     1,838        1.795218 (2)    to      1.795218 (2)      3,328           4.12       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      (15.69 )  (2)      to        (15.69 )  (2) 

2021

     1,771        1.866147     to      22.416380       3,782           2.15       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       (1.32     to        (0.08

2020

     1,866        1.891030     to      22.433485       3,994                 4.15       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       4.81       to        6.13  

Balanced Division

 

                             

2024

     990      $ 18.020572     to    $ 311.423909     $ 4,415           2.18  %      0.00  %    to      1.25  %      6.08  %      to        7.43  % 

2023

     1,263        16.987412 (2)    to      289.897985       5,530           2.03       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       11.67       to        13.07  

2022

     1,198        15.211922 (2)    to      256.387829       4,624           3.87       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       (15.20     to        (14.14

2021

     1,156        17.938388 (2)    to      298.595878       5,772           2.46       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       6.23       to        7.56  

2020

     916        16.887105 (2)    to      277.610210       5,560                 1.64       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       11.09       to        12.49  

Asset Allocation Division

 

                          

2024

     109      $ 3.370485     to    $ 3.615525     $ 396           2.05  %      0.35  %    to      0.65  %      9.00  %      to        9.33  % 

2023

     92        3.092205 (2)    to      3.307023 (2)      307           2.29       0.35     to      0.65   (3)      14.49    (2)      to        14.83    (2) 

2022

     142        2.700812 (2)    to      2.879844 (2)      412           2.92       0.35     to      0.65   (3)      (15.38 )  (2)      to        (15.13 )  (2) 

2021

     153        3.191828 (2)    to      3.393259 (2)      524           2.15       0.35     to      0.65   (3)      9.73    (2)      to        10.06    (2) 

2020

     172        2.908673 (2)    to      3.082984 (2)      533                 2.36       0.35     to      0.65   (3)      12.70    (2)      to        13.04    (2) 

Fidelity VIP Mid Cap Division

 

                          

2024

     280      $ 7.782032     to    $ 9.454749     $ 2,618           0.54  %      0.35  %    to      1.25  %      16.02  %      to        17.08  % 

2023

     301        6.707303     to      8.075593 (2)      2,391           0.60       0.35     to      1.25       13.65       to        14.67    (2) 

2022

     324        5.901591     to      7.042196 (2)      2,254           0.49       0.35     to      1.25       (15.80     to        (15.04 )  (2) 

2021

     343        7.008987     to      88.496791       2,816           0.61       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       24.04       to        25.60  

2020

     360        5.650379     to      70.458211       2,377                 0.62       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       16.60       to        18.07  

Fidelity VIP Contrafund Division

 

                          

2024

     923      $ 4.751604     to    $ 5.569692     $ 5,173           0.19  %      0.35  %    to      1.25  %      32.12  %      to        33.32  % 

2023

     967        3.596457     to      4.177703 (2)      4,076           0.47       0.35     to      1.25       31.80       to        32.99    (2) 

2022

     1,106        2.728684     to      3.141458 (2)      3,510           0.53       0.35     to      1.25       (27.23     to        (26.57 )  (2) 

2021

     1,043        3.749539     to      45.041088       4,478           0.06       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       26.25       to        27.83  

2020

     1,161        2.969929     to      35.233871       4,034                 0.21       0.00   (3)    to      1.25       28.83       to        30.46  

AMT Sustainable Equity Division

 

  

2024

     279      $ 3.855796     to    $ 4.519558     $ 1,256           0.22  %      0.35  %    to      1.25  %      24.27  %      to        25.40  % 

2023

     302        3.102751     to      3.604127 (2)      1,091           0.34       0.35     to      1.25       25.33       to        26.46    (2) 

2022

     308        2.475672     to      2.850099 (2)      881           0.46       0.35     to      1.25       (19.48     to        (18.75 )  (2) 

2021

     291        3.357091 (2)    to      36.931533       1,025           0.37       0.00   (3)    to      0.65   (3)      22.68    (2)      to        23.48  

2020

     313        2.736519 (2)    to      29.909730       899                 0.62       0.00   (3)    to      0.65   (3)      18.79    (2)      to        19.56  

U.S. Strategic Equity Division

 

                          

2024

     112      $ 4.603258     to    $ 4.603258     $ 516           0.93  %      0.35  %    to      0.35  %      20.08  %      to        20.08  % 

2023

     114        3.833544 (2)    to      3.833544 (2)      434           0.77       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      25.85    (2)      to        25.85    (2) 

2022

     130        3.046092 (2)    to      3.046092 (2)      395           0.61       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      (21.13 )  (2)      to        (21.13 )  (2) 

2021

     124        3.862348 (2)    to      3.862348 (2)      479           0.56       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      19.98    (2)      to        19.98    (2) 

2020

     125        3.219218 (2)    to      3.219218 (2)      403                 0.47       0.35     to      0.35   (3)      23.40    (2)      to        23.40    (2) 

U.S. Small Cap Equity Division

 

                     

2024

     61      $ 3.986158     to    $ 4.395514     $ 262           1.58  %      0.35  %    to      1.25  %      7.17  %      to        8.15  % 

2023

     67        3.719374     to      4.064373 (2)      265           0.69       0.35     to      1.25       12.20       to        13.21    (2) 

2022

     67        3.314895     to      3.590090 (2)      235           0.20       0.35     to      1.25       (17.00     to        (16.25 )  (2) 

2021

     63        3.993712     to      4.286640 (2)      267           0.25       0.35     to      1.25       24.23       to        25.35    (2) 

2020

     63        3.214751     to      3.419722 (2)      212                 0.05       0.35     to      1.25       11.30       to        12.31    (2) 

(1) Total return includes deductions for management and other expenses; it excludes deductions for sales loads and other charges, which are a reduction in units. The expense ratios further reflect only those expenses which impact total return. For additional information regarding all expenses assessed, refer to the accompanying notes.

(2) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the unit value or total return corresponding to the lowest and highest expense ratios.

(3) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the lowest and highest expense ratios for products for which units were issued or outstanding during the period.

 

F-25


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     As of the respective period end date:             For the respective period ended:
     

Units

Outstanding

(000’s)

    

Unit Value, Corresponding to

Lowest to Highest Expense

Ratio

  

Net Assets

(000’s)

            

Dividend

Income as

a % of

Average

Net Assets

   

Expense Ratio,

Lowest to

Highest (1)

  

Total Return

Corresponding to

Lowest to Highest
Expense Ratio(1)

International Developed Markets Division

 

                    

2024

     279      $ 2.162645       to   $ 2.383122        $ 604           2.99  %      0.35 %         to       0.65 %          2.10  %        to       2.41  %   

2023

     382        2.111693     (2)    to     2.333997     (2)       808           1.26       0.35            to       0.65        (3)       15.51     (2)      to       15.86     (2) 

2022

     426        1.822675     (2)    to     2.020571     (2)       778           0.00       0.35            to       0.65        (3)       (13.61   (2)      to       (13.35   (2) 

2021

     401        2.103441     (2)    to     2.338794     (2)       845           2.53       0.35            to       0.65        (3)       11.93     (2)      to       12.26     (2) 

2020

     435        1.873698     (2)    to     2.089593     (2)       819                 1.23       0.35              to       0.65        (3)       4.39     (2)      to       4.71     (2) 

Strategic Bond Division

 

                                        

2024

     911      $ 2.303896       to   $ 2.303896        $ 2,101           4.93  %      0.35 %         to       0.35 %          0.47  %        to       0.47  

2023

     832        2.293080     (2)    to     2.293080     (2)       1,912           2.93       0.35            to       0.35        (3)       3.65     (2)      to       3.65     (2) 

2022

     815        2.212282     (2)    to     2.212282     (2)       1,807           2.47       0.35            to       0.35        (3)       (14.58   (2)      to       (14.58   (2) 

2021

     790        2.162708       to     28.706174          2,050           0.90       0.00        (3)      to       1.25             (3.04       to       (1.82  

2020

     808        2.230428         to     29.237785            2,195                 1.83       0.00        (3)      to       1.25               7.09           to       8.43      

Global Real Estate Securities Division

 

                    

2024

     509      $ 4.249128       to   $ 5.179618        $ 2,692           2.29  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          0.15  %        to       1.06  

2023

     529        4.242859       to     5.125359     (2)       2,762           1.82       0.35            to       1.25             9.18         to       10.16     (2) 

2022

     538        3.886061       to     4.652506     (2)       2,452           1.31       0.35            to       1.25             (27.68       to       (27.02   (2) 

2021

     509        5.373126       to     71.324137          3,181           4.89       0.00        (3)      to       1.25             25.62         to       27.19    

2020

     531        4.277349         to     56.074809            2,632                 1.52       0.00        (3)      to       1.25               (6.36         to       (5.18    

LifePoints Moderate Strategy Division

 

                    

2024

     513      $ 1.635588       to   $ 1.917206        $ 920           3.46  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          5.15  %        to       6.11  

2023

     562        1.555433       to     1.806818     (2)       957           1.57       0.35            to       1.25             9.94         to       10.93     (2) 

2022

     574        1.414783       to     1.628787     (2)       885           1.83       0.35            to       1.25             (16.70       to       (15.95   (2) 

2021

     580        1.698371       to     1.937804     (2)       1,070           4.23       0.35            to       1.25             6.89         to       7.85     (2) 

2020

     588        1.588894         to     1.796695     (2)       1,011                 2.03       0.35              to       1.25               5.08           to       6.03     (2) 

LifePoints Balanced Strategy Division

 

                    

2024

     879      $ 1.837679       to   $ 2.154152        $ 1,756           2.98  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          8.11  %        to       9.10  

2023

     862        1.699794       to     1.974562     (2)       1,583           1.41       0.35            to       1.25             13.11         to       14.12     (2) 

2022

     897        1.502842       to     1.730220     (2)       1,447           1.96       0.35            to       1.25             (17.39       to       (16.64   (2) 

2021

     720        1.819166       to     2.075714     (2)       1,384           4.86       0.35            to       1.25             11.64         to       12.64     (2) 

2020

     585        1.629523         to     1.842719     (2)       1,015                 2.15       0.35              to       1.25               6.31           to       7.27     (2) 

LifePoints Growth Strategy Division

2024

     714      $ 1.966185       to   $ 2.304795        $ 1,519           2.46  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          10.54  %        to       11.55  

2023

     744        1.778682       to     2.066219     (2)       1,430           0.81       0.35            to       1.25             16.50         to       17.55     (2) 

2022

     927        1.526760       to     1.757763     (2)       1,502           1.36       0.35            to       1.25             (18.23       to       (17.49   (2) 

2021

     860        1.867142       to     2.130455     (2)       1,698           4.73       0.35            to       1.25             15.99         to       17.03     (2) 

2020

     773        1.609785         to     1.820383     (2)       1,304                 1.62       0.35              to       1.25               8.38           to       9.36     (2) 

LifePoints Equity Growth Strategy Division

 

                    

2024

     344      $ 1.911681       to   $ 2.240933        $ 658           2.30  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          11.68  %        to       12.69  

2023

     342        1.711777       to     1.988514     (2)       586           0.62       0.35            to       1.25             18.04         to       19.10     (2) 

2022

     519        1.450150       to     1.450150     (2)       752           1.26       1.25        (3)      to       1.25             (18.70       to       (18.70   (2) 

2021

     484        1.783706       to     1.783706     (2)       863           5.07       1.25        (3)      to       1.25             18.13         to       18.13     (2) 

2020

     467        1.509990         to     1.707568     (2)       705                 2.07       0.35              to       1.25               6.91           to       7.88     (2) 

Credit Suisse Trust Commodity Return Strategy Division

                

2024

     260      $ 5.622554       to   $ 6.357958        $ 1,656           3.17  %      0.35 %         to       1.25 %          3.81  %        to       4.75  

2023

     240        5.416250       to     6.069481     (2)       1,462           21.44       0.35            to       1.25             (10.02       to       (9.21   (2) 

2022

     245        6.019683       to     6.685526     (2)       1,647           17.00       0.35            to       1.25             14.90         to       15.94     (2) 

2021

     290        5.238853       to     5.986523          1,681           5.13       0.00        (3)      to       1.25             26.90         to       28.49    

2020

     302        4.128458         to     4.659188            1,357                 5.59       0.00        (3)      to       1.25               (2.71         to       (1.48    

(1) Total return includes deductions for management and other expenses; it excludes deductions for sales loads and other charges, which are a reduction in units. The expense ratios further reflect only those expenses which impact total return. For additional information regarding all expenses assessed, refer to the accompanying notes.

(2) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the unit value or total return corresponding to the lowest and highest expense ratios.

(3) Revised from the previously issued financial statements to correct the presentation of the lowest and highest expense ratios for products for which units were issued or outstanding during the period.

 

F-26


The Northwestern Mutual

Life Insurance Company

Statutory Financial Statements and

Supplementary Information

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

NM-1


Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Trustees of

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Opinions

We have audited the accompanying statutory financial statements of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (the “Company”), which comprise the statutory statements of financial position as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in surplus, and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).

Unmodified Opinion on Statutory Basis of Accounting

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin described in Note 1.

Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

In our opinion, because of the significance of the matter discussed in the Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles section of our report, the accompanying financial statements do not present fairly, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, or the results of its operations or its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024.

Basis for Opinions

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Company and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions.

Basis for Adverse Opinion on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

As described in Note 1 to the financial statements, the financial statements are prepared by the Company on the basis of the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin, which is a basis of accounting other than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis of accounting described in Note 1 and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, although not reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.

 

NM-2


Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin. Management is also responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date the financial statements are available to be issued.

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with US GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.

In performing an audit in accordance with US GAAS, we:

 

   

Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

 

   

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

 

   

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

 

   

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.

 

   

Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

February 17, 2025

 

NM-3


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Statutory Statements of Financial Position

(in millions)

 

 

     December 31,
       2024       2023  

Assets:

    

Bonds

     $ 201,544        $ 191,692   

Mortgage loans

     57,078       53,361  

Policy loans

     20,039       19,003  

Common and preferred stocks

     3,340       2,852  

Real estate

     2,791       2,877  

Other investments

     30,865       29,404  

Cash and short-term investments

     8,052       8,826  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

     323,709       308,015  

Due and accrued investment income

     2,898       2,429  

Net deferred tax assets

     2,876       2,372  

Deferred premium and other assets

     5,047       5,339  

Admitted disallowed interest maintenance reserve

     3,122       2,458  

Separate account assets

     40,672       38,216  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

    $ 378,324      $ 358,829  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and surplus:

    

Policy benefit reserves

    $ 264,219      $ 253,960  

Deposit funds

     15,798       13,072  

Policyowner dividends payable

     8,255       7,370  

Asset valuation reserve

     8,350       7,885  

Other liabilities

     9,256       8,016  

Separate account liabilities

     40,672       38,216  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     346,550       328,519  

Surplus:

    

Surplus notes

     4,491       4,485  

Special surplus fund

     3,122       2,458  

Unassigned surplus

     24,161       23,367  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total surplus

     31,774       30,310  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and surplus

    $ 378,324      $ 358,829  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory financial statements.

NM-4


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Statutory Statements of Operations

(in millions)

 

 

   

For the years ended

 

    December 31,
      2024       2023       2022  

Revenue:

     

Premiums

   $ 23,318       $ 22,003       $ 22,288   

Net investment income

    13,815       13,224       11,768  

Other income

    976       896       840  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

    38,109       36,123       34,896  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits and expenses:

     

Benefit payments to policyowners and beneficiaries

    15,956       12,818       11,707  

Net additions to policy benefit reserves

    10,592       11,973       12,224  

Net transfers from separate accounts

    (1,499     (1,007     (490
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total benefits

    25,049       23,784       23,441  

Commissions and operating expenses

    4,245       4,216       4,158  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total benefits and expenses

    29,294       28,000       27,599  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from operations before dividends and taxes

    8,815       8,123       7,297  

Policyowner dividends

    8,256       7,371       6,833  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain from operations before taxes

    559       752       464  

Income tax (benefit) expense

    (98     5       (160
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain from operations

    657       747       624  

Net realized capital (losses) gains

    (96     (36     288  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 561      $ 711      $ 912  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory financial statements.

NM-5


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Statutory Statements of Changes in Surplus

(in millions)

 

 

     For the years ended
     December 31,
       2024       2023       2022  

Beginning of year balance

    $ 30,310      $ 29,885      $ 29,283  

Net income

     561       711       912  

Change in net unrealized capital gains and losses

     807       117       (1,549

Change in net deferred tax assets

     195       608       470  

Change in nonadmitted assets

     96       (305     (71

Change in asset valuation reserve

     (464     (709     557  

Change in surplus notes

     5       5       5  

Other surplus changes

     264       (2     278  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in surplus

     1,464       425       602  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of year balance

    $ 31,774       $ 30,310       $ 29,885   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory financial statements.

NM-6


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Statutory Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)

 

 

     For the years ended
December 31,
     2024   2023   2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Premiums and other income received

    $ 16,934      $ 15,560      $ 16,296  

Investment income received

     12,600       11,466       10,456  

Benefit and dividend payments to policyowners and beneficiaries

     (15,315     (12,301     (10,703

Net transfers from separate accounts

     1,462       968       446  

Commissions, expenses and taxes paid

     (3,198     (3,558     (3,768
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     12,483       12,135       12,727  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows applied to investing activities:

      

Proceeds from investments sold or matured:

      

Bonds

     44,983       36,091       40,363  

Mortgage loans

     3,607       4,025       3,368  

Common and preferred stocks

     229       403       2,241  

Real estate

     391       112       67  

Other investments

     3,333       1,995       4,536  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal proceeds from investments

     52,543       42,626       50,575  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of investments acquired:

      

Bonds

     (56,318     (40,581     (51,983

Mortgage loans

     (7,454     (5,603     (6,679

Common and preferred stocks

     (420     (356     (1,013

Real estate

     (174     (77     (27

Other investments

     (3,211     (4,213     (5,747
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal cost of investments acquired

     (67,577     (50,830     (65,449
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net outflows of policy loans

     (808     (1,107     (152
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash applied to investing activities

     (15,842     (9,311     (15,026
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing and miscellaneous sources:

      

Net inflows on deposit-type contracts

     2,355       1,713       2,239  

Other cash provided (applied)

     230       (187     750  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing and miscellaneous sources

     2,585       1,526       2,989  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and short-term investments

     (774     4,350       690  

Cash and short-term investments, beginning of year

     8,826       4,476       3,786  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and short-term investments, end of year

    $ 8,052       $ 8,826       $ 4,476   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory financial statements.

NM-7


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Statutory Statements of Cash Flows (supplemental)

(in millions)

 

 

     For the years ended  
     December 31,  
       2024          2023          2022    

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

        
Non-cash operating, investing and financing and miscellaneous sources not included in the statutory statements of cash flows:         

Operating:

        

Dividends used to pay premiums and loans

    $  7,072       $  6,543       $  6,277  

Capitalized interest and payment in-kind investment income

     994        890        835  

Other policyowner contract activity

     409        380        345  

Employee benefit and compensation plan expenses

     210        200        178  

Investing:

        

Bond refinancings and exchanges

     1,199        1,787        2,257  

Mortgage loan refinancings and transfers

     1,577        788        1,343  

Net asset transfers with affiliated entities

     393        2,017        1,088  

Net policy loan activity

     381        359        316  

Net premium loan activity

     136        144        115  

Other investment exchanges

     355        1,174        6  

Financing and Miscellaneous:

        

Deposit-type contract deposits and interest credited

     326        349        444  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statutory financial statements.

NM-8


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

1.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying statutory financial statements include the accounts of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (the Company). The Company offers life, annuity and disability insurance products to the personal, business and estate markets throughout the United States of America.

As part of an affiliated reinsurance agreement, the Company assumes the risks associated with the long-term care policies issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC). See Note 9 for more information regarding reinsurance and its impacts on the Company’s statutory financial statements.

These statutory financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin (OCI) (statutory basis of accounting or SAP), which are based on the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Financial statements prepared on the statutory basis of accounting differ from financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), primarily because on a GAAP basis: (1) certain policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized, (2) most bond and preferred stock investments are reported at fair value, (3) policy benefit reserves are established using different actuarial methods and assumptions, (4) deposit-type contracts, for which premiums, benefits and reserve changes are not included in revenue or benefits as reported in the statutory statements of operations, are defined differently, (5) majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated, (6) changes in deferred taxes are reported as a component of net income, (7) no deferral of realized investment gains and losses is permitted, (8) current expected credit losses (CECL) are based on expected credit losses rather than incurred losses, and (9) “nonadmitted” assets, required for the statutory basis of accounting, are included in total assets. The effects on the Company’s statutory financial statements attributable to the differences between the statutory basis of accounting and GAAP are material.

Permitted Accounting Practice

The Company has been granted a permitted accounting practice from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin, originally effective December 31, 2022, that allows for the full admissibility of the Company’s net negative interest maintenance reserve (IMR) balance. During 2023, the NAIC adopted Interpretation 23-01 Net Negative (Disallowed) Interest Maintenance Reserve (INT 23-01), which allows the admission of a net negative IMR balance up to 10% of adjusted general account capital and surplus (10% Surplus Threshold), subject to certain conditions. Subsequent to this adoption, the Company’s permitted practice was amended (effective December 31, 2023, until further notice) to reflect the Company being subject to the terms of the INT 23-01 provisions and to permit the continued full admission of the Company’s total net negative IMR above the 10% Surplus Threshold.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s adjusted capital and surplus as determined under INT 23-01 was $25.6 billion and $25.8 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s net negative IMR balance exceeded the 10% Surplus Threshold by $567 million and its net negative IMR balance of $3,122 million was fully admitted. The Company’s unamortized general account IMR balance represents 12% of its adjusted capital and surplus as of December 31, 2024. The Company allocated an amount equal to its admitted net negative IMR balance of $3,122 million to a special surplus fund as of December 31, 2024 as required by INT 23-10. The Company does not maintain separate account IMR.

 

NM-9


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The permitted practice is subject to certain conditions, which were and have been met by the Company. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, if the Company had not used the above permitted practice, a risk-based capital regulatory event would not have been triggered. A reconciliation of the Company’s net income and surplus between NAIC SAP and practices prescribed and permitted by the state of Wisconsin is shown below:

 

     For the year ended
December 31,
 
       2024         2023         2022    
     (in millions)  
Net Income, Wisconsin State Basis     $ 561      $ 711      $ 912  

State Permitted Practices:

      
Allowance of net negative IMR in excess of 10% Surplus Threshold      -       -       -  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income, NAIC SAP

    $ 561      $ 711      $ 912  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     December 31,        
       2024         2023          
     (in millions)        
Statutory Surplus, Wisconsin State Basis     $ 31,774       $ 30,310   

State Permitted Practices:

    
Allowance of net negative IMR in excess of 10% Surplus Threshold      (567     -  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Statutory Surplus, NAIC SAP

    $ 31,207      $ 30,310    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with the statutory basis of accounting requires the Company to make estimates or assumptions about the future that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the annual periods presented. Actual future results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Investments

See Notes 3, 4 and 14 regarding the statement value and fair value of the Company’s investments in bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks, real estate and other investments, including derivative instruments.

Policy Loans

Policy loans represent amounts borrowed from the Company by life insurance and annuity policyowners, secured by the cash value of the related policies. Policy loans earn interest at either a fixed or variable rate, based on either an election that is made by the policyowner or, for certain policies, as specified by the contract. If a variable rate is elected or specified by the contract, the rate will be reset annually. Policy loans are reported at the unpaid principal balance, which approximates fair value.

