New York Life reviews

3.7

63% would recommend to a friend

(5,496 total reviews)
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Craig DeSanto

79% approve of CEO

63% positive business outlook

New York Life has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 5,496 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The New York Life employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Insurance industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

5K reviews
5.0
Sep 7, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Opportunity, Financial Strength, Integrity, Humanity, Perfectly positioned for all economies. If you seek to have your own business, New York Life is a great place to be. With world class training and a comprehensive product line up that perfectly meets the needs of families and business owner is every stage of life. They have a great advanced markets group that can help lead you to a market that is truly underserved. GREAT COMPANY! The company I keep.

Cons

Must be a self starter! Alot of people think that commission only sales is a scary place to be but in this economic enviroment so is being emloyed by a "salary" company - IndyMac, Countrywide, Lehman, Bear Stearns, etc... You call that safety and security in your paycheck?

4.0
Sep 6, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good management team, nice office and staff. Highly recommended. The training process is very good, you'll learn all the staff you need to know to be successful. The process of insurance application is easy and the people in the office are easy going. If you have questions, most people will be willing to help you at any time. If you are interested in the management positions, you'll also have chance to get in once you are qualified for it. Highly recommend to anyone who is willing to work in a insurance company.

Cons

Sales, need a lot of hours and hard working.

2.0
Sep 6, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Opportunity to make a lot of money if you have a good initial market, have a strong money motivation. You work for yourself, independent. Set your own hours. Great training program, company pays for life/health and 6/63 securities test (not books). Competent management and support team for product training and sales advice. Free in class and online training courses. All of management are former agents and can relate. Good structured sales pitch. Makes you sound like you are a real financial advisior. You become involved in the community and do what you want. You are working for one of the strongest companies in the industry.

Cons

No base salary. Other companies have a signing bonus whereas with new york like you get about 85% of the first year commission (vs. 50% with others). You pay for all of your own overhead: gas, health insurance, Error & omission insurance, phone, copier, internet ($50/mo.!), software ($50/mo.), stationery, personal marketing materials, computer...and the list goes on; the only thing they don't charge you for is your "stable" (desk), and the lights. It is all a business write off but you cant write much off if you dont have an income! After a year, I profited $2000 after 12,000 in business expenses. I left the company owing them $250. Little opportunity for advancement from being an agent. If you are not the #1 sales person you can kiss any promotion goodbye. Senior management plays favorites with agents that do well. High competition with other new agents. I dont recommend this job to people that like to work in teams. Ethical dillemma of selling a less appropriate product to a client in order to get a better commission. For example, selling an expensive variable annuity when a mutual fund is more appropriate. Possibility to "crash and burn"....spend more than you make when investing in your business and winding up in serious debt. In your first few months your commission goes into escrow until you do $3000 in comission (and 8 sales). during this time they recommend you to not be scared to use your credit card to get through the tough months. After you get that big check you are motivated and have a false sense of security.

Viewing 5482 - 5484 of 5,496 Reviews

Glassdoor has 6,536 New York Life reviews submitted anonymously by New York Life employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if New York Life is right for you.