Anyone have some words about Senior Solutions?

al3 · 04-11-2007, 12:08 AM

A guy from Penn Life called me today wondering if I'd be interested in being a branch manager for Senior Solutions. He says he's not looking for heavy-weight insurance experience, but people who know how to start-up a business, manage it, and hire people... all experiences that I have.

I did some checking and SS is part of Penn Life (and why are the in Florida?) which looks like it is part of the UAI group, which I assume is the same UA that people here are highly critical of.

Anyone have any words about SS? Is this a sleaze outift that I want to stay away from? Or is there some merit to them? I'm not jumping at the opportunity (which has not really been offered) but I don't want to make a decision in a vaccum.

Thanks
Al

senior-advisor-indiana · 04-11-2007, 12:49 AM

I worked for them as an agent. No the criticized UA is United American. UA for them is Universal American. I live in IN and they arent competetive here anymore except for thier MA plan with pyramid( a sister company). Its a great plan but thats all they have and the commission for an agent is $204, $102 up front, $102 after 6 mo.

Being in management you would probably make a lot of dollars because they really screw thier agents. Atleast the office I was in. I do knw that some offices give different commissoin schedules. The leads we used were current policy holders of disability plans that were sold 20 years ago. Not bad leads except for every office hits those people up every 3 months.

I would probably consider mangement but nothing less. I was very sour when I had been there for a year and the best producer in the office and they brought in a 55yr old idiot that knew nothing about insurance. Thier reason for doing that? Because I was 5 minutes late for a couple monday morning meetings. Those also sucked EVERY WEEK

Cenla Agent · 04-11-2007, 11:52 PM

I don't think it's a sleaze outfit, but Penn Life is a "direct sales" organization. Meaning that the way you really make $$ with it is by building an organization and getting overrides. They pay far less for the Today's Options MA plans than you can get direct through Pyramid (their sister company--IIRC $180 vs $350) or even through most brokers, and they hold back 6 months of the agents commission until you've written 20 apps I believe it is.

ANG · 11-04-2008, 08:25 AM

Does Senior Solutions pay a salary during training, or is it commission only, even from the start?

Thanks for any info!

patch36 · 11-04-2008, 08:36 AM

Do a search here at the forum al. Though they are not the much maligned UA, they are a MLM, sell what we got, captive company, probably best known recently for their Pyramid Life/Todays Options MA plans. If PFFS is good where you are at, you may do well with them, but...

I personally went through their training, did a seminar, got to know the products and organization and got the release I requested within a month of going with them. I did it for the PFFS product, which was hot at the time. I had an agreement with the regional manager to be released if I found it wasn't for me. They were good people, ex Banker agents and managers, and had a decent program. I didn't like some of the products and I was giving up too much to stay with them. I can't imagine anyone who is independent reasonably successful going with them and being happy.

scottfree · 11-04-2008, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by patch36

Do a search here at the forum al. Though they are not the much maligned UA, they are a MLM, sell what we got, captive company, probably best known recently for their Pyramid Life/Todays Options MA plans. If PFFS is good where you are at, you may do well with them, but...

I personally went through their training, did a seminar, got to know the products and organization and got the release I requested within a month of going with them. I did it for the PFFS product, which was hot at the time. I had an agreement with the regional manager to be released if I found it wasn't for me. They were good people, ex Banker agents and managers, and had a decent program. I didn't like some of the products and I was giving up too much to stay with them. I can't imagine anyone who is independent reasonably successful going with them and being happy.

I have had problems with SS agents with them misleading clients on MA plans. In the last year I have had 3 instances where I have told clients that they need to report them to Insurance dept or to Medicare.

They have tried to recruit me on several occasions and these were Bankers agents that were very high pressure agents. One of these guys was a total jerk to me when I said I wasn't interested and after that call on 2 other occasions I basically told them their organization was preying on seniors. In my opinion some of these agents are the very reason that all these rules have been made by CMS and I personally would never have anythng to do with them.

patch36 · 11-04-2008, 01:49 PM

I have run into a lot of issues with their agents and their sales techniques. The manager here that I dealt with treated me fine and released me as soon as I asked with no hassle.

houruh1 · 11-05-2008, 07:36 AM

I am with SS now for about two months. I will most likely continue through the selling season, but after that I'm not sure. Between sales reports I've seen and over hearing manager's calls - the average agent is making approx. 30k annualized. Very few in my area making bonus on their new agent development plan. Our regional vp and his boss both came from Bankers and are trying to implement a bankers type of culture.

