About Us
Our company's mission, values and goals are expressed the Aetna Inc. The Aetna Inc way encompasses our shared sense of purpose and provides clarity as we pursue our operational and strategic goals.
Aetna Insurance Company organized an annuity fund to sell life insurance in 1850. In 1853 the Annuity department separated from Aetna Insurance and incorporated as Aetna Life Insurance Company. The company's first president is Eliphalet A. Bulkeley. The "Aetna" name had been retained to take advantage of the good reputation of the original Aetna. The name was inspired by an 11,000-foot volcano on the eastern shores of Sicily, Mt. Etna, which was the most active volcano in Europe.
In 1861 Aetna began offering participating life insurance policies, which paid dividends to policyholders just as the mutual did, but gave Aetna the ability to better compete in the marketplace. Aetna launched its new product with an aggressive promotional effort, which included higher commission rates for agents