BetterLife, CSA merger brings organizations with Czech-Slovak roots together

BetterLife and CSA Fraternal Life have announced plans to merge, forming one fraternal benefit organization with roots in the Czech-Slovak commuity

The two Midwest-based insurance providers will merge in 2025, pending approval by CSA delegates and regulatory authorities.

The two organizations have complementary membership footprints, a focus on community wellness and a strong Czech–Slovak heritage.

CSA Fraternal Life is the nation's oldest active fraternal benefit society, established in 1854 with its home office in Lombard, Ill. It has a membership of 16,000 with 59 lodges in 21 states. BetterLife was established in 1897 and has its home office in Madison, Wis. Its 55,000 members are located among 81 lodges in 20 states.

CSA will retain its brand

Under the merger agreement, CSA will be wholly managed by BetterLife but retain its brand and existing member group structure, processes and events. CSA’s current employees will continue to serve its members as part of BetterLife. John Kielczewski, CSA president and CEO, will join BetterLife as senior vice president of fraternal development and continue to expand the organization's presence and support in the Czech, Slovak and Eastern European communities.

For BetterLife, the merger would increase its footprint to 26 states, providing opportunities for future expansion. CSA would add an additional 21 lodges in markets where BetterLife has no presence.

Chris Campbell, BetterLife CEO and board chair, told InsuranceNewsNet there are 40 fraternal benefit societies across the U.S. BetterLife and CSA complement each other because they both serve the same ethnic group and have Midwestern roots.

“Many of the Czech-Slovak organizations in this country can trace their roots back to CSA, and now they will become part of our story,” he said.

A platform 'to explore additional mergers'

“We do love our overall brand, the BetterLife brand, but we want to maintain and celebrate the CSA brand because it speaks to a lot of the identity of our existing members, and I think it creates a platform for us to continue to explore additional mergers.”

BetterLife will provide the CSA brand with its administrative platform, and the two organizations will combine investment management, policy administration systems, pricing, actuarial support, finance functions, and all other information technology systems, Campbell said.

The merger with CSA will enable BetterLife to expand its footprint into seven states and the District of Columbia.

BetterLife “does its best work in small towns in rural America,” Campbell said, with most of its members living in communities with fewer than 10,000 people.

“We help bring those communities together,” he said, adding that many of BetterLife’s and CSA’s communities have their own lodge halls that are social centers in their towns.

A focus on community

The focus on community inspired BetterLife to create its “BetterLife Connect” program, rolling out in Wisconsin and across its full 20 states of coverage.

BetterLife Connect opens BetterLife local community groups to all residents, regardless of whether they participate in the organization's insurance and financial services. These local community groups independently meet for social events, host community celebrations, and identify and execute projects to improve their communities.

Along with participation in local groups, BetterLife Connect members will have access to

• An online portal to chat and stay informed about area events.
• Virtual events with prizes as well as opportunities to connect online with other members.
• BetterLife member publications.
• Optimity Wellness app, where members can set health and wellness goals and receive personalized coaching and interactive resources.

“I think that in a time in this country when there's been a lot of concern and dialog around social isolation and the breakdown of social connection, BetterLife and organizations like ours can help retie some of that social fabric, re-knit it and bring communities together,” Campbell said. “We often say BetterLife means belonging, and we want to create a sense of belonging in a community.”

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at susan.rupe@innfeedback.com.