Senior Solutions Vs Western Southern

[jaugusta]

Hi guys.
I have been working for SS for a while now and I just received an offer from WS. I did not find them they found me, mostly I just tell people when they call me that I am employed and not interested but thank you this time they caught my attention a little bit. The man thing about the company I like is the benefits you get.
I am still too young in the business to be independent just yet.
Has there been anybody to work at both at one time or another?
I am leaning to staying where I am at, great people, good products and great management but I would not be doing my family justice if I did not look at other options if they could be better.
Thanks guys.

 

[Cenla Agent]

If Senior Solutions=Pyramid or Pennsylvania Life, I would probably pick W-S. Hard to make $$ with Penn. Life if you're not recruiting agents, unless they've changed how they operate. But some of this at least is based on my knowledge of particular offices, including one of W-S's top offices in the country. In 2006 when Senior Solutions was seriously getting into the market, I saw no advantage whatsoever going with them vs staying independent, especially since I had previously been captive with Humana. Part of it was because I wasn't that familiar with the company, but in retrospect I believe I made the correct choice.

Western and Southern is a major company, but the name isn't that well known. Sort of like American General, Monumental and the fraternals, they primarily market to middle class people, unlike companies like New York Life, Met Life, Mass Mutual, etc. You would also have very good benefits with them, unlike your 1099 situation with Sr. Solutions (assuming that I'm correct about who you work for.) IMO if you're going to be captive, might as well be with a company that will give you a salary, benefits and retirement if you stick around that long. But maybe that's just me. Obviously I have no idea how well you've been doing at Sr. Solutions, know nothing about this W-S office or the management there, etc.

 

[xrac]

WS is a better place to be than SS.

 

[jaugusta]

If Senior Solutions=Pyramid or Pennsylvania Life, I would probably pick W-S. Hard to make $$ with Penn. Life if you're not recruiting agents, unless they've changed how they operate. But some of this at least is based on my knowledge of particular offices, including one of W-S's top offices in the country. In 2006 when Senior Solutions was seriously getting into the market, I saw no advantage whatsoever going with them vs staying independent, especially since I had previously been captive with Humana. Part of it was because I wasn't that familiar with the company, but in retrospect I believe I made the correct choice.

Western and Southern is a major company, but the name isn't that well known. Sort of like American General, Monumental and the fraternals, they primarily market to middle class people, unlike companies like New York Life, Met Life, Mass Mutual, etc. You would also have very good benefits with them, unlike your 1099 situation with Sr. Solutions (assuming that I'm correct about who you work for.) IMO if you're going to be captive, might as well be with a company that will give you a salary, benefits and retirement if you stick around that long. But maybe that's just me. Obviously I have no idea how well you've been doing at Sr. Solutions, know nothing about this W-S office or the management there, etc.

I appreciate your input. I have been very happy with them and I am doing OK, not the best, but ok. And yes you are correct about the 1099.
I am going to do the interview with W-S and see what they have to say and speak to the agents there but if they are there they will talk great about it until the day they leave, all people do. BUt I will ask to see the products they offer, how advancement is, ect.

 

[captain94]

Stay Where You Are Untill You Are Ready To Go Indy If Thats Your Long Term Goal. More Products And Better Training. At Western Southern You Are Again Captive And They Pay You A Weekly Draw(not A Salary) Your Commisions Go Into A Bucket And Its Tough To Make More Than $500-$600 Per Week. I Worked For Ss And I Know The Commisions Are Low And The Monthly Adp Bonus Is "weighted" But If You Want To Get To A Point To Go Indy Ss Is A Better Option. Good Luck With Your Decision Any Way You Go!

 

[jaugusta]

Stay Where You Are Untill You Are Ready To Go Indy If Thats Your Long Term Goal. More Products And Better Training. At Western Southern You Are Again Captive And They Pay You A Weekly Draw(not A Salary) Your Commisions Go Into A Bucket And Its Tough To Make More Than $500-$600 Per Week. I Worked For Ss And I Know The Commisions Are Low And The Monthly Adp Bonus Is "weighted" But If You Want To Get To A Point To Go Indy Ss Is A Better Option. Good Luck With Your Decision Any Way You Go!

Thanks that is really helpful. What exactly is a weekly draw? It sounds like the commission is shared, like tips for servers at a restaurant.

 

[captain94]

A Draw Means They Pay You A Weekly Salary Ive Had Some Freinds Work There And They Got Between 300 To 500 A Week To Start Plus Health Insurance. If You Write Say 4 Apps That Week You Still Only Get Your Weekly Salary 300-500 Where Ever They Start You At. Your Commisions Go Into A "bank" Every 3 Months They Review Your Production And Give You A Raise Or Lower Your Weekly Pay Based On Your Net Business. If You Take The Money And Dont Write Anything You Owe That Money Back. My Friend Worked There For 1 Year And Said It Was Tough To Make More Than The Salary. There Lead Program Is Go Over Someone's Book That Quit And Try To Resell Something Else. They Do Not Use Any Real Lead Program. I Know Ss Is Tough Right Now But Hang In There Learn The Business And Then Go. If You Stay In Touch With Your Clients They Will Find You When You Leave And You Can Help Them With A Good Product. They Buy The Insurance From You Because Of You Not The Product.

 

[jaugusta]

The book of business was one of my main concerns. If it is such a good book then what happened to the other agents who had the book before me?
SS can be tough, but I have developed my own marketing campaign and so far it is doing well. I am doing direct mailings to targeted people and I am getting in the houses the same week they send the cards and am getting about 10 per week and since I am the only person that will ever have the lead thats nice too. One other thing that worried me about W-S is that they do not pay for postage, when you are sending 1000 direct mailings a week with postage paid post cards for return, that gets pricy lol.

 

[captain94]

Yes It Does. Do You Mind If I Ask What Branch And Region You Work Out Of For Ss? If You Dont Want To Post It Public You Can Pm Me. I Was In Your Situation And I Know Its Tough. Thankfully My Branch Manager Gave Us 12 Month Advances Witch Is Unheard Of In Ss.