 

NM-10


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Cash and Short-term Investments

Cash and short-term investments include cash deposits, securities that have maturities of one year or less at purchase, money market funds and short-term commercial paper. These investments are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Separate Accounts

Separate account assets and related reserve liabilities represent the segregation of balances attributable to variable life insurance and variable annuity products, as well as a group annuity separate account used to fund certain of the Company’s employee and financial representative benefit plan obligations. All separate account assets are legally insulated from claims by the Company’s general account policyowners and creditors. Variable product policyowners bear the investment performance risk associated with these products. Separate account assets related to variable products are invested at the direction of the policyowner in a variety of mutual fund options. Most variable annuity and certain variable universal life policyowners also have the option to invest in fixed-rate investment options, which are supported by the assets held in the Company’s general account. Separate account assets are generally reported at fair value primarily based on quoted market prices for the underlying investment securities. See Note 7 and Note 14 for more information regarding the Company’s separate accounts and Note 8 for more information regarding the Company’s employee and financial representative benefit plans.

Policy Benefit Reserves

Policy benefit reserves generally represent the net present value of future policy benefits less future policy premiums, calculated using actuarial methods, mortality and morbidity experience tables and valuation interest rates prescribed or permitted by the OCI. These actuarial tables and methods include assumptions regarding future mortality and morbidity experience. Actual future experience could differ from the assumptions used to make these reserve estimates. See Note 5 and Note 14 for more information regarding the Company’s policy benefit reserves.

Deposit Funds

Deposit funds include liabilities for funding agreements, supplementary contracts and income annuities without life contingencies, and amounts left on deposit with the Company by beneficiaries or policyowners. See Note 5 for more information regarding the Company’s deposit funds.

Policyowner Dividends

All life and disability insurance policies and certain annuity policies issued by the Company are participating. All long-term care insurance policies issued by NLTC are also participating. Annually, the Company’s Board of Trustees (at its discretion) approves the amount and allocation, if any, of dividends among groups of policies issued by the Company, based on management’s recommendation. The payment of dividends on any particular policy is not guaranteed. Dividends are accrued and charged to operations when approved. The liability for policyowner dividends includes the estimated amount of annual and termination dividends. Termination dividends are additional dividends payable on whole life insurance policies upon surrender, maturity or, for policies issued in one state, death. Depending on the type of policy they own, participating policyowners generally have the option to receive their dividends in cash, or use them as follows: reduce future premiums due, purchase additional insurance benefits, repay policy loans, or leave them on deposit with the Company to accumulate interest. Dividends used by policyowners to purchase additional insurance benefits or pay premiums are reported as premiums in the statutory statements of operations but are not included in premiums received or benefit and dividend payments to policyowners and beneficiaries in the statutory statements of cash flows. The Company’s annual approval and declaration of policyowner dividends includes a guarantee of a minimum aggregate amount of annual dividends to be paid to policyowners as a group in the subsequent calendar year. If this guaranteed amount is greater than the aggregate of annual dividends paid to policyowners in the subsequent year, the difference is paid in the immediately succeeding calendar year. The fact that the Company guarantees a minimum aggregate payment of annual dividends in one year does not obligate the Company to declare a dividend in future years or to guarantee any portion of dividends that may be declared in future years.

 

NM-11


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Interest Maintenance Reserve

The Company is required to maintain an IMR. The IMR is used to defer realized capital gains and losses, net of any income tax, on fixed income investments and derivatives that are attributable to changes in market interest rates, including both changes in risk-free market interest rates and market credit spreads. Net realized capital gains and losses deferred to the IMR are amortized into net investment income over the estimated remaining term to maturity of the investment sold or the hedged item. See Note 1 for disclosure of the impact of the Company’s application of a permitted accounting practice with regard to its net negative IMR balance.

INT 23-01 requires the following disclosures related to the admittance of net negative IMR. The following statements apply for the periods ending December 31, 2024 and 2023:

a. Fixed income investments generating IMR losses comply with the Company’s documented investment or liability management policies.

b. IMR losses for fixed income related derivatives are all in accordance with prudent and documented risk management procedures, in accordance with the Company’s derivative use plan and reflect symmetry with historical treatment in which unrealized derivative gains were reversed to IMR and amortized in lieu of being recognized as realized gains upon derivative termination.

c. Any deviation to the above statements was either because of a temporary and transitory timing issue or related to a specific event, such as a reinsurance transaction, that mechanically made the cause of IMR losses not reflective of reinvestment activities.

d. Asset sales were not compelled by liquidity pressures (e.g., to fund significant cash outflows including, but not limited to excess withdrawals and collateral calls).

At December 31, 2024, the unamortized IMR balance included $1,977 million of capital gains offset by $2,752 million of capital losses related to derivatives carried at fair value upon termination.

Asset Valuation Reserve

The Company is required to maintain an asset valuation reserve (AVR). The AVR represents a reserve for invested asset valuation using a formula prescribed by the NAIC. The AVR is intended to protect surplus by absorbing declines in the value of the Company’s investments that are not related to changes in interest rates. Increases or decreases in the AVR are reported as direct adjustments to surplus in the statutory statements of changes in surplus.

Premium Revenue

Most life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue at the beginning of each respective policy year. Universal life insurance and annuity premiums are recognized as revenue when received. Considerations received on supplementary contracts and income annuities without life contingencies are deposit-type transactions and are excluded from revenue in the statutory statements of operations. Disability and long-term care insurance premiums are recognized as revenue when due. Premium revenue is reported net of ceded reinsurance. See Note 9 for more information regarding the Company’s use of reinsurance.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income primarily represents interest, dividends and prepayment fees received or accrued on bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks, policy loans and other investments. Net investment income also includes dividends and distributions paid to the Company from the accumulated earnings of joint ventures, partnerships and unconsolidated non-insurance subsidiaries. Net investment income is reduced by investment management expenses, real estate depreciation, interest costs associated with repurchase agreements and interest expense related to the Company’s surplus notes. Accrued investment

 

NM-12


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

income more than ninety days past due is a nonadmitted asset. Accrued investment income that is ultimately deemed uncollectible is included as a reduction of net investment income in the period that such determination is made. See Note 3 for more information regarding net investment income and repurchase agreements and Note 13 for more information regarding the Company’s surplus notes.

Other Income

Other income primarily represents ceded reinsurance expense allowances and various insurance policy charges. Ceded reinsurance expense allowances are recognized as revenue when due. See Note 9 for more information regarding the Company’s use of reinsurance.

Benefit Payments to Policyowners and Beneficiaries

Benefit payments to policyowners and beneficiaries include death, surrender, maturity, disability and long-term care benefits, as well as payments on supplementary contracts and income annuities that include life contingencies. Benefit payments on supplementary contracts and income annuities without life contingencies are deposit-type transactions and are excluded from benefits in the statutory statements of operations. Benefit payments are reported net of ceded reinsurance recoveries. See Note 9 for more information regarding the Company’s use of reinsurance.

Commissions and Operating Expenses

Commissions and other operating expenses, including costs of acquiring new insurance policies, are generally charged to expense as incurred.

Federal Income Taxes

Current federal income taxes are charged or credited to operations based upon amounts estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations for the current year and any adjustments to such estimates from prior years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the respective future tax recoveries or obligations associated with the accumulation of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities related to unrealized capital gains and losses on investments are included in changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses in the statutory statements of changes in surplus. Other net changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported as direct adjustments to surplus in the statutory statements of changes in surplus.

The statutory basis of accounting limits the amount of gross deferred tax assets that can be admitted to surplus to those for which ultimate recoverability can be demonstrated. This limit is based on a calculation that considers available tax loss carryback and carryforward capacity, the expected timing of reversal for accumulated temporary differences, gross deferred tax liabilities and the level of Company surplus.

A “more likely than not” standard is applied for financial statement recognition of contingent tax liabilities, whereby a liability is recorded only if the Company believes that there is a greater than 50% likelihood that the related tax position will not be sustained upon examination. In cases where liability recognition is appropriate, a best estimate of the ultimate tax liability is made. If this estimate represents 50% or less of the total amount of the tax contingency, the best estimate is established as a liability. If this best estimate represents more than 50% of the total tax contingency, the total amount is established as a liability. Changes in contingent tax liabilities are charged or credited to operations in the year that such determination is made by the Company. The Company reports interest accrued or released related to contingent tax liabilities in current income taxes or tax benefit.

See Note 10 for more information on the Company’s income taxes.

 

NM-13


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Information Technology Equipment and Software

The cost of information technology (IT) equipment and operating system software is generally capitalized and depreciated over three years using the straight-line method. Non-operating system software is generally capitalized and depreciated over a maximum of five years using the straight-line method. IT equipment and operating software assets of $44 million and $30 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, are included in other assets in the statutory statements of financial position and are net of accumulated depreciation of $115 million and $96 million, respectively. Non-operating system software costs, net of accumulated depreciation, are nonadmitted assets and thereby excluded from assets and surplus in the statutory statements of financial position. These amounts were $585 million and $552 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Depreciation expense for IT equipment and software totaled $220 million, $198 million and $179 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

The cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment, including leasehold improvements, is generally capitalized and depreciated over the useful life of the assets using the straight-line method. Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, are nonadmitted assets and thereby excluded from assets and surplus in the statutory statements of financial position. These amounts were $86 million and $99 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Depreciation expense for furniture, fixtures and equipment totaled $14 million, $16 million and $18 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Corporate Owned Life Insurance

Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, the Company indirectly holds corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) to provide protection against key-person risk for certain qualified employees and to help fund certain future employee benefit expenses. See Note 3 for more information regarding COLI.

Nonadmitted Assets

Certain assets are designated as nonadmitted on the statutory basis of accounting. Such assets, principally related to defined benefit pension funding, amounts advanced to or due from the Company’s financial representatives, furniture, fixtures, equipment and non-operating software (net of accumulated depreciation), derivatives, prepaid expense, and certain equity-method investments in entities for which audits are not performed, are excluded from assets and surplus in the statutory statements of financial position. Changes in nonadmitted assets are reported as a direct adjustment to surplus in the statutory statements of changes in surplus.

Foreign Currency Translation

The majority of the Company’s insurance operations are conducted in the United States of America on a U.S. dollar-denominated basis. The Company invests in bonds, mortgage loans, stocks, and other investments denominated in foreign currencies. The Company also has outstanding funding agreements denominated in a foreign currency under the Funding Agreement Backed Note (FABN) program described in Note 5. Investments or funding agreements denominated in a foreign currency are remeasured to U.S. dollars at each reporting date using then-current foreign currency exchange rates. Translation gains or losses relating to fluctuations in exchange rates are reported as a change in net unrealized capital gains and losses until the related investment or funding agreement is sold or matures, or if the related investment is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, at which time a realized capital gain or loss is reported. Transactions denominated in a foreign currency, such as receipt or payment of foreign-denominated interest or dividends, are remeasured to U.S. dollars based on the actual exchange rate at the time of the transaction. See Note 4 for more information regarding the Company’s use of derivatives to mitigate exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

NM-14


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2024 through February 17, 2025, the date these statutory financial statements were available to be issued. Based on this evaluation, it is the Company’s opinion that no events subsequent to December 31, 2024 have occurred that are material to the Company’s financial position at that date or the results of its operations for the year then ended.

 

3.

Investments

Bonds

The Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the NAIC Investment Analysis Office evaluates the credit quality of the Company’s bond investments and issues related designations. Bonds designated as “1” (highest quality), “2” (high quality), “3” (medium quality), “4” (low quality) or “5” (lower quality) are reported in the statutory financial statements at amortized cost less any other-than-temporary impairment. Bonds designated “6” (lowest quality) are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. SVO-identified funds include certain SVO approved bond exchange-traded fund investments and are reported at fair value. The interest method is used to amortize any purchase premium or discount to net investment income, including estimates of future prepayments that are obtained from independent sources. Prepayment assumptions are updated at least annually, with the retrospective method used to adjust net investment income for changes in the estimated yield to maturity.

The disclosure of fair value for bonds is primarily based on independent pricing services or internally-developed pricing models utilizing observable market data. See Note 14 for more information regarding the fair value of the Company’s investments in bonds.

The statement value and fair value of bonds at December 31, 2024 and 2023, summarized by asset categories required in the NAIC Annual Statement, were as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

   Reconciliation to Fair Value
         Gross   Gross    
     Statement   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
     Value   Gains   Losses   Value
                  
     (in millions)

U.S. Government

    $ 4,228       $ 2       $ (138 )      $ 4,092   

States, territories, and possessions

     938       3       (64     877  

Political subdivisions

     293       2       (17     278  

Special revenue and assessments

     20,142       41       (2,241     17,942  

All foreign governments

     3,606       3       (255     3,354  

Hybrid securities

     681       9       (6     684  

SVO-identified funds

     280       -       -       280  

Industrial and miscellaneous

       171,376         815       (12,239      159,952  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

    $ 201,544      $ 875      $ (14,960    $ 187,459  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-15


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

December 31, 2023

   Reconciliation to Fair Value
         Gross   Gross    
     Statement   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair
     Value   Gains   Losses   Value
                  
     (in millions)

U.S. Government

    $ 4,189       $ 3       $ (323 )      $ 3,869   

States, territories, and possessions

     934       10       (51     893  

Political subdivisions

     365       9       (17     357  

Special revenue and assessments

     18,592       141       (1,910     16,823  

All foreign governments

     2,670       38       (152     2,556  

Hybrid securities

     482       5       (18     469  

SVO-identified funds

     21                   21  

Industrial and miscellaneous

       164,439         1,491       (11,447       154,483  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

    $ 191,692      $ 1,697      $ (13,918    $ 179,471  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds classified by the NAIC as special revenue and assessments primarily consist of U.S. Government agency-issued residential mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds issued by political subdivisions to finance specific public projects. Bonds classified as industrial and miscellaneous consist primarily of notes issued by public and private corporate entities and structured securities not issued by U.S. Government agencies.

Statement value of bonds by NAIC designation category at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

   NAIC Designation
     1   2   3   4   5   6   Total
     (in millions)

U.S. Government

    $ 4,228       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 4,228   

States, territories, and possessions

     938       -       -       -       -       -       938  

Political subdivisions

     293       -       -       -       -       -       293  

Special revenue and assessments

     20,016       106       20       -       -       -       20,142  

All foreign governments

     1,407       2,166       33       -       -       -       3,606  

Hybrid securities

     -       495       171       15       -       -       681  

SVO-identified funds

     -       280       -       -       -       -       280  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     92,489       66,362       5,680       3,848       2,602       395       171,376  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

    $ 119,371      $ 69,409      $ 5,904      $ 3,863      $ 2,602      $ 395      $ 201,544  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-16


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

December 31, 2023

   NAIC Designation
     1   2   3   4   5   6   Total
     (in millions)

U.S. Government

    $ 4,189       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 4,189   

States, territories, and possessions

     934       -       -       -       -       -       934  

Political subdivisions

     365       -       -       -       -       -       365  

Special revenue and assessments

     18,467       102       23       -       -       -       18,592  

All foreign governments

     1,037       1,608       21       4       -       -       2,670  

Hybrid securities

     -       395       85       2       -       -       482  

SVO-identified funds

     -       21       -       -       -       -       21  

Industrial and miscellaneous

     86,864       64,416       5,411       4,427       3,047       274       164,439  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bonds

    $ 111,856      $ 66,542      $ 5,540      $ 4,433      $ 3,047      $ 274      $ 191,692  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on statement value, 94% and 93% of the Company’s bond portfolio was designated investment grade (i.e., designated 1 or 2 by the NAIC) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Statement value and fair value of structured securities at December 31, 2024 and 2023, aggregated by investment grade or below investment grade (i.e., designated 3, 4, 5 or 6 by the NAIC), were as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

      Investment Grade         Below Investment Grade      Total
     Statement
Value
  Fair Value    Statement 
Value
           Fair Value    Statement 
Value
   Fair Value  
               
     (in millions)

Residential mortgage-backed:

               

U.S. Government agencies

    $ 16,159      $ 14,450        $  -           $  -        $16,159      $ 14,450  

Other prime

     193       189       1          1       194       190  

Other below-prime

     2,160       2,094       26          25       2,186       2,119  

Commercial mortgage-backed:

               

U.S. Government agencies

     20       18       -          -       20       18  

Conduit

     5,272       5,048       26          20       5,298       5,068  

Other asset-backed

     20,520       20,226       340          325       20,860       20,551  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total structured securities

    $ 44,324        $ 42,025          $ 393            $371         $44,717        $ 42,396    
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-17


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

December 31, 2023

     Investment Grade         Below Investment Grade      Total
    Statement
Value
  Fair Value    Statement 
Value
  Fair Value    Statement 
Value
   Fair Value 
        (in millions)    

Residential mortgage-backed:

           

U.S. Government agencies

   $ 14,434      $ 12,995      $      $      $ 14,434      $ 12,995  

Other prime

    165       158                   165       158  

Other below-prime

    1,674       1,587       2       1       1,676       1,588  

Commercial mortgage-backed:

           

U.S. Government agencies

    33       30                   33       30  

Conduit

    5,497       5,120       57       44       5,554       5,164  

Other asset-backed

    18,252       17,858       59       60       18,311       17,918  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total structured securities

   $ 40,055       $ 37,748       $ 118       $ 105       $ 40,173       $ 37,853   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on statement value, over 99% of the Company’s structured securities portfolio was designated as investment grade at each of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Based on statement value, the Company’s investment in residential mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government agencies was 8% of total bond investments at each of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Statement value and fair value of bonds and short-term investments by contractual maturity at December 31, 2024 are summarized below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment fees.

 

     Statement    Fair
       Value        Value  
     
     (in millions)

Due in one year or less

    $ 13,878       $ 13,844  

Due after one year through five years

     51,000        49,825  

Due after five years through ten years

     49,243        46,995  

Due after ten years

     94,264        83,636  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 208,385        $ 194,300   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans consist primarily of commercial mortgage loans underwritten and originated by the Company and are reported at the unpaid principal balance, less any valuation adjustments or unamortized commitment or origination fees. Such fees are generally deferred upon receipt and amortized into net investment income over the life of the loan using the interest method. Affiliated mortgage loan investments were $128 million and $129 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

NM-18


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The statement value of mortgage loans by collateral property type and geographic location at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

   United States of America        
       East       Midwest       South       West       Foreign       Total  
                          
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 10,522      $ 3,203      $ 6,512      $ 10,899      $ -      $ 31,136  

Office

     2,439       345       1,171       3,024       -       6,979  

Retail

     1,086       299       1,011       1,171       -       3,567  

Warehouse/Industrial

     3,679       1,271       787       4,222       111       10,070  

Manufactured housing

     297       325       2,082       1,735       186       4,625  

Other

     155       263       162       121       -       701  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $ 18,178       $ 5,706       $ 11,725       $ 21,172       $ 297       $ 57,078   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

   United States of America        
       East       Midwest       South       West       Foreign       Total  
                          
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 9,032      $ 2,956      $ 6,183      $ 10,074      $ -      $ 28,245  

Office

     2,769       357       1,353       3,058       -       7,537  

Retail

     1,467       301       1,176       1,451       -       4,395  

Warehouse/Industrial

     2,878       1,145       511       3,264       135       7,933  

Manufactured housing

     318       371       2,102       1,647       204       4,642  

Other

     196       195       88       130       -       609  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $  16,660       $ 5,325       $ 11,413       $ 19,624       $ 339       $ 53,361   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company has mortgage loans where co-lending or participation arrangements are in place with unaffiliated third parties. Mortgage loans with co-lending or participation arrangements totaled $2.0 billion and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Interest rates and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio information for the Company’s mortgage loans originated or refinanced during 2024 and 2023 is summarized below.

 

For mortgage loans originated or refinanced during:

     2024       2023  

Minimum interest rate

     4.80     3.78

Maximum interest rate

     8.13     8.73

Weighted-average LTV

     55     53

Maximum LTV

     66     132

 

NM-19


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

LTV ratios are commonly used to assess the credit quality of commercial mortgage loans. A lower LTV ratio generally indicates a higher quality loan. For loans originated and refinanced during the years ending December 31, 2024 and 2023, the maximum LTV ratios were 66% and 132%, respectively. For 2023, the maximum LTV ratio of 132% was due to one loan with a statement value of less than $1 million. Excluding this loan, the highest LTV ratio during 2023 was 69% related to a loan with a statement value of $65 million. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the aggregate weighted-average LTV ratio for the mortgage loan portfolio was 56% and 55%, respectively.

The statement value of mortgage loans by collateral property type and LTV ratio at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

     < 51%       51%-70%       71%-90%       > 90%       Total  
                      
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 8,322      $ 19,341      $ 3,209      $ 264      $ 31,136  

Office

     1,879       2,858       1,026       1,216       6,979  

Retail

     1,147       2,008       271       141       3,567  

Warehouse/Industrial

     3,823       6,084       163       -       10,070  

Manufactured housing

     2,446       2,159       20       -       4,625  

Other

     420       227       -       54       701  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $ 18,037       $ 32,677       $ 4,689       $ 1,675       $ 57,078   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

     < 51%       51%-70%       71%-90%       > 90%       Total  
                      
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 8,291      $ 17,003      $ 2,870      $ 81      $ 28,245  

Office

     2,616       3,278       1,056       587       7,537  

Retail

     826       3,043       381       145       4,395  

Warehouse/Industrial

     2,971       4,898       64       -       7,933  

Manufactured housing

     2,304       2,277       61       -       4,642  

Other

     443       102       -       64       609  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $ 17,451       $ 30,601       $ 4,432       $ 877       $ 53,361   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate statement value of mortgage loans with LTV in excess of 100% was $1,028 million and $346 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The fair value of the collateral securing each commercial mortgage loan is updated at least annually by the Company. More frequent updates are performed if deemed necessary due to changes in market capitalization rates, borrower financial strength and/or property operating performance. Fair value of the collateral is estimated using the income capitalization approach based on stabilized property income and market capitalization rates. Stabilized property income is derived from actual property financial statements adjusted for non-recurring items, normalized market vacancy and lease rollover, among other factors. Other collateral, such as excess land and additional capital required to maintain property income, is also factored into fair value estimates. Both private market transactions and public market alternatives are considered in determining appropriate market capitalization rates. See Note 14 for more information regarding the fair value of the Company’s investments in mortgage loans.

In the normal course of business, the Company may refinance or otherwise modify the terms of an existing mortgage loan, typically in reaction to a request by the borrower. These modifications can include a partial repayment of outstanding loan principal, changes to interest rates, extensions of loan maturity and/or changes to loan covenants. When such modifications are made, the statutory basis of accounting requires that the new terms of the loan be evaluated to determine whether the modification qualifies as a “troubled debt restructuring.” If new terms are extended to a borrower that are less favorable to the Company than those currently being offered to new borrowers under similar circumstances in an arms-length transaction,

 

NM-20


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

a realized capital loss is reported for the estimated amount of the economic concessions made and the reported value of the mortgage loan is reduced. The Company reported realized capital losses of $12 million on one mortgage loan that was restructured and then refinanced at current market interest rates during the year ended December 31, 2024, and none in 2023. The Company had no mortgage loans at either of December 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023 that were considered “restructured.”

