Associate Underwriter

New York Life•New York, NY

57d•$72,000 - $82,000•Remote

About The Position

Reporting to a Team Manager, the Associate Underwriter is responsible for evaluating new life insurance applications and in force cases with a focus on quality standards, timeliness, and productivity to determine whether an application should be approved, declined or if additional information is required. Associate Underwriters receive ongoing training, coaching and mentorship designed to develop technical underwriting expertise and decision-making skills. Associate Underwriters are granted authority to assess cases with a 2-year total amount at risk of $1,000,000 or less. Working within a team, the Associate Underwriter shares work within assigned General Offices. The Associate Underwriter relies on medical and non-medical Underwriting guidelines, claims data, prescription database information, and predictive models to independently evaluate an applicant’s risk classification. They are expected to evaluate an applicant’s overall risk profile, not simply summing the total from individual risk factors. Due to the complexity associated with multiple conditions, at times they may be required to make assessments absent specific direction from Underwriting guidelines and make use of critical thinking skills and professional judgment. Technical Leads, Medical Directors, and Team Managers are available for consult as necessary, but Associate Underwriters are expected to make an assessment recommendation. Underwriters will be required to manage agent interactions related to ratings and appeals, document their decisions, and support business objectives while maintaining mortality risk selection.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate information and make sound decisions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate decisions and influence stakeholders.
Strong customer service orientation with the ability to deliver timely and professional support.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail.
Proficiency with technology and a willingness to learn new systems, digital tools, and data-driven approaches.
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply complex concepts, policies, and procedures in a structured environment
FINRA licensed and/or FINRA Associated Person pre-hire fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

Evaluate life insurance applications and accurately classify mortality risk using medical and nonmedical information for cases with a 2-year TAAR of up to $1 million, including cases involving Attending Physician Statements and complex medical histories.
Apply established underwriting knowledge while continuing to develop technical expertise through ongoing training, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities.
Communicate underwriting requirements, application updates, reinsurance considerations, reconsideration requests and final decisions to agents and General Office personnel through both written and verbal interactions with a high degree of professionalism and clarity.
Maintain a strong understanding of underwriting systems, product rules, medical advances, and mortality trends to support accurate and consistent decision-making.
Support adoption and effective use of underwriting models, rules engines, and emerging tools by applying judgment and ensuring alignment with guidelines and risk philosophy.
Independently manage assigned underwriting cases within established authority, seeking consultation when case complexity or risk exceeds established authority.