Midland National
Reviews and Complaints

I, Complainant, am a senior citizen who has paid Midland National Life (MNL) for a policy clear back since 1987. For that which follows, MNL has demonstrated a clear willingness to BREACH an agreement between parties.

I was sold a policy by MNL in 1987 which was sold as "Whole life PLUS a fantastic high-yield investment vehicle; the Best of both worlds". I am pretty sure I am not the only one who has been sold this bill of goods. The "high-yield investment vehicle", which was compared to a mutual fund, was supposed to substantially shorten the time premiums were to be paid with the rest available to extract as profits.

I found this was not true. By 2014 I found the projections substantially dropped and would not provide for my beneficiary Family after my death. I contacted MNL in 2004 and reached an AGREEMENT for the nominal amount of $25,000 insurance to continue until my death. This Agreement is found in Ex. A with "SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS". Midland faithfully withdrew all amounts. A male representative told me "You have been with us so long, we promise we won't let you down."

By 2021, I was shocked to find MNL had indicated a willingness to VIOLATE the agreement established in 2014. I then made additional contact and was responded to by representative Jayden Schuster who ADMITTED to seeing the previous binding Agreement but wanted to make excuses to unilaterally CHANGE the agreement anyway. Ex. B.

MNL then continues round-robin with multiple deceptive statements in 2022 in an attempt to unilaterally BREACH and deny our Agreement of 2014 even existed. Spoke telephonically with representatives Chelsea and Melanie on 19 OCT 22 and received an email address of @sfgmembers.com and was promised a transcript of our extensive conversations which established our binding agreement of 2014. Then I received a phone call from Rachel on 24 OCT 22 stating that they would NOT be sending a transcript as promised.

This indicates they are trying to hide the truth of the matter. For the foregoing, Complainant finds that Midland National Life is untrustworthy and demands they either adhere to the binding Agreement struck between the parties since 2014 or fully return all premiums paid so Complainant may apply these premiums, collected under deceptive advertising and agreement, to a more reputable company. I respectfully seek assistance and resolution in this matter.

Sincerely,

Albert Myles III

Policy #[protected] Complainant

On December 17, 2021 I made an online Life Insurance Premium payment of $210.42 for policy number [protected]. Payment due date was December 22, 2021. Previous online payments have been made without any issues using my bank account. I received a confirmation letter dated December 18, 2021 that my payment was received successfully on the date stated above.

Sometime afterwards I received correspondence from Midland dated December 28, 2021 stating that my payment has been returned marked no account available to locate my financial institution. Payment has been made from the same account that I have made payment from in the past (the previous month). I went back to verify account and routing numbers to verify accuracy, no error was found on my end. It was also verified that funds was available in my account. Bank also stated that everything was correct on their end and didn't see any reason why payment would not be dispersed. In my experience with online payments it would be rejected immediately if incorrect payment data is entered. I had also been in contact with customer service on several occasions trying to rectify this issue with no success. I have also contacted my agent Mike Fodor who advised to just give a little time for my payment to process because there are sometimes delays in payment processing. After 12 plus years of owning this policy Midland made the decision to terminate my policy due to a simple payment issue.

I was then told that my only option was to apply for reinstatement of my policy. I completed the necessary paperwork and promptly returned it. On February 8, 2022 I contacted Midland by phone to check that status of my reinstatement application. I was told by customer service person I that my reinstatement was approved and a payment of $852.19 was due to complete the reinstatement. Successful payment was made from the same account that they previously stated was an invalid account. Contacted them on February 14th, 2022 because I had not received any correspondence in reference to the reinstatement. I was informed that the underwriter did not approve the reinstatement and my payment would be returned. I am having a hard time understanding this decision and Midland policies and procedures. When asked to speak with someone of higher authority I was told to speak to my agent. This entirely negative experience will effect me and my in ways that I can't even explain. Someone please help me understand whats going on here.

They are required by law to mail all tax documents by 1/31/22. I received an email that they were mailing it by 2/18/22 instead. Just how are they getting away with this? COVID is not an excuse this time around. I needed this form so that I could complete my income taxes. Today is 2/10/22. I went to their website to login and print it out myself as the email said I could do so.

