Life Underwriter
Overview
At MassMutual, you’ll join a collaborative and forward-thinking team of underwriters from various backgrounds and areas of product expertise, who are motivated to shape the underwriting landscape. We combine ongoing digital transformation and robust risk-assessment with an enduring commitment to being a leading customer-centric company.
As a team, we are dedicated to inclusivity. We show courage and professionalism when advocating for projects that move the business forward and present healthy challenges to the status quo. As a company, we take a holistic and flexible approach to compensation and benefits. In short, we never settle for yesterday’s great things being our greatest.
Job Description
The Opportunity:
At MassMutual, we're transforming the future of life insurance underwriting through innovation, technology, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and advisors. As a Life Underwriter , you will play a critical role in evaluating complex life insurance risks, making sound mortality and financial assessments, and partnering with distribution and account management teams to deliver first-offer, best-offer outcomes. This is an opportunity to leverage your expertise while influencing underwriting strategy, supporting field partners, and helping families secure their financial futures.
Joining our team means becoming part of a collaborative, high-performing organization that values continuous learning, professional growth, and operational excellence. You'll work alongside experienced underwriting professionals, contribute to key strategic initiatives, mentor emerging talent, and help shape the evolution of underwriting through digital transformation and advanced decision-making tools. If you are a customer-focused underwriting leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about balancing risk management with an outstanding customer experience, we invite you to bring your talents to MassMutual and help us continue our mission of helping people protect the ones they love.
The Team:
The team here at MassMutual is composed of experienced underwriters supporting our MassMutual Financial Advisors (MMFA) and MassMutual Strategic Distributor (MMSD) channels. These organizations provide a variety of customer, advisor, and risk management services. The team culture is collaborative, cross-functional, and uses old and new technologies.
The Impact:
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Evaluate and handle all underwriting aspects of formal & informal life insurance applications
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Determine whether to accept, modify, or decline a risk through evaluation of an individual's medical history or physical condition, occupational hazard, and financial background.
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Deliver the best offer first to drive the sale and not just a decision.
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Provide efficient, quality service to third party firms, their staff and their advisors.
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Communicate effectively with customers to explain underwriting decisions and facilitate placement of business.
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Understand underwriting policies, guidelines, practices, and procedures.
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Influence and champion changes to improve processes while maintaining mortality expectations.
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Tailor communication style to fit a variety of target audiences, i.e. agency and new business personnel. Foster relationships with advisors and brokerage partners.
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Provide consultations with third party firms to resolve rate-related questions and discrepancies or risk-related concerns.
The Minimum Qualifications:
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High school diploma or GED.
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5+ years life insurance underwriting experience.
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$5+ million life insurance underwriting authority.
The Ideal Qualifications:
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10+ years underwriting experience.
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$10+ million dollar life insurance underwriting authority.
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Expert knowledge of all aspects of risk selection (medical, non-medical, financial).
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Mastery of key underwriting concepts, best practices, and procedures including identifying exposures to loss, material hazards, and implementation of necessary risk management controls.
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Strong knowledge of UW administrative systems, product rules, Underwriting Guidelines and medical factors impacting mortality and the keen ability to position with agents, brokers, and sales partners.
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Experience underwriting both term and permanent life insurance.
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Agency, brokerage distribution, banks or wire house underwriting experience.
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Reinsurance experience.
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Industry designations: FMLI, FALU, CLU, ChFC, etc.
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Demonstrated track record of working with minimal supervision, being a self-starter, and working with others in a team environment.
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Ability to think critically, problem solve using data to drive toward resolution.
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Positive, inclusive, agile, and collaborative mindset.
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Strong verbal and written communication skills.
What You Can Expect at MassMutual:
MassMutual offers the opportunity to do meaningful work within a purpose-driven organization that values long-term impact over short-term outcomes. In this role, you can expect:
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Clear areas of ownership and accountability, with work that connects directly to company and customer outcomes
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A collaborative environment where perspectives are welcomed
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Access to learning, development, and internal networks that support continuous growth and skill-building over time
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Employee-led communities and forums that foster connection, learning, and inclusion across the organization
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A culture grounded in integrity, responsibility, and stewardship—supported by a company with a strong legacy and a future-focused mindset
#LI-JLH3
#LI-Remote
MassMutual is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome all persons to apply.If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us and share the specifics of the assistance you need.
California residents: For detailed information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please visit our California Consumer Privacy Act Disclosures page.
MassMutual will accept applications on an ongoing basis until such time as a candidate has been offered employment. The job description includes the main duties of this position, which may evolve over time. You may be required to perform other duties not listed.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
Salary Range: $115,900-$152,100
Award-Winning Culture
MassMutual is guided by a single purpose: We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. As a company operated for the benefit of our members and participating policyowners, we are defined by mutuality and our vision to provide financial well-being for all Americans. It’s more than our company structure — it’s our way of life. We are a company of people protecting people. Our company exists because people are willing to share risk and resources and rely on each other when it counts.
We strive to build a thriving community where everyone is valued, included, and feels that they belong.
At MassMutual, we Live Mutual.
How We Work
MassMutual’s flexible workplace approach combines the importance of connecting in person and the flexibility of working remotely. Our hybrid model puts collaboration first with employees coming in at least three days per week to our spectacular campus settings and also enjoying the flexibility of remote Fridays, company-wide remote weeks, and a bank of flexible remote weeks to use throughout the year.
Benefits for the whole you (and your loved ones)
There’s more to your life than your job and there’s more to your aspirations than a paycheck. We take a holistic view of compensation and benefits that provides the flexibility to create a healthy balance in your life for work, family, and community. We offer the benefits you’d expect, like medical, dental, 401(k), and generous vacation time, but we also offer ones you might not expect, like three paid days for volunteering, a $1,250 annual Well-Being Wallet, and up to 320 hours of caregiver leave.
Explore some of our offerings below.
Paid Time Off
- In addition to generous vacation time, paid holidays, and flexible holidays, MassMutual offers 'take care' time to care for yourself or someone you love—whether for physical illness or mental health.
Health & Well-Being
In addition to top-line medical and dental coverage, personalized mental health solutions, on-site and virtual health coaching, and much more, MassMutual reimburses employees up to $1,250 per year for eligible expenses supporting mental, physical, and financial well-being.
Financial Well-Being
In addition to competitive salaries and bonuses, educational assistance programs, and much more, MassMutual offers up to a 10% total 401(k) benefit, consisting of a 5% company match and a 5% annual contribution.
Taking Care
MassMutual offers generous maternity and parental leaves, as well as bereavement leave to mourn the loss of a loved one (and the employee defines 'loved one'). In addition, we offer up to 320 hours of caregiver leave to help employees support loved ones in times of need.
Giving Back
MassMutual offers three paid days for employees to volunteer with eligible nonprofits of their choice, and the MassMutual Foundation matches employee donation dollars to eligible nonprofit organizations up to $5,000 annually.
Commuter Benefits
MassMutual offers a Qualified Commuter Program through which eligible employees can pay qualified workplace commuting expenses with before-tax dollars, as well as a commuter wallet option for employees based at Boston and NYC campuses.