In circumstances where the Company has deemed it probable that it will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest on a mortgage loan, a valuation allowance is established to reduce the statement value of the mortgage loan to its net realizable value. Changes to mortgage loan valuation allowances are reported as a change in net unrealized capital gains and losses in the statutory statements of changes in surplus. If the Company later determines that the decline in value is other-than-temporary, a realized capital loss is reported, and any temporary valuation allowance is reversed. The Company had no mortgage loan valuation allowance at December 31, 2024 or 2023. The Company had three mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2024 and one at December 31, 2023. All remaining mortgage loans were current on principal payments and contractual interest as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses on mortgage loans of $43 million and $37 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Common and Preferred Stocks

Common stocks are generally reported at fair value, with $2,727 million and $2,395 million included in the statutory statements of financial position at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The fair value for publicly-traded common stocks is primarily based on quoted market prices. For private common stocks without quoted market prices, fair value is primarily determined using a sponsor valuation or market comparables approach. The equity method is generally used to report investments in common stock of unconsolidated subsidiaries.

Redeemable preferred stocks designated 1, 2 or 3 by the NAIC are reported at amortized cost. Redeemable preferred stocks designated 4, 5 or 6 by the NAIC are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Perpetual preferred stocks are reported at the lower of fair value or the currently effective call price for the stock. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the statutory statements of financial position included $613 million and $457 million, respectively, of preferred stocks. The fair value for preferred stocks is primarily determined using a sponsor valuation or market comparables approach.

See Note 14 for more information regarding the fair value of the Company’s investments in common and preferred stock.

Real Estate

Real estate investments are reported at cost, less any encumbrances and accumulated depreciation of buildings and other improvements. Depreciation of real estate investments is recorded using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Fair value of real estate is estimated primarily based on the capitalization of stabilized net operating income or the present value of future cash flows generated by the property.

 

NM-21


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The statement value of real estate investments by property type and U.S. geographic location at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2024

     East       Midwest       South       West       Total  
                      
                      
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 297      $ 136      $ 241      $ 560      $ 1,234  

Office

     207       696       47       -       950  

Warehouse/Industrial

     278       -       -       198       476  

Other

     16       20       95       -       131  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $ 798       $ 852       $ 383       $ 758       $ 2,791   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

     East        Midwest        South        West        Total  
                          
                          
     (in millions)

Apartment

    $ 301       $ 165       $ 247       $ 724       $ 1,437  

Office

     207        563        49        -        819  

Warehouse/Industrial

     293        -        -        200        493  

Other

     16        13        99        -        128  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 817       $ 741       $ 395       $ 924       $ 2,877  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Company’s home office properties are included above (Office/Midwest) and had an aggregate statement value of $696 million and $563 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s other investments in real estate are held for the production of income.

Other Investments

Other investments primarily represent investments that are made through ownership interests in partnerships, joint ventures (JVs) and limited liability companies (LLCs). In some cases, these ownership interests are held directly by the Company, while in other cases these investments are held indirectly through wholly-owned non-insurance investment holding companies organized as LLCs. Whether held directly by the Company or indirectly through its investment holding companies, partnerships, JVs, and LLCs are reported in the statutory statements of financial position using the equity method of accounting based on the Company’s share of the underlying entities’ audited GAAP-basis equity.

 

NM-22


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The statement value of other investments held directly or indirectly by the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

     December 31,
       2024       2023  
          
     (in millions)

Securities partnerships and LLCs

   $ 12,488     $ 12,405  

Bonds

     4,135       2,282  

Common and preferred stocks

     4,127       3,706  

Real estate JVs, partnerships and LLCs

     3,757       3,683  

Derivative instruments

     1,849       1,302  

COLI

     1,345       1,230  

Wholly owned real estate

     1,146       1,099  

Low income housing tax credit properties

     763       727  

Cash and short-term investments

     679       1,142  

Structured settlements

     604       623  

Other net assets (liabilities)

     (28     1,205  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    $  30,865       $  29,404   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2023, Other net assets (liabilities) above includes a $708 million receivable for the sale of limited partnership interests to an unaffiliated entity.

For securities partnerships and LLCs, bonds, common and preferred stocks, COLI, cash and short-term investments and derivative instruments, the underlying entity generally reports these investments at fair value. For real estate related investments (including JVs, partnerships and LLCs), structured settlements, and tax credit properties, the underlying entity generally reports these investments at cost, reduced where appropriate by depreciation or amortization. Tax credit properties had 15 years and 13 years of unexpired credits at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The required holding period for tax credit properties is 15 years. The amount of tax credits and other tax benefits recognized for both 2024 and 2023 was $167 million. See Note 10 for more information regarding the Company’s use of tax credits. See Note 4 for more information regarding the Company’s use of derivatives.

 

NM-23


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Investments in Subsidiaries, Controlled and Affiliated Entities

The Company’s investments in subsidiaries, controlled and affiliated entities (SCAs) are reported in the statutory statements of financial position using the equity method of accounting based on the Company’s share of the underlying entities’ audited GAAP-basis equity. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the value of wholly-owned SCA investments were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
      Investment in 
SCA
   Nonadmitted 
Asset
   Statement 
Value
   Investment in 
SCA
   Nonadmitted 
Asset
   Statement 
Value
     (in millions)

NM Wealth Management Company

    $ 268      $ -      $ 268      $ 257      $ -      $ 257  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total common stock SCAs 1

     268       -       268       257       -       257  

NML Securities Holdings, LLC

     15,938       -       15,938       14,574       -       14,574  

NML Real Estate Holdings, LLC

     1,243       -       1,243       1,225       -       1,225  

QOZ Holding Company, LLC

     478       18       460       473       -       473  

NM Investment Services, LLC

     223       -       223       203       -       203  

NM GP Holdings, LLC

     190       131       59       70       14       56  

NM Pebble Valley, LLC

     137       -       137       179       -       179  

Wysh Holdings, LLC

     33       5       28       43       3       40  

Lake Emily Holdings, LLC

     32       -       32       39       -       39  

NM Investment Management Company, LLC

     18       18       -       4       4       -  

Mason Street Advisors, LLC

     8       8       -       30       30       -  

GRO-SUB, LLC

     3       3       -       2       2       -  

NM Career Distribution Holdings, LLC

     1       1       -       3       3       -  

NM-SAS, LLC

     -       -       -       7       4       3  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other investment SCAs 2

     18,304       184       18,120       16,852       60       16,792  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments in SCAs

    $ 18,572       $ 184       $ 18,388       $ 17,109       $ 60       $ 17,049   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 

Reported in common and preferred stocks in the statutory statements of financial position.

2 

Reported in other investments in the statutory statements of financial position.

Investment filings for all common stock SCAs were submitted to the NAIC during 2024. In all cases, the NAIC accepted the statement value.

Net Investment Income

The sources of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31,
       2024       2023       2022  
         (in millions)    

Bonds

    $ 9,024      $ 8,044      $ 6,566  

Mortgage loans

     2,327       2,123       1,899  

Common and preferred stocks

     225       196       183  

Real estate

     314       322       310  

Other investments

     2,040       2,532       2,351  

Policy loans

     1,327       1,224       1,143  

Amortization of IMR

     (278     (61     292  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross investment income

     14,979       14,380       12,744  

Less: investment expenses

     1,164       1,156       976  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    $ 13,815       $ 13,224       $ 11,768   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-24


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 bond investment income included $35 million, $12 million and $51 million of prepayment fees, respectively, generated as a result of 98, 43 and 175 securities, respectively, tendered or otherwise redeemed as a result of a callable feature. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had $539 million and $406 million, respectively, of aggregate cumulative paid-in-kind interest included in the current principal value of bonds and mortgage loans in the statement of financial position.

Realized Capital Gains and Losses

Realized capital gains and losses are recognized based upon specific identification of investments sold. Realized capital losses also include valuation adjustments for impairment of bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks, real estate and other investments that have experienced a decline in fair value that the Company considers to be other-than-temporary. Realized capital gains and losses, as reported in the statutory statements of operations, are net of any capital gains tax (or benefit) and exclude any deferrals to the IMR of interest rate-related capital gains or losses.

Realized capital gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the year ended   For the year ended   For the year ended
     December 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
             Net           Net           Net
               Realized             Realized             Realized 
      Realized     Realized    Gains    Realized     Realized     Gains     Realized     Realized     Gains 
     Gains   Losses   (Losses)   Gains   Losses   (Losses)   Gains   Losses   (Losses)
     (in millions)

Bonds

    $ 383      $ (1,698    $ (1,315    $ 202      $ (2,868    $ (2,666    $ 241      $ (3,614    $ (3,373

Mortgage loans

     -       (58     (58     3       (41     (38     -       (28     (28

Common and preferred stocks

     52       (37     15       104       (21     83       395       (112     283  

Real estate

     150       (2     148       58       -       58       23       (99     (76

Other investments

     1,254       (1,273     (19     821       (1,073     (252     2,154       (2,403     (249
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

    $ 1,839       $ (3,068 )        (1,229 )      $ 1,188       $ (4,003 )        (2,815 )      $ 2,813       $ (6,256 )        (3,443 )  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: IMR net gains (losses) before taxes

 

    (1,192         (2,921         (3,902

Less: Capital gains tax expense

 

    59           142           171  
 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized capital gains (losses)

 

     $ (96        $ (36        $ 288  
      

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized capital gains and losses are generally the result of normal investment trading activity. Proceeds from the sale of bonds totaled $26 billion, $26 billion, and $28 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

On a quarterly basis, the Company performs a review of bonds, mortgage loans, common and preferred stocks, real estate and other investments to identify investments that have experienced a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered include the duration and extent to which fair value was less than cost, the financial condition and near-term financial prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value. If the decline in an investment’s fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary, the statement value of the investment is generally written down to fair value and a realized capital loss is reported.

 

NM-25


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For fixed income investments, the review focuses on the issuer’s ability to remit all contractual interest and principal payments and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment until the earlier of a recovery in value or maturity. The Company’s intent and ability to hold an investment takes into consideration broad portfolio management parameters such as expected net cash flows and liquidity targets, asset/liability duration management and issuer and industry sector credit exposures. Mortgage loans considered to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value are written down to net realizable value based on the appraised value of the collateral property.

For equity securities, greater weight and consideration is given to the duration and extent of the decline in fair value and the likelihood that the fair value of the security will recover in the foreseeable future. A real estate equity investment is evaluated for an other-than-temporary impairment when the fair value of the property is lower than its depreciated cost.

For real estate and other investments that represent ownership interests in partnerships, JVs and LLCs, the review focuses on the likelihood that the Company will ultimately recover its initial investment, adjusted for its share of subsequent net earnings and/or distributions. The Company’s review of securities partnerships will generally defer to GAAP-basis impairment reviews performed by the general partner absent compelling evidence of a permanent impairment of the Company’s partnership interest.

Realized capital losses related to declines in fair value of investments that were considered to be other-than-temporary for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31,
       2024        2023        2022  
          (in millions)     

Bonds

    $ (16     $ (80     $ (107

Common and preferred stocks

     (33      (10      (17

Mortgage loans

     (43      (37      (25

Real estate

     -        -        (99

Other investments

     (83      (32      -  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ (175     $ (159     $ (248
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

In addition to the realized capital losses above, $108 million, $99 million and $11 million of other-than-temporary impairments were recorded by the Company’s unconsolidated non-insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decline in the Company’s equity in these subsidiaries resulting from these impairments is reported in changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses in the statutory statements of changes in surplus.

Unrealized Capital Gains and Losses

Unrealized capital gains and losses include changes in the fair value of common and some preferred stocks, other investments and currency translation adjustments on foreign-denominated bonds and mortgage loans and are reported net of any related changes in deferred taxes in the statutory statements of changes in surplus. Changes in the Company’s equity-method share of the undistributed earnings of partnerships, JVs, LLCs and unconsolidated subsidiaries are also reported as changes in unrealized capital gains and losses. If net earnings are distributed to the Company in the form of dividends, net investment income is recognized in the amount of the distribution and the previously unrealized net capital gains are reversed.

 

NM-26


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31,
       2024        2023        2022  
          (in millions)     

Bonds

    $ (568     $ 462       $ (1,016

Mortgage loans

     (22      6        (20

Common and preferred stocks

     282        221        (728

Deposit funds

     45        (24       

Other investments

     1,095        (487      81  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal

     832        178        (1,683

Change in deferred taxes

     (25      (61      134  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized capital gains and (losses)

    $ 807        $ 117        $ (1,549 )  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Changes in net unrealized capital gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 included the reversal of previously unrealized capital gains of $(1,177) million, $(1,920) million and $(1,461) million, respectively, related to distributions of accumulated net earnings made to the Company from unconsolidated non-insurance subsidiaries.

The amortized cost and fair value of bonds and common and preferred stocks for which fair value declined and remained below cost at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024
     Decline For Less Than 12 Months    Decline For Greater Than 12 Months
      Amortized 
Cost
    Fair 
Value
    Difference      Amortized 
Cost
    Fair Value      Difference 
     (in millions)

Bonds

    $ 39,899       $ 38,666       $ (1,233     $ 89,817       $ 77,300       $ (12,517

Structured securities

     7,962        7,868        (94      18,567        16,180        (2,387

Common and preferred stocks

     164        151        (13      253        219        (34
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 48,025       $ 46,685       $ (1,340     $ 108,637       $ 93,699       $ (14,938
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2023  
     Decline For Less Than 12 Months      Decline For Greater Than 12 Months  
      Amortized 
Cost
      Fair 
Value
      Difference        Amortized 
Cost
      Fair Value        Difference   
     (in millions)  

Bonds

    $ 5,679       $ 5,499       $ (180)       $ 111,062       $ 99,027       $ (12,035)  

Structured securities

     1,643        1,630        (13)        26,805        24,302        (2,503)  

Common and preferred stocks

     65        58        (7)        317        278        (39)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $ 7,387       $ 7,187       $ (200)       $ 138,184       $ 123,607       $ (14,577)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on the results of the impairment review process described above, the Company considers these declines in fair value to be temporary based on current facts and circumstances. These declines in fair value were primarily attributable to the impact of higher market interest rates with no specific credit concerns. As of December 31, 2024, the Company does not intend to sell these securities and believes it has the ability to hold these securities until the anticipated recovery of the remaining amortized cost basis.

 

NM-27


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For securities without a full SVO credit analysis performed that are current on principal and interest the statutory basis of accounting allows the Company to assign a NAIC designation of “5GI” to such securities for reporting purposes. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the statement and fair values of NAIC 5GI securities were as follows:

 

    December 31,
    2024   2023
      Number of  
Securities
    Statement  
Value
  Fair
  Value  
    Number of  
Securities
   Statement 
Value
  Fair
  Value  
                         
    ($ in millions)
Bonds     84     $ 1,864     $ 1,802       93     $ 2,224     $ 2,089  

Preferred stock

    5       51       51       4       35       35  

Loan-backed and structured securities

    3       49       46       1              
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

    92     $ 1,964     $ 1,899       98     $ 2,259     $ 2,124  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements

The Company participates in bilateral and tri-party repurchase programs with U.S. domiciled unaffiliated third parties. The agreements under these programs require the Company to sell securities and simultaneously agree to repurchase the same (or substantially the same) securities prior to the securities reaching their maturity. These repurchase agreements are intended to enhance the yield of the Company’s investment portfolio. The agreements are accounted for as collateralized borrowings with the transferred security proceeds recorded as other liabilities in the statutory statements of financial position while the underlying securities continue to be recorded as investments by the Company. Investment earnings are recorded as net investment income and the difference between the transferred security proceeds and the amount at which the securities will be subsequently reacquired is amortized into net investment income as interest expense in the statutory statements of operations.

The Company manages counterparty and other risks associated with its repurchase program by adhering to guidelines that require counterparties to provide the Company with cash or other high-quality collateral of no less than 97% of the fair value of the securities on loan plus accrued interest and by setting conservative standards for the Company’s reinvestment of cash collateral received.

Cash collateral received, and the liability to return that collateral which is included within other liabilities in the statutory statements of financial position, had the following characteristics during 2024 and 2023:

 

For the quarter ended:

     Maximum  
Balance
      Ending Balance   
     (in millions)  

March 31, 2024

    $ 2,518        $ 2,483   

June 30, 2024

    $ 3,059        $ 2,946   

September 30, 2024

    $ 3,306        $ 3,254   

December 31, 2024

    $ 3,256        $ 3,208   

March 31, 2023

    $ 2,932        $ 2,917   

June 30, 2023

    $ 2,938        $ 2,895   

September 30, 2023

    $ 3,117        $ 2,797   

December 31, 2023

    $ 2,797        $ 2,492   

 

NM-28


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

During 2024 and 2023, securities sold under repurchase agreements included the following characteristics:

 

For the quarter ended:

  Maximum Balance
(Fair Value)
  Ending Balance
(Fair Value)
  Ending Balance
(Statement Value)
             
        (in millions)    

March 31, 2024

   $ 2,568       $ 2,537       $ 2,483   

June 30, 2024

   $ 3,130      $ 3,130      $ 2,946  

September 30, 2024

   $ 3,379      $ 3,321      $ 3,254  

December 31, 2024

   $ 3,331      $ 3,271      $ 3,208  

March 31, 2023

   $ 2,997      $ 2,985      $ 2,917  

June 30, 2023

   $ 3,008      $ 2,958      $ 2,895  

September 30, 2023

   $ 3,150      $ 2,855      $ 2,797  

December 31, 2023

   $ 2,861      $ 2,545      $ 2,492  

The repurchase agreements have overnight contractual maturities. Securities sold under the repurchase agreements consisted of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency-issued residential mortgage-backed securities. All securities sold had NAIC designations of 1.

The amortized cost, fair value and remaining term to maturity of reinvested repurchase agreement collateral held by the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024    December 31, 2023
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value    Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value
                     
     (in millions)

30 days or less

    $ 721       $ 721       $ 512       $ 512  

31-60 days

     352        352        282        282  

61-90 days

     352        352        76        76  

91-120 days

     146        146        80        80  

121-180 days

     397        397        147        147  

181-365 days

     202        202        278        274  

1-2 years

     450        451        679        676  

2-3 years

     581        578        350        351  

Over 3 years

     5        5        66        66  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 3,206        $ 3,204        $ 2,470        $ 2,464   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

If the securities sold under the repurchase agreements or the reinvested collateral become less liquid, the Company has the liquidity resources within its general account available to meet potential cash demands when securities are required to be repurchased.

Restricted Assets

Certain of the Company’s investments are either pledged as collateral or are otherwise held beyond the exclusive control of the Company (“restricted assets”). These restrictions are generally the result of collateral support agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and other counterparties in connection with repurchase agreements and derivative transactions.

 

NM-29


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, collateral held by counterparties was primarily in the form of cash, short-term investments and bonds, including U.S. Government securities. All restricted assets in the below table are admitted assets in 2024 and 2023. See Note 4 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative portfolio.

The statement value of restricted assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, summarized by type of restriction, was as follows:

 

        December 31,     
     2024      2023  
               
     (in millions)  

Loaned securities - repurchase agreements

    $ 3,208       $ 2,492  

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago pledged collateral

     10,391        9,339  

Derivative transactions

     422        456  

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago stock

     158        135  

Securities on deposit with states

     3        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restricted assets

    $ 14,182       $ 12,425  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Collateral Assets Received

The statement and fair values of collateral received at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

       December 31,   
2024
     December 31,   
2023
    Statement
Value
  Fair Value   Statement
Value
  Fair Value
                 
    (in millions)   (in millions)

Repurchase agreement collateral

   $ 3,208      $ 3,271      $ 2,492      $ 2,545  

Derivative collateral

    1,414       1,414       1,068       1,068  

Mortgage loan escrow

    135       135       117       117  

Real estate escrow and security deposits

    4       4       5       5  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total collateral assets

   $ 4,761      $ 4,824      $ 3,682      $ 3,735  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, derivative collateral received was less than $1 million and $5 million, respectively, related to the separate accounts. The obligation to return all other collateral received is reported as other liabilities in the statutory statements of financial position.

 

4.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company enters into derivative transactions, generally to mitigate the risk to its assets, liabilities and surplus from fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, credit conditions and other market risks. Derivatives may be exchange traded, cleared or executed in the over-the-counter market. A majority of the Company’s over-the-counter derivatives are bilateral contracts between two counterparties. The Company’s remaining over-the-counter derivatives are cleared and settled through central clearing exchanges.

Derivatives that are designated as hedges for accounting purposes and meet the qualifications for statutory hedge accounting are reported on a basis consistent with the asset or liability being hedged (i.e., at amortized cost or fair value). Derivatives that are used to mitigate risk but are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, or otherwise do not meet the qualifications for statutory hedge accounting, are reported at fair value.

 

NM-30


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedge relationship must be designated and formally documented at inception. This documentation details the risk management objective and strategy for the hedge, the derivative used in the hedge and the methodology for assessing hedge effectiveness. The hedge must also be “highly effective,” with an assessment of its effectiveness performed both at inception and on an ongoing basis over the life of the hedge.

The fair value of derivative instruments is based on quoted market prices when available. In the absence of quoted market prices, fair value is estimated using industry-standard models utilizing market observable inputs.

Derivative transactions expose the Company to the risk that a counterparty may not be able to fulfill its obligations under the contract. The Company manages this risk by dealing only with counterparties that maintain a minimum credit rating, by performing ongoing review of counterparties’ credit standing and by adhering to established limits for credit exposure to any single counterparty. The Company also utilizes collateral support arrangements that require the daily exchange of collateral assets if counterparty credit exposure exceeds certain limits. The Company does not offset the statement values for derivatives executed with the same counterparty, even if a master netting arrangement is in place. The Company also does not offset the right to claim collateral against the obligation to return such collateral.

The fair value of collateral held by the Company under derivative support agreements at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

        December 31,     
      2024        2023   
     (in millions)         
     (in millions)  

Bonds:

     

General Account

   $ 320      $ 251  

Separate Accounts

     -        -  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bond collateral

   $ 320      $ 251  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash:

     

General Account

   $ 1,414      $ 1,063  

Separate Accounts

     -        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash collateral

   $ 1,414      $ 1,068  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bond collateral held in the general account is not reported in the statutory statements of financial position. Cash collateral held in the general account is reported as cash and short-term investments in the statutory statements of financial position, while the Company’s obligation to return the collateral is reported as other liabilities. Separate account cash collateral assets and related liabilities is reported in the separate account assets and liabilities, respectively, in the statutory statements of financial position.

 

NM-31


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The fair value of collateral posted by the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

 

        December 31,   
     2024   2023
     (in millions)

Bonds posted for derivative support agreements:

    

General Account

    $ 116       $ 73   

Separate Accounts

     2       2  

Bonds posted for futures agreements:

    

General Account

     89       178  

Separate Accounts

     14       15  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Total bond collateral

    $ 221      $ 268  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash posted for derivative support agreements:

    

General Account

    $ 187      $ 175  

Separate Accounts

     5       4  

Cash posted for futures agreements:

    

General Account

     -       -  

Separate Accounts

     9       9  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Total cash collateral

    $ 201      $ 188  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds posted as collateral are reported as bonds and cash posted as collateral is reported as a receivable included in other investments in the statutory statements of financial position.

The Company has no embedded credit derivatives that expose it to the possibility of being required to make future payments.

