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• 7 trends that will change the way we sell life insurance in 2015
  To succeed in 2015, insurers and advisors will need to sell better online and simplify product offerings, says Ernst & Young’s Doug French.
• Tax changes for 2015: What to expect
  The new tax rates look so much like the old rates that some people may not notice they’ve changed.
• MetLife to file first lawsuit over risk label
  A complaint will be filed today in Washington to oppose the U.S. FSOC’s decision that the insurer is systemically important.

• Genworth Financial:
  • Changes to life insurance wholesaling team
    View the announcement here.

• North American Company:
  • Find new agents on social media
    Social media has evolved into a very helpful tool for financial professionals. And as with any tool, it is important to understand how it works in order to utilize its full potential.  Check out “Social Media 102: Recruiting” to learn about expanding your professional network through LinkedIn. The video explains how to use LinkedIn as an online search engine for agents. It also provides helpful instructions on how to draw agents in with carefully crafted language and how to make your company stand out among competitors. In addition to training videos, the social media corner features tip sheets, compliance “cheat sheets,” and links to content you can share on your own profile to save time.

• Transamerica:
  • LOMA’s Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI) Spring 2015 Enrollment
    The Life Office Management Association (LOMA) offers an insurance education program that can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the life insurance industry. Through LOMA, insurance professionals can earn several designations, including the Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI) professional designation. To earn the FLMI, you need to complete 10 courses and exams. Even if you are not interested in the designation, you can still take courses that interest you. Transamerica offers field offices a discount on paper exams and is now accepting applications for Spring enrollment. To register for a LOMA exam, please call Irene Easley in Advanced Marketing at (213) 742-3348. The registration deadline is Feb. 11, 2015.

• Voya Financial:
  • 2015 consumer campaign expands media footprint
    In television, nine new partners have been added to our 2015 media plan.  In addition to our already strong presence in news and sports, we’ve added top-rated general entertainment channels to efficiently extend the reach of our advertising. 

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• AIG:
  • Value+ IUL – NEW PRODUCT!
    Clients want the security of strong, dependable life insurance protection with the flexibility to access cash value. Value+ IUL delivers market-leading pricing; as much as 10% below most GUL policies.  It includes one-of-a-kind options for accessing excess cash value without reducing the initial death benefit.  AND, it offers the Accelerated Access Solution; a chronic illness rider that is designed to provide more cash, sooner than many competing living benefits riders. Discover how better pricing and strong living benefits can help you win more protection cases.  View the available new product training webinars in the webinar section above.
  • When off-the-shelf life products won’t do
    Off-the-shelf life products are fine. But what if you could present clients tailor-made solutions for protection, accumulation, lifetime income or wealth transfer. That’s why AIG has created Life Insurance with Optionality – a suite of flexible term, IUL, and GUL products that include:
• unique provisions for living benefits
• access to cash
• personalized durations
• 2015 underwriting changes
  Routine MD Exams under insurance age 71 are being reduced.  There is a new process for Certification of Trusts.  And, a new information flyer is available for Preferred Offsets.  
• New rider offers more benefits and wins cases
  Equip yourself to sell the chronic illness rider – Accelerated Access Solution (AAS) – with resources created specifically for producers and for use in client meetings. Also explore how AAS can qualify you to win a BMW 528i pre-paid lease. Product fact sheets, sales ideas and contest details are available for you at the Chronic Illness Rider page.

• Lincoln National:
  • Lincoln Leader for Life – January 12^th edition
    In this issue:
  • Customer satisfaction survey facilitated by LIMRA
• In-force policy NY rider mailing and changes to new business procedures
• End of level premium period for level term policies on EFT
• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act – withholding requirement
• Partner Solutions: prepared for increase in first quarter call volumes
• New FL Surrender Form requirement for non-replacement business
• Medical reimbursement guidelines and approved medical vendor list
• Per diem limit for 2015
• Updated market conduct manual

• MetLife:
  • Exploring the Benefits of WL Paid Up Additions
    View this  white paper here.
  • Executive Bonus
    View this sales concept here.
• The Business Owned Life Insurance Alternative
  View this sales concept here.
• The Deferral Alternative Bonus Plan
  View this sales concept here.

• Mutual/United of Omaha:
  • Lock in protection with just one payment
    A single payment can lock in your client’s protection.
  • Provide added flexibility with the Guaranteed Refund Option
    Consider how purchasing more than one GUL policy can lead to added flexibility for your client.
• Guaranteed Refund Option Rider benefit column for GUL & GUL Plus
  A new column has been added to the ledger section of GUL and GUL Plus illustrations to show the Guaranteed Refund Option Benefit amount. This amount, shown on years 15, 20 and 25, displays the value the client would receive should they choose to exercise the rider and surrender their policy. The Guaranteed Refund Option, included at no additional charge on all qualifying GUL and GUL Plus policies, provides your clients flexible options for the future.
• Employer Owned Life Insurance
  The Employer Owned Life Insurance form has been updated.

