Life insurance agents are primarily paid through commissions, although some may receive a small salary to get started [1]. Commissions are the main source of income for life insurance agents, and they are typically based on a percentage of the premiums paid by the policyholders. The commission structure can vary depending on the policy and the insurance company.
Here is some information about how life insurance agents are paid:
- Commission Structure: Life insurance agents usually receive a higher commission percentage in the first year of the policy, typically ranging from 60% to 80% of the premiums paid [3]. In subsequent years, the commission percentage may decrease, and agents may collect smaller commissions. Over the life of the policy, it is estimated that 5% to 10% of all the premiums paid by the policyholder could go towards commissions [3].
- Commission Rates: The commission rates can vary depending on the type of life insurance policy being sold. For example:
- Whole Life Insurance: Agents may receive the highest commission rates for whole life insurance plans, often more than 100% of the total premiums for the policy's first year [2].
- Universal Life Insurance: Agents typically receive a commission equivalent to at least 100% of the premiums paid by the policyholder in the first year, up to the target premium amount for universal life insurance plans [2].
- Term Life Insurance: Term life insurance plans generally pay lower commissions, often a percentage of the annual premiums ranging from 30% to 80% [2].
It's important to note that commission rates and structures can vary between insurance companies and policies. Additionally, factors such as the agent's experience level, location, and the type of agent (captive or independent) can also impact their earnings [2].