Financial Advisor

Becoming a Financial Advisor

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.