Challenging, but not micro-managed - Individual Consultant TIAA Employee Review

4.0
Feb 21, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Incredible benefits package! The not-for-profit culture also lends to working with pleasant coworkers. TIAA-CREF has a large moat around with - perfect credit ratings from the four major companies, 40% market share in 403bs (5.5 times the size of Fidelity, the next closest competitor), penetration into 85% of the colleges/universities in the United States. In addition, the way TIAA-CREF's variable annuities and mutual funds are managed is impressive, as we just about side-stepped the worst of the economic mess.

Cons

The computer systems are years old and sometimes obsolete - Internet Explorer 6 anybody? Sometimes their main system will crash while you are speaking with a participant which takes a full reboot, very unprofessional when people are trusting their retirement to you. Also, the Registration & Licensing department tries their best but is swamped with the new recruits coming in (TIAA-CREF is hiring 400+ consultants this year alone). If you do not already have your securities AND insurance licenses, expect to not be released to be on your own for 6-8 months from hire.

Explore other reviews about TIAA

5.0
Jun 25, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great opportunities for growth and supporting management

Cons

There is nothing to love about TIAA!

2.0
Jul 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good starting salary and benefits package.

Cons

The longer you’re there, the more of an expectation that you work more for the same or less income. Producers find it hard to justify staying when leadership keeps moving the goal posts on how to increase income. No rhyme or reason as to how they decide “promotions.” One advisor might have one good year and get promoted over an advisor that produces year in and year out. They fail to share revenue because they’d have a hard time justifying the income level compared to outside advisors with a fraction of the book size. They claim and depend on brand recognition to justify a capped income but fail, or just won’t admit that is why they keep losing their top talent. Operations is a nightmare that I can’t even begin to describe. When I share the processes that have been in place for over a decade, colleagues in the industry shake their head and laugh. They can’t believe we earn and keep business. The saying while I was there was “the biggest threat we face is that TIAA clients start to explore their options outside of TIAA.”

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