Demo

Disability Income Underwriting Specialist

Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual Salary
Milwaukee, WI Full Time
POSTED ON 4/12/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/12/2026

Please Note:

  • The recruitment process for this position is expected to take approximately 6 to 10 weeks.

    The recruitment process for this position is expected to take approximately 6 to 10 weeks.
  • This role will start on 06/29/26

    This role will start on 06/29/26
  • To support successful onboarding, we require full attendance during the classroom training. PTO is restricted July 13 - Oct 30. If you have scheduled PTO, please discuss this with the interview team, if selected for an interview.

    To support successful onboarding, we require full attendance during the classroom training. PTO is restricted July 13 - Oct 30. If you have scheduled PTO, please discuss this with the interview team, if selected for an interview.

Summary

Join our team as an entry-level underwriter in a dynamic and supportive environment. This role offers the opportunity to apply your critical thinking, drive for results, adaptive communication, and relationship building skills, as you learn the art of underwriting risk assessment from the best in the business. Through our comprehensive training program, you'll develop the essential skills needed to excel in a fast-paced production environment focused on quality risk assessment, and exceptional field and client service. Bring your enthusiasm and be part of a collaborative team driving innovation solutions.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Field & Client Experience.
  • 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.

Underwriting

  • 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 (Northwestern Mutual) 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.

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.

Candidates must successfully complete and pass any required testing.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$60,880.00

Pay Range - End:

$91,320.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$66,960.00 USD - $100,440.00 USD

Structure 115:

$70,000.00 USD - $105,000.00 USD

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.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages diversity in the workforce. 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.

Skills

Underwriting Ecosystem (NM) - Beginner, Mortality, Morbidity, & Risk Analysis (NM) - Beginner, Technical & Digital Acumen (NM) - Intermediate, Customer Support (NM) - Beginner, Negotiation & Managing Objection (NM) - Beginner, Underwriting Practices (NM) - Beginner, Adaptive Communication (NM) - Beginner, Consulting (NM) - Intermediate, Insurance Acumen (NM) - Beginner, Information Gathering (NM) - Beginner, Learning Agility & Critical Thinking (NM) - Intermediate, Decision Making (NM) - Intermediate, Attention to Detail (NM) - Beginner, Information Optimization (NM) - Beginner, Change Adaptability (NM) - Intermediate, Reasoning (NM) - Beginner, Customer Centricity (NM) - Beginner, Data Application (NM) - Beginner

FIND YOUR FUTURE

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and our commitment to a culture of belonging.

  • Flexible work schedules
  • Concierge service
  • Comprehensive benefits
  • Employee resource groups

EEO/AA Employer/Vets/Disability

 

Salary : $60,880 - $91,320

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