Associate Underwriter

New York Life Insurance Co.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

New York Life Insurance Co. seeks an Associate Underwriter to evaluate life insurance applications and in-force cases, applying medical and nonmedical data and predictive models to determine risk and decisions.

You will be mentored and trained to develop underwriting expertise and professional judgment within established authority. You will manage underwriting tasks, communicate requirements to agents and General Office staff, and stay current with rules, models, and mortality trends to ensure

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Decision making

Strong communication

Customer service

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Role Overview

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 nonmedical 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.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

What You’ll Bring

Required Skills

• 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.

Job Level

LEVELPF2

Pay Transparency

Salary Range: $65,000-$92,500

Overtime eligible: Exempt

Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes

Sales bonus eligible: No

Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Please note: This role requires FINRA licensed and/or FINRA Associated Person pre-hire fingerprinting.

Our Benefits

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Based on feedback from our employees, we continue to refine and add benefits to our offering, so that you can flourish both inside and outside of work.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At New York Life, fostering an inclusive workplace is fundamental to who we are and how we serve our communities. We have a longstanding commitment to creating an environment where individuals can contribute their best and succeed together. This foundation is rooted in our core values of humanity and integrity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported. By embracing a broad range of perspectives and experiences, we achieve greater success and fulfill our promise of providing financial security and peace of mind to families across all communities.

Fortune’s World Most Admired Companies Recognition

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners.