Company history story archive

Learn about the laying of the cornerstone at our iconic headquarters building in New York.

Watch an inspiring short film, The Women of New York Life, to discover their stories and find out more.

 New York Life has insured nine U.S. presidents.

In 1957, a young man named Cirilo McSween became New York Life’s first Black agent.

In 1972, Franklin A. Thomas was elected as the first African American to New York Life’s Board of Directors.

Discover key transformative business moments from New York Life’s history.

Cirilo McSween, New York Life’s first Black agent, worked closely with King to advance civil rights and economic opportunity for Black Americans.

A look at how New York Life’s iconic home office building evolved from a simple silver pencil holder into a symbol of the company.

The 1890s marked the beginning of the company’s concerted effort to cultivate a field force of full-time, professional agents.

See how a simple newsletter helped evolve the company’s professional agent system.

When the United States entered World War I in April of 1917, New York Life shared the nation’s fighting spirit and rallied to help mobilize America’s troops.

New York Life’s financial position going into the pandemic and our actions taken as it unfolded speak to the book’s theme.

New York Life observes Women’s Equality Day by celebrating the women who have shaped the company’s history.

On April 12, 1944, New York Life President George L. Harrison opened the Madison Avenue gate with a bronze key to mark the company’s 100th year.

Mildred McAfee Horton was the first female director in our history.

Policy owner and Civil War officer sets in motion new standards for our company.

We’ve steered our customers through some of the toughest times in history.

We were the first insurance company to join LBJ’s Plans for Progress initiative.

The 1860s brought rapid expansion westward, and New York Life took advantage of the growth to build out a national footprint and introduce innovative products.

As a business, we have a long tradition of supporting the rights and advancement of women.

The site where the New York Life Building currently stands, possessed great historical significance even before New York Life’s arrival.

New York Life rebuilt itself to provide consistently excellent service everywhere it operated and changed the insurance industry once again.

New York Life’s award-winning exhibit during the fair highlighted how life insurance helps protect families from life’s uncertainties and the company’s continued innovations for policy owners.

On August 13, 1860, New York Life made insurance history by issuing the first non-forfeiture life insurance policy by an American life insurance company.

New York Life has a long and storied history of supporting the military, and of providing critical financial support to America’s war efforts.

The Johnstown floods are just two examples from New York Life’s history of how the company responds to disasters.

From its roots, New York Life was built on the bold embrace of mutuality, reshaping insurance and laying the foundation for a lasting legacy.

As New York Life expanded to add individual retirement planning and investments to its life insurance and annuities offerings, the company’s marketing evolved with the business.

New York Life Insurance Company has a long tradition of supporting voting rights and advancement for women.

The influenza pandemic of 1918-’19 tragically demonstrated the security that life insurance could provide in times of need.

In 1964, New York Life became the first insurance company to join Plans for Progress, reinforcing its commitment to equality.

In 2000, the Home Office building was designated a historic landmark by New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.

In May of 1929, former President of the United States Calvin Coolidge was elected to New York Life’s board of directors.

New York Life honors the agents whose achievements have shaped our history and strengthened our communities.

In 1923, the board approved a committee to build a new Home Office on the site of the original Madison Square Garden.

New York Life honors the agents whose achievements have shaped our history and strengthened our communities.