A computer programmer should definitely qualify for own-occ. I looked it up with a couple of carriers quickly and you should be a 5A which puts you in the top occupation class. Now I'm a broker but I don't have access to Northwestern since they are captive so I can't give you any insight into that. With what you have said so far there is no reason you shouldn't be able to get it. Hope this helps.

Drue,
Different companies do have varying occupational classifications for many jobs, so you may in fact find that another disability insurance company will offer you an own-occupation DI policy, even if Northwestern Mutual will not.

I would suggest that you reach out to an insurance agent who is able to work as a broker with multiple companies, and see if the agent can shop around for you to try to find a company that will write an own-occ DI policy given your job.

But the bottom line is that some job descriptions will definitely vary from company to company in the type/level/depth of DI coverage offered.

I hope that helps a little!
- Michael