Full-Time

Senior Life Underwriting Specialist

Posted on 5/9/2026

Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual

10,001+ employees

Mutual insurance and financial planning

Compensation Overview

$61.5k - $114.3k/yr

Company Historically Provides H1B Sponsorship

Wisconsin, USA

Remote

Category
Finance & Banking (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred (implied as qualification).
  • 1.5 years of traditional underwriting experience.
  • Analytical skills with the ability to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment in the application of rules.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to handle confidential information, and exercise tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness.
  • Proficient in computer skills and using various software packages.
  • Ability to work accurately while maintaining speed and flexibility in a team and independent production environment.
  • Highly organized with the ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Displays agility to manage multiple tasks and adapt in a changing work environment.
  • LI-Remote or LI-Hybrid
Responsibilities
  • Field and Client Experience duties including building credible relationships with field and customer, responding to case appeals/inquiries, assisting with placing business, and guiding Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Financial Representatives regarding case underwriting and risk appraisal.
  • Prescreen inquiries.
  • Underwriting duties including analysis and appraisal of a broad range of insurance applications, approving, classifying, or declining applications for various ages and policy amounts with guidance as needed.
  • Independently reviews applications and adheres to underwriting standards and demonstrates an intermediate level of experience with Northwestern Mutual product types and changes.
  • Develops change agility while maintaining mortality and morbidity expectations.
  • Demonstrates continuous learning through early adoption of new ways of underwriting.
  • Develops proficiency with Reinsurance programs and determining where to best place a case.
  • Underwrites applications, maintaining industry-leading mortality and morbidity giving the best possible offer that can be made, provides active case and requirement management and customized service with guidance.
  • Communicates and negotiates with Field Partners to explain modified or declined decisions and assist in policy placement.
  • Develops proficiency in financial, medical, and lay underwriting assessments and provides innovative solutions to keep Northwestern Mutual as the choice of our customers.
  • Utilizes digital health data, Internet searches, direct contact with the insured, and communication with third party advisors with limited guidance.
  • Discusses cases with peer reviewers with medical and technical staff as needed.
  • Understands and meets all quality, service, and production goals.
  • Solves issues and escalations with guidance as needed.
  • Partners with Underwriting Support for case management.
  • May serve as underwriting representative for product process improvement in collaboration with functional partners; participates in other projects as needed.
Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
  • Remote or Hybrid work arrangement (#LI-Remote or LI-Hybrid)

Northwestern Mutual provides financial planning, insurance, and investment services as a mutual company owned by policyholders. It offers life, disability, and long-term care insurance plus investment products and wealth management, with financial advisors crafting personalized plans for retirement, estate, and wealth goals. The company differentiates itself through policyholder ownership that aligns interests with clients and a focus on long-term advisory relationships beyond insurance. Its goal is to help clients achieve financial security and growth through a long-term financial partnership.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Founded

1856

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $400 billion retail investment assets fuel cross-selling of wealth management products.
  • Nearly $2.5 billion monthly cash flow supports acquisitions into alternative investments.
  • Scholarships and $3 million housing pledges boost brand loyalty among younger generations.

What critics are saying

  • NAIC PBR 2.0 drains $3-5 billion surplus from $50 billion LTC book by June 2026.
  • Quantum breaches crack symmetric encryption on $400 billion assets by 2028, sparking lawsuits.
  • SEC Reg BI fines exceed $500 million against 8,000 advisors for annuity cross-selling in 2026.

What makes Northwestern Mutual unique

  • Mutual structure delivers record $9.2 billion 2026 dividend payout to policyholders.
  • 8,000 full-time advisors enable personalized financial planning for long-term client relationships.
  • $2.5 trillion death benefits in force cement largest U.S. individual life insurer position.

