Disability Insurance (DI) Claims Analyst

Important Information

• The recruitment process is expected to take approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
• This position is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2026.
• To support successful onboarding, full attendance during remote classroom training is required. PTO will be restricted during this period.

About the Opportunity

Join our Disability Insurance (DI) Claims team as an analyst in a dynamic, client-centered environment. You’ll apply critical thinking, empathy, clear communication, and cross-team collaboration to evaluate eligibility, calculate benefits, and guide clients through the claims journey. Through structured training and on-the-job mentoring, you’ll learn end-to-end claim management across initial and ongoing phases, build expertise in medical and financial reviews, and deliver timely, high-quality outcomes for clients, field partners, and the enterprise.

Learn More

Northwestern Mutual's Individual Disability Income Insurance products help clients protect one of their most important assets: their ability to earn an income. Learn more about these products and their impacts by visiting: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/disability-insurance/

What to Expect

Classroom Training

Training begins on October 19, 2026, and typically lasts 3 to 4 months. During this period, you will participate in:

• Virtual instructor-led training
• Practical exercises and case studies
• Guided application of claim concepts
• Foundational claims and policy education
• Structured coaching and performance feedback

Ongoing Development

As claims are assigned, you will be paired with an experienced mentor who will provide coaching, support, and guidance. Even after formal classroom training concludes, mentorship continues to help strengthen your:

• Claims decision-making abilities
• Technical expertise
• Written communication skills
• Client interaction skills
• Overall claim management effectiveness

Success in this role develops over time through continuous learning, feedback, collaboration, and practical experience.

What Success Looks Like

Successful DI Claims Analysts are naturally curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable working through complex situations. They bring structure to ambiguity, exercise sound judgment, and balance analytical rigor with compassion.

The strongest performers:

• Ask thoughtful questions and seek to understand the complete claim picture
• Analyze information critically and objectively
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Demonstrate empathy during sensitive conversations
• Manage competing priorities effectively
• Take ownership of their development and results
• Focus on delivering outstanding client experiences

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy solving problems, learning continuously, and making meaningful contributions through both technical expertise and human connection.

Key Responsibilities

Claim Evaluation & Decision Making

• Develop knowledge of Northwestern Mutual's claim philosophy, contracts, policy provisions, and claim management practices.
• Review medical, occupational, and financial information to assess claim eligibility and identify additional information needed.
• Apply policy language, analytical thinking, and sound judgment to determine eligibility, benefit calculations, and appropriate claim outcomes.

Client & Stakeholder Communication

• Conduct meaningful conversations with claimants, representatives, employers, field partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Explain complex claim-related information clearly, professionally, and empathetically.
• Handle sensitive situations with discretion, patience, and respect.

Documentation & Written Communication

• Maintain detailed and accurate claim documentation throughout the claim lifecycle.
• Document key activities, decisions, calculations, and communications.
• Draft professional correspondence, including requests, updates, decisions, and other claim-related communications.

Caseload Management

• Manage an evolving caseload across multiple claim stages.
• Prioritize work effectively while meeting service standards and deadlines.
• Adhere to operational procedures, regulatory requirements, and quality expectations.

Collaboration & Problem Solving

• Partner with medical, financial, legal, technical, leadership, and field resources to evaluate claims and support informed decisions.
• Navigate ambiguity and complex situations while maintaining professionalism and accountability.
• Contribute to team success through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Continuous Learning

• Actively seek feedback and coaching.
• Build technical expertise and claim management skills over time.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and commitment to professional development.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Prior disability insurance claims experience is a plus but not required.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to organize information, assess risk, and make sound decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to navigate sensitive conversations with professionalism and empathy.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a production-driven environment.
• Comfortable making independent decisions while knowing when to seek guidance.
• Adaptable, resilient, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and a variety of business technology platforms, including document management systems, communication tools, and virtual collaboration solutions.

Why This Role Matters

As a DI Claims Analyst, you'll help clients navigate important life events while developing expertise in insurance, analysis, communication, and decision-making. Through structured training, ongoing mentorship, and meaningful work, you'll build a rewarding career focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for clients, field partners, and Northwestern Mutual.

This is more than a claims role. It's an opportunity to combine analytical thinking with empathy to make a real difference in people's lives.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$60,880.00

Pay Range - End:

$91,320.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$66,960.00 USD - $100,440.00 USD

Structure 115:

$70,000.00 USD - $105,000.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!

Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.