How do life insurance agencies make their profit?

Monica Sandler asked:


I have a few questions here and thanks in advance.

Can anyone please explain how do life insurance agencies (or financial advisory agencies) make their profit?

Is that true that the life insurance companies are paying around 100% of total first year premium to the agents? How do the agencies split that with the agents?

I would appreciate if you can throw in some numbers, since i am looking to invest some angel capital into an agency, so you would help if you give numbers.