Then I tried to login. Changed my password 4 times. Still could not login. Thought maybe wrong user name. Tried two other names that I use. Still couldn't log in. Then it said they would send me a code. They left VM 5 times, which chopped off several of the code numbers as they didn't work either. Wait time on the phone for a rep was 1-2 hours! So I plugged in my cell phone so that I wouldn't be disconnected. After so many tries logging in, I was locked out of my account. Finally, the rep was able to email me the form. I wasted about an hour trying to get online to make this request and then shut out. Then wasted another 45 minutes with rep to fix my account. She finally reset my account. It took me longer to get the required tax document from her than it does to actually do my income tax forms.

Bottom line: Midland website needs some serious revamping. Unfriendly and cumbersome. Tired of flipping back and forth to login over and over again. I am thinking of moving my money somewhere else as they obviously do not value my business. Midland National is pathetic. Take your money elsewhere as fast as you can.

I was a very successful general agent for Midland National Life; was asked to write and submit an article for Midland’s company publication; and was awarded Midland National’s M Agency of the Year for three years in a row. I declined the last award because I became concerned about the unethical sales practices that Midland National was fostering with some of their agents.

I discovered that Midland National was allowing agents to misrepresent products and allow agents to submit applications that were known to be fraudulent. This was easy to do at the time as most applicants 35 and under did not require a medical exam. This meant that an agent could lie about smoking status, high blood pressure, and almost any condition that would not appear on a Medical Information Bureau (MIB) report.

Since these applications were almost always on younger people Midland National knew that they could make a profit from those policies regardless as to what premium was being paid. If the insured dies within the contestability period then Midland National would deny the entire claim and dispute the accuracy of the medical information in the application even if the death was an accident. If the insured died after the contestability period ended Midland National would attempt to adjust the death benefit based upon what the premium should have been.

If the beneficiary decided to sue when their claim was denied Midland National blamed the agent and cut them loose.
I wanted to believe that Midland National cared about their policy holders and wanted to be informed about the problem so they could correct it. I placed my business and my relationship with Midland National at risk by sending letter after letter describing the problem. Midland ignored me; however their Regional Vice President (RVP) actually threatened me if I “didn’t go along to get along”.

Finally, I decided to reduce my business with Midland National to the minimum level necessary to maintain my contract and submitted our business with other life insurance companies. In retaliation Midland National cancelled my contract several days before over $350, 000 in bonuses would have accumulated and vested. Midland National also stopped paying the as-earned commissions and renewals on business I had already written, which destroyed the business I had spent almost ten years building.

Midland National then allowed their RVP to threaten to cutoff my agents’ commissions if they didn’t defect to him, and bribed them by allowing them to walk away from their advance commission debts which were then charged to my account.

When that didn’t intimidate me Midland National then intentionally delayed the issuance of our client’s policies that my agents and I had developed. This was a completely reckless practice that placed our applicants at risk. Midland then filed a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration against me for mishandling client’s premium refund checks that Midland National was actually holding in their home office.

I then sued Midland National for breach of contract and several other issues that, in their totality, constituted violations of the RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization) Act. Midland took the “David and Goliath” legal approach and refused to provide us discovery while they withheld my commissions. Eventually I could not afford my attorney and was unable to continue the case.

While we were suing each other Midland National allowed an employee of another Midland National General Agent to impersonate one of my employees and call my clients making threats or other inappropriate comments. Midland National also instructed their home office employees to describe me as a “crook” if any of our clients called, and claim that I had been “fired”.

All Midland National cares about is making a profit so, despite all of Midland’s claims of my improper behavior they offered to reinstate my contract and return all of my commissions if I would drop my lawsuit against them and support their story as they were telling it. Midland National Life forced me to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life and I will admit that I had many sleepless nights considering that offer. In the end I decided my integrity and character were not for sale. No person, much less a life insurance agent, should ever be placed in that position.

Midland National never sent me another payment until I was informed by the IRS several years later that Midland National had been attempting to clean the money off of their books by reporting to the IRS that they were paying me commissions. Since Midland National wasn’t sending me a 1099 showing the income every year like as the law required I wasn’t reporting it on my tax returns. Midland National then defrauded the IRS by refusing to disclose that they were holding almost $75, 000 in my name.

My attorney contacted Midland National for an explanation and Midland, an insurance company that is required by law to know where every dollar is at every moment, took 42 days to respond. Midland eventually paid me the money and offered me a settlement to resolve all of our differences and then reneged on that agreement.

