Our International Board voted unanimously to partner with BetterLife, a respected fraternal organization with similar values and community engagement.
The Board could envision the impact the partnership will have on the ability to continue the Sons of Norway mission and stand behind our long-term commitment to our certificate holders.
Both organizations share a deep commitment to celebrating and honoring cultural traditions, and this partnership allows us to continue that legacy while creating new opportunities for connection and community, with aligned missions and values. We are excited about what we can achieve together.
A New Partnership
Fellow members, I am excited to share that Sons of Norway is joining BetterLife! Please join me in celebrating our future as Sons of Norway within BetterLife as we honor our wonderful 131-year history.
A Tradition of Adaptation
Change is going to happen. It’s just how life goes. But how can we respect the past while embracing the future?
Better Together
Chris Campbell, BetterLife CEO & Chairman of the Board
“This partnership brings together shared values and complementary strengths,” says CEO Chris Campbell of BetterLife. “Together, we can expand our impact while preserving the culture and community relationships that make Sons of Norway unique.”
The agreement supports BetterLife’s long‑term growth strategy and may serve as a model for future partnerships with other fraternal benefit societies.
BetterLife’s Mission is to help our members protect their families’ financial futures, build better lives, and better their communities.
New Partnership Q&A
We have created a list of questions and answers that will help you learn more about the partnership with BetterLife and how it will impact your districts, lodges and membership.
General
Sons of Norway is joining BetterLife to strengthen and expand our shared mission of supporting and improving the lives of individuals and families. By joining forces we will grow our impact, enhance our programs, and better serve our members.
BetterLife’s Common Bond, Wellbeing, aligns well with the mission of Sons of Norway: To improve wellbeing, by celebrating traditions, supporting one another, and strengthening financial security in our communities.
Both organizations share a deep commitment to celebrating and honoring cultural traditions, and this partnership allows us to continue that legacy while creating new opportunities for connection and community, with aligned missions and values. We are excited about what we can achieve together.
The Executive Team and Board of Directors of Sons of Norway began to explore options for our future in September 2024.
These leaders discussed the opportunity with BetterLife and authorized a confidential Letter of Intent in early 2026 to commence due diligence discussions to fully evaluate the possibility of partnership. Afterwards, each organization’s board met separately in late March 2026 and unanimously approved the proposed plan of the partnership.
This change is positive for members. Sons of Norway members can rest assured we are committed to meeting your needs and expectations now and into the future. You will have access to expanded products and services.
All that you value about Sons of Norway will remain the same. Active members will continue to belong to the same lodges and continue to support the same local outreach activities. Members will continue to enjoy the same benefits of membership, including receiving regular communications like Viking magazine. None of this changes—it all continues under the brand of Sons of Norway. The increased scale of joining BetterLife allows us to be financially stable.
Changes will happen throughout the balance of 2026. Please follow this page to find the latest updates.
We are excited about the journey ahead. With agreements signed, we look forward to a July 1, 2026 partnership date, when we will undertake the work of integrating systems and workflow for economies of scale. We expect the integration of systems to be final by October 2026.
Fraternal
Yes, the lodge funding mechanism via dues revenue will stay in place.
Yes, our lodges will continue with their same names and continue to focus on Nordic cultural activities and gatherings. We look forward to welcoming new members and collaborating with other BetterLife members.
Yes, the portion of dues your lodge receives will remain the same, so you can continue making a meaningful impact in your community.
Districts will continue to receive the portion of dues they receive today.
Lodge bank accounts, signers, and tax ID numbers won’t change. Some banks may require the title on the bank accounts to reflect that you are part of BetterLife. If that happens, BetterLife will provide you with the documentation you need.
Administration of lodge deposit funds will transfer to BetterLife. BetterLife will continue to administer the lodge deposit funds just as Sons of Norway has in the past.
The membership dues will continue to be handled by Sons of Norway’s home office as a component of BetterLife.
Sons of Norway’s home office will continue to maintain the membership lists as part of BetterLife. Officers will be able to access member lists in the future as from Sons of Norway website in the past.
All members remain valuable members of Sons of Norway as a part of BetterLife.
They remain the property of the lodges as they are today. Your lodge halls will continue to be a place of comfort and gathering for you and your lodge/group. Lodges will maintain their current names, and signage will not change.
Our beloved Viking magazine will continue as it is today.
All our wonderful cultural programming will remain accessible to members.
The lodge and district documents will stay with their respective boards. It is highly recommended to use the lodge document guidelines and preserve old documents. All versions of your bylaws are with Sons of Norway. Please retain your charter.
Governance
None at this time. We should expect the organization to evolve over time as it has for our previous 131 years.
Lodges will continue to utilize the officers which best fit their needs from the officer titles we have today.
Yes! We are looking forward to seeing as many members as possible at all the wonderful district conventions this summer.
There are no expected changes for the year 2026. Lodges will continue to file the IRS 990 and the BetterLife version of the lodge financial review form ongoing.
The Sons of Norway International Board of Directors will continue as the Sons of Norway Fraternal Board, serving Sons of Norway and focusing on our fraternal mission.
