To protect and serve:
Changing careers from law enforcement to Aflac

“The Great Resignation” is upon us. Between April and June 2021, 11.5 million Americans quit their jobs. And those who didn’t might want to—nearly half of employees are looking for a new gig.¹

That includes the folks in blue. Law enforcement has seen a 45% increase in retirement and a nearly 20% spike in resignations in 2020–2021 compared with 2019–2020.² In addition to dealing with the same stresses the rest of the world faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, police officers are first responders and may absorb the mental strain of that role.³ During that same time, communities across the nation started calling for police reform. On a systemic level, this reckoning continues. And many officers are turning in their badges—leaving them wondering what comes next.

Going from police work to selling insurance might not be an intuitive move. But the two professions are more compatible than you might think, thanks to transferable skills and personal qualities that can serve communities and businesses alike.

Transferable law enforcement skills

A devotion to service. Aflac agents don’t take an oath, but they’re committed to providing care to their communities by helping local businesses take care of their employees. You might not be saving lives directly as an insurance agent, but given that 22% of people have opted out of medical care in the past year because of costs, you may be saving lives in another way by helping people pay for the care they need.⁴

An ability to work with people in difficult situations. Law enforcement officers navigate circumstances the layperson doesn’t know how to handle—erratic behavior, threats of terrorism, violence. As an Aflac agent, you’re thankfully spared those dangers, but you’re still dealing with people and the emotions of handling something important at a time when they need help the most. Insurance can be complicated, and more than a third of employees say they don’t understand their employee benefits.⁵ With a patient, experienced voice by their side, sick and injured people may be better able to cope and get the help they need.

Strong communication skills. As a police officer, you were trained to speak with community members in clear, plain language. You were also trained to listen—to follow up on ambiguous statements, to pay attention to body language to spot discomfort, to detect when there’s more to the story. This mastery pays off in other trades too: Aflac insurance agents spend a good portion of their workdays communicating with business leaders and their employees to help them understand how they can protect themselves with the right insurance coverage.

Being an Aflac insurance agent pays off for former law enforcement officers

Becoming an Aflac insurance agent doesn’t mean you work for Aflac directly. Instead, you become an entrepreneur—but one who has the backing of a Fortune 500 company committed to helping new agents like you get the training and resources necessary to set you up for success.

You’ll work hard, but in the way that best serves your schedule and your clients. If you are a morning person, you can arrange your day to capitalize on your most productive time. If you are a night owl, you can adjust accordingly. Aflac insurance agents work on commission, so your income is capped only by your drive. Retired police officers can treat this as a part-time gig for additional income, but those who are ready to dive headfirst into a new career or a “second act” as a sales consultant can work full time and earn accordingly.

Most of all, working as an Aflac agent allows you to help protect and serve your community in another way you can be proud of—one with less burnout, more time for family and the joy of helping others.