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Associate Individual Disability Underwriter - Military Veterans

at Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America

The Associate Individual Disability Underwriter is responsible for exercising their discretion & using professional judgment in decision making of individual disability cases up to $7500 of monthly indemnity on new applications. They will use their training and experience to determine insurability, premium classification related to in-force applications, and financial/occupational underwriting for option exercises. The Associate Underwriter is also accountable for managing assigned work, developing agency relationships, and ensuring customer satisfaction at the highest level.

You will collaborate with adjacent Underwriters as well as other departments, including Individual Disability Service & Administration, for the benefit of the facilitation of the entire underwriting and administrative process. The position requires the individual to operate in a cross-functional team environment.

You are

A self-starter who is motivated by collaboration and providing excellent customer service. You have strong relationship management skills.

You have


  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.


  • The ability to view multiple requirements and holistically determine risk.


  • Basic medical knowledge (i.e., Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Conditions) preferred.


  • General computer proficiency required.


  • Excellent analytical skills; written and oral communication skills and negotiation skills.


  • Outstanding decision-making skills and organizational and time management skills.



You will

  • Recognize and acquire requirements vital in evaluating risks, consistently using the global approach (a "broadened view" of the entire case to forecast all needs and requirements at onset) to underwriting.


  • Evaluate medical, financial, and non-medical information, as developed, to determine the risk classification according to company guidelines.


  • Review prior underwriting files and recognize the impact they have on current underwriting.


  • Communicate with the field force and home office personnel for the purpose of acquiring necessary information, solving problems, and conveying decisions in a polite, confident, and professional manner.


  • Consult with Medical Director and Mentors and/or senior underwriting staff for the purpose of resolving complex medical and non-medical histories.


  • Interpret underwriting policy and implement established guidelines, department procedures, and compliance directives.


  • Explain Guardian product information, risk classification, and underwriting action to peers and field force.


  • Collaborate with peer underwriting staff, support personnel, and adjacent departments to facilitate the entire selection, issue, and administrative process.


  • Negotiate appeals of underwriting actions with general agents, agents, and agency personnel


  • Evaluate risk involved in reinstatements, and other policy change requests as the need arises.


  • Review, interpret and record Medical Information Bureau codes in accordance with established MIB guidelines.


  • Communicate actions with our proposed policyholders and field partners.


  • Participate in on-going training and development offerings to enhance customer service and underwriting, in support of a high-performance culture.



Location /Travel

Hybrid role - 2 days in the office, 3 days WFH in the Pittsfield, MA office.

Occasional 0-10% Travel

Reporting Relationship

This role reports to Head of Individual Disability Underwriting

Salary Range
$47,230.00 - $70,840.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you'll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian's Purpose - to inspire well-being - we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues.

Health Care

  • Choice of [high deductible/copay] medical plans* with prescription drugs, including coverage for fertility and transgender inclusive benefits


  • Dental plan


  • Vision plan


  • Health care accounts - flexible spending, health reimbursement, and health savings accounts


  • Critical illness insurance



Life and Disability Insurance

  • Company-paid Life and Disability insurance plus voluntary supplemental coverage


  • Accident insurance



Retirement and Financial

  • 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, plus an annual age/service-based Company contribution and an annual profit-sharing contribution, if applicable


  • Complimentary 1:1 financial guidance with a licensed Fidelity representative



Time Off and Remote Work

  • Flexible work arrangements (part in-person/part remote)


  • Unlimited paid time off for most roles plus time off for volunteering, jury duty, voting, and bereavement


  • Personal holidays for colleagues to use in recognition of religious, cultural, or civic days


  • Paid parental leave and paid family and medical leave policies



Emotional Well-being and Work-Life

  • Emotional well-being, mental health, and work/life resources powered by Spring Health


  • Wellness programs, including fitness program and equipment reimbursement


  • Child, adult, and elder back-up care support through Bright Horizons


  • Adoption assistance


  • College planning


  • Tuition reimbursement


  • Student loan assistance


  • Commuter benefits in select metropolitan areas



Equity & Inclusion

Opportunities to build inclusive and meaningful connections through involvement in colleague-led affinity groups:

  • Employee Resource Groups:


  • Colleague Connection Committees


  • Community Involvement Committees



A culture that encourages colleagues to bring their authentic selves to work

  • Voluntary self-ID


  • Pronunciation and phonetic spelling of names



Benefits apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact applicant_accommodation@glic.com .

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday.

Pittsfield, MA

Salary Range
$0 to $90,000
Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America

Who we are Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind 29 million consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues and are building a progressive, innovative and inclusive culture. We uplift individuals and communities through thoughtful social and environmental programs. What we stand for In 1860, a community of immigrants joined together to insure and protect their businesses and families. They were guided by powerful ideals that we’ve continued to stand behind and evolved throughout the years: we do the right thing, we believe people count, we courageously shape the future together, and we go above and beyond for the people we serve. Guardian employees embrace and live by these values every day. They remind us to put people at the heart of all we do so that we can help protect what matters most to you. Want to help bring these values to life? Join us for a rewarding career and the opportunity to shape the future.

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