My issues with Midland National were not complicated by large commission chargebacks, but I know some agents have had that problem. In dealing with the various lawsuits and consumer complaints Midland, acting in its own best interests, has frequently refunded a policy to the consumer to avoid another lawsuit. Midland is then going back to their agents (who sold what Midland told them to sell the way Midland told them to sell it) and demanding a refund of the commissions they paid the agent. If an agent carefully reviews the compensation agreement with Midland National, or its sister company North American for Life and Health, they will find language like this

“In addition and not limited by the forgoing, North American reserves the right to chargeback commissions at any time, in its sole discretion, pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 9 of the agent contract, which are expressly incorporated herein.”

The reality for any life insurance agent is that they can NEVER really count on the commissions they expect to receive from Midland National nor can they spend a commission dollar from Midland National without wondering whether Midland will sue them for that money years later. Sometimes this is three or four years after the agent made the sale and in amounts of $30, 000 or more, and Midland National is VERY aggressive in collecting their money.

To research Midland National Life Google "Midland National Life" ratings or "Midland National Life" reputation. To review Midland National Life’s legal problems in an easy to read format visit www.MidlandNationalLifeUpdate.se.

Midland National Life Insurance Company (MNL) twice tried to cancel the life insurance policy on me after they found out I was in bad health. We have been paying the premiums on this policy for over twenty five years and the death benefit will go to my children and grandchildren.

I am a former Midland National Life agent and I left the company after I caught them committing fraud on their policy holders.

The first time Midland National Life tried to cancel the policy was in 2012. Because of a lawsuit I filed against them in 2010 (Castaneira v. Midland CIV. 10 – 4039) Midland National had ongoing surveillance of my home and, aware that I was in the process of moving, simply didn’t send the billing notice to the address on record where someone was waiting to pay it. Based on what I’ve read in other complaints posted on the Internet Midland National has a history with me of being “confused” about where to mail items when it benefits them.

Midland National also did not send me the “Grace Period Notice” required by law which is designed to warn a policy holder that their policy might lapse for non-payment. What they DID send was an Important Lapse Notice dated August 22, 2012 for the policy.

I addressed this issue with Midland National directly and they denied their actions. I then filed a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration and Midland National immediately reinstated the policy.

The second time Midland National tried to inappropriately cancel the policy was in September, 2013. We sent a payment weeks before it was due; however, Midland National did not cash the check and waited over three weeks before they sent the check back with the explanation that they didn’t know which policy it was for. We didn’t believe this because we had placed the very same policy number, in the very same format, that we have been using for years on our previous payment checks on the payment check that Midland National refused.

Midland National never explained why they didn’t just research their files to determine if anyone at the address that they mailed the check back to had a policy with them or was receiving billing statements. Such a simple review would have shown just one insurance policy; that being the one on my life with the exact same seven digit policy number that Midland National had been accepting as identification for years.

Midland National’s story is even more unbelievable because we have documented proof that Midland National Life senior management monitors the policy on me very closely, so I have good reason to believe that this effort to cancel my policy was intentional.

When I filed a second complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration Midland National AGAIN had to reinstate my policy because they couldn’t come up with an excuse for what they did they didn’t cause people to laugh.

Midland National has also refused my written instructions to transfer the ownership of the policy to a family member. I can’t be sure of the reasons; however considering that they have tried to improperly cancel the policy, TWICE, I have my suspicions……………………

My problems with Midland National Life have not ended. On December 19, 2014 in Castaneira v. Midland CIV. 10 – 4039 Midland National Life was confronted with overwhelming evidence of witness intimidation and coercive threats to cover up their criminal acts in violation of 18 U.S. Code § 1512. Midland National’s response was to exercise their right to remain silent; in effect, their rights under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Midland was given the opportunity to clarify their position, but chose to maintain their silence. The matter is still ongoing.

To learn more about Midland National Life Google "Midland National Life" threat, "Midland National Life" women, or "Midland National Life" reputation.

My 88 year old father has a policy with Midland National that he needs to surrender the cash value. He needs this in order to pay the nursing home. My father is unable to sign. I sent in the request with my mother signing as the POA along with a letter from his physician stating he can no longer handle his affairs as well as the POA. Midland is telling me that the POA isn't valid for life insurance. They want a court order before they will pay this. So of course we have to hire an attorney for this. The attorney has told me that the POA is the exact form that is used by all attorneys in the State of Iowa. He has been practicing the law for over 30years and has never heard of a company not accepting the POA. Of course the 2 people that he needs to talk to at Midland don't answer the phones. So the attorney has to wait for a call back. This is absolutely ridiculous!

