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• Do you want a happy client?
  Once the sale is made, don’t squander the first 100 days. They’re your best chance to build customer loyalty.
• The 3 retirement income strategies every advisor must learn
  The need for comprehensive retirement income planning services increases every day, as more and more people near retirement.
• 9 Reasons You Should Take Another Look at Whole Life Insurance
• 10 ways to screw up when picking life insurance beneficiaries
  Mistakes are common – and they can be heartbreaking and expensive.
• What you need to know about how Social Security is taxed
  True or false? The government applies a means test that focuses the highest tax rates in the entire system on middle class income.

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• MetLife:
  • Anti-Money Laundering training – update
    MetLife is required to ensure its producers have completed Anti-Money Laundering training. MetLife delivers AML courses through LIMRA, an industry-leading AML training provider.

• North American:
  • North American stationery discontinued – effective immediately
    Due to the low requests for letterhead and customized envelopes, North American will no longer be offering these items in Supply Warehouse.

• Symetra:
  • 2015 tax updates
    While 2014 brought little change in federal tax legislation, 2015 delivers new tax levels for federal estate and gift taxes. Check out this Fast Facts flier to see the most noteworthy changes.

• Transamerica:
  • Leadership change for Brokerage
    After 12 years with Transamerica, Michael Babikian has decided to leave the company to pursue other opportunities. Today is his last day. I want to thank Michael for his contributions to our organization and wish him well in his future endeavors.  Effective immediately, Nancy Bosley is assuming the role of President of Transamerica Brokerage. Nancy joined Transamerica in March of 2012 and has served as Chief Sales Officer for Brokerage since May of 2013. Prior to joining Transamerica, she was a producer, a successful BGA for 20 years and then President of LifeMark. Please join me in thanking Michael for his service and in wishing Nancy all the best in her new role.

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• Genworth Financial:
  • Introducing Asset Builder Index UL II – NEW PRODUCT!
  • Higher distributions at more conservative illustrated rates (Top 3 in most ages/rate classes)
• Conditionally guaranteed Interest Credit Enhancement – .35% starting in year 11  
• Lower Current Participating Loan Rate – 4.5% (5.9% Guaranteed Max)
• Shorter surrender period (10 Years)
• Shorter and more concise illustration
• Foundation Builder Index UL has new maximum illustrated rates
• The Index Institute– new & improved

• MetLife:
  • Offer clients a tax advantaged asset w/a one week underwriting decision
    The MetLife Enhanced Rate Plus underwriting program offers qualifying MetLife Promise Whole Life Select 10 applicants the opportunity to move from a Standard to best possible rating class1 and receive an underwriting decision within one week – with no paramedical exams or lab work required!
  • MetLife Solutions – updated
    Updates include: MetLife Secure Flex Universal Life, MetLife Promise Whole Life products, Quick predict, and more. Click here for details.
• Plan sponsors to receive life insurance policy information for Form 5500 Schedule A by May 1^st
  MetLife is required to send information necessary for Plan Sponsors to complete Form 5500 – Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan and Schedule A – Insurance Information to reasonably ensure they comply with Department of Labor requirements.
• Planning with Charitable Remainder Trusts
  Charitable Remainder Trusts are a planned giving tool that can provide donors with significant tax benefits in addition to helping them meet their long term charitable giving objectives.

• Minnesota Life:
  • Improving underwriting for e-cigarettes
    Based on research and development and the ability to test for a marker of tobacco combustion, Minnesota Life can improve ratings for clients who use e-cigarettes.
  • Ensure your business owners can follow through
    Help business clients ensure they have enough life insurance to pursue their financial goals and fulfill a buy-sell agreement. The Business Continuation Agreement (BCA) and Guaranteed Insurability Option for Business Agreement (GIOB) are available on Minnesota Life’s individual indexed universal life and individual fixed universal life policies.
• Introducing the new EPIC microsite
  The new Estate Planning, Individually Centered (EPIC) microsite has launched! It’s time for you to transcend traditional estate planning from just planning for what happens at death into planning for both life and death.
• Simplify the application process with eParamed – COMING IN MARCH!
  eParamed combines the tele-interview and paramedical exam steps of the application process, resulting in a faster, more customer-centric process. Below are benefits of eParamed.
• Schedule appointments through Quick eApp when completing the client’s eApplication
• One face-to-face appointment to complete both the tele-interview portion and paramedical exam
• Instant submission to underwriting once the appointment is complete
• Enhancements to premium collection guidelines & paper applications – reminder
  All applications available on advisor websites were updated on January 19, 2015 to coincide with the enhancements to the premium collection guidelines. Effective March 1, 2015, existing applications with revision dates prior to 2014 will no longer be accepted and will be returned to the advisor along with any premium collected. A new application submission will be requested.

