Disability Income Underwriting Specialist

Candidates should anticipate a 10–12 week hiring process, with an expected start date of February 1, 2027

Summary 

Builds strong relationships with financial advisors and internal business partners to support the insurance application process. Uses critical thinking and sound judgment to make informed decisions while providing excellent service. Ensures work is completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with department standards in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities 

• Builds strong relationships with financial advisors, customers, and internal business partners to support the insurance application process. 
• Communicates with customers and financial professionals to answer questions, provide updates, and ensure a positive experience throughout the application process. 
• Serves as a resource for financial advisors by providing guidance on insurance applications, coverage considerations, and application requirements. 
• Reviews preliminary inquiries and available information to help determine whether an application may be eligible for insurance coverage and identify any additional information that may be needed. 
• Collaborates with internal teams and external partners to gather information, resolve issues, and support timely decision-making. 
• Delivers responsive, high-quality service while ensuring work is completed accurately and efficiently. 

Underwriting 

• Reviews insurance applications and customer information to help determine eligibility and coverage options. 
• Evaluates financial, health, and occupational information using company guidelines and training. 
• Manages applications throughout the review process, gathering information and tracking outstanding requirements. 
• Communicates with financial advisors and business partners to explain decisions and answer questions. 
• Collaborates with medical, technical, and operational teams to support accurate and timely decisions. 
• Uses a variety of information sources to assess applications and make informed recommendations. 
• Ensures compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and quality standards. 
• Meets productivity and quality goals while supporting process improvements and resolving issues as they arise. 

Qualifications

• A 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. 
• Comfortable making timely, well-reasoned underwriting decisions in situations where information may be incomplete, complex, or open to interpretation. 
• Able to connect multiple data points, think critically through grey areas, and solve complex problems without falling into delayed decision making.  
• Demonstrates accountability by seeking guidance when appropriate while confidently making and owning final decisions. 

Skills You Have:

• Learning Agility & Critical Thinking: Learns from experience, applies feedback, connects information from different sources, and uses sound judgment when the answer is not immediately clear.
• Decision Making: Assesses available information, recognizes risk, and makes timely decisions without needing every detail.
• Adaptive Communication: Explains complex information clearly and adjusts the message based on the audience and situation.
• Negotiation & Managing Objections: Navigates difficult conversations, explains the reasoning behind decisions, and works toward practical outcomes.
• Change Adaptability: Remains open to new processes, systems, feedback, and ways of working while maintaining accuracy and productivity.

Compensation Range:

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We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.