As a component of BetterLife, the BetterLife articles and bylaws will be our bylaws. Sons of Norway’s International Board of Directors and our governance committee have revised the Sons of Norway Policies and Procedures to reflect necessary changes.
Organization and Resources
When you call Sons of Norway, you’ll speak directly with a knowledgeable and friendly member of our internal team as you have in the past.
We encourage you to sign up for our BetterLife Connect social program. This site is a great place to discover events and happenings near you as well as stay connected with the BetterLife community. You can learn more by visiting: connect.betterlifeins.com
Please check out the BetterLife website.
You are also invited to follow BetterLife on social media to join our online community and stay up to date on news, events, and community stories:
www.facebook.com/betterlifeins
https://www.instagram.com/betterlifeinsco
https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterlifeinsco/
Sons of Norway as a whole will be welcomed into the BetterLife community. BetterLife is excited to welcome new members and existing Sons of Norway members and agents into our joint community.
No. Sons of Norway will join BetterLife, which is also an IRC §501(c)(8) Fraternal Beneficiary Society.
Yes. BetterLife, like Sons of Norway, is an IRC §501(c)(8) Fraternal Beneficiary Society.
Sons of Norway will continue as a BetterLife brand. This will be consistent with BetterLife’s other brands: CSA Fraternal Life, National Mutual Benefit and Western Fraternal Life Association.
Foundation
The Sons of Norway Foundation will remain a separate 501(c)(3) organization governed by its current articles and bylaws. Sons of Norway Foundation will continue to work with Sons of Norway as a part of BetterLife, as it has in the past.
They will continue under the Sons of Norway Foundation providing wonderful opportunities to students and communities they do today.
The current Sons of Foundation Board of Governors will remain in place as will their bylaws and policies and procedures.
Financial Products
All of our contact information remains the same at this time. Over time, we will be consolidating our support with BetterLife. Watch for updates on the Sons of Norway website: https://www.sofn.com/newpartnership/
We will continue to communicate via Leadership Resource, E-post, as well as in meetings and publications as we do today.
We also strive to keep this partnership announcement page up to date with the most current information available. Keep checking this page for the most recent updates.
BetterLife
PO Box 2937
Milwaukee, WI 53201-2937
After the system conversion this fall, any payments sent to Sons of Norway will be forwarded to the BetterLife office. However, these may be delayed and generate late notices. Don’t hesitate to contact our Member Services department with any questions:
1-800-945-8851, option 1
Yes. After the system conversion this fall, keep an eye out for a bill from BetterLife in Madison, WI. Your premium due date will remain the same, but the date you receive your notice may change. Your Sons of Norway insurance certificate will now be a BetterLife insurance certificate.
Yes, following the system conversion this fall and once you receive a premium notice with the BetterLife logo, you may begin to make your payments to BetterLife by visiting www.betterlifeins.com and use the “Make a Payment” link found on the top of the page. As always, you can contact Member Services at 1-800-945-8851 if you have any further questions.
Until you receive an invoice with the BetterLife logo, you should continue to pay as you do today.
Yes, following the system conversion this fall and once you receive a premium notice with the BetterLife logo, please mail payments to:
BetterLife
PO Box 2937
Milwaukee, WI 53201-2937
No, we’ll take care of it! We will automatically convert your information into the BetterLife system.
Sons of Norway insurance policies will become BetterLife insurance certificates. Please keep all of your Sons of Norway certificate documents. Once the transition is finalized, we will send you an amendment to your insurance certificate to finalize the change to BetterLife.
No, we’ll simply send you a certificate endorsement to be attached to your current certificate. No need for a new certificate.
Yes! Once we finalize the system conversion at the end of 2026, you can set up a user account on the BetterLife member portal. Through this portal, you can access your certificate status, premium information, certificate cash values, and more. We’ll keep you updated on when and how to join the BetterLife member portal. Until then you may continue to access this information on sofn.com.
Yes, if you are currently on waiver of premium, your benefits will continue automatically, and all claim information will be forwarded to BetterLife. Rest assured, we’ll keep the claim process easy, with timely payments when you need the benefits the most.
BetterLife will work with our Sons of Norway FBCs to help them determine the path to become appointed with BetterLife and gain access to the suite of products available.
Sons of Norway agents are invited to join the BetterLife family. If your agent chooses to become a BetterLife agent, they will be able to access and service your certificate. Feel free to call Member Services at 1-800-945-8851 to inquire about your agent’s status.
No, we don’t expect there to be delays. We will continue to serve you with the same caring and timely service our members have come to expect.
Following the system conversion this fall, all communications regarding your certificate and member benefits will come from BetterLife. Keep an eye out for our blue and yellow logo!
You can explore the variety of life insurance and annuity products we offer at www.betterlifeins.com, or call our Member Services Team at
1-800-779-1936 to request to speak to an agent about the products we offer.
Yes. Call our Member Services Team at 1-800-779-1936 to request to speak to an agent who will be happy to talk through the best financial protection options for you or your family.
You can explore the variety of life insurance and annuity products we offer at www.betterlifeins.com, or call our Member Services Team at
1-800-779-1936 to request to speak to an agent about the products we offer.