• Mutual/United of Omaha:
  • Don’t forget about the Fit Underwriting Credit Program to get your clients the best rate
  • The Living Benefits of GUL – sales idea
• New Term Life Answers rates are something to be excited about
  Term Life Answers new Preferred Plus, Preferred Nontobacco and Standard Nontobacco rates are the best rates Mutual has ever offered.
• Customize life protection with layering – term insurance sales idea
  By using a concept known as layering, you can help clients get exactly the coverage they need, when they need it – for a more affordable price.
• Help determine the need
  A Needs Analysis provides a guideline for purchasing life insurance. It’s a systematic method of discussing life needs with clients and covering them with life insurance. And, using it with clients usually results in a higher face amount of coverage.

• North American:
  • Understanding Millennial Values – video
    Watch this video to learn how our industry can adapt to the changing face of consumers.

• Protective Life:
  • Policy Delivery Acknowledgement form – updated

    Protective announces an update to their policy delivery receipt practices in those states that do not mandate a signed policy delivery receipt.  Effective February 23, 2015, agents and policy owners will receive a Policy Delivery Acknowledgement Form, which states the right to change the policy due date, but will no longer require a signature.  The new process will help to alleviate policy reissue requests due to confusion, which in turn, increased the overall placement timeframe. The Policy Delivery Acknowledgment Form will now be used in all states, except for CA, LA, NV, PA, SD, WV and VA, which are state mandated to require a signature. Therefore, in those states, a signed delivery receipt will still be required.

• Prudential:
  • PruLife UL Protector has been re-priced
    View the re-pricing rules.  View the details below:  
  • Price decreases have been made across the board from ages 55 to 85
• Female pricing has become very competitive; making the product more appealing – especially when paired with BenefitAccess (BAR).
• The product’s No-Lapse Guarantee (NLG) feature has been simplified to improve customer and producer experience.
• With First Year Flexibility, even if the actual payment in the first year is delayed – compared with what was assumed in the illustration – the NLG duration will not be impacted. This is especially beneficial for Section 1035 Exchanges and backdated policies where the timing of premium payments may be uncertain.
• PruLife Index Advantage UL w/Benefit Access Rider approved in NY
  The January 2015 version of PruLife Index Advantage UL with Benefit Access Rider is now approved in New York. Please note that the Enhanced Cash Value (ECV) Rider is not approved.
• State specific supplements, worksheets and other New Business forms – revised
• Starting Chronic Illness Conversations with Female Clients – video
  This new video shares an authentic and heartfelt conversation among women about aging and planning for their future; including preparing for chronic illness care.
• PruLife Illustrator Features Chart
  It’s a New Year and a great time to think about utilizing new tools in your business. Pru Life Illustrator (PLI) is available to run the new business life insurance illustrations that you need, but it has additional features and functionality to do so much more.
• Financial Planning considerations for same-sex couples after Windsor update
  The growing number of states recognizing same-sex marriages, and a recent Social Security announcement, may impact financial planning strategies and employee benefit options for same-sex couples. Learn more in this update.
• Planning for today’s family
  Whatever your clients’ families look like, it’s important to have a comprehensive financial plan designed for their unique circumstances and needs. Prudential’s producer presentation highlights items to consider when addressing today’s family.
• Partnering & Empowering Women’s Financial Future – toolkit
  Building a network of relationships within the women’s market may not be as challenging as you think.  Designed with easy tips to invest value and foster relationships within this community, this toolkit helps position you to partner with and empower women towards managing their financial future.
• Hispanic Americans: Clear financial goals…yet under-served
  Did you know that Hispanic Americans have clear financial goals, but when compared to the general population, they are half as likely to have been contacted by a financial professional? Leverage this new presentation for tips, marketing concepts, and a product overview to capitalize opportunities within this market.
• Is Founders Plus UL right for your clients? – client profile
  How do you decide the appropriate life insurance protection for your clients? Client Profiles compares some of Prudential’s permanent life insurance options, including Founders Plus UL, across various important criteria to help you.

• Symetra:
  • Legacy planning for multiple generations using Dynasty Trusts
    Life insurance can be a highly effective vehicle for asset protection and for increasing the wealth that passes to beneficiaries-in some cases, over several generations. But with a life insurance policy properly structured in a dynasty trust, your clients’ assets can work even harder for their beneficiaries. By leveraging assets, your clients can gain more control and a more efficient way to pass on their legacy for multiple generations.  To find out if a dynasty trust is right for your clients, check out our latest dynasty trust brochure, agent flier, success story and sample illustration.
  • LPB Premier Pricing widens the leadership gap
    Symetra Classic with Lapse Protection Benefit was already a top performer in the GUL marketplace, and with the LPB Premier pricing, it performs even better. Designed to provide lower premiums on your larger cases, LPB Premier premiums average 6-10% less than the No. 2 ranked guaranteed universal life insurance carrier. See where it shines.
• IRA Maximization Strategy – a new opportunity
  The president’s 2015 budget proposal would require non-spouses inheriting IRA accounts to take taxable distributions within five years, eliminating the tax deferral benefits of stretching distributions over their lifetime.  The good news? Even if the proposed five-year acceleration becomes a reality, a life insurance policy held inside an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) may still be an effective wealth transfer tool, providing a larger legacy and giving client’s more control over how trust assets will be distributed to beneficiaries. To learn how this strategy may benefit your clients, check out this IRA Maximization Strategy flier.

