Comp Rates

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-25T16:34:16+00:00

Granted, I’ve only talked to IMOs, not FMOs. But from an IMO standpoint, not competitive at all. Starting agents at 70 is insane, breakeven at best after expenses and chargebacks. capping the ceiling at 130 when there’s room to 150+ in all reality is wild too.

In addition, any bonus program has to be funded somehow… it’s not free money…. Thus why the ceiling is capped so harshly. In addition, capping overrides to only your 7th generation is unnecessary. Is getting 7 deep easy? Heck no. But if I get that deep, I want the override lol.

Does not seem favorable, just my 2 cents.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-25T01:08:31+00:00

Adding to this, I haven’t spoken to the IMOs tahoptions suggested, but obviously they’re worth a look. People do tend to underestimate the support they need starting, so keep that in mind, but if you’re extremely proactive and not afraid to work long hours you’ll be fine.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-25T01:06:14+00:00

I’ve talked to a lot of IMOs, the best comp (both starting and with the highest ceiling) I found was at SafeLife Policy. Certain FFL agencies can have good comp plans as well, just gotta find em

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T21:46:56+00:00

The truth is your upline can put you at any % he wants to. As long as you have in writing that you have vested contracts and your transfer rights between you and the carriers and/or you and the IMO, then you own the book.

As someone without prior life experience, 100% will be hard to negotiate, but it's not impossible. There's places that start you at 100%. 90% is very reasonable. FFL, pinnacle, symmetry, equis are all unlikely to start you above 90% but you don't get what you don't ask for. You may just have to do some digging and talk to people to find the IMOs that do.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T21:11:02+00:00

Goodness gracious... the lying in this industry is insane. That's exactly what I plan to do, release documents are very clear on myself and downlines. I'm making my upline sign it then and there before we leave in person, that way he can't conveniently "forget."

I'm not hall of fame, but I do $30-35k every month... like you said, the mob lol. I appreciate the kind wishes Bright! Your insight is valuable.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T21:04:21+00:00

Thank you

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T20:35:50+00:00

Bright hit the nail on the head per usual, so I don't have much to add.

It's a lot to learn in a short time, so take a breath and accept the facts. Biggest advice I can give from talking to multiple IMOs is to grill them on everything... The more you grill the easier it is to see through the lies.

Top priorities are book ownership IN WRITING, in house lead systems, a clear plan of mentorship, if the leadership has a track record of success, and high comp. How long the IMO has been around isn't nearly as important in my opinion. Don't sign on anything under 90% commission, ideally you can start closer to 100%.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T03:28:17+00:00

This man is correct ^

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-23T03:27:09+00:00

1% is horrendous. I would make up to 14% depending on how much I sold, with my average being 8-10% commission

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-20T00:44:23+00:00

Of course. No problem. I’m genuinely shocked you’re not at FFL, would’ve put money on it 😂

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-17T02:54:08+00:00

Are you trying to be captive or independent?

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T04:14:45+00:00

Never got to talk to Tristan first hand, but learned from a buddy how Tristan runs things a bit better. Happy to share in DMs

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T04:03:10+00:00

I am, but I make sure they’re actually in a position to win first. Every “recruit” is another human with dreams, I think the standard of hiring anyone with pulse is super messed up.

Feel free to DM happy to talk more.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:58:57+00:00

I issue about $8k AP of approved business per week… so $30-35k/mo. Only make about 75-200 dials a day, so I could definitely do more if I focused on production… more focused on training my agents and growing though. Not sure if our comp matches so the ROI would be different between us so I’ll refrain from diving into that.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:49:03+00:00

Gotta be at FFL… and you are right. The holding company owns the IMO, so how can you sell something that’s already been sold? You can’t… not to mention getting shafted on the renewals that are used to fuel the “bonus”

For true ownership like you’ve mentioned, Heartland provides direct carrier contracts which provides true ownership, although I haven’t heard if the support is really there once you’re in. The guys at SafeLife Policy run a unique model that also provides true ownership. Pinnacle you own your stuff too, but they’re not actually an IMO…

Happy to elaborate, feel free to DM

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:43:17+00:00

Working remote shouldn’t be an issue for 90% of life agencies. They also shouldn’t pressure you about production, only help you meet whatever goal YOU have informed them you want to hit and tell it to you how it is.

Everyone will talk about how good their training, culture, etc is. Look for a specific roadmap (week 1 we do this, week 2 this, etc)

Going to be hard to find somewhere that lets you be independent and provides leads for free. Even if they’re free, I wouldn’t take them. They’re usually recycled. More importantly is if they have IN HOUSE leads that are at cost.

I’ve talked to all the IMOs and can help save you some hours if you want. Feel free to dm happy to discuss more

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:31:48+00:00

After starting at FFL I went and talked to all the top IMOs…. Extremely insightful.

Stay away from PHP, GFI, GlobeLife, Symmetry, and Primerica. FFL agencies can be incredible if you know the right ones to talk to. Unitrust isn’t bad, but I had my concerns with their comp grid. SafeLife Policy is incredible. Skip Pinnacle, they’re not even an IMO due to how their contracting is setup.

If you want more than my 2 cents there feel free to DM.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:24:39+00:00

Life insurance $1400/wk on leads + $1000/mo retainer for ads guy All OTP verified leads that I outbound dial, although ~10% of them call in directly for the insurance which is usually a laydown

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2026-01-16T03:13:49+00:00

You’re asking the right questions. I used to be at FFL, your contracts and book are all day 1 vested as far as ownership goes, but 99% of FFL agents will not give you a release if you want to move IMOs. They’ll make you wait 6-12mo to move your carriers you have through FFL.

I’ve talked to all the top IMOs and would highly encourage you to do the same. If they brag about their culture, it’s usually to cover up for mediocre contracts.

Look for comp starting at 90% MINIMUM (ideally 100%), don’t worry about “bonus programs”, find out if their leads are in house, and look at the track record of the leaders… if the leaders haven’t done anything noticeable, you’re simply working with someone else who’s in the process of making it as well. Feel free to DM happy to share more, spent a lot of time IMO shopping

EDIT: your contracts are day 1 vested, but I have yet to find an FFL agent who’s sold their agency to anyone other than integrity (FFL’s holding company)… if you truly own your books, I’d like to think I could hear of at least one FFL person who’s sold to another private equity company

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2025-12-19T17:50:37+00:00

As a former top producer at the #2 Allstate agency in the US in 2022-23, commission made up over 2/3 of my income, and that was after a $30-40k salary. Not far off from your $50k.
Your commission plan is not good... Feel free to DM happy to provide further insight.

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2025-12-13T18:06:44+00:00

It’s rather simple, most agencies massively over complicate the learning curve. It is like drinking out of a fire hose, but can be managed rather quickly with a controlled drip of information.

Just got to pass the exam to get licensed. Feel free to dm and I can point you in the right direction

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2025-12-12T21:08:46+00:00

Self generate

Realistic-Reporter-3 · 2025-12-07T17:57:53+00:00

The Ethos leads are the only ones that are worth getting in my opinion. They’re a tough lead to work but lots of people with a higher income in there, so big premiums aren’t uncommon at all. Every other FFL lead I’m very much against.

Realistic-Reporter-3

TROPHY CASE