American Income Life: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

American Income Life Insurance Company (AIL) was founded in 1951 in Indianapolis, Indiana. From its early focus on providing life insurance benefits to union members, AIL built a distribution model centered on direct, in-person sales through a network of licensed insurance agents. The company's executive offices relocated to Waco, Texas in 1959, where the company has been headquartered ever since. Over the following decades, the company expanded its reach across the United States and into Canada and New Zealand, developing relationships with hundreds of labor unions, credit unions, and professional associations to deliver supplemental coverage to their members and families.

Today, American Income Life operates as a subsidiary of Globe Life Inc. (formerly Torchmark Corporation), a publicly traded holding company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GL. Globe Life Inc. oversees a portfolio of insurance brands with tens of millions of policies in force. Within that structure, AIL maintains its focus on group and individual life insurance, accidental death coverage, and supplemental health products for the working-class families it serves through union and association channels.

The company's product portfolio includes term and whole life insurance, children's life insurance riders, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and supplemental health plans. These products are marketed primarily to members of affiliated labor unions, credit unions, and civic associations, as well as to individuals and families seeking supplemental protection. AIL positions itself as a provider of affordable coverage for households that rely on union membership benefits and association-sponsored programs.

American Income Life's workforce consists primarily of licensed insurance sales agents who work in the field conducting in-person presentations and enrollments with prospective policyholders. Agents typically work on a commission-based compensation structure and are required to obtain a state insurance license in each state where they sell. The company also employs home office staff in functions such as underwriting, claims, customer service, compliance, and administration at its Waco, Texas headquarters.

Company culture and employee programs:

Most roles at American Income Life fall into two categories: field sales agents and home office employees. Insurance sales agents are generally classified as independent contractors or agents who earn commissions on policies sold, and they must complete state licensing requirements, which vary by state but typically include pre-licensing coursework and a state insurance licensing examination, before they can begin selling. Home office roles follow a more traditional employment structure. The company recruits actively for agent positions through job boards, direct outreach, and referrals, and the agent licensing process is a distinct step in onboarding for all sales roles.

Yes. American Income Life conducts background checks on candidates as part of its hiring process. Screening typically takes place after a conditional offer of employment has been extended. For agent roles, candidates should be aware that the state insurance licensing process also includes background screening through the applicable state department of insurance, meaning that candidates for sales positions may be subject to two distinct background reviews - one by the company and one by the state licensing authority.

The American Income Life hiring process for field sales agent roles and home office positions follows different tracks, but the general sequence for most candidates includes these stages:

Timelines vary by role, location, and how quickly state licensing requirements can be completed. The licensing step for agent roles can add several weeks to the overall onboarding process depending on the candidate's prior licensing status and the state in question.

Most background checks initiated by American Income Life can complete within three to five business days once the candidate has provided written authorization and the CRA has initiated searches. Factors that can extend the timeline include court records requiring manual retrieval, employment or education verification involving multiple prior employers, and high application volume. For agent candidates, the state insurance licensing background review is a separate process with its own timeline, which varies by state licensing authority. For general information on background check turnaround times, see Checkr's guide on background check turnaround times.

A background check for an American Income Life position may include searches across several record categories. Common components include:

For agent candidates, the state department of insurance will conduct its own background review as part of the licensing application, which may include criminal history checks, financial history in some states, and review of any prior insurance industry regulatory actions.

The specific searches included in any individual background check depend on the position, the hiring location, and applicable state and federal legal requirements.

For most positions, background checks at American Income Life typically cover seven years of criminal history. The FCRA's seven-year limit applies to certain non-conviction records such as arrest records; criminal convictions can generally be reported without a federal time limit under the FCRA, though a number of states - including California, New York, Texas, and others - impose their own seven-year cap on reporting convictions. Some states also have additional restrictions on what types of records can be considered. Many jurisdictions also have ban-the-box laws that restrict when employers can inquire about criminal history during the hiring process.

For agent candidates, the state insurance licensing background review is conducted separately by each state's department of insurance and may apply different look-back rules depending on the state. Candidates with any criminal history who are pursuing an agent role should review the specific licensing requirements in the state where they intend to sell before beginning the application process.

American Income Life does not publish a blanket policy excluding all applicants with felony records. The company is expected to evaluate candidates with criminal histories on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the nature of the offense, how much time has elapsed, and the relevance of the conviction to the specific role being applied for. This approach is consistent with EEOC guidance encouraging individualized assessments rather than categorical exclusions.

However, candidates pursuing insurance sales agent roles should be aware of a practical consideration that extends beyond employer policy: obtaining a state insurance license with a felony conviction can be difficult. State departments of insurance conduct their own background reviews as part of the licensing process, and many states have provisions that allow them to deny a license application based on certain criminal convictions, including felonies involving fraud, financial crimes, or dishonesty. The specific rules vary significantly by state.

Candidates with a felony record who are interested in a sales agent role are encouraged to research the licensing requirements in their state, be transparent about their history throughout the application and licensing process, and consider consulting with a licensing attorney if there is uncertainty about eligibility.

American Income Life has not published a universal drug testing policy that applies to all roles and locations. Drug testing practices in insurance and financial services vary by company, role type, and hiring location. Some employers in this sector conduct pre-employment drug screening for certain positions, while others do not. Candidates should ask about drug testing requirements during the interview process to understand what applies to the specific role they are pursuing.

Candidates undergoing a background check as part of the American Income Life hiring process should be prepared to:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report background check information, and how employers may use that information in hiring decisions. Key FCRA protections for candidates include:

These protections apply to all candidates regardless of the employer or the position being applied for.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what American Income Life may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.