800-377-4776
TMA logoTMA _enews_top

July 9, 2014

 
 
UPCOMING WEBINARS
 
  • AIG:
    • Summer Webinar Training
      Click here for the Life and A&H Webinar Schedule. Click here for the Annuity Webinar Schedule.
      • July 9th – Immediate and Deferred Income Annuities
      • July 10th – Enhancements to Elite Index Survivor – Add to Outlook Calendar
      • July 23rd – Fixed Deferred Annuities
      • July 24th – RetireStronger.com Overview – Add to Outlook Calendar
      • August 6th – Index Annuities Product Enhancements
      • August 7th – Term Conversion – Add to Outlook Calendar
      • August 21st – A&H: Critical Illness Insurance – Add to Outlook Calendar
      • August 27th – The Good, The Bad and The Opportunities
  • John Hancock:
    • LTC Captivate training webinars
      As an online system that supports an entirely paperless sales & application process, LTC Captivate helps to eliminate the geographic and logistical hurdles that often exist in today’s busy world. As a result, it enables producers and their clients to conduct business in settings and time frames that better suit both of their needs. Register for a session now by clicking below:
  • Minnesota Life:
    • 15-minute sales strategy teleconference every Wednesday at 10:00 AM CT
      Dial-in Number: 1-800-910-2399 Passcode: 224032
  • North American:
    • SimpleSubmit LIVE Demo
      A complete how-to session on the new electronic application, SimpleSubmit. (IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, SimpleSubmit is only available for Managing General Agencies.)
    • Business to Family Protection
      Take a fresh look at the Key Person sales concept! This webinar will teach you how to present a life insurance strategy to clients that covers both family and employer needs.

    • North American’s Fast Track
      Get up-to-speed with North American’s latest features. This webinar will put you on the inside track to sales with the latest information on illustration software, and website features like videos and sales concept kits.

    • A Place to Call Home
      Looking for a carrier that can offer a broad portfolio to meet your diverse list of client needs, competitive compensation for you, and the support and training to help you succeed? Then North American is the place to call home for your business. Attend this webinar to learn more.

SALES ARTICLES
 
CARRIER & INDUSTRY
 
  • Accordia Life:
    • Standard & Poor Upgrades Accordia Life
      Standard & Poor (S&P) raised its long-term financial strength and counterparty credit ratings on Accordia Life and Annuity Company (Accordia Life) to ‘A-‘ from ‘BBB+’. The outlook is stable. The upgrade is based on S&P’s view that Accordia Life is a core part of Global Atlantic Financial Group. As stated in the release S&P says, “The stable outlook reflects our expectation the group will continue to boost earnings and its balance sheet by writing new business.”
  • American National:
    • Surrender without Replacement requirements for Florida
      On July 1, 2014, Florida adopted a bill (HB 633) that changes the requirements related to the surrender of annuity contracts or life insurance policies without a replacement. American National will implement a new form once Florida develops their official form for exchanges. An agent notification will be sent when this form becomes available.
  • Legal & General America:
    • eDocuments – free direct digital solution for sending policy documents and checks from your agency
      This flexible eDocuments solution will save your agency time and money. It allows you to upload PDFs, scanned documents and imaged premium payment checks to Legal & General America via their website.
      • It’s free. Eliminates postage costs and vendor fees.
      • It’s easy. A few desktop steps is all it takes.
      • It’s better. Better than email. Better than faxing. Doc upload puts your document in our queue immediately.
LIFE INSURANCE
 