My husband died 5-10-10. In 2005, he invested money in 2 annuities with Midland National Life Insurance Co.

On 5-21-10, I arranged with an agent for Allianz to obtain 2 new policies under my name with the death benefits under the Midland National Life policies. Allianz sent all the stated required information to Midland National Life Fed Ex. Midland National Life sent me a letter in early June that was dated May 27, 2010, notifying me that they would not process the claims until Allianz sentMidland National Life Allianz' Corporate Resolutions. They did not notify Allianz. I contacted the agent for Allianz and they faxed the corporate resolutions "within 5 minutes" after I called them to Midland National. I also talked to Midland National Life that day. I was struck by the call because the claims representative was short and condescending with me and expressed no condolences. I didn't say anything, but I noted it. She was the only person out of the many I have had to deal with since my husband's death to not express condolences.

The agent with Allianz had told me it could take from 10-24 days to process the transfer of money. Today was the 27th day and the agent called me and told me that they have received no word from Midland National at all. I called Midland National. The agent again expressed no condolences and kept telling me they had not received the corporate resolutions from Allianz and they would not process the claims until they did. She would not listen to me saying they had faxed them. She made no offer to help in any manner and she had a snotty attitude. I became extremely frustrated with the knowledge thatMidland National was evidently going to sit until they can't sit anymore, refusing to acknowledge receipt of their requested paperwork which I felt was highly suspicious in the first place. I have arranged with Allianz to again sendMidland National their corporate resolutions which is a requirement that absolutely astounds me fully expecting them to refuse to acknowledge the receipt once again. Not only is this a life insurance policy for which they are liable, this is an ANNUITY which means it wasn't their money in the first place -- it was OUR money. The only thing they should require is a death certificate which they have already and the name, address of a beneficiary.

My husband is dead. He THOUGHT he had worked hard all his life and saved money which he knew I would need. The funeral home would like to be paid. I would like to grieve in the peace of mind that my husband thought he had provided with theseannuities. BUT I AM HAVING TO FIGHT instead because Midland National won't turn over the money he had busted his butt for all his dang life. This is disgusting. How many other people are having to go through this with Midland National? How many are older than I am and do not have the presence of mind to deal with the greedy buzzards? How many are just not as ornery as I am and do not think of getting on the computer and finding out every place I can possibly make a complaint? How many just give in to the depression and just lie down on the couch? Will I finally? How many will be cowed by theMidland National representatives' uncaring and despicable attitudes? How long will I be kept between this rock and a hard place that Midland National is creating for me?

I learned yesterday why Midland National is asking for Allianz' corporate resolutions... they want to make sure Allianz' corporate board "has the authority" to handle (my) money for me." This angers me beyond what I can express. Midland National was sent paperwork from a reputable company with my signature on the paperwork. I am a competent adult in my 60's. When did my signature stop indicating that I give authority with it? When didMidland National become my nanny and determine they have to review and evaluate my decisions?

I am embarrassed that the funeral home is not yet paid due to the holding up of these funds. I am angry because annuities are monies WE put in a supposedly safe place to be used under the exact circumstances I now find myself. These are not life insurance policies for which we paid premiums and the funds coming out of Midland National's pocket. I am astounded with the lack of feeling, respect, and level of interference to avoid fulfilling a contract displayed byMidland National's employees. I could not feel any worse than if I had been mugged and raped.

My husband died 5-10-10. In 2005, he invested money in 2 annuities with Midland National Life Insurance Co.

On 5-21-10, I arranged with an agent for Allianz to obtain 2 new policies under my name with the death benefits under the Midland National Life policies. Allianz sent all the stated required information to Midland National Life Fed Ex. Midland National Life sent me a letter in early June that was dated May 27, 2010, notifying me that they would not process the claims until Allianz sent Midland National Life Allianz' Corporate Resolutions. They did not notify Allianz. I contacted the agent for Allianz and they faxed the corporate resolutions "within 5 minutes" after I called them to Midland National. I also talked to Midland National Life that day. I was struck by the call because the claims representative was short and condescending with me and expressed no condolences. I didn't say anything, but I noted it. She was the only person out of the many I have had to deal with since my husband's death to not express condolences.

