Lincoln National Corporation
Company History
Lincoln National History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1905 in Radnor, Pennsylvania
When was Lincoln National founded?
Lincoln National was founded in 1905 in Radnor, Pennsylvania by Arthur F. Hall and Perry A. Randall, making it 121 years old.
- Founded
- 1905
- Founding place
- Radnor, Pennsylvania
- Founders
- Arthur F. Hall and Perry A. Randall
- Headquarters today
- Radnor, Pennsylvania, United States
- Milestones documented
- 11 (1905–2026)
- Current CEO
- Ellen Cooper
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Lincoln National Life Founded |
| 1968 | Lincoln National Corporation Organized |
| 1999 | Headquarters Move to Philadelphia |
| 2006 | Jefferson-Pilot Merger |
| 2007 | Dennis R. Glass becomes CEO |
| 2009 | TARP Investment |
| 2018 | Liberty Mutual Group Benefits Acquired |
| 2022 | Ellen G. Cooper Becomes CEO |
| 2025 | Bain Capital Stake Closes |
| 2025 | FY2025 Revenue of $18.212B |
| 2026 | Q2 2026 Net Income of $1.3B |
- Where was Lincoln National founded?
- Lincoln National was founded in Radnor, Pennsylvania in 1905.
- Who founded Lincoln National?
- Lincoln National was founded by Arthur F. Hall and Perry A. Randall.
- When did Lincoln National start?
- Lincoln National was founded in 1905.
- How old is Lincoln National?
- Lincoln National is 121 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company was organized in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1905, shortly after New York's Armstrong investigation exposed abuses at large life insurers. The founders, led by Arthur F. Hall, wanted a name that signaled honesty and asked Robert Todd Lincoln for permission to use his father's name and portrait. He agreed, and the Lincoln image became the company's brand.
Founders
Arthur F. Hall
Arthur F. Hall was the principal organizer of Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1905 and led it for decades. He secured Robert Todd Lincoln's permission to use his father's name and image and helped found the company's Lincoln library and museum in 1928. Arthur F. Hall was born in 1872.
Perry A. Randall
Perry A. Randall organized the founding of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in 1905 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He famously spearheaded the initiative to write directly to Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln's son) to secure the absolute exclusive permission to use the former President's name and likeness, securing an incredible brand advantage for the new insurer. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Key Milestones
Lincoln National Life Founded
Arthur F. Hall and partners found Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLincoln National Corporation Organized
The modern holding company is organized under Indiana law.
Source: sec.govHeadquarters Move to Philadelphia
Lincoln National moved its headquarters from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Philadelphia in 1999.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgDennis R. Glass becomes CEO
Dennis R. Glass became CEO of Lincoln National in 2007. Led Lincoln National before Ellen Cooper succeeded him in 2022.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgTARP Investment
Lincoln National received $950 million from the US Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program in 2009 and repaid it in 2010.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLiberty Mutual Group Benefits Acquired
Lincoln buys Liberty Mutual's group benefits business for about $3.3 billion.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBain Capital Stake Closes
Bain Capital completes an $825 million purchase of a 9.9% stake (June 2025).
Source: businesswire.comFY2025 Revenue of $18.212B
Lincoln reports $18.212 billion in total revenue, $1.177 billion in net income, and 9,423 employees.
Source: sec.govQ2 2026 Net Income of $1.3B
Lincoln reports $1.3 billion of net income and $439 million of adjusted operating income for Q2 2026.
Source: lincolnfinancial.comMajor Acquisitions
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation
2006Merger with the Greensboro, North Carolina, life insurer to gain scale in life insurance and annuities.
Liberty Mutual Group Benefits Business
2018Expand Group Protection in group life, disability, and dental coverage.
Liberty Mutual Group Benefits
2018Bolstered position in workplace insurance and disability benefits.
Delaware Management Company
1997Asset management expansion.
Keep researching Lincoln National
Lincoln National Company History FAQ
What are Lincoln Financial's major milestones?
Founding in Fort Wayne (1905), holding company formation (1968), the Jefferson-Pilot merger (2006), the Liberty Mutual group benefits acquisition (2018), the Fortitude Re reinsurance deal (2023), and the Bain Capital investment (2025).
When did Lincoln move its headquarters to Pennsylvania?
Lincoln moved its corporate headquarters from Fort Wayne to Philadelphia in 1999 and later to Radnor, Pennsylvania, while keeping large operations in Fort Wayne.
How did Lincoln handle the 2008 financial crisis?
Lincoln received $950 million from the U.S. Treasury's TARP Capital Purchase Program in 2009 and repaid it in 2010.
What did Lincoln sell to Swiss Re?
Lincoln sold its life reinsurance business to Swiss Re in 2001, refocusing on retail life, annuity, and retirement products.
How did Lincoln National start?
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company was founded in 1905 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The company achieved massive early legitimacy through a brilliant historical maneuver: the founders literally wrote to Robert Todd Lincoln (Abraham Lincoln's only surviving son) and secured his official, written permission to use his father's name and portrait as the absolute corporate symbol of integrity and trust.
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