Pros
This website does not differentiate between two types of jobs with NM. Here is the difference Financial Rep - a self employed independent contractor licensed to sell NM products and services. This person is not an employee of NM. Home Office Employee - an employee of Northwestern Mutual or a subsidiary, but none of these people sell anything. There is a big difference between being an employee and an independent contractor.
Cons
Financial Rep business is very tough - only one in ten make it to five years. You eat what you kill and get paid on commission. You need to have a lot of self-motivation to make it. Home Office is a giant bureaucratic mess. It works well if you just want to keep your head down and punch the clock, but if you have career aspirations, be prepared for politics, brown nosing and back stabbing.