MassMutual reviews

3.5

54% would recommend to a friend

(2,382 total reviews)
avatar

Roger W. Crandall

71% approve of CEO

53% positive business outlook

MassMutual has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 2,382 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The MassMutual employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Insurance industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
1.0
Feb 14, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* Strong Financial Performance: MassMutual had an impressive year with profits and the largest estimated shareholder payout in company history—over $2.5 billion.

Cons

* Unacceptable Layoffs Despite Record Profits: MassMutual's decision to lay off employees while reporting record profits is nothing short of appalling. The company posted its largest-ever estimated payout to shareholders, exceeding $2.5 billion, yet it simultaneously slashed jobs—many of which were long-term, dedicated employees. How is it possible for a company to experience such strong financial growth and then turn around and treat its people like expendable resources? The irony is impossible to ignore. The disconnect between the company's performance and its treatment of workers has created a toxic, disillusioned atmosphere within the organization. * Offshoring Jobs is a Betrayal: To make matters worse, MassMutual chose to offshore critical roles to India and Romania. This move is not only shortsighted but also deeply disrespectful to the American workforce. By shifting operations overseas, MassMutual is prioritizing cost-cutting measures over loyalty to its employees, many of whom have been loyal to the company for years. It’s one thing to make tough business decisions, but it’s quite another to outsource jobs for the sake of maximizing profits, especially when the company is in a position of financial strength. It’s a slap in the face to those who have worked hard to build the company’s success. * Culture is Dying: The layoffs and offshoring aren’t just about losing jobs—they’re about the erosion of trust. When employees see their colleagues being let go and their jobs moving overseas while the company brags about record profits, it sends a message that they don’t matter. MassMutual’s leadership seems to care more about short-term financial gains than about fostering a positive, secure, and loyal workforce. Morale has taken a massive hit, and it’s hard to see how the company will rebuild any sense of commitment or employee loyalty after this. * Warning for Job Seekers: Jobs Are Not Secure: If you're considering applying to MassMutual, be warned that job security is not guaranteed. Recent layoffs have shown that even new hires are not immune—many employees were let go shortly after being brought on board. It’s disheartening to see people who were hired with the promise of stability being cut from the company within months. If you take a position here, be prepared for the possibility that your job could be gone in a matter of weeks or months, regardless of your performance or the company’s financial success. This kind of instability is not just unprofessional, it’s unfair to those who are trying to build a career.

2.0
May 17, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Unlimited earnings potential because job is 100% commission based. Training program is good and senior leadership is helpful in their role of supporting/closing deals.

Cons

100% commission. "You're your own boss". Senior leadership advertises how you make your hours, then complain if you are not "working on your practice" 24 hours a day, every day. Since you are "your own business owner", MassMutual charges you to work there: office space, office supplies, administrative fees, etc. and they also take out percentages in commission checks. The commission handbook is roughly 400 pages so on your first day, I advice a new agent to memorize all 400 pages to fully understand how much money they will be making when they close a client. Quite the revolving door of fresh talent. Typically 3-6 new agents every 6 months and 1 remaining after 1 year. The revolving door is due to new agent having to create their own book of business. Since the best clients are established professionals, the first logical clients would be family and neighbors. Very difficult conversations to have about life insurance and disability insurance, fresh out of college, with family and neighbors. The next logical clients would be friends, but young people do not want/need life insurance or disability insurance. Tough to have any sort of work-life balance when your income is 100% commission based and new agents are not making any commissions. If a new agent can last more than 2 years, they can start bringing in new talent to their team, that new agent will sign their close family and maybe some friends, and when they leave, the established agent keeps their business. Quite the genius business model.

2.0
May 11, 2016

A GIANT HOT MESS!

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Mutuality helps senior managers not make decisions driven by Wall Street analysts and stock price. Pay is pretty good.

Cons

CEO approves layoff off 5-8% of workforce after company earns over 24 Billion in revenue. Decision made because he didn't keep his eye on expenses and missed profit targets. All you hear about is Diversity, but senior management is still all white guys with some white women thrown in to at least show gender diversity. None of them resigned to encourage diversity either. If you are a policyholder, you're in good hands. If you are an employee, you are expendable and will be. Promotions don't really happen. Lateral moves and more responsibilities are the norm. HR calls it "Latticing". Bonuses are terrible, they create unrealistic targets and rank and file employees get low payouts while the company breaks sales records. All you hear internally all year long is how great the company is doing, until it's bonus time....then....well, we missed the targets...sorry. Health benefits are disturbingly bad...high deductible health care...employee is responsible up to either the first $5,000 or $9,000 of annual cost. Company gives $500 here and there if you jump through hoops. Forced everyone in the company a few years ago to adopt an efficiency process for manufacturing environments called Lean Six Sigma. Made it company wide instead of where it was needed, wasting everyone's time to create a reportable metric ensues. Before you apply at MassMutual ask someone who works there about the environment and culture....no one is happy. Everyone feels burnt out. They would leave if they could. Don't believe me....do your research. Good night and good luck.

Viewing 7 - 9 of 2,382 Reviews

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