Advice on Insurance and Financial Services Career(s)?
481148
I am currently a financial advisor for a financial planning and mutual fund company so I hope I can help out some. Lets look at your questions.\n\n1. Life and health are they as difficult?\n   When I took the health and life insurance test for KS it was fairly simple. I haven't taken P&C but everyone I knew that tooke Life & Health didn't have too much of a problem with it.\n\n2. Work from library and internet?\n   Possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. I would suggest to find a good study that is specific to your state. I used a company called AD Banker for my health and life. Went to a class for life and study their book for health. Fairly easy. They taught everything you need to know. Especially the state specific law questions.\n\n3.Annuity what are they?\n  Easiest way to explain an annuity is...You know what a CD is at a bank. It's basically an account where you put a lump-sum amount of money in and let it earn interest and the interest compounds. Well and annuity is similar to that. There are some differences. First, it's only sold through Insurance companies. Which is why you are required to have a life insurance license. Second, when your interest compounds in an annuity you don't have to pay taxes on the earnings until the money is withdrawn. A cd you pay taxes on interest earned in the year it's earned. Third, annuities are the only investment vehicle that can guarantee a monthly payment for your whole life. What happens is you put money in it earns interest and then eventually you annuitize it. The insurance company then sends you a check each month until you die. Thats the basics of it. You'll learn more in depth about them when you study for your exam.\n4.Advice...\n  It's not easy. Take into consideration that while working in an insurance/financial services job you usually are self-employed and you just represent a company. Therefore you are really responsible for making your own paycheck. Most places put you on strictly commission. So if you don't sell anything this month you could go hungry. Make sure that you talk to all of your friends and family members. They will be the starting point of your business. Always, Always, Always, I cannot stress this enough, ask for referrals from people. It will make your business along with your paycheck grow. Don't stress out if you want to go into mutual funds or financial planning or anything. Such as getting your NASD series 6,7,63,65. They are somewhat difficult, but if you study and prepare they are actually really easy. Now, when you take these tests remember they are designed to trick you. Most of the time they are testing you on whether or not you know how to take tests. Read each question over twice make sure you know what it's asking. Watch out for questions that contain double negatives in them. And usually go with your first instinct. It's generally correct. Don't worry about any of the tests or understanding stuff greatly. You'll learn a lot about stuff as you go along. Good luck
190113
If you are looking for other degrees, there is IAA and CPCU.\n\nA lot of schools offer Insurance related courses.  Go to some websites for colleges that you are interested in and put in for "Continuing Education."
842051
Go to your nearest community college, get a copy of the curriculum offered and ask to make an appointment w/an career advisor.  They can give you a test to help determine your best academic field and interests.  Hopefully, you'll find a health care profession interesting to you as there are openings in the health care field all over the country.  Vet tech is another field that is growing with a wide range of possibilities.  Good luck!
481209
This is a very vague question!  You should sit down with a Financial Consultant and create a financial plan.  That person should ask you your risk tolerance. \nWhat type of income will you be getting from pension, social security, or other areas?\nAre you selling a business? \nWill you be working after you retire from this company?\nWhat types of debt do you have now vs when you retire? \nIf there is any additional income that you'll have.  \nWhat is your tax situation?\nWho are your beneficiaries?\nHave you already planned for long term care (one out of two people will need it in the future) \nHow long do you want to lock up your money?\nDo you have enough life insurance so your wife will be reasonably comfortable?\nHave you created a trust or will?\nDo you have grandkids?\n\nThere's 100 different ways to go about it.  I would recommend seeing a *Certified* Financial Planner with your wife. It will be a nightmare eye-opener for you. \nIt will be the equivalent of you sitting naked in someones office. LOL \n  Be careful going to one of the large or smaller brokerage houses first because you'll be like live bait.\n\nOff the top of my head should you wait to retire when your older?  Will you outlast your retirement funds?
730705
What I would suggest is resitting a couple of your GCSES - maths being the key one. If you go to your local FE college they should be able to advise you on how to go about that and if you have a career idea they can probably advise you on what qualifications you need. \n\nHope that answers your question - I know its not exactly an organisation but they normally have careers services within the college.
764295
From my experience, finance career is more lucrative. If you are an MBA, take the investment banking path. It pays the most.
19232
Schedule a meeting with 2 different local agents from well known companies.  Tell them that you want to get life insurance and wait for their response.  If they don't ask you about your income, assets, loans, future plans.. then they are wasting your time.  You need someone that makes sure you get the right amount of coverage and the right type of coverage.
1149739
It really depends on your aptitude, interests and goal. There are a great deal on opportunities to choose from. spend some time reviewing the specialties and then seeing when kind of path you could take once you leave the service.
308786
Business is always a great idea. If you are learning some kind of a profession, then you would want to start with professional services. Otherwise, it's a great idea to start trading in shares. Though you'll have to risk some money, its a great opportunity. Wish you luck!
934015
Try "financial services."
714135
Well, actuarial science wouldn't hurt.  But statistics is a strong second choice.  Mathematics might get you what you need, but probably focuses on more theory than actuarial employers are really interested.  Finance and economics are important subjects for actuaries to be aware of, but may not have the depth of statistical knowledge generally needed by actuaries.  \n\nA major in actuarial science or statistics with a second major or a minor in economics or finance will look pretty good.
288418
After getting a degree in finance or something else that will help you,I say starting your career in a bank or credit union (seems to me either one would be fine) is a good start and then try to get a job with a financial planning company. You could even try to get an entry level job with a financial planning company such as customer relations, secretarial jobs,that will help you get your foot in the door in financial planning.
474126
A whole bunch, check out BPP professional education's site on:\n\nhttp://www.bppfinancialservices.com/website/default.aspx\n\nIt details the courses for:\n\nCFA (Charterted Financial Analyst)\nIMC (Investment Management Certificate)\nSII Dip (Securities and Investment Institute Diplomas)\n\nAlso IAQ (Investment Administration Qualification) and IFA qualifications.\n\nCould always give them a call (their numbers on the site) as they're a helpful bunch.
112283
You have a number of options: CPA, CMA, CFA, …  It all depends on how you have planned your career out.
348161
I'm an agent for Combined Insurance and I think it offers the best of both worlds, entrepreneurial and employment. It's 100% commissioned, so you are paid exactly what you are worth (just like owning your own business). But it also offers benefits, training, merit-based promotion, and the power of a Fortune 500 company backing the products. If you like, I could check into opportunities in your area.
715432
This is an excellent course and you can expext a bright carreer with this qualifications.\nBanking is one are where you can get a good position and Finance companies are also looking for these qualified persons.
861829
Over 50 plans are all well and good, however most do not offer full cover until you have been a Member for over 24 months. If you die before that time you only get your premiums back, not the life sum assured.\nCall a financial Adviser to ask about your own individual requirements. The first consultation is usually free and without obligation (they will tell you over the phone ). He /She may be able to suggest a better option as they can research the whole market not just one company. Good luck