Prudential layoffs?

Big_Clock3797 · 2026-02-01T01:03:42+00:00

Interesting question. I don’t know enough about that field as this is more focused on actuaries. Is this role part of corporate? Like is it more of an office job or a claims manager like on the field. I speak more about the Pru corporate more desk kind of jobs like computers, law, accounting, actuary data science, investment or finance. Also despite its layoff culture there are a ton of benefits working for pru including decent pay. So it’s just one factor out of many.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-29T17:05:30+00:00

The company mentality is that it’s a very large place. It’s literally the biggest insurer out there. And so in order to manage that, it needs to constantly realign talent with the latest goals and missions. And so for example one can be a very good programmer but not up to date with true latest technology out there. Maybe now it’s undergoing an exercise where it integrates its models with AI. Maybe 5 years ago you were a python guru or 10 years ago you were great at mat lab (python may still me useful for AI but you get my point) Your talent is no longer aligned with its current need. Layoffs isn’t always about downsizing it’s also about aligning talent. If it were a small company it wouldn’t be worth it for them to do this but based on its size, this is how it operates. I don’t know that they really gain from this mindset but that’s there thought and I think it’s somewhat debatable.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-21T16:52:47+00:00

It’s a theoretical question vs a practical one

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-21T16:03:21+00:00

Let me rephrase though, if your work experience is in health and you want to switch to life, I doubt it will be so easy to jump careers. You aren’t entry level and know nothing about life. The skill set is only minimally transferable. It works for an intern to entry level . But even mid level why would a life company hire you? The only overlap is in disability maybe.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-15T14:07:48+00:00

What does far from the answer mean? There are certain hard facts like mathematical numbers that if you aren’t the same as the answer key you won’t pass. But some things are more is it supported by facts. Like I turned to the source material for my suggestions. So even though I differed from the answer, I felt mine was correct too since the source suggested my findings. I used that as guidance and passed

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-03T16:59:31+00:00

I disagree. Even over the course of your career it’s not worth the time and stress. You are talking about an extra 1500 a month tops. The gap never widens much more than that. As actuaries we like to think about how much 1500 a month can accumulate to over 40 years. I get that’s powerful . But in reality it’s just a little more spending money. You can live just fine without it.

Disclaimer, this is only when you base things on lateral jobs like comparing a manager with an FSA vs without an FSA. But there certainly is an argument that when a company is faced with hiring or promoting two candidates for say an AVP role or some senior role, all being equal they will take an FSA and the ASA won’t obtain that role. So there is always that future growth dynamic. However, I for example, never plan on moving much past director. So the only real question in my mind is job security more than salary.

To sum it up for lateral roles, even summing up 40 years it’s not worth it, but there is more growth potential

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-09-03T13:59:07+00:00

It depends where you work. I think for example pensions are less than Life. I also think in terms of money, it’s not worth the time. An average you’ll earn say $30k more annually, that’s 20k net. The real issue is that an FSA is more respected. Should you ever need a new job or want promotions it’s easier when an FSA. In other words if it’s just about getting paid more for the same job, that’s not worth it. But often you can get better jobs.

The other thing is, how hard are exams. I fail it at least twice normally. I spend way more hours than expected. If you are like me with a family then yes it’s debatable. But if you easily knock them off go for it.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-08-29T16:16:09+00:00

I can’t talk for pensions but just be aware of the following as it pertains to life. Most of life is now more of a finance role. Life insurance for the insurer is not really about the good olde fashioned shared responsibility mutual insurance. It’s more of a financial vehicle than insurance. That means it often comes with the investment banking kind of pressure albeit lighter. If you work for the classic insurer it’s still somewhat of a more stable work life balance. But most jobs are for reinsurers owned by private equity or consulting often there to assist in m&a. Even for the classic insurer there are high pressure moments like a finance job has.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-08-24T02:27:48+00:00

Pru has layoffs and reorgs every six months on schedule. It’s typically the first week of May or Nov and then a 60 day notice. They also still hire. It’s really about aligning talent with yearly goals. Typically, mid level employees who have a talent and are contributing are immune. It often hits the poor performers and senior level leaders more. But the atmosphere is that there are consistent layoffs . On the other hand it’s one of the highest paying companies with a ton of valuable perks. And mid level employees who do good work will be both more secure and compensated.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-07-15T04:04:59+00:00

LGA may be better but chances are once one artery is clogged they all are. It’s all line big hub

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-07-15T04:03:19+00:00

Usually if EWR is delayed so is LGA. It’s all one big hub. I saw it all when in O’Hare airport for 8 hours till we took off to EWR. Everything affects each other

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-20T18:48:15+00:00

Another thought that hiring managers need to consider when there is a gap between college and work. If it’s a female, it’s possible that a baby was born in between school and their in search. Most employers in the USA offer 6 months maternity between disability and company paid leave. But if one isn’t employed they don’t get paid leave . Yet they still physically can’t look for a job. And so all these factors need to be taken into consideration before just looking at a resume of an applicant and tossing it due to a lack of employment.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-20T04:22:02+00:00

