When Mutual of Omaha first went into business in 1909, it was only authorized to issue health and accident insurance within its home state of Nebraska. In 1920, it expanded operations to sell insurance in 15 states, and in 1926, it incorporated the United Benefit Life Insurance Company to begin selling a variety of group and individual life insurance, pension, and annuity products. By 1940, Mutual of Omaha was licensed to operate as a life insurance provider throughout the United States and many of its territories.