Fewer brokers say they plan to leave their jobs

They’re sticking around.

Just 18% of brokers responding to Canadian Underwriter’s 2026 National Broker Survey say they’re likely to leave the profession within three years. That’s a reversal of a multi-year trend – 22% told last year’s survey they’d leave within three years, as did 29% in 2024, 32% in 2023 and 24% in 2022.

Why are they staying? Verbatim responses to this year’s survey include expected answers, like the need for income or concerns being able to afford to retire. But others laud their brokerage’s culture, the value derived from client relationships, supportive management that allows work from home, and the profession’s job security.

“[I work in a] family business [and] would not leave unless it were for a very high pay increase,” says a woman respondent who’s newer to the business.

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Another suggests age isn’t always a deciding factor. “Thirty years in, I love the role of broker and am proud to devote my expertise to serving clients in this capacity,” says a woman respondent at a large firm. Others echo that sentiment, adding the effort they’ve put into developing their skillsets compels them to stick with the profession.

Men, at 16%, are slightly more likely to say they’ll leave within three years than women, at 15%. Predicably, 33% of industry veterans who’ve been in the business for 31 or more years plan to leave within three years, followed by newer brokers with 16 or fewer years on the job (12%), and those at mid-career (5%) with between 16 and 30 years under their belts.

In terms of firm size, brokers at larger companies with 100 or more employees are most likely to say they plan to leave the industry sooner than later (17%), followed by brokers at small firms with 20 or fewer employees (15%), and those at mid-sized operations with 20-to-99 employees (12%).

Stress points

Comments seen in prior-year surveys from brokers who say they’ll leave due to stress, pay concerns, and workload all show up in the 2026 data. This year’s survey has a stack of verbatim responses simply saying “retirement.”

But those answers are joined this year by verbatims pointing to structural changes in how insurers and brokers interact, as well as frustration with client demands.

“The constant industry changes, including more pressure on brokers to do the work of underwriters and claims adjusters, [while] our commissions have never changed,” says one mid-career broker at a smaller firm. “Clients are so focused on price and want answers ASAP. The high-paced environment and pressure is becoming too stressful and overwhelming after 22 years in the industry. I can rarely take a day off without [having to do some work].”

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One broker newer to the business adds, “Clients have become more upset and entitled. They’re unhappy with premiums and take it out on us. They want everything instantly. They’re rude, and they never take responsibility for paying on time, reading their policies, [or] answering questions honestly. They’re quick to blame us for their decisions.”

Another broker sees brokerage consolidation as a motivator to leave the business. “I enjoy being my own boss and helping clients,” says a respondent who provided no age or firm-size details. “Large brokerages are taking over, and insurers increasingly cater to them and not smaller shops. Lack of autonomy will make me leave.”

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Job satisfaction

In a separate question in the 2026 survey, 74% of brokerage employees say they are satisfied with their current employers (8 through 10 on a 10-point scale), compared with 68% in 2025, and 78% in both 2024 and 2023. Only 1% place themselves at the bottom of the range (0 through 3 on a 10-point scale) in 2026, compared with 4% in 2025 and 3% in 2024.

At 77%, women are more likely than men (69%) to say they’re satisfied with their employers. Those at mid-career (76%) express the highest satisfaction levels, followed by newer and older brokers (both at 72%). Those at mid-sized firms (79%) are most likely to express employer satisfaction, followed by those at small companies (72%) and large operations (63%).

Canadian Underwriter’s 2026 National Broker Survey heard from 169 brokers, with 32 identifying as brokerage owners or principals. The survey was conducted in February 2026, with support from Sovereign Insurance.

Phil Porado

Phil, an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience in financial topics, has been managing editor of Canadian Underwriter for more than three years.