Hedging - Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company designates and accounts for the following derivative types as cash flow or fair value hedges, with the related derivative instrument reported at amortized cost in the statutory statements of financial position. No component of these derivatives’ economic gain or loss was excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Interest rate floors are used to mitigate the asset/liability management risk of a significant and sustained decrease in interest rates for certain of the Company’s insurance products. Interest rate floors entitle the Company to receive payments from a counterparty if market interest rates decline below a specified level. Amounts received on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

Interest rate swaps are used to mitigate interest rate risk for investments in fixed and variable interest rate bonds and fixed rate liabilities over a period of up to 12 years. Interest rate swaps obligate the Company and a counterparty to exchange amounts based on the difference between a variable interest rate index and a specified fixed rate of interest applied to the notional amount of the contract. Amounts received or paid on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

 

NM-32


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Foreign currency swaps are used to mitigate the foreign exchange risk for investments in bonds and mortgage loans and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies over a period of up to 30 years. Foreign currency swaps obligate the Company and a counterparty to exchange the foreign currency-denominated interest and principal payments receivable on foreign bonds and mortgage loans or those owed on liabilities for U.S. dollar-denominated payments based on currency exchange rates specified at trade inception. Foreign exchange gains or losses on these contracts are reported as a change in unrealized capital gains or losses until the maturity or termination of the contract, at which time a realized capital gain or loss is recognized. Amounts received or paid on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

Hedging - Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company enters into other derivative transactions that mitigate economic risks but are not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes or otherwise do not qualify for statutory hedge accounting. These instruments are reported in the statutory statements of financial position at fair value. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are reported as a change in unrealized capital gains or losses until the maturity or termination of the contract, at which time a realized capital gain or loss is recognized.

The average fair value of outstanding derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments was $506 million and $499 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The average fair value of outstanding derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments was $148 million and $171 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Interest rate caps and floors are used to mitigate the risk of a significant and sustained increase or decrease in interest rates for certain of the Company’s debt instruments and insurance and annuity products. Interest rate caps and floors entitle the Company to pay or receive payments from a counterparty if market interest rates rise above or decline below a specified level. Amounts paid or received on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

Interest rate swaps are used to mitigate interest rate risk for investments in variable interest rate and fixed interest rate bonds over a period of up to 10 years. Interest rate swaps obligate the Company and a counterparty to exchange amounts based on the difference between a variable interest rate index and a specified fixed rate of interest applied to the notional amount of the contract. Amounts received or paid on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

Swaptions are used to mitigate the asset/liability management risk of a significant and sustained increase in interest rates for certain of the Company’s insurance products. Swaptions provide the Company an option to enter into an interest rate swap with a counterparty on specified terms.

Fixed income futures are used to mitigate interest rate risk for investments in portfolios of fixed income securities. Fixed income futures obligate the Company to sell to or buy from a counterparty a specified number of contracts at a specified price at a future date.

Fixed income forwards are used to gain exposure to the investment risk and return of mortgage-backed securities by utilizing “to-be-announced” (TBA) forward contracts. The Company also uses TBA forward contracts to hedge interest rate risk and participate in the mortgage-backed securities market in an efficient and cost-effective way. Additionally, pursuant to the Company’s mortgage dollar roll program, TBAs or mortgage-backed securities are transferred to counterparties with a corresponding agreement to purchase a substantially similar security for later settlement. These transactions do not qualify as secured borrowings and are accounted for as derivatives.

Foreign currency forwards are used to mitigate the foreign exchange risk for investments in bonds denominated in foreign currencies or common stock or other equity investments in companies operating in foreign countries. Foreign currency forwards obligate the Company to pay to or receive from a counterparty a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date.

 

NM-33


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Foreign currency swaps are used to mitigate the foreign exchange risk for investments in bonds denominated in foreign currencies over a period of up to 11 years. Foreign currency swaps obligate the Company and a counterparty to exchange the foreign currency-denominated interest and principal payments receivable on foreign bonds and mortgage loans for U.S. dollar-denominated payments based on currency exchange rates specified at trade inception. Foreign exchange gains or losses on these contracts are reported as a change in unrealized capital gains or losses until the maturity or termination of the contract, at which time a realized capital gain or loss is recognized. Amounts received or paid on these contracts are reported as net investment income.

Warrants are acquired through the purchase of private bonds. Warrants provide the Company the right to purchase an underlying financial instrument at a given price and time. Changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument are reported as a change in unrealized capital gains or losses. When the warrant is exercised, the derivative is terminated, and the current value becomes the basis for the new financial instrument.

Investment Replications

Interest rate swap replications are used to replicate a bond investment through the use of cash market instruments combined with an interest rate swap. Interest rate swaps obligate the Company and a counterparty to exchange amounts based on the difference between a variable interest rate and a specified fixed interest rate applied to the notional amount of the contract. Interest rate swap replications, including the derivative components, are reported at amortized cost.

Bond forward replications are used to replicate a long-term bond investment through the use of cash market instruments combined with a U.S. Treasury bond forward. U.S. Treasury bond forwards obligate the Company to buy or sell from a counterparty a specified security at a specified price at a future date. Bond forward replications, including the derivative components, are reported at amortized cost.

 

NM-34


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The effects of the Company’s use of derivative instruments on the statutory statements of financial position at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024
       Notional         Statement Value         Fair Value   
     Amount    Assets    Liabilities   Assets    Liabilities
               (in millions)         

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

             

Interest rate contracts:

             

Interest rate floors

    $ -       $ -       $ -      $ -       $ -  

Interest rate swaps

     2,151        -        -       1        (87

Foreign exchange contracts:

             

Foreign currency swaps

     16,717        1,310        (81     1,628        (121

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

             

Interest rate contracts:

             

Interest rate caps

     1,705        19        -       19        -  

Interest rate floors

     2,319        15        -       15        -  

Interest rate swaps

     11,245        118        (127     118        (127

Swaptions

     4,778        379        -       379        -  

Fixed income futures

     11,966        -        -       -        -  

Fixed income forwards

     442        -        (1     -        (1

Foreign exchange contracts:

             

Foreign currency forwards

     -        -        -       -        -  

Foreign currency swaps

     76        8        (1     8        (1

Investment replications

             

Interest rate contracts:

             

Interest rate swaps

     673        -        -       4        -  

Bond forwards:

             

Bond forwards

     1,971        -        -       -        (212
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total derivatives

       $ 1,849       $ (210    $ 2,172       $ (549
     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-35


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

     December 31, 2023
       Notional         Statement Value         Fair Value   
     Amount    Assets   Liabilities   Assets   Liabilities
              (in millions)        

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

           

Interest rate contracts:

           

Interest rate floors

    $ 150       $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -  

Interest rate swaps

     1,932        -       -       -       (113

Foreign exchange contracts:

           

Foreign currency swaps

     15,064        846       (155     1,276       (209

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

           

Interest rate contracts:

           

Interest rate caps

     1,705        25       -       25       -  

Interest rate floors

     2,473        32       (2     32       (2

Interest rate swaps

     7,933        113       (124     113       (124

Swaptions

     4,548        273       -       273       -  

Fixed income futures

     11,577        -       -       -       -  

Fixed income forwards

     183        1       -       1       -  

Foreign exchange contracts:

           

Foreign currency forwards

     -        -       -       -       -  

Foreign currency swaps

     102        12       (2     12       (2

Investment replications

           

Interest rate contracts:

           

Interest rate swaps

     673        -       -       10       (9

Bond forwards:

           

Bond forwards

     1,777        -       -       1       (92
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

       $ 1,302       $ (283 )      $ 1,743       $ (551 )  
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The notional amounts shown above are used to denominate the derivative contracts and do not represent amounts exchanged between the Company and the derivative counterparties. Derivative instruments are reported as other investments or other liabilities in the statutory statements of financial position.

 

NM-36


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The effects of the Company’s use of derivative instruments on the statutory statements of operations and changes in surplus for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2024
      Change in Net 
Unrealized Capital
Gains (Losses)
   Net Realized Capital 
Gains (Losses)
   Net Investment 
Income
         (in millions)    

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate floors

    $ -      $ -      $ -  

Interest rate swaps

     -       -       (68

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency swaps

     537       105       159  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate caps

     (3     -       6  

Interest rate floors

     (12     -       (4

Interest rate swaps

     2       -       (11

Swaptions

     101       -       (10

Fixed income futures

     (165     (26     -  

Fixed income forwards

     (1     (3     -  

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency forwards

     -       -       -  

Foreign currency swaps

     (2     4       1  

Investment replications

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate swaps

     -       -       (1

Bond forwards:

      

Bond forwards

     -       (13     -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

    $ 457      $ 67      $ 72  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-37


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2023
      Change in Net 
Unrealized Capital
Gains (Losses)
  Net Realized Capital
Gains (Losses)
   Net Investment 
Income
         (in millions)    

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate floors

    $ -      $ -      $ -  

Interest rate swaps

     3       -       (72

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency swaps

     (462     48       155  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate caps

     (24     -       4  

Interest rate floors

     3       -       (4

Interest rate swaps

     (3     -       (5

Swaptions

     34       -       (10

Fixed income futures

     268       (396     -  

Fixed income forwards

     7       (15     -  

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency forwards

     -       -       -  

Foreign currency swaps

     (4     -       2  

Investment replications

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate swaps

     -       -       -  

Bond forwards:

      

Bond forwards

     -       (10     -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

    $ (178    $ (373    $ 70  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-38


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2022
      Change in Net 
Unrealized Capital
Gains (Losses)
  Net Realized Capital
Gains (Losses)
   Net Investment 
Income
              
         (in millions)    

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate floors

    $ -      $ -      $ 3  

Interest rate swaps

     -       -       (12

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency swaps

     1,027       65       190  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate caps

     36       -       (2

Interest rate floors

     (17     -       -  

Interest rate swaps

     (15     -       -  

Swaptions

     139       -       (10

Fixed income futures

     (57     (652     -  

Fixed income forwards

     (8     (91     -  

Foreign exchange contracts:

      

Foreign currency forwards

     (46     49       -  

Foreign currency swaps

     5       4       2  

Investment replications

      

Interest rate contracts:

      

Interest rate swaps

     -       -       -  

Bond forwards:

      

Bond forwards

     -       -       -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

    $ 1,064      $ (625    $ 171  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no changes in net unrealized gains or losses resulting from derivatives that no longer qualify for hedge accounting for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Realized gains and losses derived from derivative transactions are reported in Other Investments in the investing activities section of the statutory statements of cash flows.

 

NM-39


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

5.

Policy Benefit Reserves and Deposit Funds

General account policy benefit reserves at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31,
       2024        2023  
           
     (in millions)

Life insurance reserves

    $ 232,689       $ 224,837  

Disability and long-term care active life reserves

     8,972        8,260  

Disability and long-term care unpaid claims and claim reserves

     6,169        5,944  

Annuity reserves

     16,389        14,919  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total policy benefit reserves

    $  264,219       $  253,960  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

See Note 9 for more information regarding the Company’s use of reinsurance and the related impact on policy benefit reserves.

Life Insurance Reserves

Historically, policy and contract reserves were determined in accordance with standard valuation methods approved by the OCI and were computed in accordance with standard actuarial methodology based on the Commissioners’ Reserve Valuation Method (CRVM) or the net level premium method. The reserves were based on assumptions for interest, mortality and other risks insured. Effective January 1, 2017, the OCI required a principles-based approach (PBR) for the calculation of its policy benefit reserves with a three-year phase-in period from the effective date. PBR requires reserves to be calculated using company experience assumptions with margin subject to a floor based on similar prescribed methods and assumptions used with existing in-force business. The Company adopted PBR for certain new life insurance products issued on or after July 1, 2019 and for all remaining life insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2020.

Life insurance reserve calculations, using basic data, determine tabular interest, tabular cost, and tabular cost less actual reserves released. Tabular interest on funds not involving life contingencies is calculated as the product of the valuation interest rate times the mean of the amount of funds subject to such rate held at the beginning and end of the year of valuation.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $2.4 trillion of total life insurance in force, including $11 billion of life insurance in force for which gross premiums were less than net premiums according to the standard valuation methods and assumptions prescribed by the OCI. Gross premiums are calculated using mortality tables that reflect both the Company’s actual experience and the potential transfer of risk to reinsurers. Net premiums are determined in the calculation of statutory reserves, which must be based on industry-standard mortality tables.

Additional premiums or charges are assessed for substandard lives on policies issued after January 1, 1956. Net level premium or CRVM mean reserves for these policies are based on multiples of mortality tables or one-half the net flat or other extra mortality charge. The Company waives deduction of fractional premiums upon death of an insured and returns any portion of the final premium beyond the date of death. Cash values are not promised in excess of the legally computed reserves.

 

NM-40


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the account and cash values related to the Company’s general account life reserves were as follows:

 

     Account Value    Cash Value    Reserves
                               
     December 31,
       2024        2023        2024        2023        2024        2023  
                               
               (in millions)          

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values, or policy loans:

                 

Universal life

    $ 14,697       $ 14,570       $ 14,544       $ 14,378       $ 14,562       $ 14,397  

Universal life with secondary guarantees

     13        13        11        12        40        38  

Other permanent cash value life insurance

     -        -        198,911        192,206        205,364        198,033  

Variable life

     -        -        -        -        1,176        1,069  

Variable universal life

     13        10        13        10        101        62  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal or no cash value:

                 

Term policies without cash value

     -        -        -        -        5,139        5,347  

Accidental death benefits

     -        -        -        -        8        9  

Disability - active lives

     -        -        -        -        1,305        1,182  

Disability - disabled lives

     -        -        -        -        1,709        1,638  

Miscellaneous reserves

     -        -        -        -        3,121        3,087  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total gross life reserves 1

     14,723        14,593        213,479        206,606        232,525        224,862  

Reinsurance ceded

     -        -        -        -        1,112        1,150  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total net life insurance

    $ 14,723       $ 14,593       $ 213,479       $ 206,606       $ 231,413       $ 223,712  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

1

This line includes only the Company’s general life reserves, whereas, the life insurance reserves presented in the general account policy benefit reserves table above include life and annuity unpaid claims.

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the withdrawal characteristics of the Company’s separate account life reserves were as follows:

 

     Account Value    Cash Value    Reserves
                               
     December 31,
       2024        2023        2024        2023        2024        2023  
                               
               (in millions)          

Subject to discretionary withdrawal, surrender values or policy loans:

                 

Variable life

    $ -       $ -       $ 10,834       $ 9,712       $ 9,701       $ 8,688  

Variable universal life

     3,306        2,253        3,083        2,338        2,995        2,285  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total gross life reserves

    $ 3,306       $ 2,253       $ 13,917       $ 12,050       $ 12,696       $ 10,973  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reinsurance ceded

     -        -        -        -        -        -  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total net life insurance

    $ 3,306       $ 2,253       $ 13,917       $ 12,050       $ 12,696       $ 10,973  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-41


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The following are amounts reported as net life insurance reserves in the Company’s Annual Statement, which agree with the amounts reported as net life insurance reserves in the tables above at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

     December 31,
       2024        2023  
           
     (in millions)

From Life, Accident & Health Annual Statement:

     

Life insurance

   $ 228,298      $ 220,774  

Accidental death benefits

     8        9  

Disability - active lives

     1,305        1,182  

Disability - disabled lives

     1,706        1,636  

Miscellaneous reserves

     96        111  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Subtotal net life insurance

     231,413        223,712  

From Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

     

Life insurance

     12,696        10,973  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Combined Total

   $ 244,109      $ 234,685  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Annuity Reserves

For annuities and supplementary contracts, policy and contract reserves are calculated using Commissioners’ Annuity Reserve Valuation Method (CARVM), Valuation Manual Section 21 (VM-21) for variable annuity products and Actuarial Guideline 33 for all other products. Other deferred annuity reserves are based on policy value, with additional reserves held to reflect guarantees under these contracts. Immediate annuity reserves are based on the present value of expected benefit payments. Changes in future policy benefit reserves on supplementary contracts and income annuities without life contingencies are deposit-type transactions and are excluded from net additions to policy benefit reserves in the statutory statements of operations.

Deposit Funds

Deposit fund liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $15.8 billion and $13.1 billion, respectively. Deposit funds primarily represent reserves for funding agreements, supplementary contracts and income annuities without life contingencies, and amounts left on deposit with the Company by beneficiaries or policyowners. Beneficiaries of the Company’s life insurance policies can choose to receive their death benefit in a single lump sum payment or through a supplementary contract consisting of a series of scheduled payments. If the beneficiary does not affirmatively choose a supplementary contract (or if a supplementary contract was not previously elected for the beneficiary by the policy owner), the proceeds are automatically paid to the beneficiary in a single lump sum.

Prior to November 1, 2013, beneficiaries of the Company’s life insurance policies also could choose to receive their death benefit by deposit of the proceeds (if $20,000 or more) into an interest-bearing retained asset account (“Northwestern Access Fund”). Funds held on behalf of Northwestern Access Fund account holders are segmented in the Company’s general account and are invested primarily in short-term, liquid investments and high quality corporate bonds. Northwestern Access Fund accounts are credited with interest at short-term market rates, with certain accounts subject to guaranteed minimum crediting rates.

The total deposit fund liability for Northwestern Access Fund account balances held by the Company was $255 million and $262 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Accounts were credited with interest at annual rates ranging from 4.00% to 5.18% and 3.66% to 5.20% during 2024 and 2023, respectively. The crediting interest rates changed 41 times and 46 times during 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

NM-42


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The Company is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC) and issues funding agreements to FHLBC in exchange for cash. Funding agreements are issued through the general account and the sales proceeds are invested in assets which generally have higher yields than the interest charges on the corresponding funding agreements. The Company is required to pledge collateral to the FHLBC in the form of eligible investments when funding agreements are issued. Upon an event of default by the Company, the FHLBC’s recovery on the collateral is limited to the outstanding amount of the Company’s liability to the FHLBC.

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company held $158 million and $135 million of FHLBC activity stock, respectively. The amount of collateral pledged to the FHLBC was as follows:

 

     Statement
Value (1)
   Fair
Value (1)
           
     (in millions)

December 31, 2024

    $ 10,391       $ 9,287  

December 31, 2023

     9,339        8,352  

 

(1) 

Includes amounts in excess of minimum requirements

The maximum amount of collateral pledged to the FHLBC was as follows:

 

     Statement
Value
     Fair Value      Amount Borrowed at
Time of Max Collateral
 
            (in millions)         

December 31, 2024

   $ 10,409      $ 9,362      $ 3,311  

December 31, 2023

     9,468        8,149        2,834  

The amount borrowed from FHLBC, in the form of funding agreements, was as follows:

 

     December 31,    December 31,
       2024        2023  
     (in millions)    (in millions)

Borrowed

    $ 3,556        $ 3,011   

Deposit fund reserves

    $ 3,563       $ 3,019  

Max borrowed during the year

    $ 3,574       $ 3,436  

Borrowing capacity as determined by insurer

    $ 16,000       $ 16,000  

The Company does not have prepayment obligations for these funding agreements.

The Company has established a $20 billion global FABN program. As part of this program, a special purpose entity issues notes (Notes) with a term of three to ten years to investors. Note proceeds are used to purchase funding agreements from the Company. The issued funding agreements have payment terms substantially identical to the Notes. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had issued and outstanding funding agreements of $8.3 billion and $6.2 billion, respectively.

The Company has established a funding agreement-backed commercial paper program (the “FACP Program”). Under the FACP Program, a special purpose entity, Northwestern Mutual ShortTerm Funding, LLC (“NMSTF”), may issue commercial paper and deposit the proceeds with the Company pursuant to a funding agreement issued by the Company to NMSTF. The current maximum aggregate principal amount permitted to be outstanding at any one time under the FACP Program is $8.0 billion. The Company had outstanding FACP Program funding agreements of $251 million as of December 31, 2024 and none outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

 

NM-43


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For all deposit type contracts, reserves reflect the accumulated value. For funding agreements with fixed rate interest payments, the Company utilizes valuation interest rates to calculate the present value (floored at the accumulated value) of any future cash flow amounts. Amounts in excess of accumulated values are recorded as an additional reserve and are reported in the deposit fund reserve balance above.

Withdrawal Characteristics of Annuity Reserves and Deposit Funds

At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the withdrawal characteristics of the Company’s general account and separate account annuity reserves and deposit funds were as follows:

 

     General Account   Separate Account   Total
    

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

December 31,

     2024   2023   2024   2023   2024   2023
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

(in millions)

Individual Annuities

            

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

            

- with market value adjustment

    $ 216      $ 195      $ -      $ -      $ 216      $ 195  

- at book value less surrender charge of 5% or more

     79       81       -       -       79       81  

- at fair value

     -       -       21,935       21,204       21,935       21,204  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total with market value adjustment or at fair value

     295       276       21,935       21,204       22,230       21,480  

- at book value without adjustment

     1,295       1,457       -       -       1,295       1,457  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

     12,600       11,024       281       268       12,881       11,292  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross individual annuities

     14,190       12,757       22,216       21,472       36,406       34,229  

Reinsurance ceded

     -       -       -       -       -       -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net individual annuities

    $ 14,190      $ 12,757      $ 22,216      $ 21,472      $ 36,406      $ 34,229  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Annuities

            

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

            

- at fair value

    $ -      $ -      $ 11      $ 14      $ 11      $ 14  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total with market value adjustment or at fair value

     -       -       11       14       11       14  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

     2,199       2,162       5,385       5,472       7,584       7,634  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross group annuities

     2,199       2,162       5,396       5,486       7,595       7,648  

Reinsurance ceded

     -       -       -       -       -       -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net group annuities

    $ 2,199      $ 2,162      $ 5,396      $ 5,486      $ 7,595      $ 7,648  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposit-Type Contracts

            

Subject to discretionary withdrawal

            

- with market value adjustment

    $ 419      $ 314      $ -      $ -      $ 419      $ 314  

- at fair value

     -       -       32       30       32       30  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total with market value adjustment or at fair value

     419       314       32       30       451       344  

- at book value without adjustment

     2,829       3,153       -       -       2,829       3,153  

Not subject to discretionary withdrawal

     12,550       9,605       -       -       12,550       9,605  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross deposit-type contracts

     15,798       13,072       32       30       15,830       13,102  

Reinsurance ceded

     -       -       -       -       -       -  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net deposit-type contracts

    $ 15,798      $ 13,072      $ 32      $ 30      $ 15,830      $ 13,102  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total annuity reserves and deposit funds

    $ 32,187       $ 27,991       $ 27,644       $ 26,988       $ 59,831       $ 54,979   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-44


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Of the individual annuity reserves at book value less surrender charge of 5% or more noted above, the Company expects that $3 million of those reserves will have less than a 5% surrender charge and be reported with the amounts at book value without adjustment in 2025.

The following are amounts reported as net annuity reserves in the Company’s Annual Statement, which agree with the amounts reported as net annuity reserves in the table above at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

     December 31,  
     2024     2023  
    

 

   

 

 
     (in millions)  

From Life, Accident & Health Annual Statement:

    

Annuities

   $ 14,412     $ 13,078  

Supplementary contracts with life contingencies

     1,977       1,841  

Deposit-type contracts

     15,798       13,072  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal net annuity reserves

     32,187       27,991  

From Separate Accounts Annual Statement:

    

Annuities

     27,331       26,690  

Supplementary contracts

     281       268  

Other contract deposit funds

     32       30  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal net annuity reserves

     27,644       26,988  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined Total

   $ 59,831      $ 54,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NM-45


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Disability and Long-Term Care Reserves

Unpaid claims and claim reserves for disability and long-term care policies are based on the present value of expected benefit payments. The changes in reserves for unpaid claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses on disability and long-term care policies for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     For the years ended  
     December 31,  
    

 

  2024  

   

 

  2023  

 
    

 

   

 

 
     (in millions)  

Balance at January 1

    $ 5,944      $ 5,528  

Incurred related to:

    

Current year

     1,156       1,155  

Prior years

     (50     98  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total incurred

     1,106       1,253  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Paid related to:

    

Current year

     (54     (50)  

Prior years

     (827     (787)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total paid

     (881     (837)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

    $ 6,169      $ 5,944  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in reserves for incurred claims related to prior years are generally the result of differences between claim experience assumed in reserve calculations and subsequent actual claim experience.

