Senior Associate Underwriter

About the role

The Senior Associate Underwriter evaluates life insurance applications and determines whether they should be approved, declined, or require additional information. This role handles applications with a 2-Year Total Amount at Risk (TAAR) of up to $2.5 million, focusing on cases involving Attending Physician Statements.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate life insurance applications and accurately classify mortality risk using medical and nonmedical information.
• Apply underwriting guidelines, medical knowledge, and professional judgment to assess complex risk factors and determine appropriate underwriting outcomes.
• Communicate underwriting requirements, application updates, reinsurance offers, reconsideration requests, and final decisions to agents and General Office personnel through both written and verbal interactions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of underwriting systems, product rules, medical terminology, and mortality factors to support accurate and efficient decision-making.
• Participate in training initiatives, workflow enhancements, best practice discussions, and cross-functional projects that improve underwriting processes and customer experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 3+ years of life underwriting experience with demonstrated knowledge of underwriting principles and mortality assessment.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology and the ability to evaluate the impact of medical impairments on mortality risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex risk profiles and make sound underwriting recommendations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with agents, General Office personnel, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to manage relationships and provide timely, professional support.

Preferred Skills

• Experience underwriting cases involving Attending Physician Statements and higher complexity medical impairments.
• Familiarity with reinsurance processes, underwriting systems, and insurance product rules.
• Experience participating in workflow improvement initiatives, training efforts, or cross-functional projects.
• Ability to balance accuracy, risk assessment, and service expectations in a fast-paced environment.
• Working knowledge of underwriting models, rules engines, and automated decision tools with the ability to interpret model outputs, apply appropriate judgement, and ensure decisions align with underwriting guidelines.
• Familiarity with broader technology tools such as CoPilot, ChatGPT, and underwriting automation tools, that enhance efficiency, decision support, and workflow effectiveness.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $90,000-$128,500
• Overtime eligible: Exempt
• Discretionary bonus eligible: Yes
• Sales bonus eligible: No
• Actual base salary will be determined based on several factors but not limited to individual’s experience, skills, qualifications, and job location.
• Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.
• In addition to base salary, employees may also be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

Pay Transparency

This role requires FINRA licensed and/or FINRA Associated Person pre-hire fingerprinting.

Company Overview

At New York Life, our 180-year legacy of purpose and integrity fuels our future. As we evolve into a more technology-, data-, and AI-enabled organization, we remain grounded in the values that drive lasting impact. Our diverse business portfolio creates opportunities to make a difference across industries and communities—inviting bold thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and purpose-driven innovation. Here, you’ll find the rare balance of long-standing stability and forward momentum, supported by an inclusive team that honors tradition while embracing progress. As a Fortune 100 mutual company, we offer a place to grow your skills, contribute to meaningful work, and deliver solutions that matter. Your ideas drive what’s next, and your growth powers it.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We provide a full package of benefits for employees – and have unique offerings for a modern workforce, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs. Click here to discover more about our comprehensive benefit options or visit our NYL Benefits Site.

Recognized as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies

New York Life is committed to improving local communities through a culture of employee giving and volunteerism, supported by the Foundation. We're proud that due to our mutuality, we operate in the best interests of our policy owners. To learn more about career opportunities at New York Life, please visit the Careers page of www.NewYorkLife.com. Visit our LinkedIn to see how our employees and agents are leading the industry and impacting communities. Visit our Newsroom to learn more about how our company is constantly evolving to meet our clients' and employees’ needs.