New York Life Insurance Company, the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and a Fortune 500 company, was founded in 1845 in New York City. Theodore A. “Ted” Mathas served as the company’s 18th Chief Executive Officer from July 2008 to April 2022 and as Chairman of the Board from 2009 to April 2023. During his 14-year tenure as CEO, Mathas steered New York Life through the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic while tripling the company’s assets under management to over $750 billion and maintaining the highest possible financial strength ratings from all four major rating agencies.

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Ted Mathas – Quick Facts

New York Life Competitors

New York Life Insurance Company, as the largest mutual life insurer in the United States, competes with a mix of mutual and publicly traded insurance companies. The key competitors of New York Life include:

• Northwestern Mutual – largest U.S. life insurer by market share (6.76%); fellow mutual company
• MetLife (NYSE: MET) – global insurance giant with 6.35% U.S. market share
• Prudential Financial (NYSE: PRU) – diversified insurer with 6.15% market share
• MassMutual – major mutual life insurer and top-5 competitor
• Guardian Life – mutual insurer consistently ranked among the best
• TIAA – nonprofit financial services leader in retirement and education
• Nationwide – diversified Fortune 100 insurer
• Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC) – annuities, life insurance, and retirement plans

Ted Mathas Net Worth 2026 – New York Life CEO Salary

As of 2026, Ted Mathas’s net worth is estimated at approximately $15–25 million USD. As the former chairman and CEO of a mutual insurance company, Mathas’s compensation was not disclosed through SEC filings the way publicly traded companies report. However, New York Life is required to file executive compensation data with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) as part of its annual statutory filings.

During his tenure, Mathas was one of the highest-paid executives in the mutual insurance industry. His base salary was reported at over $250,000, with total compensation — including bonuses, deferred compensation, and retirement benefits — estimated to be significantly higher, in line with CEOs of comparably sized insurers.

Estimated Compensation Overview (Final Years as CEO)

New York Life Net Worth 2026 – Company Financial Strength

New York Life posted record financial results for 2024, underscoring the company’s position as the financially strongest mutual life insurer in the United States. The company ranks #69 on the 2025 Fortune 500 with approximately $27 billion in revenue.

New York Life Financial Summary (2024)

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New York Life CEO Email Address | Ted Mathas Contact

Ted Mathas retired from New York Life in April 2023. Below are his professional contact details and the company’s general contact information:

Career & Education – Company, University, & College

Ted Mathas spent his entire 28-year corporate career at New York Life Insurance Company, rising from an entry-level officer position in 1995 to become the company’s 18th CEO and Chairman. His steady ascent through multiple divisions gave him deep knowledge of the company’s insurance, agency, and investment operations.

Ted Mathas Career Timeline

Mathas joined New York Life in 1995 as an officer in the Asset Management Department. He quickly rose through leadership roles in the company’s subsidiaries, serving as President of Eagle Strategies Corp and NYLIFE Securities Inc. from 1996 to 1997. By 1999, he was leading the Agency Department, and in 2001 he took charge of the Life and Annuity business as COO.

In 2004, Mathas was promoted to Executive Vice President and Co-head of U.S. Insurance Operations. Two years later, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board. He became President in July 2007 and succeeded Sy Sternberg as CEO on July 1, 2008 — just months before the global financial crisis. He was additionally elected Chairman in June 2009.

After retiring from New York Life in April 2023, Mathas joined Stone Ridge Holdings Group as a Senior Advisor and was named Chairman of the LifeX Board of Advisors, a groundbreaking retirement-focused mutual fund initiative. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, teaching a course on Leadership, Decision-Making and Culture.

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Education

Ted Mathas Wiki – Age, Wife, Family, & More

Ted Mathas (age 58 as of 2026) was born in 1967 in Norfolk, Virginia, to a Greek-American family. He is a third-generation Greek American, and growing up, life for the Mathas family revolved around their Greek church and community. His parents ran a small business, which afforded them an upper middle-class life in an extended-family household. He lives with his wife Keryn Mathas and their three children in Armonk, New York.

Notable Achievements & Recognitions

• Longest-serving CEO in recent NYL history – Led New York Life for 14 years (2008–2022), guiding the company through the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic
• Tripled Assets Under Management – Grew AUM from ~$250 billion to over $750 billion during his tenure
• Highest Financial Strength Ratings – Maintained the highest possible ratings from all four major agencies (A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s)
• American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) – Served as Chairman of the Board (2021)
• Business Roundtable – Active member shaping U.S. business policy
• Honorary Doctorate – Awarded by the American Museum of Natural History Gilder Graduate School for contributions to science advocacy and education
• Vice Chair, American Museum of Natural History – Board leadership role
• Adjunct Professor, UVA School of Law – Teaches Leadership, Decision-Making and Culture
• Diversity Advocate – Known for championing diversity and inclusion at New York Life

Mathas is a dedicated advocate for diversity in the workplace and company values. He has served on multiple boards, including the American Museum of Natural History (Vice Chair), and has been recognized for his contributions to science education and advocacy.

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About New York Life Insurance Company

New York Life Insurance Company is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. Founded in 1845, the company is headquartered at 51 Madison Avenue, New York City. As a mutual company, New York Life is owned by its participating policyholders rather than shareholders, which allows it to focus on long-term stability over short-term profits.

New York Life has over 12,000 agents and advisors, approximately $808 billion in assets under management, and $1.2 trillion in individual life insurance in force. The company holds the highest financial strength ratings from all four major rating agencies: AAA from A.M. Best, AA+ from Standard & Poor’s, Aaa from Moody’s, and AAA from Fitch. In 2024, the company declared a record $2.5 billion dividend to its participating policyholders for 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is Ted Mathas and what was his role at New York Life?

Theodore A. “Ted” Mathas served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of New York Life Insurance Company from 2008 to 2022 (CEO) and 2009 to 2023 (Chairman). He was the company’s 18th CEO and led it for 14 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in recent company history. He retired in April 2023 after a 28-year career at the company.

What is Ted Mathas’s net worth in 2026?

As of 2026, Ted Mathas’s net worth is estimated at $15–25 million USD. Precise figures are not publicly available because New York Life is a mutual company that does not file detailed executive compensation through the SEC. His wealth is derived from decades of executive-level compensation at one of the largest insurers in the world.

Who replaced Ted Mathas as CEO of New York Life?

Craig DeSanto succeeded Ted Mathas as CEO of New York Life on April 16, 2022, and was additionally elected Chairman of the Board effective April 15, 2023. DeSanto previously served as President and had been with New York Life for over two decades. You can read more about him on our Craig DeSanto profile page.

What is Ted Mathas doing now after retiring from New York Life?

Since retiring from New York Life, Ted Mathas serves as a Senior Advisor at Stone Ridge Holdings Group and as Chairman of the LifeX Board of Advisors, a groundbreaking retirement-focused mutual fund initiative. He also teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he offers a course on Leadership, Decision-Making and Culture.

Where did Ted Mathas go to college?

Ted Mathas graduated from Stanford University with an A.B. degree, with distinction, in 1989. He then earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1992, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review and the Order of the Coif.

Is New York Life a publicly traded company?

No, New York Life is not publicly traded. It is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States, meaning it is owned by its participating policyholders rather than shareholders. Founded in 1845, the company has remained mutual throughout its 180-year history. It ranks #69 on the 2025 Fortune 500 with approximately $27 billion in revenue.

Article last updated:January 2026March 2, 2026