PAC-MAN · 11-11-2008, 05:00 PM

Ok guys here is the truth about SS. They are a true MLM!! One of the top sellers is a guy we will call MOE BLACK! MOE is as low a form of life you will ever here of. And that is about the way I see the rest of the X-Bankers guys. They will call a person in to hire and sell them an opportunity. A story of making hundreds of thousands of dollars. These managers are great salesman. They will sell you everyday you work there until you start to get close to your six months where you start to make more money on the backend of your sales and then you will find yourself without a job. I only know of one agent who has been with the local office of the SS more than 6 months. It seems the manager gets to keep all or part of your money you would have made in the second six months. The office I was in has hired and lost over 60 agents in two years. SLOW PAY! NO PAY!!

HomeService · 11-11-2008, 05:52 PM

I did not exactly get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I met with them...

stormtracker · 11-11-2008, 06:04 PM

They offered the same quasi-employment as Sterling and Combined-- revolving door...

montyderhak · 11-11-2008, 10:07 PM

They are bad, look ---all they have is Today's Options (not a competitive product anymore with WEllcare Coventry etc etc) Penn Live Med Supp (way way overpriced to sell it, 6% commission GET REAL) and they prey not only on Seniors but agents. They offer low comm. cause the managers get huge overrides and money for singing agents. I think the head honcho get 10K for singing on a friggin agent .... then the agent starves to death then they cancel of burn your contract then the managers get the clients ...... sleazy comes to mind......and their agents get far way way too many complaints with the Insurance dept......Still wanna work for them?????

Wealth Builder · 11-13-2008, 10:28 AM

We have Senior Solutions here in Des Moines, Iowa. Are they they same company? It is lead by Gary Marcum...just curious

HomeService · 11-13-2008, 11:28 AM

Probably the same company, they have offices all over the place- if they sell penn life and pyramid life, that's them

Closer1_99 · 12-20-2008, 01:30 PM

I will say one thing about the company and agents in general. If you are not making money, quite putting the blame on the company. If a company gives you good leads, and training and a great bonus program, what is the problem. Agents now days want everything handed to them. I am sick of people crying because they arnt making money. Example. Last week, i had some very good leads 4 hours away. Did i cry about it. NO. Went there and sold 27 apps in 4 days. Made a ton of money and built up great relationships. I WIN. YOU LOSE. QUIT THE CRYING AND WORK.

TRK3031962 · 12-20-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Closer1_99

I will say one thing about the company and agents in general. If you are not making money, quite putting the blame on the company. If a company gives you good leads, and training and a great bonus program, what is the problem. Agents now days want everything handed to them. I am sick of people crying because they arnt making money. Example. Last week, i had some very good leads 4 hours away. Did i cry about it. NO. Went there and sold 27 apps in 4 days. Made a ton of money and built up great relationships. I WIN. YOU LOSE. QUIT THE CRYING AND WORK.

Sounds great for you. You are just the type of agent SS is looking for. Hope it continues to work out for you. Oh, by the way...most of the agents on this forum have been through the "they give me good leads" thing. They understand that they can buy their own leads and end up making more money. They understand how to market for themselves instead of paying an upline to do it for them. But to each his own I say.

insuranceexec · 12-20-2008, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by houruh1

I am with SS now for about two months. I will most likely continue through the selling season, but after that I'm not sure. Between sales reports I've seen and over hearing manager's calls - the average agent is making approx. 30k annualized. Very few in my area making bonus on their new agent development plan. Our regional vp and his boss both came from Bankers and are trying to implement a bankers type of culture.

Are you with Aaron young, James Gray, Roger Smith, or Melvin Roberts ( Gene)?

12-20-2008, 06:59 PM

Been there done that. Was told I would have an agency in a year if I signed with them, only to find out, nope, gotta work under someone for 2 yrs before that can happen.

diva1 · 12-31-2008, 10:31 PM

I'm not for sure why there are so many different stories about Pennsylvania Life/Senior Solutions. I have seen first hand all agents receive their $200 bonus for their first apps within one week of the request being submitted. I have seen first hand agents receive their ADP bonuses for submitted business. That is submitted business not issued. I also know that this is the first company who really cares about their agents. Treats them like people. Leads are purchased by the Branch Manager. From the regional and territorial managers they are all great people! The products are outstanding. You have Penn Life, Pyramid, Select Care, John Hancock, Lincoln Financial and American Investors. From HMO, PPO, PFFS, Prescription Drug Plans to Medicare Supplements, there is something for everyone! Commissions are great and are paid quickly. All I can say it has been great and I am proud to work for them!

I also must reply to the statements about some of them being ex-Bankers people. Do you wonder why? Could it be that Bankers was so bad that they have gone to a company that is better and are capable of making a difference in peoples lives.

TRK3031962 · 12-31-2008, 10:52 PM

Diva,
You're new to the insurance industry aren't you?