Pros
Very few . . .
Cons
I worked in the Retirements Benefits Group (RBG). The firm makes many promises and guarantees in which only the lucky 1% achieve (although they tell you it is easily attainable). The commission structure is very confusing and not transparent at all. When I asked for them to send it to me to review it, they told me no...and that it could not be sent out. The examples they use when describing the commission are far from the many, and are the few who are doing great in the business. They say that everyone is achieving those numbers (and thats true because the only people still left are the 1%, other wise you cant survive on the income to stay). They tell you the retention rate is amazing and is something like 97% retention.....they dont tell you the fine print that it is (97% retention once you have been there for over a year and are hitting certain metrics.....THOSE are people who make up the “so called” 97% retention rate). Also, the position is a commission position (see below for details about salary). With that (and with the salary option), you have to get RE-contracted every 6 months and hit certain metrics every 6 months or you are fired and it is a 0 forgiveness policy. Once you are hired, and have been lied to about all the details, you have to pay for EVERYTHING. Computer, E&O insurance, tests, licensing, travel, sometimes office space, etc. Also there are little to no benefits with the commission/salary. There is a salary option, but first you must get contracted. Contracting can take anywhere from 4-6 months (they will tell you 1-2) where you must not only pass your series 7 test, but must also hit very difficult metrics such as writing several large life insurance/annuity cases and getting around 24 applications minimum. It took me 6 months to get contracted and I was not paid a dime in those 6 months. You are paying for all expenses within those 6 months and your credit card debt will be very high at this point. Finally you get contracted, your generous $24,000 salary begins. Well divide that by two, with all the expenses you are paying for on your own, and no benefits. To do business, they had me driving an hour each way to meet with clients to write 403b/457 applications. Few apps will be $30 < commission (if you even get one that day) with the majority of any apps you write being under $15. Not to mention, if you decide to take the salary option, they cut all your commission earnings by 40%. So after driving 2 hours everyday to work with government employees or school teachers (who want nothing to do with you, and who make very little $), you will be lucky if you get 1 or 2 apps in any given day. Most days I ended up losing money on gas in my car, with a good day being $30-50. I average 3-4 apps per week with little to any life insurance cases ever. Management differs from city to city, but mine was very lackluster and the opposite of helpful. Management was only in it for themselves as they have their own metrics to make and helping you is their last priority. The only thing management is good at is hiring you. After a week or 2 of training, you are on your own. I left AXA over a year ago and was in deep credit card debt for over 5 months. I dont normally write reviews, and hate focusing on the negatives, but I really had a miserable experience that I would do anything to take back. My experience wasnt a one off either. After reading other reviews from around the USA within the Retirement Benefits Group (RBG), all the negative reviews you will read are 100% true and accurate. Its been a little since I have been with the company, so I am not just blowing smoke when I write this review. I have left that part behind me. I am writing this for the sake of the next person that considering taking on a position with AXA. I promise you when I say, after all the hardships and expenses, it is better to be unemployed than to take this position with AXA. Take everything they tell you with a grain of salt, and question each and every statistic they throw at you. They will tell you what you want to hear and make narrow promises. Do youself a favor and DONT WORK FOR AXA.