  • Legal & General America:
    • A-LIST Term
      A-List Term is a carve-out plan that’s owned by the employee, paid for by the company and underwritten on one medical question for ages 25-70; five medical questions for ages 71-75, age last birthday, simplified issue for both, and delivered on a specially tailored underwriting basis and pricing schematic.
    • Women – still an underinsured market
      Newly married, mothers, single moms, and senior women – When it comes to life insurance, women as a group are underestimated in value and most are underinsured.
    • Financial Institution microsite
      Find all the information you need to do business with banks, wirehouses and other financial institutions. It’s a responsive site; try it on your smart phone, tablet or desktop.
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
    • The Fit Program can lead to big savings
      An improvement in a client’s underwriting class can lead to significant savings, especially when dealing with larger face amounts. With recent changes, the Fit Underwriting Program now applies to face amounts as high as $5 million.
    • A commitment to large case underwriting
      Mutual/United of Omaha is committed to helping you with your large cases; and they are out to prove it with all of the recent changes impacting large case sales. You can benefit from:
      • Relaxed premium caps – Now allowing up to $2 million in premium on GUL and other individual policies without prior home office approval
      • A dedicated large case team – This specialized team ensures these policies get the extra attention they deserve.
    • Underwriting COPD
      COPD is a respiratory health issue many people have. Read about the considerations our underwriters used to review a case involving a 55-year-old male.
    • Term Life Answerswebinar replay
      There are several reasons for selling and owning term insurance, including satisfaction of short-term needs and the ability to obtain higher levels of insurance at prices clients can afford while protecting future insurability.
  • North American:
  • SBLI:
    • New rates – as good or better 85% of the time!
  • Symetra:
    • Private Financing Strategy – a flexible planning solution for future generations
      Many affluent clients understand the benefits of utilizing an ILIT funded with life insurance as an estate planning tool, but they may have already used-or prefer not to use-their lifetime gift tax exemptions(s) and/or gift tax annual exclusions. If so, a private financing arrangement may be an appropriate strategy. When private financing is teamed with Symetra SUL-G 1.0 Survivorship Life Insurance, your clients can create a cost-effective and tax-efficient solution to address their legacy planning goals.
COMBO PRODUCTS
 
ANNUITIES
 
  • AIG:
    • Rate increases
      American Pathway Immediate Annuity and American Pathway Deferred Income Annuity rates will increase July 9, 2014. Need a quote? Run one at www.retirementraise.com.
  • American National:
    • ASIA PLUS Lifetime Income Ridersales idea
      With the ASIA PLUS LIR with Fixed Rate + Index Credit, the 4% stops compounding after ten years but any interest earnings based on the performance of the index continue to be credited to the LIR Income base. If you have a client who is looking to retire later than the 10 year rollup period, this could be a great tool. Find out how!
  • ING:
    • Fixed Index Annuity rate lock hold period changed to 30 calendar days
      ING has extended the rate lock time period from 14 to 30 calendar days (still 14 calendar days for SPIA). This change is effective for any application submitted on or after July 1, 2014. The 30-calendar day rate lock period (14-calendar days for SPIA) for any contract begins the day its application is received unless: (1) an application signed prior to the effective date of a rate change is received on or after the aforementioned effective date; and (2) said application is received by close of business no more than seven days after the aforementioned effective period begins. In this case, the 30-calendar day rate lock period begins on the effective date of the rate change. View the updated rate sheet with the current rates (5/21 rates) and updated rate hold verbiage.
  • North American:
    • North American expands on types of Trusts accepted
      The following changes are effective immediately:
      • The trust grantor is no longer required to be the annuitant
      • Additional types of trust will be accepted, call Sales Support for details
      • A new Certification of Trust Agreement form is required for any application that includes a trust as owner OR beneficiary
LONG TERM CARE
 
  • John Hancock:
    • First round of 2013 and next round of 2010 in-force rate action notifications
      John Hancock has already started to notify the first round of policyholders impacted by the 2013 in-force rate action. In addition, they have begun to notify the next round of John Hancock and Fortis policyholders impacted by the 2010 in-force rate action. Rate increases will have an effective date beginning with anniversaries on or after September 1, 2014. Click here for complete details; including affected states and policy series, and an update to the average Forbes increase percentage.
    • Insurability Screening Guide
      This new producer tool will help you determine your client’s insurability (currently available in all states except Hawaii, Florida and New York). This is a key part of the initial sales process now that the medical questions are no longer collected by the agent.
    • Help your client prepare for the Paramedical Exam
      With the recent introduction of the new underwriting changes on May 19th, all clients (except in Hawaii, Florida, and New York) are required to undergo a paramedical exam as part of the LTC application process. This new consumer brochure has been developed to help your client prepare for the Paramedical exam
  • Transamerica:
      • Back to the LTCi Basics Wrap-up
        A review of what’s important to consumers and how stand-alone LTCi is uniquely positioned to meet those needs.
      • Transamerica Secure Consumer Website
        The new TAsecure.com site supports your sales and gives clients a one-stop resource.
      • Stand-alone LTCi Benefit Flyers
        Four handy at-a-glance agent guides that cover the advantages of stand-alone policies.
      • Mobile App Availability
        TransQuote Mobile for Transamerica Secure is now available on both Android and IOS mobile platforms.
DISABILITY & CRITICAL ILLNESS
 