Active life reserves are based on the net level premium method for disability policies issued prior to 1987 and the two-year preliminary term method for those issued after 1987. Active life reserves are mean reserves for disability policies issued through 2000 and mid-terminal plus unearned premium reserves for policies issued after 2000. Active life reserves for long-term care policies consist of mid-terminal reserves and unearned premiums. Mid-terminal reserves are based on the one-year preliminary term method.

Additional Actuarial Reserves

Each year, the Company must perform asset adequacy testing (AAT) to demonstrate that reserves make adequate provision for the anticipated cash flows required by contractual obligations and related expenses, in light of assets held for the reserves. Asset adequacy testing is performed in accordance with presently accepted actuarial standards and must include assumptions necessary to determine the adequacy of reserves under moderately adverse conditions. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, reserves required as a result of AAT were as follows:

 

     December 31,
       2024        2023  
    

 

  

 

     (in millions)

Annuities and deposit funds

   $ 50      $ 50  

Life insurance

     -        -  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total reserves

   $ 50      $ 50  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-46


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Statutory Minimum Reserves

The Company has the option to establish policy benefit and deposit fund reserves using a standard of valuation that produces higher reserves than those calculated according to the minimum standard provided in the statutory regulations. For contracts issued January 1, 2001 and later, excess reserves over the statutory minimums were $1,819 million and $1,565 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

 

6.

Premium and Annuity Considerations Deferred and Uncollected

Gross deferred and uncollected insurance premiums represent life insurance premiums due to be received from policyowners through the next respective policy anniversary dates. Net deferred and uncollected premiums represent only the portion of gross premiums related to mortality charges and interest and are reported in deferred premium and other assets in the statutory statements of financial position.

Deferred and uncollected premiums at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024    December 31, 2023
     Gross    Net    Gross    Net
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

     (in millions)    (in millions)

Ordinary new business

     $  346        $  214        $  366        $  232  

Ordinary renewal

     3,536        2,856        3,431        2,778  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total deferred and uncollected premiums

     $  3,882        $  3,070        $  3,797        $  3,010  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-47


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

7.

Separate Accounts

Separate account liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     Variable Life    Variable Annuities    Total
    

 

  

 

  

 

     December 31,
     2024    2023    2024    2023    2024    2023
    

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

     (in millions)

Separate account reserves

     $  12,696        $  10,973        $  27,644        $  26,988        $  40,340        $  37,961  

Non-policy liabilities

                 332        255  
              

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total separate account liabilities

                 $  40,672        $  38,216  
              

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

While separate account liability values are not guaranteed by the Company, variable annuity and variable life insurance products do include guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) underwritten by the Company. General account policy benefit reserves included $8 million attributable to GMDB at both December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Premiums and other considerations received from variable annuity and variable life insurance policyowners were $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These amounts are reported as premiums in the statutory statements of operations. The subsequent transfer of these premiums to the separate accounts, net of amounts received from the separate accounts to provide for policy benefit payments to variable product policyowners, is reported as net transfers to separate accounts in the statutory statements of operations. The following are amounts reported as transfers to and from separate accounts within the Company’s Separate Account Annual Statement, which agree with the amounts reported as net transfers to (from) separate accounts within these statutory financial statements:

 

     At and for the years ended December 31,
      2024     2023     2022 
    

 

 

 

 

 

     (in millions)

From Separate Account Annual Statement:

      

Transfers to separate accounts

     $ 1,657       $ 1,557       $ 1,670  

Transfers from separate accounts

     (3,156     (2,564     (2,160
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net transfers from separate accounts

     $ (1,499     $ (1,007     $ (490
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Employee and Financial Representative Benefit Plans

The Company provides defined pension benefits for all eligible employees and financial representatives. This includes sponsorship of noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that are “qualified” under the terms of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), as well as “nonqualified” plans that provide benefits to certain participants in excess of limits set by ERISA and the Code for the qualified plans. The Company’s funding policy for the qualified plans is to make annual contributions that are no less than the minimum amount needed to comply with the requirements of ERISA and no greater than the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. The Company made no contributions to the qualified retirement plans during either of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and does not expect to make a contribution to the plans during 2025.

 

NM-48


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The Company’s defined benefit pension plans for employees contains two different benefit formulas – a formula based on the final average pay of the participant that was frozen as of December 31, 2013 and one that awards cash balance credits based on each participant’s age and years of service that became effective on January 1, 2014. Benefits accrued under the final average pay formula remain available to participants upon retirement. Accumulated cash balance credits earn interest based on market rates and are subject to a minimum crediting rate. The Company’s defined benefit pension plans for financial representatives utilize a formula that is based on the participant’s estimated annual income earned over their career.

In addition to defined pension benefits, the Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits (“postretirement benefits”) to retired employees, retired financial representatives and their eligible dependents. Participants are eligible for retirement health care coverage if they meet eligibility requirements for age and length of service and were either active or retired as of July 31, 2013 for employees and as of December 31, 2013 for financial representatives. Employees or financial representatives hired or contracted after the above dates are not eligible for coverage under the postretirement health plans. Additionally, the Company does not provide a subsidy for retiree health care coverage for employees retiring on or after January 1, 2022.

Medicare-eligible retirees and their dependents are offered health care options provided under an independent third-party health care marketplace (“marketplace”). Retirees and dependents that are not yet Medicare-eligible retain the historical health care benefits offered by the Company. Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents are provided with a pre-funded retiree health reimbursement account and access to third-party advisors to purchase health benefits through the marketplace. Non-Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents are provided premium assistance based on the retirees’ years of service with the Company. The Company pays the entire cost of retiree life insurance coverage.

Benefit Plan Assets

Aggregate plan assets of the defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and changes in these assets for the years then ended, were as follows:

 

     Defined Benefit Plans   Postretirement Benefit Plans
       2024       2023       2024       2023  
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     (in millions)   (in millions)

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

     $ 5,364       $ 4,996       $ 70       $ 76  

Changes in plan assets:

        

Actual return on plan assets

     128       560       2       5  

Actual plan benefits paid

     (205     (192     (13     (11
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

     $ 5,287       $ 5,364       $ 59       $ 70  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan assets consist of group annuity contracts issued by the Company that are funded by a Group Annuity Separate Account, which primarily invests in a diversified portfolio of public and private common stocks and corporate, government and mortgage-backed debt securities. The overall investment objective of the plans is to maximize long-term total rate of return, consistent with prudent standards for investment and asset/liability risk management and in accordance with ERISA requirements. Plan investments are managed with a long-term perspective and for the sole benefit of the plans’ participants.

 

NM-49


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Plan asset allocations are rebalanced regularly to maintain holdings within desired asset allocation ranges and to reposition the portfolio based upon perceived market opportunities and risks. Diversification, both by and within asset classes, is a primary risk management consideration. Assets are invested across various asset classes, sectors, industries and geographies. The measurement date for plan assets was December 31 of the respective period with the fair value of plan assets primarily based on quoted market prices. The target asset allocations and the actual allocation of the plans’ investments based on fair value at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     Target
Allocation
     Actual
Allocation
 
       2024          2023          2024          2023    

Bonds

     73%        73%        72%        73%  

Equity investments

     26%        26%        27%        26%  

Other investments

     1%        1%        1%        1%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     100%        100%        100%        100%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At each of December 31, 2024 and 2023, other investments were comprised of cash and short-term investments.

Benefit Plan Obligations

Aggregate projected benefit obligations (PBOs) of the defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2024 and 2023 and changes in these obligations for the years then ended were as follows:

 

     Defined Benefit Plans   Postretirement Benefit Plans
       2024       2023       2024       2023  
     (in millions)   (in millions)

Projected benefit obligation at January 1

     $ 5,673       $ 5,247       $ 457       $ 457  

Changes in benefit obligation:

        

Service cost of benefits earned

     205       192       5       5  

Interest cost on projected obligations

     267       255       20       21  

Projected gross plan benefits paid

     (223     (214     (25     (27

Experience (gains)/losses

     (491     193       (39     1  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation at December 31

     $ 5,431       $ 5,673       $ 418       $ 457  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The PBO represents the estimated net present value of estimated future benefit obligations. For defined benefit plans, the PBO includes assumptions for future compensation increases for active participants. The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) is similar to the PBO but is based only on current compensation with no assumption of future compensation increases. The aggregate ABO for the defined benefit plans was $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Experience (gains)/losses for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 primarily reflect the impact of changes in the PBO discount rate.

 

NM-50


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Benefit Plan Assumptions

The assumptions used in estimating the projected benefit obligations at December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     Defined Benefit Plans      Postretirement Benefit Plans                
      2024        2023        2024        2023                 

Projected benefit obligation:

                 

Weighted average discount rate

     5.49%        4.80%        5.47%        4.79%        

Annual increase in compensation

     3.75%        3.75%        3.75%        3.75%        

Cash balance plan interest crediting rate

     5.46%        4.78%        n/a        n/a        

 

     Defined Benefit Plans      Postretirement Benefit Plans  
      2024        2023        2022        2024        2023        2022   

Net periodic benefit cost:

                 

Weighted average discount rate

     4.80%        5.00%        2.77%        4.79%        4.98%        2.72%  

Annual increase in compensation

     3.75%        3.75%        3.75%        3.75%        3.75%        3.75%  

Long-term rate of return on plan assets

     6.25%        6.00%        5.25%        6.25%        6.00%        5.25%  

Cash balance plan interest crediting rate

     4.78%        4.99%        3.00%        n/a        n/a        n/a  

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is estimated in consideration of historical financial market performance, internal and third-party capital market expectations and the long-term target asset allocation.

The assumed annual increase in future retiree medical costs used in measuring the obligation for postretirement benefits were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
      2024        2023   

Assumed annual increase

     5.00%        5.00%  

Ultimate rate of annual increase

     5.00%        5.00%  

Year in which ultimate rate is reached

     2025        2024  

The Company’s exposure to medical inflation is limited to a maximum annual increase of 3%. In the event annual premiums increase greater than 3% plan participants are responsible for the balance of premiums which exceeded the 3% limit.

 

NM-51


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Benefit Plan Funded Status

The following is an aggregate reconciliation of the funded status of the plans to the related financial statement liabilities reported by the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

     Defined
Benefit Plans
    Postretirement
Benefit Plans
 
       2024         2023        2024         2023    
    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
     (in millions)     (in millions)  

Fair value of plan assets

     $ 5,287       $ 5,364       $ 59       $ 69  

Projected benefit obligation

     5,431       5,673       418       457  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status

     (144     (309     (359     (388

Nonadmitted asset

     (953     (853     -       -  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial statement liability

     $ (1,097     $ (1,162     $ (359     $ (388
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The PBO for defined benefit plans above included $1,097 million and $1,162 million related to unfunded non-qualified plans at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In the aggregate, the fair value of qualified defined benefit plan assets represented 122% and 119% of the projected benefit obligations of these plans at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Statutory accounting guidance requires that changes in plan funded status be recognized immediately as a direct adjustment to surplus, subject to limitations such as admissibility of net pension assets. These adjustments are included in changes in nonadmitted assets and other changes in surplus in the statutory statements of changes in surplus.

Aggregate defined benefit pension and postretirement plan surplus impacts were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

 

    For the year ended December 31, 2024  
    Defined Benefit Plans     Postretirement Benefit Plans  
     Net experience 
 gains (losses) 
     Prior service 
 (costs) credits 
   

Net

initial

 asset 

     Net experience 
 gains (losses) 
     Prior service 
 (costs) credits 
 
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    (in millions)     (in millions)  

Balance at January 1

   $ (777    $ 65       $ 211      $ 12      $ 148  
Amortization from surplus into net periodic benefit cost     29       (25     (6     (1     (12
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in surplus     259       -       -       29       -  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ (489    $ 40       $ 205      $ 40      $ 136  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NM-52


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

    For the year ended December 31, 2023  
    Defined Benefit Plans     Postretirement Benefit Plans  
   

 Net experience 

gains (losses)

   

 Prior service 

(costs) credits

   

Net

initial

 asset 

   

Net

 experience 

gains
(losses)

   

 Prior service 

 (costs) credits 

 
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
    (in millions)     (in millions)  

Balance at January 1

   $ (863    $ 90      $ 241      $ 20      $ 160  
Amortization from surplus into net periodic benefit cost     36       (25     (30     (1     (12
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in surplus     50       -       -       (7     -  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ (777 )      $ 65      $ 211      $ 12      $ 148  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit Plan Costs

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     Defined Benefit Plans   Postretirement Benefit
Plans
     2024   2023   2022   2024   2023   2022
    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

            

Service cost of benefits earned

    $ 205      $ 192      $ 240      $ 5      $ 5      $ 8  

Interest cost on projected obligations

     267       255       173       20       21       13  

Amortization of experience losses

     29       36       34       (1     (1     4  

Amortization of prior service (credits) costs

     (25     (25     (25     (12     (12     (12

Amortization of initial net asset

     (6     (31     (16     -       -       -  

Expected return on plan assets

     (329     (294     (337     (4     (5     (5
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

    $ 141       $ 133       $ 69       $ 8       $ 8       $ 8   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The expected benefit payments by the defined benefit plans and the postretirement benefit plans for the years 2025 through 2034 are as follows:

 

     Defined
Benefit Plans
   Postretirement
Benefit Plans
    

 

  

 

    

 

(in millions)

2025

    $ 228       $ 26  

2026

     285        26  

2027

     294        26  

2028

     302        26  

2029

     312        25  

2030-2034

     1,699        129  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

    $ 3,120       $ 258  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-53


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The Company sponsors a contributory 401(k) plan for eligible employees, for which the Company may provide a matching contribution, and a noncontributory defined contribution plan for financial representatives. In addition, the Company sponsors nonqualified plans that provide related benefits to certain participants in excess of limits set by ERISA for qualified defined contribution plans. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company expensed total contributions to these plans of $40 million, $39 million and $37 million, respectively. In lieu of making matching contributions to the employee 401(k) plan in 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company awarded additional cash balance credits.

 

9.

Reinsurance

The Company limits its exposure to life insurance death benefits by ceding coverage to various reinsurers. In 1999, the Company ceased reinsuring new individual disability policies, but has maintained a portion of the reinsurance ceded on policies issued prior to 1999. The Company cedes between 60 - 80% of the morbidity risk on group disability and 60% of the mortality risk on group life policies.

As part of an affiliated reinsurance agreement, the Company assumes 100% of the net risk associated with NLTC’s long-term care business. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the net amount due from NLTC under this agreement was $53 million and $48 million, respectively.

Amounts in the statutory financial statements are reported net of the impact of reinsurance. Policy benefit reserves were reported net of ceded reserves of $1.6 billion at both December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company does not have any reinsurance contracts that are subject to Actuarial Guideline 48.

The effects of reinsurance on premium revenue and total benefits for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
       2024         2023         2022    
    

 

   

 

   

 

 
     (in millions)  

Direct premium revenue

    $ 23,532      $ 22,213      $ 22,500  

Premiums assumed

     905       866       840  

Premiums ceded

     (1,119     (1,076     (1,052
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Premium revenue

    $  23,318      $  22,003      $  22,288  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Direct benefit expense

    $ 24,738      $ 23,564      $ 23,494  

Benefits assumed

     1,116       1,017       771  

Benefits ceded

     (805     (797     (824
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total benefits 

    $ 25,049      $ 23,784      $ 23,441  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In addition, the Company received $111 million, $115 million and $120 million in allowances from reinsurers for reimbursement of commissions and other expenses on ceded business for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts are reported in other income in the statutory statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred $121 million, $113 million and $116 million, respectively, in expense allowances on reinsurance assumed from NLTC.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyowners. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company mitigates this counterparty risk by dealing only with reinsurers that meet its financial strength standards while adhering to concentration limits for counterparty exposure to any single reinsurer. Most significant reinsurance treaties contain financial protection provisions that take effect if a reinsurer’s credit rating falls below a prescribed level. There were no reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2024 and 2023 that were considered by the Company to be uncollectible. No reinsurance contracts were identified which require disclosure under paragraph 79-84 of SSAP No. 61R—Life, Deposit-Type and Accident and Health Reinsurance.

 

NM-54


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

10.

Federal Income Taxes

The results of the Company’s operations are consolidated with the following entities for purposes of filing the Company’s consolidated federal income tax return:

 

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC    Mason Street Advisors, LLC
NML Real Estate Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries    NM GP Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries
NML Securities Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries    NM Pebble Valley, LLC
Northwestern Mutual MU TLD Registry, LLC    Northwestern Mutual Registry, LLC
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company    QOZ Holding Co, LLC & subsidiaries
NM Investment Holdings, LLC    NM Career Distrib. Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries
GRO-SUB, LLC    NM SAS, LLC & subsidiaries
NM Investment Management Co., LLC & subsidiaries    NM VI Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries
Northwestern Long Term Care Ins. Co    Wysh Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries
Wysh Life & Health Insurance Co. & subsidiaries    Lake Emily Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries
NMU Holdings, LLC & subsidiaries   

The Company collects from or refunds to these entities their share of consolidated federal income taxes determined pursuant to written tax-sharing agreements, which generally require that these entities determine their share of consolidated tax payments or refunds as if each entity filed a separate federal income tax return on a stand-alone basis.

The components of current income tax expense (benefit) in the statutory statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 related to ordinary taxable income (loss) were as follows:

 

    For the years ended December 31,
   

 

  2024  

 

 

  2023  

 

 

  2022  

   

 

 

 

 

 

    (in millions)

Tax payable on ordinary income

   $ 290      $ 220      $ 154  

Low income housing tax credits

    (167     (167     (161

Other tax credits

    (221     (48     (133

Change in contingent tax liabilities

                (20
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current tax expense (benefit)

   $ (98    $ 5      $ (160
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to current income tax expense (benefit) related to ordinary taxable income or loss as summarized above, the Company is subject to federal income tax on capital gains and losses that generally result from investment transactions. Investment capital gains and losses resulting from changes in market interest rates, including both changes in risk-free market interest rates and market credit spreads, are deferred to the IMR net of any related tax expense or benefit. Current tax (benefit) expense of $(250) million, $(613) million and $(819) million was included in net IMR deferrals for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition, net realized capital gains and losses as reported in the statutory statements of operations included current tax expense of $59 million, $142 million and $171 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

NM-55


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

The table below shows how the Company’s income tax expense or benefit for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 differs from the amount obtained by applying the statutory rate of 21% to gain (loss) from operations before taxes, including net realized capital gains (losses) before IMR and capital gain tax (benefit):

 

     For the years ended December 31,
        2024       2023       2022  
    

 

 

 

 

 

     (in millions)

Provision computed at statutory rate

    $ (141    $ (433    $ (626

Adjustments to the statutory rate:

      

Subsidiary distributions

     (216     (376     (282

Tax credits

     (241     (247     (296

Amortization of IMR

     58       13       (61

Dividends received deduction

     (50     (41     (44

Employee benefits

     9       5       (15

Deferred adjustments

     85       (94     86  

Other

     12       98       (27
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total statutory income tax (benefit)

    $ (484    $ (1,075    $ (1,265
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal income tax (benefit) expense reported on the statutory statements of operations

    $ (98    $ 5      $ (160

Capital gains tax (benefit), net of IMR transfers

     (191     (472     (648

Change in net deferred tax assets

     (195     (608     (457
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    $ (484    $ (1,075    $ (1,265
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the year, the Company may make payments to or receive refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for federal income taxes that are applicable to current or previous tax years. The Company made (received) net income tax payments (refunds), including subsidiaries, of $(391) million, $0 million and $135 million to (from) the IRS during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Federal income taxes available for recoupment in the case of future tax losses are limited to amounts reported on previous tax returns. Total capital gain taxes paid for tax years 2024, 2023 and 2022 that are available for recoupment are $1 million, $0 million and $1 million, respectively.

Federal income tax returns for 2018 and prior years are closed as to further assessment of tax. Income taxes payable in the statutory statements of financial position represents an estimate of taxes payable, including additional taxes that may become due with respect to tax years that remained open to examination by the IRS (“contingent tax liabilities”) at the respective reporting date. The Company had no deposits admitted under Section 6603 of the Code.

 

NM-56


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Changes in contingent tax liabilities are charged or credited to operations in the year that such determination is made by the company. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 contingent liabilities were as follows:

 

       For the years ended  
December 31,
 
     2024      2023  
    

 

    

 

 
     (in millions)  

Balance at January 1

   $ -      $ -  

(Reductions) additions for tax positions of prior years

     -        -  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31

   $ -      $ -  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no uncertain tax positions or interest-related expense included in contingent tax liabilities at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The Inflation Reduction Act created a new corporate minimum tax (CAMT) effective for calendar year taxpayers January 1, 2023. The company is an applicable reporting entity and the accompanying statutory financial statements include an estimated impact of the CAMT of zero for years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The components of net deferred tax assets reported in the statutory statements of financial position at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31,         
       2024          2023          Change    
    

 

    

 

    

 

 
     (in millions)         

Deferred tax assets:

        

Policy acquisition costs

    $ 1,468       $ 1,362       $ 106  

Investments

     785        651        134  

Policy benefit liabilities

     2,107        1,968        139  

Benefit plan obligations

     531        545        (14

Capitalized R&D

     180        265        (85

Fixed assets

     20        21        (1

Other

 

    

 

132

 

 

 

    

 

149

 

 

 

    

 

(17

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

     5,223        4,961        262  

Nonadmitted deferred tax assets

 

     -        333        (333
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross admitted deferred tax assets

 

     5,223        4,628        595  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

        

Investments

     1,618        1,480        138  

Other

     729        776        (47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

 

     2,347        2,256        91  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

    $ 2,876       $ 2,372       $ 504  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

The Company exceeded the minimum risk-based capital (RBC) level of 300%, which is necessary to apply the maximum admissibility thresholds, based on authorized control level RBC computed without net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

NM-57


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Significant components of the calculation of net admitted deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in millions):

 

     December 31, 2024      December 31, 2023            Change        
  

 

 

 
      Ordinary        Capital       Total        Ordinary        Capital       Total        Ordinary       Capital       Total   
Gross deferred tax assets     $ 4,438       $ 785      $ 5,223       $ 4,310       $ 651      $ 4,961       $ 128      $ 134      $ 262  
Statutory valuation allowance adjustment      -        -       -        -        -       -        -       -       -  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Adjusted gross deferred tax assets      4,438        785       5,223        4,310        651       4,961        128       134       262  
Deferred tax assets nonadmitted      -        -       -        333        -       333        (333     -       (333
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Subtotal net admitted deferred tax asset      4,438        785       5,223        3,977        651       4,628        461       134       595  
Deferred tax liabilities      729        1,618       2,347        776        1,480       2,256        (47     138       91  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net admitted deferred tax asset/ (liability)     $ 3,709       $ (833    $ 2,876       $ 3,201       $ (829    $ 2,372       $ 508      $ (4    $ 504  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2024        December 31, 2023        Change  
  

 

 

 
      Ordinary          Capital          Total          Ordinary          Capital          Total          Ordinary         Capital         Total   
Federal income taxes paid in prior years recoverable through loss carrybacks     $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 121       $ 121       $ -      $ (121    $ (121
Adjusted gross deferred tax assets expected to be realized (excluding the amount of deferred tax assets above) after application of the threshold limitation (lesser of a. or b. below)      2,582        312        2,894        2,078        173        2,251       $ 504      $ 139      $ 643  
Adjusted gross deferred tax assets (excluding the amount of deferred tax assets offset by gross deferred tax liabilities)      1,856        473        2,329        1,900        356        2,256       $ (44    $ 117      $ 73  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total deferred tax assets admitted as the result of application of SSAP No. 101     $ 4,438       $ 785       $ 5,223       $ 3,978       $ 650       $ 4,628       $ 460      $ 135      $ 595  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
a. Adjusted gross deferred tax assets expected to be realized following the balance sheet date           $ 2,894             $ 2,251           $ 643  
        

 

 

          

 

 

        

 

 

 
b. Adjusted gross deferred tax assets allowed per limitation threshold           $ 4,328             $ 4,186           $ 142  
        

 

 

          

 

 

        

 

 

 
Ratio percentage used to determine recovery period and threshold limitation amount            1058%              1031%         
        

 

 

          

 

 

        
Amount of adjusted capital and surplus used to determine recovery period and threshold limitation           $ 28,855             $ 27,908         
        

 

 

          

 

 

        

Refinement of reversal patterns resulted in additional deferred tax assets (DTAs) to be admitted for the year ended December 31, 2024. The impact was not material to net admitted DTAs.

All gross deferred tax liabilities have been recognized at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company did not employ tax planning strategies in its valuation allowance assessment at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company employed tax planning strategies that rely on the use of reinsurance in its determination of the net admitted ordinary DTAs at December 31, 2024. The Company did not employ tax planning strategies in its determination of any net admitted DTAs at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the percentage of ordinary character net DTAs admitted as a result of tax planning strategies was 4% and 0%, respectively.

 

NM-58


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

11.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

In the normal course of its investment activities, the Company makes commitments to fund private equity investments, real estate acquisitions, mortgage loans and other investments. These forward commitments aggregated to $8.7 billion and $7.9 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and were extended at market interest rates and terms.

Contingencies

The Company is engaged in various legal actions in the normal course of its insurance and investment operations. The status of these legal actions is actively monitored by the Company. If the Company believes, based on available information, that an adverse outcome upon resolution of a given legal action is probable and the amount of that adverse outcome is reasonably estimable, a loss is recognized and a related liability reported. Legal actions are subject to inherent uncertainties, and future events could change the Company’s assessment of the probability or estimated amount of potential losses from pending or threatened legal actions. Based on available information, it is the opinion of the Company that the ultimate resolution of pending or threatened legal actions, both individually and in the aggregate, will not result in losses that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position at December 31, 2024.

Guarantees

In the normal course of business, the Company makes guarantees to third parties on behalf of wholly-owned subsidiaries (e.g., debt guarantees) and financial representatives (e.g., the guarantee of office lease payments), or directly to financial representatives and financial representative programs (e.g., future minimum compensation payments). If the financial representatives are not able to meet their obligations or these minimum compensation thresholds are not otherwise met, the Company would be required to make payments to fulfill its guarantees. For certain of these guarantees, the Company has the right to pursue recovery of payments made under the agreements. The terms of these guarantees range from less than 1 year to 14 years at December 31, 2024.

The following is a summary of the guarantees provided by the Company that were outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, including both the maximum potential exposure under the guarantees and the financial statement liability reported based on fair value of the guarantees.

 

     December 31, 2024    December 31, 2023

  Nature of guarantee  

   Maximum
 potential amount 
of future
payments
        Financial  
statement
liability
   Maximum
 potential amount 
of future
payments
      Financial
 statement liability 
         (in millions)            (in millions)    

Guarantees of future minimum compensation

    $ 93         $ 9        $ 119         $ 1   

Guarantees of real estate obligations

     552          6         497          5   

Guarantees issued on behalf of wholly-owned subsidiaries

     47          -         62          -   

Guarantees on behalf of field loan support program

     100          -         74          -   
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total guarantees

    $ 792         $ 15        $ 752         $ 6   
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NM-59


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

No material payments have been required under these guarantees to date, and the Company believes the probability that it will be required to perform under these guarantees in the future is remote. Performance under these guarantees would require the Company to recognize additional operating expense or increase the amount of its equity investment in the affiliate or subsidiary on behalf of which the guarantee was made.

 

12.

Related Party Transactions

The Company has a capital support and guarantee of benefits agreement that requires it to maintain the capital and surplus (as defined) of NLTC at a minimum level based upon a formula applied to NLTC’s earned premium and policy benefit reserves, or 150% of its company action level of RBC as prescribed by the NAIC, whichever is lower. In addition, NM guarantees NLTC’s policyowners its ability to pay all policy benefits due and owed pursuant to contracts of insurance sold by NLTC during the term of the agreement. This agreement was most recently amended in 2020 to extend the length of the agreement through December 31, 2025 and increase the aggregate capital contribution limit from $200 million to $300 million. The Company contributed $15 million of capital to NLTC in each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company has contributed a total of $260 million to NLTC through December 31, 2024. The Company reported a payable to NLTC of $73 million and $62 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is reported in other liabilities in the statutory statements of financial position at each of those dates. Intercompany balances are settled in cash, generally within thirty days of the respective reporting date.

 

13.

Surplus Notes

The following table summarizes the surplus notes issued by the Company and outstanding at December 31, 2024:

 

Description

    Issue date        Principal 
amount
      Statement 
value
      Interest paid 
current year
     Cumulative
 interest paid 
      Interest 
rate
     Maturity 
date
 
       (in millions)                             

2010 Notes

     3/26/2010       $ 1,224       $ 1,224       $ 74       $ 1,379        6.063     3/30/2040  

2017 Notes

     9/26/2017        1,200        1,198        46        323        3.850     9/30/2047  

2019 Notes

     9/20/2019        1,347        1,171        49        246        3.625     9/30/2059  

2021 Notes

     3/22/2021        900        897        31        117        3.450     3/30/2051  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      
     Total       $ 4,671       $ 4,491       $ 200       $ 2,065       
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      

Each series of notes was distributed pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Interest on the 2010, 2017, and 2019 notes is payable semi-annually on March 30 and September 30 while interest on the 2021 notes is payable semi-annually on June 30 and December 30. All interest payments are subject to approval by the OCI. SAP requires recognition of interest expense on the notes upon OCI approval of semi-annual interest payments.

The notes are unsecured and subordinated to all present and future indebtedness, policy claims and other creditor claims of the Company and do not repay principal prior to maturity, with principal payment at maturity subject to the prior approval of the OCI. The notes are not redeemable at the option of any note holder but are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at any time, subject to the prior approval of the OCI, at a “make whole” redemption price equal to the greater of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed or the sum of the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed, excluding accrued interest as of the date on which the notes are to be redeemed, discounted on a semi-annual basis at a defined U.S. Treasury rate plus 0.20% (2017 and 2021 notes) and 0.25% (2010 and 2019 notes). The entire amount of the 2017, 2019, and 2021 notes are redeemable, at par, in the event of certain defined tax events.

 

NM-60


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

No affiliates of the Company hold any portion of the notes, which are generally held of record at the Depository Trust Company by bank custodians on behalf of investors. The Company is not aware of any single investor that holds 10% or more of the 2010, 2017, 2019, or 2021 notes, with the exception of Nippon Life Insurance Company of Japan, which held $250 million in principal amount of the 2010 notes at December 31, 2024.

 

14.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are considered “financial instruments” as defined by Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 100—Revised, Fair Value Measurements (SSAP 100R). The Company’s estimation of fair value for financial instruments uses a hierarchy that, where possible, makes use of quoted market prices from active and transparent markets for assets that are identical to those being valued, typically obtained from independent pricing services (“Level 1”). In the absence of quoted market prices for identical assets, fair value is estimated by these pricing services using relevant and observable market-based inputs for substantially similar securities (“Level 2”). Financial instruments for which no quoted market prices or observable inputs are available are generally valued using internally-developed pricing models or indicative (i.e., non-binding) quotes from independent securities brokers (“Level 3”).

The Company actively monitors fair value estimates received from independent pricing services at each financial reporting date, including analysis of valuation changes for individual securities compared to overall market trends and validation on an exception basis with internally-developed pricing models. The Company also performs periodic reviews of the information sources, inputs and methods used by its independent pricing services, including an evaluation of their control processes. Where necessary, the Company will challenge third-party valuations or methods and require more observable inputs or different methodologies.

 

NM-61


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For financial instruments included in the scope of SSAP 100R, the statement value and fair value at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

 

     December 31, 2024  
                   Quoted prices in       Significant       Significant      Net  
                   active markets      observable       unobservable       Asset  
      Statement       Fair       for identical assets       inputs      inputs      Value  
     Value        Value        (Level 1)      (Level 2)      (Level 3)      (NAV)  
    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
            (in millions)                       

General account investment assets:

                 

Bonds

    $ 201,544       $ 187,459       $ 4,021       $ 161,712       $ 21,726       $ -  

Mortgage loans

     57,078        52,939        -        -        52,939        -  

Common and preferred stocks

     2,789        2,797        1,761        531        505        -  

Policy loans

     20,039        20,039        -        -        20,039        -  

Other investments

     2,303        2,591        -        2,373        218        -  

Cash and short-term investments

     8,052        8,052        1,211        6,841        -        -  

Separate account assets

     40,672        40,672        36,774        2,584        776        538  

General account liabilities:

                 

Investment-type insurance reserves

    $ 17,218       $ 16,840       $ -       $ -       $ 16,840       $ -  

Liabilities for repurchase agreements

     3,208        3,208        -        3,208        -        -  

Derivative liabilities

     210        549        -        549        -        -  

Separate account liabilities

     40,672        40,672        36,774        2,584        776        538  

 

     December 31, 2023  
                   Quoted prices in       Significant       Significant      Net  
                   active markets      observable       unobservable       Asset  
      Statement       Fair       for identical assets       inputs      inputs      Value  
     Value        Value        (Level 1)      (Level 2)      (Level 3)      (NAV)  
    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
            (in millions)                       

General account investment assets:

                 

Bonds

    $ 191,692       $ 179,471       $ 3,785       $ 155,552       $ 20,134       $ -  

Mortgage loans

     53,361        49,097        -        -        49,097        -  

Common and preferred stocks

     2,337        2,340        1,473        392        475        -  

Policy loans

     19,003        19,003        -        -        19,003        -  

Other investments

     1,657        2,076        -        1,936        140        -  

Cash and short-term investments

     8,826        8,826        1,562        7,264        -        -  

Separate account assets

     38,216        38,216        34,183        2,705        777        551  

General account liabilities:

                 

Investment-type insurance reserves

    $ 14,605       $ 13,797       $ -       $ -       $ 13,797       $ -  

Liabilities for repurchase agreements

     2,492        2,492        -        2,492        -        -  

Derivative liabilities

     283        551        -        551        -        -  

Separate account liabilities

     38,216        38,216        34,183        2,705        777        551  

 

NM-62


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Bonds

Bonds classified as Level 1 financial instruments are generally limited to U.S. Treasury securities. Most bonds, including U.S. and foreign public and private corporate bonds, municipal bonds and structured securities, are classified as Level 2 financial instruments and are valued based on prices obtained from independent pricing services or internally-developed pricing models using observable inputs. Typical market-observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, bids, offers, benchmark securities, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. Level 3 bonds are typically privately-placed and relatively illiquid, with fair value based on non-binding broker quotes or internally-developed pricing models utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 3 for more information regarding the Company’s investments in bonds.

Mortgage Loans

Mortgage loans consist primarily of commercial mortgage loans underwritten and originated by the Company. Fair value of these loans is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach based on market interest rates for commercial mortgage debt with comparable credit risk and maturity. See Note 3 for more information regarding the Company’s investments in mortgage loans.

Common and Preferred Stock

Common and preferred stocks classified as Level 1 financial instruments are limited to those actively traded on a U.S. or foreign stock exchange. Level 2 securities are stocks for which market quotes are available but are not considered to be actively traded. Common and preferred stocks classified as Level 3 are generally privately-placed with fair value primarily based on a sponsor valuation or market comparables approach utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 3 for more information regarding the Company’s investments in common and preferred stocks.

Policy Loans

See Note 2 for information regarding policy loans, for which the Company considers the unpaid principal balance to approximate fair value.

Derivative Instruments

The Company’s derivative investments are generally traded in over-the-counter markets with fair value estimated using industry-standard models with market-observable inputs such as swap yield curves, basis curves, foreign currency spot rates, foreign currency basis curves, option volatilities and credit spreads. See Note 4 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative investments.

Other Investments

Other investments primarily consist of derivative assets (as described above), the Company’s investment in surplus note issuances of other mutual insurance companies and residual tranches. The surplus note instruments are classified as Level 2 financial instruments and are valued based on prices obtained from independent pricing services or internally-developed pricing models using observable inputs. Typical market-observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, bids, offers, benchmark securities, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. The fair value of residual tranches is derived using non-binding broker quotes or internally-developed pricing models utilizing unobservable inputs and therefore is classified as Level 3.

Cash and Short-term Investments

Cash and short-term investments include cash deposit balances, money market mutual funds, short-term commercial paper and other highly-liquid debt instruments, for which the Company considers net asset value or amortized cost to approximate fair value.

 

NM-63


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities

See Note 2 and Note 7 for information regarding the Company’s separate accounts, for which fair value is primarily based on quoted market prices for the related common stocks, preferred stocks, bonds, derivative instruments and other investments. Separate account assets classified as Level 3 financial instruments are primarily securities partnership investments that are valued based on the Company’s underlying equity in the partnerships, which the Company considers to approximate fair value. Separate account assets for which fair value is determined by a Net Asset Value (NAV) are mutual funds for which the NAV is used as a practical expedient as allowed under SSAP 100R.

General Account Insurance Reserves

The Company’s general account insurance liabilities defined as financial instruments under SSAP 100R are limited to “investment-type” products such as fixed-rate annuity policies, supplementary contracts without life contingencies, funding agreements and amounts left on deposit. The fair value of investment-type insurance reserves is estimated based on future cash flows discounted at market interest rates for similar instruments with comparable maturities.

Repurchase Agreement Liabilities

See Note 3 for information regarding repurchase agreement activity, for which the Company considers the liability to return collateral to approximate the fair value of collateral originally received.

Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value

The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value in the statutory statements of financial position at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

    December 31, 2024
    Quoted prices in   Significant   Significant   Net    
    active markets   observable   unobservable   Asset    
    for identical assets   inputs   inputs   Value    
    (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)   (NAV)   Total
        (in millions)            

General account:

         

Bonds

   $ 280      $ 1      $ 294      $ -      $ 575  

Common and preferred stocks

    1,761       1       479       -       2,241  

Money market mutual funds

    1,162       -       -       -       1,162  

Other investments

    -       539       206       -       745  

Derivative liabilities

    -       129       -       -       129  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total general account

   $ 3,203      $ 670      $ 979      $ -      $ 4,852  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Separate accounts:

         

Mutual fund investments

   $ 35,244      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 35,244  

Other benefit plan assets/liabilities

    46       29       6       3       84  

Pension and postretirement assets:

         

Bonds

    566       2,458       112       -       3,136  

Common and preferred stock

    834       1       74       535       1,444  

Cash and short-term securities

    34       88       -       -       122  

Other assets/liabilities

    50       8       584       -       642  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal pension and postretirement assets

    1,484       2,555       770       535       5,344  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total separate accounts

   $ 36,774      $ 2,584      $ 776      $ 538      $ 40,672  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM-64


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

    December 31, 2023
    Quoted prices in   Significant   Significant   Net    
    active markets   observable   unobservable   Asset    
    for identical assets   inputs   inputs   Value    
    (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3)   (NAV)   Total
    (in millions)

General account:

         

Bonds

   $ 21      $ -      $ 219      $ -      $ 240  

Common and preferred stocks

    1,472       1       475       -       1,948  

Money market mutual funds

    1,391       -       -       -       1,391  

Other investments

    -       456       120       -       576  

Derivative liabilities

    -       128       -       -       128  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total general account

   $ 2,884      $ 585      $ 814      $ -      $ 4,283  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Separate accounts:

         

Mutual fund investments

   $ 32,726      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 32,726  

Other benefit plan assets/liabilities

    23       24       6       3       56  

Pension and postretirement assets:

         

Bonds

    501       2,626       133       -       3,260  

Common and preferred stock

    810       -       63       548       1,421  

Cash and short-term securities

    33       46       -       -       79  

Other assets/liabilities

    90       9       575       -       674  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal pension and postretirement assets

    1,434       2,681       771       548       5,434  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total separate accounts

   $ 34,183      $ 2,705      $ 777      $ 551      $ 38,216  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During 2024 and 2023, transfers into Level 3 are the result of observable market data, such as public ratings, no longer being available and transfers out of Level 3 are the result of observable market data, including 3rd party vendor prices and public ratings, being available and utilized in the determination of the fair market value of the securities.

The following tables summarize the changes in fair value of Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2024    General account
common and
preferred stock
   General
account bonds
   General account
other
investments
   Separate
account assets
     (in millions)

Fair value, beginning of period

    $     475       $     219       $     120       $     777  

Realized gains/(losses)

     (28)        (8)        -        40  

Unrealized gains/(losses)

     10        14        (18)        6  

Purchases

     104        14        120        86  

Sales

     (82)        (16)        (16)        (136)  

Net discount/premium

     -        -        -        1  

Transfers into Level 3

     -        136        -        3  

Transfers out of Level 3

     -        (65)        -        (1)  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value, end of period

    $ 479       $ 294       $ 206       $ 776  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

NM-65


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Notes to the Statutory Financial Statements

December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023    General account
common and
preferred stock
   General
account bonds
   General account
other
investments
   Separate
account assets
     (in millions)

Fair value, beginning of period

    $     533       $     55       $     38       $     759  

Realized gains/(losses)

     32        (33)        -        37  

Unrealized gains/(losses)

     (60)        (27)        (8)        34  

Issuances

     -        -        -        -  

Purchases

     68        21        90        66  

Sales

     (100)        (2)        -        (119)  

Settlements

     -        -        -        -  

Net discount/premium

     2        (2)        -        1  

Transfers into Level 3

     -        207        -        -  

Transfers out of Level 3

     -        -        -        (1)  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Fair value, end of period

    $ 475       $ 219       $ 120       $ 777  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The fair values of Level 3 financial instruments are sensitive to changes in significant unobservable inputs. Level 3 bonds are valued using a combination of discounted cash flows and indicative quotes from independent securities brokers based on market comparable companies. The most significant unobservable input in the discounted cash flow analysis is the discount rate. This rate is estimated based upon a risk-free market interest rate (U.S. Treasury with comparable maturity) plus a credit spread adjustment based on the estimated credit rating of the issuer. In general, issuers with lower credit ratings have higher credit spreads. A decrease in the credit spread adjustment would increase the fair value of the investment as the future expected cash flows are discounted at a lower rate. The opposite impact would occur if credit spread adjustments increase.

Level 3 privately-placed common and preferred stocks and derivatives, are primarily valued using a private equity sponsor valuation or market comparables approach. Both approaches rely on the use of multiples that are based on industry-specific comparable companies. Multiples are derived from the relationship of an entity’s fair value to its book value or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The use of EBITDA normalizes for company-specific differences in capital structure, taxation and fixed asset accounting. An increase in the multiple would result in an increase in the fair value of the investment. The opposite impact would occur if the multiple decreased.

 

NM-66


Report of Independent Auditors

To the Board of Trustees of

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

We have audited the statutory financial statements of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and for the year then ended and our report thereon is presented in this document. That audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental selected statutory financial data, investment risk interrogatories, and summary investment schedule (collectively referred to as the “supplemental schedules”) of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and for the year then ended are presented to comply with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Annual Statement Instructions and Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual and for purposes of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements. The supplemental schedules are the responsibility of management and were derived from and relate directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the financial statements or to the financial statements themselves and other additional procedures, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the supplemental schedules are fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

February 17, 2025

 

NM-67


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Selected Statutory Financial Data

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

The following is a summary of certain financial information included in exhibits and schedules in the Annual Statement filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Wisconsin subjected to audit procedures by independent auditors.

 

      (in millions) 
Investment Income Earned:   

U.S. Government bonds

    $ 137  

Other bonds (unaffiliated)

     8,887  

Bonds of affiliates

      

Preferred stocks (unaffiliated)

     27  

Preferred stocks of affiliates

      

Common stocks (unaffiliated)

     49  

Common stocks of affiliates

     150  

Mortgage loans

     2,327  

Real estate

     314  

Premium notes, policy loans and liens

     1,327  

Cash on hand and on deposit

     2  

Short-term investments

     447  

Other investments

     1,506  

Derivative instruments

     72  

Aggregate write-ins for investment income

     13  

Gross investment income

    $ 15,257  
  

 

 

 

Real Estate Owned - Book Value less Encumbrances

    $ 2,791  
  

 

 

 

Mortgage Loans - Book Value:

  

Farm mortgages

    $  

Residential mortgages

     1  

Commercial mortgages

     57,077  
  

 

 

 

Total mortgage loans

    $ 57,078  
  

 

 

 

Mortgage Loans by Standing - Book Value:

  

Good standing

    $ 56,999  
  

 

 

 

Good standing with restructured terms

      
  

 

 

 

Interest overdue more than 90 days, not in foreclosure

      
  

 

 

 

Foreclosure in process

     79  
  

 

 

 

Other Long Term Assets - Statement Value

    $ 28,738  
  

 

 

 

Collateral Loans

    $  
  

 

 

 

Bonds and Stocks of Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates - Book Value:

  

Bonds

    $  
  

 

 

 

Preferred stocks

    $  
  

 

 

 

Common stocks

    $ 551  
  

 

 

 

 

NM-68


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Selected Statutory Financial Data

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

     (in millions)

Bonds and Short-Term Investments by NAIC Designation and Maturity:

  

Bonds by Maturity - Statement Value:

  

Due within one year or less

    $ 21,360  

Over 1 year through 5 years

     68,893  

Over 5 years through 10 years

     52,753  

Over 10 years through 20 years

     27,641  

Over 20 years

     37,459  

No Maturity Date

     280  
  

 

 

 

Total by Maturity

    $ 208,385  
  

 

 

 

Bonds by NAIC Designation - Statement Value:

  

NAIC 1

    $ 123,351  

NAIC 2

     72,271  

NAIC 3

     5,903  

NAIC 4

     3,863  

NAIC 5

     2,602  

NAIC 6

     395  
  

 

 

 

Total by NAIC Designation

    $ 208,385  
  

 

 

 

Total Bonds Publicly Traded

    $ 116,671  
  

 

 

 

Total Bonds Privately Placed

    $ 91,714  
  

 

 

 

Preferred stocks - Statement Value

    $ 613  
  

 

 

 

Common stocks - Market Value

    $ 2,727  
  

 

 

 

Short Term Investments - Book Value

    $ 2,638  
  

 

 

 

Options, Caps & Floors Owned - Statement Value

    $ 412  
  

 

 

 

Options, Caps & Floors Written and In Force - Statement Value

    $  
  

 

 

 

Collar, Swap & Forward Agreements Open - Statement Value

    $ 1,227  
  

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Open - Current Value

    $  
  

 

 

 

Cash on deposit

    $ 49  
  

 

 

 

Life Insurance In Force:

  

Industrial

    $  
  

 

 

 

Ordinary

    $   2,387,409  
  

 

 

 

Credit life

    $  
  

 

 

 

Group life

    $ 8,255  
  

 

 

 

 

NM-69


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Selected Statutory Financial Data

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

     (in millions)  

Amount of Accidental Death Insurance in

  

Force Under Ordinary Policies

    $ 4,207  
  

 

 

 

Life Insurance Policies with Disability Provisions In Force

  

Industrial

    $  
  

 

 

 

Ordinary

    $  1,394,376  
  

 

 

 

Credit life

    $  
  

 

 

 

Group life

    $ 7,193  
  

 

 

 

Supplementary Contracts In Force:

  

Ordinary - Not Involving Life Contingencies:

  

Amount on deposit

    $ 2,292  
  

 

 

 

Income payable

    $ 82  
  

 

 

 

Ordinary - Involving Life Contingencies

  

Income payable

    $ 172  
  

 

 

 

Group - Not Involving Life Contingencies

  

Amount of deposit

    $  
  

 

 

 

Income payable

    $  
  

 

 

 

Group Involving Life Contingencies

  

Income payable

    $  
  

 

 

 

Annuities - Ordinary:

  

Immediate - amount of income payable

    $ 675  
  

 

 

 

Deferred - fully paid account balance

    $ 661  
  

 

 

 

Deferred - not fully paid - account balance

    $ 22,821  
  

 

 

 

Annuities - Group:

  

Amount of income payable

    $  
  

 

 

 

Fully paid account balance

    $ 962  
  

 

 

 

Not fully paid - account balance

    $ 6,633  
  

 

 

 

Accident and Health Insurance - Premiums In Force:

  

Group

    $ 124  
  

 

 

 

Other

    $ 1,496  
  

 

 

 

Credit

    $  
  

 

 

 

 

NM-70


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Selected Statutory Financial Data

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

     (in millions)

Deposit Funds and Dividend Accumulations:

  

Deposit funds - account balance

    $    12,694  
  

 

 

 

Dividend accumulations - account balance

    $ 52  
  

 

 

 

Claim Payments - 2024:

  

Group Accident and Health

  

Year Ended December 31, 2024:

  

2024

    $ 4  
  

 

 

 

2023

    $ 5  
  

 

 

 

2022

    $ 3  
  

 

 

 

2021

    $ 2  
  

 

 

 

2020

    $ 1  
  

 

 

 

Prior

    $ 11  
  

 

 

 

Other Accident and Health:

  

2024

    $ 49  
  

 

 

 

2023

    $ 136  
  

 

 

 

2022

    $ 102  
  

 

 

 

2021

    $ 83  
  

 

 

 

2020

    $ 60  
  

 

 

 

Prior

    $ 425  
  

 

 

 

Other coverages that use developmental methods to calculate

  

Claims Reserves:

  

2024

    $  
  

 

 

 

2023

    $  
  

 

 

 

2022

    $  
  

 

 

 

2021

    $  
  

 

 

 

2020

    $  
  

 

 

 

Prior

    $  
  

 

 

 

 

NM-71


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

Answer the following interrogatories by stating the applicable U.S. Dollar amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in that category of investments as shown on the Summary Investment Schedule. All reporting entities must answer interrogatories 1, 2, 3, 4, 11 and, if applicable 20 through 24. Answer each of the interrogatories 5 through 19 (except 11) only if the reporting entity’s aggregate holding in the gross investment category addressed in that interrogatory equals or exceeds 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets. For Life, Health and Fraternal blanks, responses are to exclude Separate Accounts.

