[Remote] Disability Income Underwriting Specialist at Northwestern Mutual

Wisconsin, United States

Northwestern Mutual Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Entry Level & New Grad, Junior (1 to 2 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Insurance, Financial ServicesIndustries

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and 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, 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 and the ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines
  • Displays agility to manage multiple tasks and adapt in a changing work environment
  • Candidates must successfully complete and pass any required testing

Responsibilities

  • Builds relationships with Financial Advisors and internal partners
  • Develops the skills necessary to successfully underwrite disability insurance policies in an inclusive and fast-paced environment ensuring all quality, service and production goals are met
  • Responsible for credible and effective relations and communications with field and customers
  • Provides guidance and assistance to the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Financial Representatives regarding case underwriting and risk appraisal
  • Responsible for prescreen inquiries, with guidance
  • Responsible for the analysis and appraisal of a broad range of insurance applications; approves, classifies, or declines applications for various ages and policy amounts with guidance
  • Demonstrates a basic understanding of application review and adherence to underwriting standards, NM product types and changes
  • Develops and demonstrates change agility while maintaining mortality and morbidity expectations
  • Demonstrates continuous learning through the early adoption of new ways of underwriting
  • Develops a basic understanding of financial, medical, and lay underwriting assessments and reinsurance programs
  • Underwrites applications, maintaining industry-leading mortality and morbidity giving the best possible offer that can be made
  • Provides active case and requirement management and provides customized service with guidance
  • Communicates & negotiates with Field Partners to explain modified or declined decisions & assist in policy placement
  • Actively utilizes the most effective means to obtain the necessary information, including Internet searches, digital health data, direct contact with the insured, and communication with third party advisors (Accountants, Attorneys, etc.), with guidance
  • Responsible for adherence to procedures and regulatory processes
  • Understands and meets all quality, service, and production goals
  • Solve issues & escalations with guidance
  • Discusses cases with peer reviewers, medical and technical staff, as needed
  • Partners with Underwriting Support for case management
  • May serve as underwriting representative for improvement in product process w/collaboration w/functional partners

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Disability Insurance UnderwritingRisk AppraisalUnderwriting StandardsFinancial UnderwritingMedical UnderwritingCase ManagementReinsuranceRegulatory ComplianceClient CommunicationInternet Research

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Disability Income Underwriting Specialist role?

A bachelor's degree is preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Key skills include analytical abilities for independent decisions, excellent written and oral communication, proficiency in computer skills, and the ability to work accurately in a fast-paced team environment.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the work environment like at Northwestern Mutual for this position?

The role is in an inclusive and fast-paced environment, involving teamwork with Financial Advisors, internal partners, peer reviewers, and underwriting support while meeting quality, service, and production goals.

What makes a strong candidate for this underwriting specialist position?

Strong candidates demonstrate analytical skills, excellent communication, computer proficiency, organization, and agility in managing multiple tasks in a production environment. Experience or ability to build relationships with financial advisors and handle confidential information with tact is key.

Northwestern Mutual

Provides financial security services, and wealth management

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual offers personalized financial planning, life insurance, and investment services, leveraging leading-edge technology to manage over $125 billion in client assets for more than 4.5 million clients.

Milwaukee, WisconsinHeadquarters
1856Year Founded
N/ACompany Stage
Consulting, Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Growing your Career
Compensation & Time Off
Insurance plans
Health Savings Account
Wellness programs & resources
401(k) plan and cash balance contributions

Risks

Fintech platforms like Carefull challenge traditional financial advisory services.
Internal competition may arise from Wellthi's focus on the Black community.
Customer dissatisfaction may grow due to increased retirement age expectations.

Differentiation

Northwestern Mutual maintains the highest financial strength ratings in the industry.
The company launched 'The Great Realization' campaign to refocus customer priorities.
Northwestern Mutual offers a unique Long-Term Advantage product with life insurance benefits.

Upsides

The aging population increases demand for retirement planning and long-term care solutions.
Partnerships with tech firms enhance Northwestern Mutual's data analytics capabilities.
Digital transformation in insurance leads to more personalized customer experiences.

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