• Transamerica:
  • IUL maximum illustrated rates updated with 25-year lookback
    The maximum illustrated rates on Transamerica index universal life (IUL) products, including TransNavigator, Freedom Index Universal Life II NY and Freedom Global IUL II NY have been updated to reflect a 25-year lookback period through the end of 2014. The TransWare illustration software and Of Current Interest reflect these changes.
  • New Trendsetter portfolio premium rates

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• Genworth Financial:
  • Total Living Coverage (TLC)
  • Couples Form for Florida – revised
• Introducing eValuate – TLC field underwriting tool

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• 5 fixed annuity questions you should be asking
  These are the questions that will deliver more sales.

• Genworth Financial:
  • Statement Regarding Sales Outside Owner Resident State forms for NY & NJ – revised
  • Genworth 4th quarter results – frequently asked questions
• Genworth’s Keeping Our Promises – information for consumers
• SecureLiving Growth+ with IncomeChoice rider – video
  Retirement is all about change. Your lifestyle will likely be different, the markets will go up and down, and your income needs will evolve. When it comes to your money, you’re probably looking for certainty and growth, yet having a hard time finding it. SecureLiving Growth+ with IncomeChoice rider can help you address these changes, find certainty, and prepare you for the unpredictable. Watch this video.
• SecureLiving Growth+ with IncomeChoice Rider – NEW PRODUCT!

• Lincoln National:
  • Lincoln Leader for fixed annuities – February 12^th edition

• Protective Life:
  • Indexed Annuity NY rates

• Voya Financial:
  • Voya for Professionals just got better
  • You will now find New Business status & not in good order (NIGO) enhancements on the Voya for Professionals landing page.  These ehancements will make things easier for you to understand and help process your agents’ New Business requests.  
• The compensation section has been enhanced to give our users expanded search capability, reduced navigation requirements and consolidated report generation.
• Secure Index Opportunities Plus Annuity – NEW consumer approved video
• Grow: with a 5% Premium Bonus and competitive caps
• Protect: with downside protection from market losses
• Enjoy: with IncomeProtector Withdrawal Benefit Rider

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• American National:
  • 2015 CASH IS KING for Fixed Annuities(January 1 – April 30, 2015)
    American National is paying a cash bonus for fixed annuities between January 1^st and April 30^th.  Get complete details.
  • 2016 Marketing Conference in Hawaii  (January 1 – December 31, 2015)
    The top 80 qualifiers and their guest will be invited to enjoy six days and five nights at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in beautiful Kona, Hawaii.  Click here for complete details.
• Athene:
  • Leaders of Olympus  – new annuity incentive  (January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015)
    Click here for details.

• Genworth Financial:
  • Producer Elite Program  (January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015)
    The Producer Elite Program is a new, producer-focused tiered incentive compensation program for annuity production.  Click here for complete details.  Also, view the frequently asked questions.

• Mutual of Omaha:
  • LTCI Marketing Credits Program  (November 1, 2014 – December 31, 2015)
    Mutual of Omaha’s LTCI Marketing Credits Program gives you the opportunity to score marketing credits that can be used to help build your LTCi business.  Start earning credits on your fifth LTCi app placed after November 1, 2014. 
  • Earn 1% of ANBP
• 1 credit = $1
• Credits must be redeemed by March 31, 2016
• Mutual Sales Leaders in Rome!  (January 1 – December 31, 2015)
  Experience all that is Rome when you qualify for Mutual Sales Leaders in 2015!  Your Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement and Simplified Issue Life sales can take you to the Eternal City where you’ll enjoy centuries of iconic achievements in Roman art and architecture. It’s the trip of a lifetime!  Click here for complete details. 

• North American Company:
  • Elite Producer Club – annuity incentive  (January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015)
    Earn up to 1% extra commission on all North American Fixed Index Annuities in 2015!  Click here for complete details. 

• Protective Life:
  • 1^st Quarter Sales Promotion   (January 15, 2015 – March 31, 2015)
    This new sales promotion will award qualifying agents $25 for life insurance business placed before March 31, 2015.  Click here for complete details. 

• Transamerica:
  • Leading Distributors Convention in Barcelona  (January 1, 2014 – December 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.