 

1.   State the reporting entity’s total admitted assets as reported on Page 2 of this Annual Statement.

  $337,652

 

2.

State by investment category the 10 largest exposures to a single issuer/borrow/investment, excluding U.S. Government, U.S. government agency securities and those U.S. Government money market funds listed in the Appendix to the SVO Purposes and Procedures Manual as, exempt, property occupied by the company and policy loans.

 

     1    2    2      3  

  

     Issuer    Description of Exposure    Amount      Percentage of Total
               (in millions)      Admitted Assets

2.01

   Exelon Corp    Bonds, Stocks, TCI    $ 1,056      0.3%

2.02 

   Southern Co    Bonds, Stocks, TCI    $ 1,035      0.3%

2.03

   Unitedhealth Group Inc    Bonds, Stocks, TCI    $     1,010      0.3%

2.04

   Duke Energy Corp    Bonds, Stocks    $ 990      0.3%

2.05

   Bank Of America Corp    Bonds, Stocks    $ 974      0.3%

2.06

   Berkshire Hathaway—Utility    Bonds    $ 929      0.3%

2.07

   Sempra Energy    Bonds, Stocks    $ 894      0.3%

2.08

   Enbridge Inc    Bonds    $ 891      0.3%

2.09

   Dte Energy Co    Bonds, Stocks, TCI    $ 843      0.3%

2.10

   Elevance Health Inc    Bonds, Stocks    $ 763      0.2%

 

3.

State the amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in bonds and preferred stocks by NAIC designations.

 

Bonds    1      2     Preferred Stocks    3      4      
     (in millions)                 (in millions)         

NAIC-1

   $      123,351        36.5       NAIC-1        $      363         0.1%  

NAIC-2

   $ 72,271        21.4   NAIC-2    $ 186        0.1%  

NAIC-3

   $ 5,903        1.7   NAIC-3    $ 0        —%  

NAIC-4

   $ 3,863        1.1   NAIC-4    $ 0        —%  

NAIC-5

   $ 2,602        0.8   NAIC-5    $ 51        —%  

NAIC-6

   $ 395        0.1   NAIC-6    $ 13        —%       

 

4.

State the amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in foreign investments (regardless of whether there is any foreign currency exposure) and unhedged foreign currency exposure (defined as the statement value of investments denominated in foreign currencies which are not hedged by financial instruments qualifying for hedge accounting as specified in SSAP No. 86 – Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging, Income Generation, and Replication (Synthetic Asset) Transactions), including

 

4.01

   Are assets held in foreign investments less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets Yes ( )  No (X)

 

    


   

 

 

          1      2  
          (in millions)         

4.02 

   Total admitted assets held in foreign investments    $     33,626         10.0 %  

4.03

   Foreign-currency denominated investments of    $        — %  

4.04

   Insurance liabilities denominated in that same foreign currency    $        — %  

If response to 4.01 above is yes, detail is not required for interrogatories 5 – 10.

 

NM-72


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

5.

Aggregate foreign investment exposure categorized by NAIC sovereign designation:

 

           

1

    

2

 
          (in millions)         

5.01

   NAIC-1    $     29,797         8.8 %  

5.02

   NAIC-2    $ 3,580        1.1 %  

5.03

   NAIC-3 or below    $ 249        0.1 %  

 

6.

Two largest foreign investment exposures to a single country, categorized by the country’s NAIC sovereign designation:

 

           

1

    

2

 
     Countries designated NAIC – 1:    (in millions)         

6.01

   UNITED KINGDOM    $     12,088         3.6 %  

6.02 

   AUSTRALIA    $ 5,823        1.7 %  
   Countries designated NAIC-2      

6.03

   MEXICO    $ 850        0.3 %  

6.04

   INDONESIA    $ 563        0.2 %  
   Countries designated NAIC – 3 or below:      

6.05

   SOUTH AFRICA    $ 149        0.0 %  

6.06

   LIBERIA    $ 30        0.0 %  

 

     

1

    

2

 
     (in millions)         

7.   Aggregate unhedged foreign currency exposure:

   $        162         0 %  

 

8.

Aggregate unhedged foreign currency exposure categorized by NAIC sovereign designation:

 

           

1

    

2

 
          (in millions)         

8.01

   Countries designated NAIC-1    $        162         0.0 %  

8.02

   Countries designated NAIC-2    $        0.0 %  

8.03

   Countries designated NAIC-3 or below    $        0.0 %  

 

NM-73


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

9.

Two largest unhedged foreign currency exposures to a single country, categorized by the country’s NAIC sovereign designation:

 

           

1

    

2

      
     Countries designated NAIC – 1:    (in millions)             

9.01

   UNITED KINGDOM    $        84         0.0 %    

9.02 

   IRELAND    $ 63        0.0 %    
   Countries designated NAIC-2        

9.03

      $        0.0 %    

9.04

      $        0.0 %    
   Countries designated NAIC – 3 or below:        

9.05

      $        0.0 %    

9.06

      $        0.0 %    

 

10.

List the 10 largest non-sovereign (i.e. non-governmental) foreign issues:

 

     

1

  

2

  

3

    

4

                      Percentage of Total
     Issuer    NAIC    Amount      Admitted Assets
          Designation            
               (in millions)       

10.01

   BROOKFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE PART    2    $     674      0.2%

10.02

   HEATHROW FUNDING LTD    2    $ 527      0.2%

10.03

   CHANEL LTD    1    $ 481      0.2%

10.04

   HSBC HOLDINGS PLC    2    $ 471      0.2%

10.05

   PFIZER INC    1    $ 464      0.1%

10.06

   SCOTTISH MORTGAGE INVESTMENT    1    $ 447      0.1%

10.07

   QUADGAS HOLDINGS TOPCO LIMITED    2    $ 444      0.1%

10.08

   BANCO SANTANDER SA    2    $ 436      0.1%

10.09

   UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH    1    $ 394      0.1%

10.10

   SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GR    2    $ 394      0.1%

 

11.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in Canadian investments and unhedged Canadian currency exposure:

11.01 Are assets held in Canadian investments less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 11?                              Yes (X) No ( )

 

     (in millions)         
   $        —         0.0 %  
   $        0.0 %  
   $        0.0 %  
   $        0.0 %  

 

12.

Report aggregate amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in investments with contractual sales restrictions (defined as investments having restrictions that prevent investments from being sold within 90 days).

12.01 Are assets held in investments with contractual sales restrictions less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 12?                    Yes (X) No ( )

 

NM-74


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

     

1

  

2

         

3

          (in millions)            

12.02 

   Aggregate statement value of investments with contractual sales restrictions Largest 3 investments with contractual sales restrictions    $       —         0.0 %
   12.03    $         0.0 %
   12.04    $         0.0 %
   12.05    $         0.0 %

 

13.

Amounts and percentages of admitted assets held in the largest 10 equity interests (including investments in the shares of mutual funds, preferred stocks, publicly traded equity securities, and other equity securities, and excluding money market and bond mutual funds listed in the Appendix to the SVO Practices and Procedures Manual as exempt or Class 1).

13.01 Assets held in equity interest less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 13?                                       Yes ()  No (X)

 

1

  

3

    

4

  

          

Issuer

  

Amount

    

Percentage of Total

Admitted Assets

     (in millions)       

13.02  NML SECURITIES HOLDINGS LLC

   $     15,939      4.7%

13.03  NML REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC

   $ 1,243      0.4%

13.04  NMC PRIV EQUITY PARTNERS LP

   $ 644      0.2%

13.05  ARES PATHFINDER CORE FUND LP

   $ 520      0.2%

13.06  QOZ HOLDING COMPANY, LLC

   $ 478      0.1%

13.07  NORTHWESTERN LONG TERM CARE

   $ 283      0.1%

13.08  NORTHWOODS CONSOLIDATED

   $ 278      0.1%

13.09  NM WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO

   $ 268      0.1%

13.10  NMIS LLC

   $ 223      0.1%

13.11  OAKTREE OPPORTUNITIES FUND XI

   $ 220      0.1%              

 

14.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted held in nonaffiliated, privately placed equities (included in other equity securities) and excluding securities eligible for sale under Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 144a or SEC Rule 144 without volume restrictions.

14.01 Assets held in nonaffiliated, privately placed equities less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 14?                         Yes (X)  No ( )

 

1

  

2

         

3

     (in millions)            

14.02  Aggregate statement value of investments held in nonaffiliated, privately placed equities

   $         0.0 %

Largest 3 investments held in nonaffiliated, privately placed equities:

        

14.03

   $      —         0.0 %

14.04

   $         0.0 %

14.05

   $         0.0 %

 

NM-75


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

15.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in general partnership interests (included in other equity securities).

15.01 Are assets held in general partnership interests less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 15                               Yes (X)  No ( )

1

  

2

    

3

 
     (in millions)         

15.02 Aggregate statement value of investments held in general partnership interests

   $        —        0.0 %  

Largest 3 investments in general partnership interests:

     

15.03

   $        0.0 %  

15.04

   $        0.0 %  

15.05

   $        0.0 %  

 

16.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in mortgage loans (reported in Schedule B).

16.01 Are mortgage loans reported in Schedule B less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 16?                                Yes ( )  No (X)

Largest 10 aggregate mortgage interests. The aggregate mortgage interest represents the combined value of all mortgages secured by the same property or same group of properties:

 

1

  

2

    

3

Type (Residential, Commercial, Agricultural)

  

Amount

    

Percentage of Total

Admitted Assets

           (in millions)         

16.02

  Commercial    $ 438      0.1%

16.03

  Commercial    $ 309      0.1%

16.04

  Commercial    $ 300      0.1%

16.05

  Commercial    $ 295      0.1%

16.06

  Commercial    $ 286      0.1%

16.07

  Commercial    $ 265      0.1%

16.08

  Commercial    $ 259      0.1%

16.09

  Commercial    $ 259      0.1%

16.10

  Commercial    $ 250      0.1%

16.11

  Commercial    $ 250      0.1%

Amount and percentage of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in the following categories of mortgage loans:

 

        

1

    

2

           (in millions)         

16.12

  Construction Loans    $ 2,933      0.9 %

16.13

  Mortgage loans over 90 days past due    $      — %

16.14

  Mortgage loans in the process of foreclosure    $ 79      0.0 %

16.15

  Mortgage loans foreclosed    $      — %

16.16

  Restructured mortgage loans    $      — %

 

NM-76


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

17.

Aggregate mortgage loans having the following loan-to-value ratios are determined from the most current appraisal as of the Annual Statement date:

 

Loan-to-Value

  

Residential

  

Commercial

  

Agricultural

    

1

         

2

  

3

    

4

  

5

         

6

     (in millions)                (in millions)           (in millions)            

17.01 above 95%

   $ 1         0.0%    $ 1,163      0.3%    $         —%

17.02 91 to 95%

   $     —         —%    $ 511      0.2%    $         —%

17.03 81 to 90%

   $         —%    $ 1,234      0.4%    $         —%

17.04 71 to 80%

   $         —%    $ 3,422      1.0%    $         —%

17.05 below 71%

   $         —%    $    50,747      15.0%    $     —         —%

 

18.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in each of the five largest investments in one parcel or group of contiguous parcels of real estate (reported in Schedule A, excluding property occupied by the company).

18.01 Are assets held in real estate reported less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 18?                               Yes (X)  No ( )

Largest five investments in any one parcel or group of contiguous parcels of real estate:

 

1

  

2

           

3

     (in millions)              
   $     —         —%
   $         —%
   $         —%
   $         —%
   $         —%

 

19.

Report aggregate amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets held in investments held in mezzanine real estate loans:

19.01 Are assets held in investments held in mezzanine real estate loans less than 2.5% of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets, therefore detail not required for interrogatory 19?                      Yes (X)  No ( )

 

1

  

2

           

3

 
     (in millions)                

19.02 Aggregate statement value of investments held in mezzanine real estate loans:

   $          

Largest three investments held in mezzanine real estate loans:

        

19.03

   $     —          

19.04

   $          

19.05

   $          

 

NM-77


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Investment Risk Interrogatories

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024

 

 

20.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets subject to the following types of agreements:

 

    

At Year End

  

At End of Each Quarter (Unaudited)

 
                

1st Qtr

    

2nd Qtr

    

3rd Qtr

 
    

1

    

2

  

3

    

4

    

5

 
     (in millions)           (in millions)      (in millions)      (in millions)  

20.01  Securities lending (do not include asset held as collateral for such transactions)

   $      —%    $      $      $  

20.02  Repurchase agreements

   $    3,208      1.0%    $   2,483      $   2,946      $   3,254  

20.03  Reverse repurchase agreements

   $      —%    $      $      $  

20.04  Dollar repurchase agreements

   $      —%    $      $      $  

20.05  Dollar reverse repurchase agreements

   $      —%    $      $      $  

 

21.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets for warrants not attached to other financial instruments, options, caps, and floors:

 

           

Owned

              

Written

    

1

                

2

  

3

         

4

     (in millions)                       (in millions)            

21.01  Hedging

   $      —            —%    $         —%

21.02  Income generation

   $            —%    $      —         —%

21.03  Other

   $            —%    $         —%

 

22.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets of potential exposure (defined as the amount determined in accordance with the NAIC Annual Statement Instructions) for collars, swaps, and forwards:

 

    

At Year End

  

At End of Each Quarter (unaudited)

 
                     

1st Qtr

    

2nd Qtr

    

3rd Qtr

 
    

1

         

2

  

3

    

4

    

5

 
     (in millions)                (in millions)      (in millions)      (in millions)  

22.01  Hedging

   $ 348         0.1%    $ 317      $ 346      $ 349  

22.02  Income generation

   $     —         —%    $     —      $     —      $     —  

22.03  Replications

   $ 21         0.0%    $ 21      $ 19      $ 20  

22.04  Other

   $         —%    $      $      $  

 

23.

Amounts and percentages of the reporting entity’s total admitted assets of potential exposure (defined as the amount determined in accordance with the NAIC Annual Statement Instructions) for future contracts:

 

    

At Year End

  

At End of Each Quarter (unaudited)

 
                     

1st Qtr

    

2nd Qtr

    

3rd Qtr

 
    

1

         

2

  

3

    

4

    

5

 
     (in millions)                (in millions)      (in millions)      (in millions)  

23.01  Hedging

   $ 152         0.0%    $ 265      $ 218      $ 161  

23.02  Income generation

   $     —         —%    $     —      $     —      $     —  

23.03  Replications

   $         —%    $      $      $  

23.04  Other

   $         —%    $      $      $  

 

NM-78


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company

Summary Investment Schedule

December 31, 2024

(in millions)

 

 

Investment Categories     Gross Investment 
Holdings:
Amount
      Gross Investment 
Holdings:
Percentage of
Column 1 Line
13
      Admitted Assets 
as Reported in
the Annual
Statement:
Amount
      Admitted Assets 
as Reported in
the Annual
Statement:
Securities
Lending
Reinvested
Collateral
Amount
      Admitted Assets 
as Reported in
the Annual
Statement: Total
(Col. 3 + 4)
Amount
      Admitted Assets 
as Reported in
the Annual
Statement:
Percentage of
Column 5 Line
13
 
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): U.S. governments     $ 4,228        1.31 %       $ 4,228       $       $ 4,228        1.31 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): All other governments      3,606        1.11 %        3,606               3,606        1.11 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): U.S. states, territories and possessions, etc. guaranteed      938        0.29 %        938               938        0.29 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): U.S. political subdivisions of states, territories, and possessions, guaranteed      293        0.09 %        293               293        0.09 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): U.S. special revenue and special assessment obligations, etc. non-guaranteed      20,142        6.22 %        20,142               20,142        6.22 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Industrial and miscellaneous      166,339        51.35 %        166,339               166,339        51.39 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Hybrid securities      681        0.21 %        681               681        0.21 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Parent, subsidiaries and affiliates             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): SVO identified funds      280        0.09 %        280               280        0.09 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Unaffiliated bank loans      4,987        1.54 %        4,987               4,987        1.54 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Unaffiliated certificates of deposit      50        0.02 %        50               50        0.02 %  
Long-Term Bonds (Schedule D, Part 1): Total long-term bonds      201,544        62.22 %        201,544               201,544        62.26 %  
Preferred stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 1): Industrial and miscellaneous (Unaffiliated)      613        0.19 %        613               613        0.19 %  
Preferred stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 1): Parent, subsidiaries and affiliates             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Preferred stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 1): Total preferred stocks      613        0.19 %        613               613        0.19 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Industrial and miscellaneous Publicly traded (Unaffiliated)      1,426        0.44 %        1,426               1,426        0.44 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Industrial and miscellaneous Other (Unaffiliated)      407        0.13 %        407               407        0.13 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Parent, subsidiaries and affiliates Publicly traded             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Parent, subsidiaries and affiliates Other      551        0.17 %        551               551        0.17 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Mutual funds             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Unit investment trusts             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Closed-end funds             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Exchange traded funds      344        0.11 %        344               344        0.11 %  
Common stocks (Schedule D, Part 2, Section 2): Total common stocks      2,727        0.84 %        2,727               2,727        0.84 %  
Mortgage loans (Schedule B): Farm mortgages             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Mortgage loans (Schedule B): Residential mortgages      1        0.00 %        1               1        0.00 %  
Mortgage loans (Schedule B): Commercial mortgages      56,401        17.41 %        56,401               56,401        17.42 %  
Mortgage loans (Schedule B): Mezzanine real estate loans      676        0.21 %        676               676        0.21 %  
Mortgage loans (Schedule B): Total mortgage loans      57,078        17.62 %        57,078               57,078        17.63 %  
Real estate (Schedule A): Properties occupied by company      696        0.21 %        696               696        0.21 %  
Real estate (Schedule A): Properties held for production of income      2,095        0.65 %        2,095               2,095        0.65 %  
Real estate (Schedule A): Properties held for sale             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Real estate (Schedule A): Total real estate      2,791        0.86 %        2,791               2,791        0.86 %  
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments: Cash (Schedule E, Part 1)      49        0.02 %        49               49        0.02 %  
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments: Cash equivalents (Schedule E, Part 2)      5,364        1.66 %        5,364               5,364        1.66 %  
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments: Short-term investments (Schedule DA)      2,638        0.81 %        2,638               2,638        0.82 %  
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments: Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments      8,052        2.49 %        8,052               8,052        2.49 %  
Contract loans      20,041        6.19 %        20,039               20,039        6.19 %  
Derivatives (Schedule DB)      1,849        0.57 %        1,849               1,849        0.57 %  
Other invested assets (Schedule BA)      28,939        8.93 %        28,738               28,738        8.88 %  
Receivables for securities      92        0.03 %        92               92        0.03 %  
Securities Lending (Schedule DL, Part 1)             0.00 %                             0.00 %  
Other invested assets (Page 2, Line 11)      187        0.06 %        187               187        0.06 %  
Total invested assets      323,912        100.00 %        323,709               323,709        100.00 %  

 

NM-79


PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 27.  Exhibits
(a)
Financial Statements
(1)
NML Variable Annuity Account C
Included in the Statement of Additional Information are:
Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of the end of the most recent fiscal year
Statements of Operations as of the end of the most recent fiscal year
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for each of the two most recent fiscal years
Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(2)
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
Included in the Statement of Additional Information are:
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at the end of each of the most recent two fiscal years
Consolidated Statement of Operations for each of the three most recent fiscal years
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Surplus for each of the three most recent fiscal years
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for each of the most recent three fiscal years
Notes to Consolidated Statutory Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(b)
Exhibits
Exhibit
Description
Filed Herewith/Incorporated Herein By Reference To
(a)(1)
Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company amending NML Variable
Annuity Account C Operating Authority, authorizing
registration as an Investment Company; and approval of
Network Edition Variable Annuity Contract
(a)(2)
Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company creating the Account
(a)(3)
Resolution of the Board of Trustees of The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company to use the Account to
facilitate the issuance and maintenance of the Contracts
and renaming the Account “NML Variable Annuity
Account C”
(b)
Distribution Agreement Between The Northwestern Life
Insurance Company and Northwestern Mutual Investment
Services, LLC, dated May 1, 2006
(c)
Not applicable
 
