Like most people, you may have some questions about life insurance, annuities, or about Gleaner in general. If after reviewing these frequently asked questions you still need more info, please contact us and we will follow up with you shortly. We also recommend that you consult a tax professional regarding your specific situation.
Gleaner and Fraternal Questions
Where is Gleaner Life Insurance Society located?
What is a fraternal benefit society?
In which states does Gleaner Life Insurance Society sell its products?
In which states does Gleaner Life Insurance Society service its members?
How do I become a Gleaner member?
How do I contact my Gleaner representative?
What is an Arbor?
How do I find my local Arbor?
What are the benefits of a Gleaner membership?
Life Insurance Questions
How much life insurance do I need?
How do I determine which insurance product is right for me?
How do I change my address?
How do I change my beneficiary?
Can I set up automatic premium payments?
Can I pay my premiums online?
What happens to my life insurance certificate upon my death?
What is the difference between universal, whole, and term life insurance?
Annuity Questions
How do I purchase a Gleaner annuity?
How do I make a withdrawal from my annuity?
How do I set up a monthly income from my annuity?
How do I start mandatory IRA distributions at age 70½?
What settlement options are available for my Gleaner annuity?
What happens to my annuity upon my death?
What is a surrender charge?
Where is Gleaner Life Insurance Society located?
The Gleaner Life Insurance Society Home Office is headquartered in Adrian, Michigan. Our address is:
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
5200 West U.S. Hwy. 223
P.O. Box 1894
Adrian, Michigan 49221-7894
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What is a fraternal benefit society?
Fraternal benefit societies are tax exempt membership organizations that offer life insurance and other financial products to their members. All fraternal benefit societies must comply with state and federal regulations with regard to their financial services, and must be licensed by the insurance department of the state or states in which they operate. Please view our About Fraternal Benefit Societies page for more info.
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In which states does Gleaner Life Insurance Society sell its products?
Gleaner Life Insurance Society is currently licensed to sell life insurance and annuity products in AZ, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, NE, OH, TN, & VA
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In which states does Gleaner Life Insurance Society service its members?
Once you purchase a life insurance or annuity product in any of our thirteen states, Gleaner will continue to service your accounts, regardless of where you live. Currently, Gleaner Life Insurance Society serves over 70,000 members in all 50 states.
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How do I become a Gleaner member?
A certificate membership is activated when you purchase life insurance and/or annuity certificates of which you are the certificate holder. You can become a member by completing an application of membership.
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How do I contact my Gleaner representative?
To find your local Gleaner representative contact our Field Department at 1-800-992-1894.
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What is an Arbor?
An arbor is what we call our local service clubs. Every arbor is organized and operated by Gleaner members. Gleaner supports the arbors with matching funds and donations to charities of their choice. You are automatically eligible to participate in your local arbor as a Gleaner member. For more information about arbors, visit our Community Programs page.
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How do I find my local Arbor?
To see if there is an active arbor in your area, you may enter your zip code on our Find My Arbor page, or contact the Home Office. If there is not an active arbor in your area, you are invited to start one! Simply fill out our application to get started.
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What are the benefits of a Gleaner membership?
As a fraternal benefit society, we are in a position to give exclusive benefits to our certificate members. For a complete list of our complimentary and premium benefits for both types of memberships, visit our Benefits page.
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How much life insurance do I need?
You may request an appointment with a local Gleaner representative. Your representative will review your current situation and help you determine how much insurance coverage is right for you. You may also use our calculator to estimate your life insurance need.
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How do I determine which insurance product is right for me?
You may request an appointment with a local Gleaner representative. There are many options and your representative will be happy to review them with you. In addition, you may find our Life Insurance Product Comparison Chart helpful.
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How do I change my address?
You may contact us at the Home Office or inform your Gleaner Representative. You may also submit your change your address online.
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How do I change my beneficiary?
The certificate owner must request the change in writing on a Change of Beneficiary Form. The change will become effective when a properly completed form is received at the Gleaner Home Office. We will sign it and a copy with all signatures is returned for you to keep with your files.
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Can I set up automatic premium payments?
Yes! You may set up automatic monthly premium payments from your bank account. The certificate owner must submit a completed PAC Authorization form along with a voided check to Home Office. This form can also be used to notify us of any changes regarding your banking information in the future.
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Can I pay my premiums online?
We do not offer an online premium payment option at this time, however you may set up automatic payments to be debited from your bank account.
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What happens to my life insurance certificate upon my death?
Your beneficiary should contact us immediately to notify us of your death. We will assist your beneficiary in completing the necessary death claim forms. Upon satisfactory receipt of proof of death, we will pay the insurance proceeds due to your beneficiary. Your beneficiary may also file a death claim online.
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What is the difference between universal, whole, and term life insurance?
Universal and whole life insurance are both types of permanent insurance, meaning that they are in effect until you die. The main difference is that universal coverage is more flexible in how you choose to pay your premiums, while a cash value is guaranteed with whole coverage. Term life is for limited amounts of time and is most suitable for temporary needs like college planning, mortgage insurance or as your first, least expensive coverage.
Review our Life Insurance Product Comparison to see which type of coverage might be right for you, or contact your Gleaner representative for a complete review of our products.
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How do I purchase a Gleaner annuity?
You may request an appointment with a local Gleaner representative. Your representative will present you with options and help you decide which financial product best meets your needs. You may become a member and purchase a Gleaner annuity by completing an Application for Membership and Annuity Certificate with the help of your representative. This will entitle you to a wide array of benefits.
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How do I make a withdrawal from my annuity?
You may withdraw up to 10% of the accumulated value once each certificate year without a surrender charge. If you need to take more than your 10% annual withdrawal, you may do so but a surrender charge will apply to the total amount withdrawn (if you are still in your surrender charge period). Withdrawals are subject to taxation and, if you are under age 59½, an additional 10% penalty tax may apply. You may request a partial or full withdrawal on a Gleaner Request for Service form.
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How do I set up a monthly income from my annuity?
Monthly withdrawals are allowed on the “Harvest 6” and “Harvest 8” annuities. You may withdraw your interest each month (Check-a-Month) as long as you maintain a minimum annuity value of $20,000. You may also withdraw your annual 10% and spread it out over twelve equal monthly payments. You may request these automatic withdrawals on a Gleaner Request for Service form.
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How do I start mandatory IRA distributions at age 70½?
Once you reach the age of 70½, the IRS requires you to withdraw a minimum amount of money from your retirement accounts each year. This is called a required minimum distribution (RMD). You are required to take an RMD from any IRA, TSA/403(b), or 401(k) plan. Roth IRAs are the exception and do not require an RMD. Gleaner is able to set up automatic distributions so that you don’t have to remember to request your RMD every year. You may request automatic RMD on a Gleaner Request for Service form.
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What settlement options are available for my Gleaner annuity?
After your Gleaner annuity has been in force for one year, you may request a monthly payout from your annuity. Settlement options include fixed period, fixed amount, life only, life and period certain, and joint income. When the time comes to convert your savings into a reliable income stream, your Gleaner representative can help you decide which option would be best suited for your situation.
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What happens to my annuity upon my death?
Your beneficiary should contact us immediately to notify us of your death. We will assist your beneficiary in completing the necessary death claim forms. Upon satisfactory receipt of proof of death, we will pay your beneficiary the full value of your annuity. Because annuity money is paid directly to your beneficiary, the costs, delays, and publicity of probate are avoided.
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What is a surrender charge?
A surrender charge is a fee levied on a certificate holder (policyholder) upon cancellation of his/her annuity certificate prior to the completion of the surrender charge period. The length of the surrender charge period is described within the annuity certificate.
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