How much does an insurance agent make on a whole life policy?
Asked by: Justus Champlin IV | Last update: December 17, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (33 votes)
How much money can you make selling whole life insurance?
Annual income for a life insurance agent can vary from as little as $28,000 per year to as much as $125,000 per year. How much money you can make selling life insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including your own ability to convert leads to customers, as well as the area in which you live.
How much do life insurance agents get paid per policy?
How life insurance commissions work. Commission structures vary by policy and company. But typically, life insurance agents receive as commission 60% to 80% of the premiums you pay in the first year. They collect smaller commissions in subsequent years.
How do insurance agents make money on whole life policies?
The price is set by the insurance company. So the answer is agents can make anywhere from 20% to 130+% of the first years payment. Then they can make a residual commission for the next few years of 1--3% each time the customer continues to pay after the policy anniversary.
What is the commission rate for a whole life policy?
Typically, a life insurance agent receives anywhere from 30% to 90% of the amount paid for a policy (also known as the premium) by the client in the first year. In later years, the agent may receive anywhere from 3% to 10% of each year's premium, also known as "renewals" or "trailing commissions."
How Much Does The Average Life Insurance Agent Make?
What percent commission do insurance agents make?
For auto and home policies, captive insurance agents earn about 5% to 10% of the entire premiums paid for the first year, while independent agents receive about 15%. Commission rates for renewals range between 2% and 15%, averaging around 2% to 5%, regardless of the type of agent.
What type of life insurance pays highest commission?
Whole life coverage is more expensive, leading to more commission income for the agent. Consult with a financial advisor to determine whether buying term or whole life insurance is ideal for your situation, or if you should turn to other options like investing in securities or an annuity.
Can you make money with whole life insurance?
Since whole life insurance is not an investment or a savings vehicle, it does not have a stated “return.” It does, however, build cash value that you can use in a variety of ways. Since the cash value accumulates over time, your agent can provide an illustration of the growth you will receive.
Why do insurance agents earn so much?
One of the primary reasons insurance agents can accumulate wealth is their commission-based income structure. Unlike salaried employees, agents earn a percentage of the premiums they sell to clients. As they build a client base and generate more sales, their income potential increases.
Is it hard to make money as a life insurance agent?
A life insurance agent's income potential is uncapped. Some of the highest earners make well over six figures each year, while others choose to work as part-time insurance agents to earn some extra cash.
What kind of insurance agent gets paid the most?
- Reinsurance Accountant. ...
- Health Insurance Specialist. ...
- Insurance Broker. ...
- Liability Claims Representative. ...
- Insurance Adjuster. ...
- Insurance Manager. ...
- Final Expense Agent. Salary range: $62,500-$98,500 per year. ...
- Life Insurance Actuary. Salary range: $79,500-$98,500 per year.
Why do financial advisors push life insurance?
Many financial advisors view life insurance as an important part of the financial planning and wealth protection services they offer their clients. Life insurance offers financial protection to surviving beneficiaries in the event the insured policyholder dies.
Can you become a millionaire selling life insurance?
If you have a great work ethic and are willing to place yourself out there to establish relationships with clients, you will get more opportunities to earn a higher income. Selling insurance may even make you a millionaire.
Is selling your whole life insurance policy a good idea?
Cashing out your whole life insurance can offer substantial financial assistance for various purposes, from covering unexpected expenses to accelerating your progress toward financial goals. However, it's important to be aware of the potential tax consequences and other considerations.
How much is a 100000 life insurance policy worth to sell?
The death benefit value typically varies between 10 and 25 percent. This means a $100,000 policy will provide you with up to $25,000. Factors affecting how much you will get for selling your life insurance policy include life expectancy, its cash value, and the premium amount.
How much commission does an insurance agent make?
The average commission rate for insurance agents ranges from 10% to 20%, with some agents earn as much as 30% or more. For example, if an agent sells a policy with a $1,200 annual premium, and the commission rate is 15%, the agent would earn $180 per policy.
Why did I quit being an insurance agent?
There's two big reasons why insurance agents quit: they don't feel valued, and they aren't given the technology they need to do their jobs well. In addition, managing commissions while hitting performance goals is a stressful part of the job for many insurance agents.
What are 2 disadvantages of whole life insurance?
A more complex product than term life insurance. Higher premiums than term life insurance. Could be costly if coverage lapses early.
How do the wealthy use whole life insurance?
Wealthy families often face significant estate tax liabilities. Whole life insurance can help offset these taxes by providing liquidity to pay estate taxes without forcing the sale of assets. This allows the family to maintain control over their wealth and pass it on intact to their heirs.
Does a whole life policy ever get paid off?
The policy becomes paid-up once the policy owner satisfies the premium payments necessary for paid-up status. Once the policy is paid-up, it's guaranteed to remain in effect for the rest of the insured's life. Whole life insurance policies come with a schedule of required premiums.
What is the commission on whole life insurance?
The most common way life insurance agents make money is through commissions. Generally, agents receive front-loaded commissions of 40% to up to 115% of the policy's first-year premiums, although the figure for renewals falls steeply to about 1% or 2%.
What is the hardest insurance to sell?
Life insurance is the most profitable—and the hardest—type of insurance to sell.