 
AGENT CONTESTS
 
  • American National:
    • 2015 Marketing Conference (qualification period 1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      You and your guest will enjoy five days and four nights at The Cove Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas from May 17-21, 2015 if you are one of American National’s top 80 qualifiers. Click here for details.
    • LIR Dash for Cash (5/15/2014 – 8/15/2014)
      Apps submitted and paid between 5/15 and 8/15, earn cash for ASIA PLUS annuities sold with a Lifetime Income Rider!

      • Annuity Level: $500,001 – $750,000 = $750 Bonus
      • Annuity Level: $750,001 – $1,000,000 = $1000 Bonus
      • Annuity Level: $1,000,000+ = $1500 Bonus
  • Athene:
    • Top Producers Dublin 2015 (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      Produce $3.5 Million or more (received during the qualification period of January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014) with Aviva or Athene products and then get ready to pack your bags for Ireland. Click here for details.
  • Genworth:
    • 2015 Distribution Leaders Summit (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      Discover South Africa – April 15 – 24, 2015! Click here for details.
  • Legal & General America:
    • Go Figure Contest (3/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      This agency incentive begins March 1st and runs through 2014, BUT the qualifications restart again on July 1st, and then again on October 1st. To win an iPad or Android Tablet, you need to focus on financial institutions! Click here for details.
  • North American:
    • Elite Agent Bonus Program (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
    • Triple Pay Program is Back! (3/1/2014 – 8/31/2014)
      Recruit new agents and earn $100 for each of your first three paid life insurance cases! Click here for details. View the video.
    • Sizzle Summer Sales Incentive on RetireChoice (5/19/2014 – 7/31/2014)
      Applies to applications received from May 19, 2014 to July 31, 2014. Transfers and 1035 Exchange premiums must be received by September 15, 2014.
      • Level 1
        Produce between $250,000 and $499,999 in NAC RetireChoice Issued Premium and choose between a $300 Omaha Steaks gift card -or-Maui Jim gift card
      • Level 2
        Produce between $500,000 and $999,999 in NAC RetireChoice Issued Premium and choose between a $750 PGA Superstore gift card -or- Apple gift card.
      • Level 3
        Produce $1,000,000+ in NAC RetireChoice Issued Premium and choose between a $2000 Travel Voucher -or- Cabela’s gift card.
  • SBLI:
    • Cash for Cases 5-5-5 Bonus Program (6/21/2014 – 9/22/2014)
      For every 5 term or whole life policies with a premium of $500 or more, received between June 21 and September 22 and paid for by October 24, agents will earn a $500 bonus cash award. Selling 5 additional policies which meet these criteria will earn them another $500! If 5 or more of your agents qualify for the $500 bonus, then we will gift you an additional $500 for an agency lunch party. Click here for details.
  • Transamerica:
    • Break Away and Travel with Transamerica (4/1/2014 – 12/19/2014)
      • Agents who place $25,000 of premium (minimum 3 TLIC life applications) will earn a 3-day vacation package valued up to $1,400 for yourself and a guest.
      • Agents who place $75,000 of premium (minimum 5 TLIC life applications) will earn a 5-day vacation package valued up to $5,000 for yourself and up to 3 guests.
      • Click here for complete details.
    • Leading Distributors Convention in Barcelona (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2015)
      This is your opportunity to experience one of the world’s top destinations in an entirely unique way-the Transamerica way! Sun-filled days, exciting nightlife, and the breathtaking beauty of Barcelona await, when you qualify for the 2016 convention – held May 11-15, 2016. Click here for details. View the producer flyer.