Life insurance is a big business in many part of the world. For example, in many European countries life insurance policies are preferred by consumers over other financial products such as equities.In France and Germany people have more of their retirement in insurance products than equities.Similarly Japanese also invest in life insurance policies for their retirement needs. Outside of the U.S. some of the largest life insurance firms are based in Europe. In Emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, etc. the life insurance industry is growing as the industry tries to raise awareness and try to gain market share.Many of the life insurers are solid well-established firms with millions of loyal customers. They also deliver decent returns to their investors.

While having life insurance is important one can also invest in stocks of life insurance companies for diversification and dividend income.

Some of the largest global life insurance firms are listed below with their current dividend yields:

1.Company: Prudential Financial (PUK)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.04%
Country: UK

2.Company: Legal & General Group (LGGNY)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.99%
Country: UK

3.Company: Aegon (AEG)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.05%
Country: The Netherlands

4.Company: Manulife Financial (MFC)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.38%
Country: Canada

5.Company: Aviva (AV)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.11%
Country: UK

6.Company: China Life Insurance (LFC)
Current Dividend Yield: 1.25%
Country: China

7.Company: ING Groep (ING)
Current Dividend Yield: Dividends not paid
Country: The Netherlands

8.Company: Allianz SE (AZSEY)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.33%
Country: Germany

9.Company: AXA Group (AXAHY)
Current Dividend Yield: 4.73%
Country: France

10.Company: Sanlam (SLLDY)
Current Dividend Yield: 3.11%
Country: South Africa

Note: Dividend yields noted above are as of Feb 3, 2015. Data is known to be accurate from sources used.Please use your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Disclosure: Long AXAHY, ING