Careers
A career in life insurance — the honest guide
Everything we’d want to know before joining an agency: why now, what the money really looks like, and how to pick where you work. Read it, then decide.
This is a commission-only sales career, and we’d rather you understand that before you apply than after. These pages show the real math, the honest downsides, and the questions to ask any agency — including us.
Start here
Why join a life insurance agency in 2026 Record demand, a license in weeks, and what a good agency hands you — downsides included. Is life insurance sales a good career? The honest answer: great for some people, wrong for many. The pay data, the trade-offs, and a self-test. Changing careers into life insurance sales Which skills transfer from teaching, hospitality, the military, retail, car sales and more — and a 30-day plan. Six-figure jobs without a degree Government data on careers with no degree required where the top earners clear $100K — and how they compare.
The money
How much life insurance agents make The government’s number, why it misleads for commission agents, and a calculator for any income. How to make $5,000 a month The first real milestone: about five issued policies and 45 dials a day. How to make $10,000 a month About $120,000 a year: ten issued policies, three applications a week, ~90 dials a day. How to make $20,000 a month Top-producer math: bigger average premium, better close rate, higher contract level. How commissions, advances & chargebacks work Annual premium, advances, chargebacks, renewals, and persistency — with worked examples. Free leads vs. higher commission A 120% contract that makes you buy leads can pay less than an 80% contract with free leads. The math.
Coming from a captive company
How to leave a captive company (step by step) Your license, your contract, your clients, your cash flow — the ten-step checklist for going independent. Moving your team to a new agency For team leaders: releases, contracts, timing, and keeping every agent producing through the move. Leaving State Farm (agents & team members) For State Farm agents weighing the 2026 contract changes — and licensed team members who want their own upside. Leaving American Income Life (AIL) What changes for AIL agents who go independent: carriers, leads, renewals, and what to check first. Leaving Globe Life (Liberty National, Family Heritage) For agents in Globe Life’s exclusive agency divisions: what you keep, what stays, and what independent looks like.
Coming from mortgage
Loan officer to life insurance agent Mortgage jobs shrank by about a third since 2021. Why loan officers are moving into life insurance — and how. Mortgage protection sales jobs What selling mortgage protection actually looks like, who does well, and how to start — with leads provided. Can a loan officer sell life insurance? Two licenses, RESPA, anti-tying rules and your employer’s policy — the straight answer.
Choosing where to work
Captive vs. independent agent One company’s products or many carriers: pay, leads, training, and who each fits. How to choose an agency (12 questions + red flags) Twelve questions to ask on the first call — and the red flags that should end it. Agencies that provide leads (what to ask) “Free leads” can mean five different things. Seven questions that tell you which one you’re getting. Training, structure & culture: what good looks like A real daily standard, real call reviews, a certification before leads. What structure should look like.
Remote team — outside the U.S.
If it fits
Talk to a licensed producer — not a recruiter
Sixty seconds to apply and one honest call. 1099 commission, uncapped, leads provided — no draw, and income is never guaranteed. No fee to apply, train, or contract with us.