The agent with Allianz had told me it could take from 10-24 days to process the transfer of money. Today was the 27th day and the agent called me and told me that they have received no word from Midland National at all. I called Midland National. The agent again expressed no condolences and kept telling me they had not received the corporate resolutions from Allianz and they would not process the claims until they did. She would not listen to me saying they had faxed them. She made no offer to help in any manner and she had a snotty attitude. I became extremely frustrated with the knowledge that Midland National was evidently going to sit until they can't sit anymore, refusing to acknowledge receipt of their requested paperwork which I felt was highly suspicious in the first place. I have arranged with Allianz to again send Midland National their corporate resolutions which is a requirement that absolutely astounds me fully expecting them to refuse to acknowledge the receipt once again. Not only is this a life insurance policy for which they are liable, this is an ANNUITY which means it wasn't their money in the first place -- it was OUR money. The only thing they should require is a death certificate which they have already and the name, address of a beneficiary.

My husband is dead. He THOUGHT he had worked hard all his life and saved money which he knew I would need. The funeral home would like to be paid. I would like to grieve in the peace of mind that my husband thought he had provided with these annuities. BUT I AM HAVING TO FIGHT instead because Midland National won't turn over the money he had busted his butt for all his dang life. This is disgusting. How many other people are having to go through this with Midland National? How many are older than I am and do not have the presence of mind to deal with the greedy buzzards? How many are just not as ornery as I am and do not think of getting on the computer and finding out every place I can possibly make a complaint? How many just give in to the depression and just lie down on the couch? Will I finally? How many will be cowed by the Midland National representatives' uncaring and despicable attitudes? How long will I be kept between this rock and a hard place that Midland National is creating for me?

I learned yesterday why Midland National is asking for Allianz' corporate resolutions... they want to make sure Allianz' corporate board "has the authority" to handle (my) money for me." This angers me beyond what I can express. Midland National was sent paperwork from a reputable company with my signature on the paperwork. I am a competent adult in my 60's. When did my signature stop indicating that I give authority with it? When did Midland National become my nanny and determine they have to review and evaluate my decisions?

I am embarrassed that the funeral home is not yet paid due to the holding up of these funds. I am angry because annuities are monies WE put in a supposedly safe place to be used under the exact circumstances I now find myself. These are not life insurance policies for which we paid premiums and the funds coming out of Midland National's pocket. I am astounded with the lack of feeling, respect, and level of interference to avoid fulfilling a contract displayed by Midland National's employees. I could not feel any worse than if I had been mugged and raped.

I would NEVER buy anything from Midland National Life or Midland Annuity. They have been sued all over the country for ripping off senior citizens.

Midland National is part of the Sammons Financial Group and is affiliated with the North American Company for Life and Health and Midland Annuity.

If you want to know more visit http://www.midland-national-life-review.com or just Google MIDLAND NATIONAL LIFE REVIEW or MIDLAND NATIONAL LIFE COMPLAINT.

Midland National Life Insurance Company, Sioux Falls, South Dakota has been sued in states all over the country for their sales practices. The Minnesota Attorney General sued them for ripping off senior citizens and won a multi million dollar settlement. These legal issues involving their sales practices may have contributed to Standard & Poor's reduction in December, 2008 of their outlook on Midland from stable to negative.

You should carefully consider all of this if a life insurance agent offers you a policy from Midland.

The most recent action was by a former leading General Agent Eric Castaneira (Castaneira v. Midland National Life Insurance, et al; Civ #10-4039, United States District Court, Southern District of South Dakota) that alleges Midland threatened his family when he tried to blow the whistle on policy fraud, withheld over $350, 000 of his commissions to retaliate against him, intentionally wrecked his agency, and then gave him a settlement to cover it up but broke their promise to pay him.

Midland has a long history of abusing its employees as well as its agents and policy holders. They are considered a legal precedent for union busting. In 1982, the National Labor Relations Board found that Midland distributed anti-union campaign literature to its employees with their paychecks. The literature included false impressions and other misleading information. The union learned of the document the next morning, 3 1/2 hours before polling.

Midland National Life Insurance Co. v. Local 304A, United Food & Commercial Workers, 263 NLRB 127 (1982).

Below is a link to a website with information about the lawsuits.

http://midland-national-life-review.com/