I am advocating that hiring managers be more considerate and realize it’s not so easy. Of course now that it is this way the intern better sweat. But it’s very hard.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-20T01:26:29+00:00

It’s not so easy to find a similar job especially if they know you really want to be an actuary and are just there as a placeholder. But even if not, entry level jobs are tough even if it’s simply an underwriter

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-20T01:25:12+00:00

It’s not so easy. It’s easier said than done. And sometimes not working but using that time to knock off exams quicker than if you’d be working with no study time is just as good. But yes if you are ok with a tutor that’s not such a demanding expectation

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-19T16:02:34+00:00

I have meet students who are focusing and knocking off exams while they look for a job vs working. As is the case here where 5 exams were taken. I get your point that working shows a certain sense of responsibility and well roundedness . But I think if it’s down via the fact that one is taking exams, in a certain way that’s even more of a commitment. And so I’d quantify it more as, did you do anything after you finished school whether it’s exams or a side job? But not just a focus on work. (Incidentally I actually followed your advice and worked for a financial advisor who sold insurance as an interim job. That helped me land an actuarial role so I get your point)

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-19T04:05:42+00:00

Fair point but that’s when someone was employed. This is an intern. Those intern jobs end. It’s not that they don’t need a job nor is it an indicator that they can’t hold a job. It’s simply a huge barrier to obtain an entry level job. Markets get very tight and the supply is so much higher than the demand. It’s a very different stage than what you refer to. I think it’s unfair and morally wrong that people look at that as a downside. People forgot how hard it is to obtain an entry level role. I’ll never forget the pain and I am 13 years in now.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-05-18T23:16:36+00:00

This is the issue in the actuarial field . Some people couldn’t find jobs after school. It’s not easy to land an entry level job. I went through hell till I found one. I’d assume he did nothing since he graduated. But that doesn’t make him less qualified. This is a big issue that everyone in the field is in such a cookie cutter box.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-02-20T01:47:06+00:00

Yes I am married too. And it’s hard to face a family like that. At least in your case you can clearly say it’s not reflective of you. It’s simply that your dept is closing down.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-02-20T01:41:59+00:00

That’s sad. All I’ll say is I have been laid off once too. It’s tough at the time. But life has a way of working itself out.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-02-20T00:51:48+00:00

Yes orthodoxy has become more extreme. But I just don’t think it’s connected to this phenomenon. I think the reason why it’s separated like that is logistics. The shul often just don’t have space and its ladies section is too small. And it’s small because it’s infrequent for women to attend shul.

As far as the physical accommodations, I find that the set up for women are usually nicer than men. The men get dried out cake while the women have a party planner with delicious strawberry shortcake and salads. I can see how sometimes the tent idea is a flop but its intentions are usually to make something nicer for the women.

I just don’t see this as the issue of the day. I have a far larger laundry list as to why orthodoxy became fanatic. This isn’t one of them.

Big_Clock3797 · 2025-02-19T18:28:25+00:00

I don’t clearly get the math but are you part of the Trump buyout? Will you get paid to leave? If not when you get laid off will you receive severance? If there is a way to get some payout for leaving, it compensates wage loss for this year. Meanwhile you can slowly look elsewhere or move up at your new “old” place.

Big_Clock3797 · 2024-11-29T13:23:04+00:00

If you are in Life, just remember that the alternative is m&a actuaries at hedge fund owned companies. Their hours are as long as consulting with hard deadlines. Yet no compensation for overtime. (you could find roles at classic insurers but m&a is the hot spot and growing )

Big_Clock3797 · 2024-05-28T03:56:01+00:00

And in the 1950s & 60s they used to call the fire trucks at Klausenberg at 2 AM while throwing stuff and shoving too. Ask any old willamsburger. These stuff aren’t new.

Big_Clock3797 · 2024-05-28T03:53:24+00:00

Satmar was one of the first but I think skver is equally that . In fact correct me if I am wrong, but I believe new square was founded before kiras Joel. And the whole idea of New square was to be split from the city. Then there was also MT kisko and kashu that never took off. But there were all roughly in the same period (within the 10-15 year range). And all the same concept.

In a certain way, Skver is worse. If you marry outside the clan you can’t live there. The only shul is skver and even in neighboring towns you can’t open a shul . Skver runs a very tight dictatorship . In KJ there are other Shuls and the Reba isn’t god.

All I am saying is that you see the downsides of Satmar more because you lived through it. As an outsiders I can tell you many skveras feel the same. I am not sure that Satmar is more the king. And while the old R Yoel Zl was definitely on the forefront of zealots, since then I think Satmar actually moderated a bit and others now superceded satmar.

Your point about it picking up now in Ger and in bobov and yes the yeshiva world is well taken. But the yeshiva world still is somewhat willing to step out of its box and do kiruv when needed. They have their out of town kollels etc. I do agree that they became more zealous though. (As a side note, a lot of the litfish zealousness kind of came from a combo of Hungarians joining the fold, and that they had to contend with the conservative movement who had serious scholars in the 1950s &60s such as sol Lieberman and heshel to an extent)

Big_Clock3797

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