(d)(1)
Form of Flexible Payment Variable Annuity Contract,
RR.V.C. NE. (1106), including Sex Distinct Payment Rate
Tables
(d)(2)
Form of Flexible Payment Variable Annuity Contract,
RP.V.C. NE. (1106), including Sex Neutral Payment Rate
Tables
(d)(3)
Form of Amendment to Qualify Contract as Annuity, RRV
313 (032000)
(d)(4)
Form of Amendment to Qualify Contract For Use As A
Remainder Unitrust, RR.V.NIMCRUT.(1106)
(d)(5)
Form of Amendment to Qualify Contract For Use As A
Remainder Unitrust, RR.V.NIMCRUT.(0803)
C-1

Exhibit
Description
Filed Herewith/Incorporated Herein By Reference To
(d)(6)
Enhanced Death Benefit Rider, VA.EDB.C.NE.(1106)
(d)(7)
Flexible Payment Deferred Variable Annuity – Account C,
ICC12.RR.VA.CNE. (0313)
(d)(8)
Enhanced Death Benefit Rider, ICC12.VA.EDB.CNE.
(0313)
(e)
Form of Application (1106), with Owner Identity
Verification (0104) and Variable Annuity Suitability
Supplement (0805)
(f)(1)
Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company (adopted July 26, 1972)
(f)(2)
Amended By-Laws of The Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Company dated December 4, 2002
(h)(a)(1)
Participation Agreement dated March 16, 1999 Among
Russell Insurance Funds, Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.
and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(a)(2)
Amendment No. 1 dated December 17, 2020 to the
Participation Agreement dated March 16, 1999 Among
Russell Insurance Funds, Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.
and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(a)(3)
Amendment No. 2 dated July 24, 2024 to the Participation
Agreement dated March 16, 1999, among Russell
Investment Funds, and Russell Investments Financial
Services, LLC (f/k/a Russell Fund Distributors, Inc.) and
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(b)(1)
Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2003 among
Variable Insurance Products Funds, Fidelity Distributors
Corporation and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company
(h)(b)(2)
Amendment No. 1 dated October 18, 2006 to
Participation Agreement dated May 1, 2003, by and
among The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company, Fidelity Distributors Corporation, and each of
Variable Insurance Products Fund, Variable Insurance
Products Fund II, and Variable Insurance Products Fund
III
(h)(b)(3)
Amendment No. 2 dated February 9, 2021 to Participation
Agreement dated May 1, 2003, by and among The
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Fidelity
Distributors Corporation, and each of Variable Insurance
Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II, and
Variable Insurance Products Fund III
(h)(b)(4)
Amendment No. 2 dated July 24, 2024, to Participation
Agreement dated May 1, 2003, by and among The
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Fidelity
Distributors Company LLC (formerly Fidelity
Distributors Corporation) and each of Variable Insurance
Products Fund, Variable Insurance Products Fund II, and
Variable Insurance Products III, and Variable Insurance
Products Fund V
(h)(c)(1)
Participation Agreement dated April 30, 2007 among
Neuberger Berman Advisors Management Trust,
Neuberger Berman Management Inc., and The
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
C-2

Exhibit
Description
Filed Herewith/Incorporated Herein By Reference To
(h)(c)(2)
Amendment to Participation Agreement dated
January 4, 2021 among Neuberger Berman Advisers
Management Trust, Neuberger Berman BD LLC, and The
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(c)(3)
Amendment No. 2 dated July 24, 2024, to Participation
Agreement dated April 30, 2007, among Neuberger
Berman Advisers Management Trust, Neuberger Berman
BD LLC (formerly Neuberger Berman Management,
Inc.), and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company
(h)(d)(1)
Participation Agreement dated September 27, 2013
among Credit Suisse Trust, Credit Suisse Asset
Management, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC,
and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(d)(2)
Amendment to Participation Agreement dated
January 4, 2021 among Credit Suisse Trust, Credit Suisse
Asset Management, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA)
LLC, and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company
(h)(d)(3)
Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated
April 24, 2024 among Credit Suisse Securities (USA)
LLC, and UBS Asset Management (US) Inc.
(h)(d)(4)
Amendment No. 2 dated July 24, 2024, to Participation
Agreement dated September 27, 2013, among Credit
Suisse Trust, UBS Asset Management (Americas) LLC
(formerly Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC), and
UBS Asset Management (US) Inc. (formerly Credit
Suisse Securities (USA) LLC), and The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company
(h)(e)
Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement
Regarding Rule 498
(i)(1)
Administrative Service Fee Agreement dated
February 28, 1999 between The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company and Frank Russell Company
(i)(a)(2)
Service Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between Fidelity
Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. and
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(i)(b)(2)
Amendment dated August 1, 2004 to the Service
Agreement dated May 1, 2003 between Fidelity
Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. and
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
(i)(3)
Form of Administrative Services Agreement
(i)(4)
Form of Shareholder Information Agreement
(j)(1)
Power of Attorney
(j)(2)
NMIS/NM Annuity Operations Admin Agreement
(k)
Opinion and Consent of Counsel
(l)
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
(m)
Not applicable
 
(n)
Not applicable
 
(o)
Form of Initial Summary Prospectus (ISP)
101.INS
XBRL
Insurance Document
 
C-3

Exhibit
Description
Filed Herewith/Incorporated Herein By Reference To
101.SCH
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
101.CAL
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
101.DEF
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
101.LAB
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
101.PRE
XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
Item 28.  Directors and Officers of the Depositor
The following lists include all of the Trustees, executive officers and other officers of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, without regard to their activities relating to variable annuity contracts or their authority to act or their status as “officers” as that term is used for certain purposes of the federal securities laws and rules thereunder.
TRUSTEES – As of April 1, 2025
Name
Address
Anne F. Ackerley
Senior Advisor - BlackRock (Retirement Group)
BlackRock
50 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
 
 
Nicholas E. Brathwaite
Founding Managing Partner
Celesta Capital
One California Street, Ste 1750
San Francisco, CA 94111
 
 
P. Russell Hardin
Retired President
Robert W. Woodruff Foundation
191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3540
Atlanta, GA 30303
 
 
Andrew J. Harmening
President and Chief Executive Officer
Associated Bank
Associated Bank River Center
111 E. Kilbourn Ave, 2nd Floor, Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
 
David P. Hollander
Retired Principal, Global Insurance Sector Leader
Ernst & Young, LLP
180 Golf House Road
Haverford, PA 19041
 
 
Randolph W. Melville
Retired Senior Vice President & General Manager West
Frito-Lay North America
7901 Windrose Avenue, Unit 604
Plano, TX 75024
 
 
Jaime Montemayor
Chief Digital and Technology Officer
General Mills
One General Mills Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55426
 
 
Timothy H. Murphy
Chief Administrative Officer
Mastercard
2000 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY 10577
C-4

Name
Address
 
 
Andrew N. Nunemaker
Chief Executive Officer
Groupware Technologies
3230 E. Kenwood Blvd
Milwaukee, WI 53211
 
 
Anne M. Paradis
Retired Chief Executive Officer
MicroTek, Inc.
72 Reservation Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
 
 
Sandra R. Rogers
Retired Vice President – Supply Chain
Hillrom
12363 E. Black Rock Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
 
 
Timothy J. Gerend
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Northwestern Mutual
720 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
 
 
Aarti S. Shah
Retired Senior Vice President, Chief Information and Digital
Officer
Eli Lilly
13360 Sioux Trail
Carmel, IN 46033
 
 
Ralph A. Weber
General Counsel
Marquette University
1250 W Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53233
 
 
Juan C. Zarate
Global Co-Managing Partner & Chief Strategy Officer
K2 Integrity
1050 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 680
Washington, DC 20036
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS – As of April 1, 2025
Timothy J. Gerend
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
John E. Bentley
Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
Kelly I. Culler
Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer
David L. Gordon
Executive Vice President & Chief Digital & Information Officer
Todd M. Jones
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Raymond J. Manista
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Public Affairs Officer
John C. Roberts
Executive Vice President & Chief Field Officer
Jeffrey D. Sippel
Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
Kamilah D. Williams-Kemp
Executive Vice President & Chief Product Officer
The business addresses for all of the executive officers and other officers is 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Depositor or Registrant
The subsidiaries of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (“Northwestern Mutual”), as of December 31, 2024 are set forth on the following pages. In addition to these subsidiaries, the following separate investment accounts (which include the Registrant) may be deemed to be either controlled by, or under common control with, Northwestern Mutual:
1.
NML Variable Annuity Account A
2.
NML Variable Annuity Account B
3.
NML Variable Annuity Account C
4.
Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account
C-5

5.
Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL CORPORATE STRUCTURE(1)
(as of December 31, 2024)
Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
Operating Subsidiaries
 
 
 
Mason Street Advisors LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company(2)
Wisconsin
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company
LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC(2)
Wisconsin
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company(2)
Wisconsin
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
All Other Subsidiaries
 
 
 
1838938 Alberta Ltd(2)
Canada
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
1890 Maple LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
200 12th Street LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
720 East LLC(2)
Delaware
Northwestern Mutual
Investment Management
Company LLC
100
777 North Van Buren Apartments LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
777 North Van Buren Parking LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
777 North Van Buren Retail LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
AC 2020 NMTC Investor LLC(2)
Louisiana
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
99
Amber LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Baraboo Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Bayridge LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
BCC Cancer Center Venture LP(2)
Delaware
NM Cancer Center GP LLC
0.01
NM Imperial LLC
83.99
RE Corp
16
Bell Road Venture Partners LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
90
Bishop Square LLC(2)
Delaware
NM BSA LLC
100
Brandywine Distribution LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Burgundy LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
C-6

Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
C - Land Fund LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Capitol View Joint Venture(2)
Tennessee
C-Land Fund LLC
85
Capitol View JV-D(2)
Tennessee
C-Land Fund LLC
80
Capitol View JV-E(2)
Tennessee
C-Land Fund LLC
70
Cedarstone LLC(2)
Delaware
Baraboo Inc
100
Chateau LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Coral Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Cortona Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Cream City Venture Capital LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
99
NML Development
Corporation
1
Crosland Greens LLC(2)
North
Carolina
C-Land Fund LLC
85
Crown Farm Partners LLC(2)
Maryland
NM Imperial LLC
99
RE Corp
1
Dortmund LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
East Pointe Commons Limited Partnership
Wisconsin
EP Commons LLC
30
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
70
Ellington Residential LLC(2)
Maryland
Crown Farm Partners, LLC
100
EP Commons LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
50
Fairfield Potomac Club LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
99
RE Corp
1
FES LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Fifth and Lavaca Republic Square Limited Partnership(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
94.05
NM Twin Creeks GP LLC
0.95
GRO-SUB LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Hazel Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Higgins Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
High Street Station Square Pittsburgh I LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
89
NM High Street 1 LLC
11
Hobby Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Hollenberg 1 Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Iron Key Insurance Services LLC(2)
Delaware
Lake Emily Holdings LLC
100
Lake Emily Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
C-7

Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
Lakelands Associates LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
85
Logan Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Los Alamitos Corporate Center Joint Venture LLC(2)
California
NM Imperial LLC
99
RE Corp
1
Maroon Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Mason & Marshall Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
MCC Castro Station LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
98.5
Model Portfolios LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Network Office Cashiership LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Career Distribution
Holdings LLC
100
Nicolet Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM BSA LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM Cancer Center GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
NM Career Distribution Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM DFW Lewisville LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Majestic Holdings LLC
100
NM Eagle I LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM Gen LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM GP Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM Green LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM High Street 1 LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
89
NM High Street 2 LLC
11
NM High Street 2 LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
NM Imperial LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM Investment Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM Lion LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM Majestic Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM Neptune LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Regal LLC
100
NM Network Office 135 Insurance Agency LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Career Distribution
Holdings LLC
100
NM Pebble Valley LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM Pioneer LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
C-8

Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
NM QOZ Fund II LLC(2)
Delaware
QOZ Holding Company
LLC
100
NM QOZ Fund III LLC(2)
Delaware
QOZ Holding Company
LLC
100
NM QOZ Fund IV LLC(2)
Delaware
QOZ Holding Company
LLC
100
NM QOZ Fund LLC(2)
Delaware
QOZ Holding Company
LLC
100
NM RE Funds LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM Regal LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM Twin Creeks GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
NM Van Buren LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM VI Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-808 West LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NMC JCAF VI CARRY LP(2)
Delaware
Northwestern Mutual
Investment Management
Company LLC
35.71
NMC V GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NMC VI GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NM-Hemlock LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-Jasper LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NML Development Corporation(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NML Real Estate Holdings LLC(2)
Wisconsin
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NML Securities Holdings LLC(2)
Wisconsin
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NMLSP1 LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
NM-MNO LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Career Distribution
Holdings LLC
100
NM-Muse LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NMPE I GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NMPE II GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NMPE III GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NMPE IV GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
NM-Port Royale LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-Pulse LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-RESA LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
C-9

Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
NMRM Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
NM-SAS LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-Skye LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NM-Target Distribution Center 1 LLC(2)
Delaware
NM-Target.com Distribution
Center LLC
89
NM-Target Distribution
Center -2 LLC
11
NM-Target Distribution Center 2 LLC(2)
Delaware
NM-Target.com Distribution
Center LLC
100
NM-Target Distribution Center Property Owner LLC(2)
Delaware
NM-Target.com Distribution
Center LLC
89
NM-Target Distribution
Center -1 LLC
11
NM-Target.com Distribution Center LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
Northwestern Broadway Plaza LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Mutual Capital Equity Fund VII LP(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
13.38
Northwestern Mutual Capital Equity Fund VII-A LP(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
39
Northwestern Mutual Capital Equity GP VII LP(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
50
Northwestern Mutual Capital GP III LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
Northwestern Mutual Capital GP IV LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
Northwestern Mutual Capital GP LLC(2)
Delaware
NM GP Holdings LLC
100
Northwestern Mutual MU TLD Registry LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwestern Mutual Registry LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwoods Phase I LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwoods Phase II LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Northwoods Phase III LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
NP Keystone Building 20 LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
91
Osprey Links Golf Course LLC(2)
Delaware
Osprey Links LLC
100
Osprey Links LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
99
RE Corp
1
Plantation Oaks MHC-NM LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
Pompano Property Partners LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
90
QOZ Holding Company LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
RE Corp(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Realen Valley Forge Greenes Associates(2)
Pennsylvania
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
95.93
C-10

Legal Entity Name
Domestic
Jurisdiction
Owner(s)
Owner %
Regency NM Johns Creek LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Russet Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Scaleybark Phase I LLC(2)
Delaware
C-Land Fund LLC
85
Scotty LLC(2)
Delaware
Hobby Inc
8.85
Maroon Inc
91.15
Seattle Network Office LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Career Distribution
Holdings LLC
100
Seazen GP LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Seazen Rocky Point LP(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
99.9
Seazen GP LLC
0.1
Tampa Mariner Street Apts LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
90
Tupelo Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Two Con Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
Bishop Square LLC
100
Two Con LLC(2)
Delaware
Two Con Holdings LLC
100
Two Con SPE LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Variable Innovation LLC(2)
Delaware
NM VI Holdings LLC
100
Ventura Lakes MHC-NM LLC(2)
Delaware
NM Imperial LLC
100
Vienna Metro Joint Venture LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
85
Walden OC LLC(2)
Delaware
NML Real Estate Holdings
LLC
100
Waterside Lanier Venture Partners LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
91
Wells Street LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Westpark Corporate Center LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
44.5
NM GP Holdings LLC
44.5
White Oaks Inc(2)
Delaware
NML Securities Holdings
LLC
100
Wysh Financial LLC(2)
Delaware
Wysh Holdings LLC
100
Wysh Holdings LLC(2)
Delaware
The Northwestern Mutual
Life Insurance Company
100
Wysh Insurance Agency LLC(2)
Delaware
Wysh Life and Health
Insurance Company
100
Wysh Life and Health Insurance Company(2)
Wisconsin
Wysh Holdings LLC
100
Wysh LLC(2)
New York
Wysh Holdings LLC
100
(1)
Certain subsidiaries are omitted on the basis that, considered in the aggregate at year end 2023, they did not constitute a significant subsidiary as defined by Regulation S-X. Certain investment partnerships and limited liability companies that hold real estate assets of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company are not represented.
(2)
Subsidiary included in the consolidated financial statements.
C-11

Item 30. Indemnification
(a) That portion of the By-laws of the Depositor, Northwestern Mutual, relating to indemnification of Trustees and officers is set forth in full in Article VII of the By-laws of Northwestern Mutual, amended by resolution and previously filed as Exhibit A(6)(b) to the registration statement of Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account (File No. 333-59103) on July 15, 1998.
(b) Section 10 of the Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2006 between Northwestern Mutual and Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (“NMIS”) provides substantially as follows:
B. Indemnification by Company. The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless NMIS, its successors and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, and employees (together referred to as “NMIS Related Persons”), from any and all joint or several losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including any reasonable investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), to which NMIS and/or any NMIS Related Persons may become subject, under any law, regulation or NASD rule, at common law or otherwise, that arises out of or are based upon (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company and (ii) any untrue statement of or omission to state a material fact (except for information supplied by or on behalf of NMIS or for which NMIS is responsible) contained in any Registration Statement, Contract prospectus, SAI or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Material.
This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that the Company may otherwise have; provided, however, that no person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this provision for any loss, claim, damage or liability due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the person seeking indemnification.
C. Indemnification by NMIS. NMIS agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its successors and assigns, and their respective officers, trustees or directors, and employees (together referred to as “Company Related Persons”), from any and all joint or several losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including any reasonable investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), to which the Company and/or any Company Related Persons may become subject, under any law, regulation or NASD rule, at common law or otherwise, that arises out of or are based upon (i) any breach of this Agreement by NMIS and (ii) any untrue statement of or omission to state a material fact (except for information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or for which the Company is responsible) contained in any Registration Statement, Contract prospectus, SAI or supplement thereto or in any Marketing Material, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon information furnished in writing by NMIS to the Company specifically for use in the preparation of the aforesaid material.
This indemnification shall be in addition to any liability that NMIS may otherwise have; provided however, that no person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this provision for any loss, claim, damage or liability due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the person seeking indemnification.
D. Indemnification Generally. Any person seeking indemnification under this section shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in writing after receiving notice of the commencement of any action as to which a claim for indemnification will be made; provided, however, that failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve such party from any liability which it may have to such person otherwise than on account of this section.
The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of the indemnified person but such participation will not relieve such indemnifying party of the obligation to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable legal and other expenses incurred by such party in defending himself, herself or itself.
Item 31.  Principal Underwriters
(a) NMIS is the principal underwriter of the securities of the Registrant. NMIS is also the principal underwriter for the NML Variable Annuity Account A (811-21887), the NML Variable Annuity Account B (811-01668), the Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account (811-03989), the Northwestern Mutual Variable Life Account II (811-21933), and the Trust for Professional Managers (811-10401).
(b) As of April 1, 2025, the directors and officers of NMIS are as follows:
Name
Position
Brett Albers
Treasurer, Financial and Operations Principal
Laura M. Deaner
Chief Information Security Officer
Quentin M. Doll
Director
C-12

Name
Position
Bradley L. Eull
Secretary
Betsy Heisler
Vice President - Risk Products
Thomas R. Hendricks
Vice President - Wealth Advisory Programs
Dean M. Hopp
Vice President - IPS Investment Programs
Dawn M. Kalinowski
Chief Operating Officer
Susan K. Limbach
Assistant Treasurer
Nicole E. Lund
Vice President - NMIS Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer
Kelly L. Martin
Assistant Treasurer
Mark E. McNulty
NMIS Anti-Money Laundering Officer
Alyssa G. Meyer
Senior Director - IPS Oversight and Controls
Roderick W. Mikus
Vice President - Operations
Alaka S. Mishal
Chief Technology Officer
Blaire L. Puls
Variable Investment Product Consultant
Jaime M. Pulsfus
Vice President - Supervision Programs
John C. Roberts
Executive Vice President, Chief Distribution Officer
Deborah A. Schultz
Director
Justin Stipan
Distribution Performance Principal
William H. Taylor
Vice President - Planning and Sales
Laila M. Valters
President
Becki Williams
Vice President - Advanced Markets
Kamilah D. Williams-Kemp
Executive Vice President – New Business
Terry R. Young
Assistant Secretary
The address for each director and officer of NMIS is 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
(c) NMIS, the principal underwriter, received $16,482 of commissions and other compensation, directly or indirectly, from Registrant during the last fiscal year for sales of variable annuity contacts, and interests therein, issued in connection with the Registrant.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained in connection with the Registrant’s operations are maintained in the physical possession of Northwestern Mutual at 720 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
Item 33. Management Services
There are no contracts, other than those referred to in Part A or Part B of this Registration Statement, under which management-related services are provided to the Registrant and pursuant to which total payments of $5,000 or more were made during any of the last three fiscal years.
Item 34. Fee Representation
The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company hereby represents that the fees and charges deducted under the contracts registered by this registration statement, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by the insurance company under the contracts.
REPRESENTATION REGARDING TAX-DEFERRED ANNUITIES
Reference is made to a no-action letter dated November 28, 1988 from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission and addressed to the American Council of Life Insurance (the “no-action letter”). In accordance with the requirements of paragraph (5) on page 4 of the no-action letter, the Registrant represents that the no-action letter is being relied upon and that the provisions of paragraphs (1)(4) thereof have been complied with.
C-13

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, NML Variable Annuity Account C, certifies that it meets all the requirements for effectiveness of this Amended Registration pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, on April 28, 2025.
NML VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT C
(Registrant)
By
THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
(Depositor)
By:
/s/ Raymond J. Manista
 
Raymond J. Manista
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal &
Public Affairs Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the Depositor on April 28, 2025.
THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
(Depositor)
By:
/s/ Raymond J. Manista
 
Raymond J. Manista
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal &
Public Affairs Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities with the Depositor and on the dates indicated:
Signature
Date
Title
/s/ Timothy J. Gerend
April 28, 2025
Chairman, Trustee and Chief Executive Officer;
Principal Executive Officer
Timothy J. Gerend
 
/s/ Todd M. Jones
April 28, 2025
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer; Principal Financial
Officer
Todd M. Jones
 
/s/ Charles S. Mondesir
April 28, 2025
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and
Controller; Principal Accounting Officer
Charles S. Mondesir
 
C-14

Signature
Title
/s/ Anne F. Ackerley*
Trustee
Anne F. Ackerley
 
/s/ Nicholas E. Brathwaite*
Trustee
Nicholas E. Brathwaite
 
/s/ P. Russell Hardin*
Trustee
P. Russell Hardin
 
/s/ Andrew J. Harmening*
Trustee
Andrew J. Harmening
 
/s/ David P. Hollander*
Trustee
David P. Hollander
 
/s/ Randolph W. Melville*
Trustee
Randolph W. Melville
 
/s/ Jaime Montemayor*
Trustee
Jaime Montemayor
 
/s/ Timothy H. Murphy*
Trustee
Timothy H. Murphy
 
/s/ Andrew N. Nunemaker*
Trustee
Andrew N. Nunemaker
 
/s/ Anne M. Paradis*
Trustee
Anne M. Paradis
 
/s/ Sandra R. Rogers*
Trustee
Sandra R. Rogers
 
/s/ Aarti S. Shah*
Trustee
Aarti S. Shah
 
/s/ Ralph A. Weber*
Trustee
Ralph A. Weber
 
/s/ Juan C. Zarate*
Trustee
Juan C. Zarate
 
*By:
/s/ Raymond J. Manista
 
Raymond J. Manista, Attorney in fact, pursuant to the Power of Attorney filed herewith.
Each of the signatures is affixed as of April 28, 2025.
C-15

EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBITS FILED WITH FORM N-4
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 23 TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FOR
NML Variable Annuity Account C
Exhibit
Description
 
(k)
Opinion and Consent of Counsel
Filed herewith
(l)
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Filed herewith
(o)
Form of Initial Summary Prospectus
Filed herewith
C-16