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Becoming a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual is a unique opportunity to start a business where you can help your clients achieve their goals through financial planning. On your path to becoming a financial advisor, you start as a financial representative focused on client-building and obtaining licenses. Our award-winning training programs equip you with the education, skill-building, and development strategies you need to be successful in building a financial planning practice that focuses on:  

Planning Experience Asset & Income Protection Education Funding Investment & Advisory Services Trust Services Retirement Solutions Business Needs Analysis 

Northwestern Mutual's proprietary planning software helps you educate your clients and deliver holistic financial plans-including investments for growth, insurance for protection, and annuities for guaranteed income in retirement-that helps you have a bigger impact on your clients and community. Becoming a business owner allows you to shape your workday around your life and achieve uncapped earning potential through a performance-based compensation structure.  

We believe there's more than one way to start, build, and grow your practice. As an entrepreneur, you can build your business in a way that aligns with your long-term vision and goals like opening an office, joining a sophisticated team, or becoming an advanced advisor.

As a financial advisor, you will: 

• Grow your client base by making new connections, maintaining a strong referral network, and providing a great client experience
• Build personalized, holistic financial plans tailored to every client's unique needs
• Manage your client's financial plans to help them achieve their goals 
• Grow relationships with clients to support them through every stage of life 

Training, licensing & designations

Northwestern Mutual has been recognized for maintaining one of the best-trained sales forces in the country. We are committed to your continued training and development throughout your career. That starts with our award-winning curriculum designed to support your first three years in the business. In the program, you'll hear from industry experts, learn the art of client acquisition to drive longevity in the career, and have access to our national network of tenured financial advisors to learn the business through first-hand experience. 

To become a financial advisor, you must obtain the following licenses: Life/Accident & Health Certifications, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), and Series 6, 7, and 63. Northwestern Mutual provides pre-payment/reimbursement* for course tuition fees and books.   

Compensation & Benefits

• Performance-based earnings and revenue1: 
  • Average advisor annual earnings of $61K-$119K (based on 2018-2023 company average for representatives in the first 3 years)
  • Top 25% advisor annual earnings of $137K-$250K (based on 2018-2023 company data for top quartile advisors in the first 3 years)
• Additional income structure to support training and early development
• Renewal income earned for continued client support and policy management
• Bonus programs and expense allowances
• Support for insurance licensing, Securities Industry Essentials, Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, and more 
• Certified Financial Planner licensing support2 
• Fully company-funded retirement package and pension plan 
• Competitive and comprehensive medical, vision, and dental plans
• Life Insurance and Disability Income Insurance 
• Parental benefits at every stage of family planning #LI-Onsite

You could be right for this opportunity if you have: 

• Bachelor's degree 
• Entrepreneurial ambitions to be a business owner 
• History of success in relationship-building or client-facing roles 
• Excellent time-management skills 
• Desire for continuous learning and collaboration
• Proficient critical thinking skills
• Strong communicator
• Strong sense of motivation and drive
• Legal authorization to work in the US without sponsorship 

Our Financial Advisors are valued partners and proud business owners. As such, they are considered independent contractors3 for income tax purposes, and a statutory employee for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax purposes.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC), Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (Investment Brokerage Services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company (NMWMC) (Investment Advisory Services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI.

*Individuals are required to have a minimum of three years of service at Northwestern Mutual to qualify for the designation pre-payment and reimbursement program. 

1No level of income is guaranteed. As used here, "revenue" includes exclusively First Year and Renewal Commissions, Bonuses, Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company commissions and fees, Strategic Employee Benefits Services commissions, and Expense Allowances. Data uses average revenue from 2018-2023; included revenue was positive and not equal to 0 and earned by full time, active Financial Representatives producing for the entire year each of the years data was used. First year range is $271.73 - $2,923,976.22. Source: Northwestern Mutual, 2024

2Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, and CFP (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

3Northwestern Mutual Financial Representatives are Independent Contractors whose income is based on production. If offered to apply for approval of a contract to become a Northwestern Mutual Financial Representative, a national criminal background check is required. Should the background check results provide information which would not allow someone to work for Northwestern Mutual, approval for contract will be withdrawn.