Great for people who value personal time more than money - Anonymous employee Empower Employee Review

2.0
Jul 29, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great-west is fantastic in terms of its demands on you. People rarely work more than 40 hours (except a few depts, which seem understaffed) a week so it's really great for people with families who don't want to focus on work. This is an incredibly fiscally conservative company and so there is no history of layoffs.

Cons

If you are motivated and ambitious this is not the place for you. Our average raise this year was 1.75%. It is in the company policy that you can not get more than 10% a year, even for a promotion. So if you get a 1% merit increase you can only get a 9% maximum raise if you get promoted. I know this goes as high as VP. Not sure if it's applicable to SVPs and up. Also, you might expect an employee benefits company to provide great benefits for their employees. Great-west doesn't. I have heard it costs appx $5,000 out if pocket to have a baby. And our 401(k) plan is unbelievably average (4% match, no profit sharing).

Explore other reviews about Empower

5.0
May 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work, lots of growth opportunity

Cons

None right now, the pace of change can be challenging to some

5.0
Jun 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Many smart people genuinely want to grow & succeed; An excellent long term strategic vision backed by long term oriented investors; Ample growth opportunities at a business that is very well positioned for long term growth. Leaders that genuinely care about their people. Remote work is truly an advantage - just the lack of a commute makes a large difference. Opportunity to be at the ground level of a company that will develop a much stronger national brand over the next decade.

Cons

Delivery & Execution are areas that are truly challenging in the high growth/evolutionary environment that Empower is in today. Cultural changes are happening within the business that create some competing priorities, though Sr. Leaders continue to lead through this. Working with people across the US means don't expect a normal schedule - early / late starts and working lunches are the norm.

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