Strong Executive Leadership, Inept core managers - Annuity Department Symetra Employee Review

2.0
23 Oct 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The benefits are good at Symetra and they have never had layoffs. The company if filled with 8-4 employees happily collecting their paycheck and waiting for their distant retirement. These people are kind, fun, and they do care about the company and its clients. The actuary department and legal seem happy. The executive leadership is very good. The CEO, and top three executives that lead the divisions are top notch leaders.

Cons

Above the hard-working masses that fill the Symetra offices, (including the lower managers who are just as underpaid and overworked), there are highly political, nepotistic, pathological, back stabbing people who care about their personal careers more than anything else. I witnessed many instances, department managers up to the vice president level, of window dressing to show their great progress; but the good managers who cared about their departments' sustainability and the company mission always ended up getting thrown under the bus. The 'good guy manager' doesn't win at Symetra because there are so many cunning competitors ready to push them out.

Explore other reviews about Symetra

5.0
8 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great culture, people, pay and benefits. Remote work is awesome.

Cons

Can't think of anything right now

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Symetra Response
2w
From Dena Ashlock, Actuarial: Thank you for the kind words and for your years with Symetra! We're glad the culture, benefits, and flexibility have made it a great place to work. We hope to keep earning that review for years to come!
5.0
8 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great opportunities here to become a true student of the business. Flexibility in work location, because it's really and truly a fully remote first workplace. Opportunity to develop and nurture an effective sales system, bring value and partner for a lifetime with financial professionals to help grow businesses, and protect clients' and families' futures. Guidance and employee engagement in future-proofing the business, leadership opportunities, and opportunities for community impact that you can measure both with hard data and with emotional impact on the team. I'm genuinely glad to get up and go to work every morning. I'm grateful for the opportunity, and the confidence given to us to be driven and self-sufficient professionals.

Cons

Training is getting exponentially better, and structure is fomenting, but still isn't where it should be, by far. Sales teams bolster each other, but there's a perception of "performance punishment" that affects morale. The company wants to be a top ten carrier, but feels like it's lacking direction in other divisions, and our operational growing pains are evident to advisors.

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Symetra Response
2mo
From Erin Woltz, VP Talent Management and Change Leadership: Thank you for this thoughtful feedback and for the genuine enthusiasm you bring to your work here! It's meaningful to hear that you find purpose in partnering with financial professionals and contributing to something larger. Appreciate you highlighting your concerns; these are the kinds of observations that help us identify where our growth is creating friction. We encourage you to continue sharing that perspective with your manager and through our internal feedback channels. Voices like yours are part of how we get to where we want to be.
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