Your Commission Level Should Come From Your Sales, Not Your Team
In many agencies, there are two ways to get a raise: write more business, or recruit more people. In recruiting-first models, the second path is often faster. That is the problem.
How recruiting-based levels work
A new agent starts low. To move up, they are told to hit team targets, which means signing up more agents. Each new recruit starts low too, and the cycle repeats. Every layer takes a slice of the commission, so the more layers between you and the carrier, the less of each sale you keep.
The FTC's guidance on MLMs puts it plainly: in a legitimate program, you should be able to make money just by selling the product, without having to recruit (FTC Consumer Advice).
Why it hurts clients too
When levels depend on recruiting, the agency needs bodies. People get licensed and sent out before they understand underwriting or draft dates. Clients end up with the wrong plan or a draft that bounces, and policies lapse. Those lapses become chargebacks that can roll up the chain (LegalClarity). Read the math here.
What a production-based level looks like
- Your level is tied to the business you write and keep on the books.
- No team targets, no recruiting quotas.
- Top levels are tied to clear production requirements you can see up front.
- You can hold one contract or many.
At FEX Careers, first-year levels go up to 120% with several carriers, based on meeting production requirements. Levels vary by product and issue age and are subject to carrier approval. See every level on our FEX contracts page.
Sell. Own your book. Skip the recruiting.
Request top-level final expense, life and Medicare Advantage contracts. No recruiting required. One contract is fine.
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