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Benefits

Growing your Career

Compensation & Time Off

Insurance plans

Health Savings Account

Wellness programs & resources

401(k) plan and cash balance contributions

Company News

PR Newswire
Apr 14th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual pledges $3M+ to build 90 affordable homes in Milwaukee's Amani neighborhood

Northwestern Mutual has committed more than $3 million over three years to construct over 90 affordable homes in Milwaukee's Amani neighbourhood. The investment supports the company's goal of completing 500 affordable homes in Milwaukee by 2030. The funding is part of the City of Milwaukee's 2026 "Year of Housing" initiative and involves partnerships with Dominican Center, Amani United, Community Development Alliance, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and other local organisations. In Amani, where over 64% of homes were built before 1940 and only 32% of residents own homes, the project aims to expand homeownership and economic advancement. Since 2020, Northwestern Mutual has provided more than $10 million in housing grants across Milwaukee, supporting new construction, repairs, counselling and food access.

PR Newswire
Mar 25th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual ranks 6th independent broker-dealer with $400B+ assets under management

Northwestern Mutual has been ranked sixth among the nation's independent broker-dealers by Financial Advisor magazine, maintaining its streak of top-10 placements for over a decade. The company's gross revenue reached nearly $3.5 billion at the end of 2025, up more than 15% year-over-year. Client assets under management now exceed $400 billion, whilst wealth sales increased more than 18% year-over-year, marking the third consecutive record high. The company's advisor network has grown to over 8,000 full-time advisors and 11,500 team members. In 2025, Northwestern Mutual added over 3,400 new financial representatives in a record recruiting year. The company, which has been operating for more than 165 years, manages more than $780 billion in total assets and serves over five million people.

The Associated Press
Mar 24th, 2026
Sabina Khoja appointed managing director at Northwestern Mutual after 10 years in financial services

Sabina Khoja, a financial advisor with over a decade of experience, has been appointed managing director at Northwestern Mutual, marking a significant milestone in an industry where women remain vastly underrepresented in leadership. Khoja began her career directly out of college, an exceptionally uncommon pathway among financial services leaders. The appointment follows ten years of consistent performance and practice growth, including recognition through a Forbes-ranked advisory practice. In her new role, Khoja will formally grow and lead a team of advisors, focusing on mentorship and expanding access to financial services in underserved markets whilst developing Northwestern Mutual's Atlanta district presence. Research shows women represent a small percentage of financial advisors, with fewer still remaining beyond ten years or reaching leadership positions.

PR Newswire
Mar 23rd, 2026
Northwestern Mutual sees 35% increase in Barron's Top 1,500 advisors, managing $780B in assets

Northwestern Mutual announced that 23 of its financial advisors were included in Barron's Top 1,500 list, representing a 35% increase from 2025. The prestigious, data-driven ranking evaluates advisors on assets, revenue, growth, client retention, experience and regulatory records. The company's field force has grown to more than 8,000 full-time advisors, the largest in its nearly 170-year history. In 2025, Northwestern Mutual recruited over 3,400 new financial representatives, marking its 14th consecutive year of growing veteran advisor numbers. Northwestern Mutual manages more than $780 billion in total assets and delivers financial security to over five million people through insurance, annuities and investment services. The company ranked 109 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list.

PR Newswire
Feb 25th, 2026
Northwestern Mutual hits record $40B revenue, $10B operating gain and $42B surplus in 2025

Northwestern Mutual has announced record 2025 financial results, with revenue exceeding $40 billion for the first time and operating gain surpassing $10 billion. The company's total surplus grew by over $2 billion to exceed $42 billion, driven by strong investment performance and business fundamentals. The Milwaukee-based financial services company declared a record dividend payout of $9.2 billion for 2026, marking a $2.4 billion increase over three years. Northwestern Mutual maintained its position as the largest direct provider of individual life insurance, with nearly $2.5 trillion in death benefits in force. Retail investment client assets reached an all-time high, eclipsing $400 billion. The company's network of financial advisors grew to a record 8,000 full-time advisors. Northwestern Mutual has earned elite financial strength ratings from all four major ratings agencies for 35 consecutive years.