• North American Company:
  • Finding a Win-Win Solution for Changing Needs
    This aricle shows you how to create flexibility and control for a client-plus future sales potential.
  • Introduction to Living Benefits
    Do your clients know about the living benefits that are included with some life insurance products? Share this post with them today!
• New Business meetings in 2015
  North American’s New Business department has changed its monthly meeting schedule for 2015. Get the new schedule.
• New Power of Attorney Certification form
  North American is implementing a new Power of Attorney Certification form for policy-owners.

• Transamerica:
  • Trendsetter Express discontinued – effective February 14^th
    Effective February 14, 2015, Trendsetter Express will no longer be available for sale. Applications for Trendsetter Express must be signed, dated and received in good order in the home office by February 13, 2015. Click here for details; as well as a great alternative to Trendsetter Express – Transamerica’s Trendsetter LB product!

• Voya Financial:
  • Skinny Benefits – NEW!
    This new consumer brochure explains what “Skinny Benefits” are and why they may be the solution for business owners who want to reward/retain key employees by helping them build their retirement security.  
  • Hybrid Executive (HEX) Benefits
    This brochure explains how the Hybrid Executive Benefit combines features of a 162 Bonus and SERP plan to provide a new approach for business owner clients to retain and reward key employees.  
• Commission changes to Strategic Accumulator SUL
  On January 1, 2015, commission changes were made to Voya Strategic Accumulator Survivorship Universal Life (Voya SASUL) issued by Security Life of Denver Insurance Company.
• Wealth Transfer Tax Exemptions increase in 2015
  Updated consumer flyer provides the new 2015 exemption numbers for the estate tax, gift tax and more. 

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• What you need to know about annuities with GMIB riders
  Annuities with guaranteed income benefit riders are popular and appear valuable, but it’s still worth running the numbers.
• 6 things advisors should know about QLACs
  If your clients aren’t asking these questions yet, they will be very soon.

• AIG:
  • Product training required for the ML Strategic Balanced Index
    Click here for details and a link to the training site.

• American National:
  • WealthQuest Citadel Diamond Series
    Which one is right for your client?
  • Citadel Seven Diamond
    3.10% first year rate with 2% interest rate enhancement
• Citadel Five Diamond
  2.10% first year rate with 1% interest rate enhancement

• Lincoln National:
  • Lincoln Leader for Annuities – January 8^th edition
    In this issue:
  • Edge rider changes
• Deferred Income Solutions flexible premium available in NJ
• Market conduct manual
• Updated applications
• New FL surrender form
• Suitability information
• Updated buyers guide: OH & AL
• 2015 business processing dates
• State insurance licensing and training requirements
• 10-year Treasury volatility
  Lincoln has seen a lot of volatility in the 10-year treasury lately hitting a new 52 week low.  Some of their rates and caps look competitive in this current market.  Below are highlights:
• New Directions 6 is competitive with a fixed rate 30 bps higher than the 10 year treasury with a performance triggered account of 3.6% and 2 year point to point cap of 8.65% for accounts of 100k or more.  Remember the performance triggered account will credit the FULL 3.6% rate as long as the S&P 500 is flat or positive on the anniversary date.
• Optichoice 9 has a performance triggered account of 4.1% and a monthly cap of 2.3% for accounts of 100k or more.

• North American Company:
  • NAC BenefitSolutions fixed index annuity outweighs the competition
    With the strength of the Benefit Base Floor 120% “step up” and compensation to their producers, it’s no secret that North American’s BenefitSolutions is making waves in the industry!
  • 5 Year MYGA – 2.6%
    New higher rates on Guarantee Choice MYGA.
• Product discontinuations – effective January 30^th
  North American is discontinuing NAC SecureChoice, NA Flex I, II, III and North American Director on January 30, 2015.  Click here for complete details and guidelines.

• Protective Life:
  • Protective Indexed Annuity II
    Protective’s Indexed Annuity II offers higher return opportunities with the Annual Tiered Rate Strategy.

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• AIG:
  • AIG Better Ride Contest  (ENDS January 31, 2015)
    Now is your chance to rev it up, get in gear, and gain some traction!  Producers will receive points based upon the sale of our permanent products, and additional points for selling AG Asset Protector on Secure Lifetime  (AAS Rider & LIS Rider), and the AAS Rider on Elite Index II. For every 5 points a producer earns they will get a raffle ticket towards the drawing of a 2 year lease on a BMW 528i.  Get complete details. 

• 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. 

• 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) NEW!
    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) NEW!
    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.