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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.
• Who lost the war between term and permanent life insurance?
  Our industry desperately needs to train more foot soldiers willing to go out to protect millions of families.
• The little-known tax provision that every estate planner should know about
  The 65-day rule allows some trust distributions to be made after the New Year and still apply toward 2014.
• Preconceived prejudices and the problem with “profitable” clients
  Failing to offer a full suite of services, not simply those that are profitable, isn’t just silly-it’s downright dangerous.
• 2015’s 50 best ways to generate leads
  • Ways 41-50
    Network with your network. Narrow your focus. And don’t just get an introduction – get the right introduction.
  • Ways 31-40
    Auto referrals, centers of influence, a client sales force and birthdays are among the lead generation ideas on tap today.
• Ways 21-30
  Networking groups, free lunches and the federal government make their way onto the lead generation list for today.
• Ways 11-20
  The secret to lead generation, educational workshops and a focused target market are among the top tips in today’s list.
• Ways 1-10
  Combo policies, tireless prospecting strategies and dynamic marketing are three tips that experts say help them gain good leads.
• 9 ways to improve your networking skills
  Repetition, feedback and more repetition is how you develop and improve any skill.
• Why every salesperson must juggle two jobs
  Salespeople consistently find themselves on the bottom rung of the public’s trust ladder – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
• This is the No. 1 competitive threat facing independent agents in 2015
  Lower prices, better brand recognition and more effective marketing are three assets of a competitor that may dramatically alter insurance distribution methods.
• Complexity and affluence: Breaking the myth
  The affluent clients you want to serve simply do not believe that you can somehow simplify their wealth, and their world.
• You have 8 seconds to connect with your audience or make them fall asleep
  You have 8 seconds to hook your audience…Go!
• Gossip gone bad: Be careful what you reveal in social situations
  Confidentiality of sensitive client information should be one of an agent’s top priorities, and that doesn’t always just mean keeping their medical and financial data secure.
• Avoiding ethics violations from unlikely sources
  Ethics cut both ways. That means violations aren’t always fueled by nefarious intentions.
• What to do when a prospect asks for a rebate
  Agents spend a lot of time educating consumers about their options and answering their questions, all with no guarantee the sale will ever happen and they will ever see a dime.

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• Holiday Telephone Solicitation Bans for February

• Genworth Financial:
  • EBIX SmartOffice life and annuity commission data feed

• North American Company:
  • Follow North American on Twitter – @NorthAmerCo
  • Like North American’s Facebook page and get access to shareable content
• Compliance manual – updated
  Read about the changes or download the manual.

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• AIG:
  • AG Choice Index GUL has been discontinued in all states except California
  • Value + IUL
• An affordable protection alternative to GUL – plus powerful living benefits
  Value+ IUL is a new product that includes one-of-a-kind options without reducing the initial death benefit.  Learn the top reasons to sell Value+ IUL.  And there’s more.  It also provides the Accelerated Access Solution; a chronic illness rider that is designed to provide more cash sooner than many competing living benefits riders.  Learn the top reasons to sell Accelerated Access Solution.
• Game Changer video – NEW!
  Hear five new game-changing features that can provide you with differentiation in the market and take your business to the next level with the new Value+ IUL product. It’s new and it’s game changing!
• Exciting Optionality campaign launches – NEW!
  Optionality means that AIG can offer term, GUL and IUL products with innovative features to meet client needs now and in the future. These products address both planned and unplanned expenses and put the client in control. Find new info-graphics, videos and more.
• Open the door to larger Advanced Markets cases
  Want a reason to meet with business owners? Help add Critical Illness to a business owner’s succession plan.  View the training materials.

• Genworth Financial:
  • GenGuard UL discontinued – effective February 16^th

• Lincoln National:
  • GA Weekly Update – January 20^th edition

• MetLife:
  • Digital resources to make life simpler in 2015
    Work smarter, not harder, using these 5 digital resources designed to help make your life simpler:
  • QuickPredict – mobile field underwriting tool
• One-minute Trainers – your step-by-step guide to creating illustrations
• Whole Life Up Close – an educational app available for Droid and Apple
• Whole Life Marketing Playbook – your guide to position, promote and sell Whole Life
• Medical Impairments Guide – tablet-friendly resource featuring underwriting guidelines for life and disability insurance
• Life insurance form for CT – update
  Connecticut will continue to use the Generic Life Application Form (ENB-7-07) until the Connecticut state specific application (ENB-7-15-CT) goes live later this fall. View the bulletin.

• Minnesota Life:
  • Online payments as easy as 1, 2, 3!
    After your client makes their initial premium payment, they can start taking advantage of the benefits of Pay Now.  To pay now, your clients can login to the eService Center and make their premium payments. To learn more about Pay Now, call 1-800-643-5728. Benefits of Pay Now include:
  • Faster: Avoid the hassle of check writing and pay premiums from a checking or savings account with just a few clicks.
• Safer: Submit payments through our secure site instead of mailing checks.
• Greener: Save paper, envelopes, stamps and checks.

• Mutual/United of Omaha:
  • Mutual’s competitive GUL product is different
    It’s not for everyone, but paying for life coverage with a single premium is an excellent opportunity for some clients. Find this differentiator and many sales ideas here.
  • Opportunities created by the Tax Extender’s Bill
    The president signed the Extender’s Bill on December 19, 2014. Take a look at some of the opportunities this creates for producers and their clients.
• Free advanced markets advice
  Mutual of Omaha’s Advanced Markets specialists are here to help your producers. Their Tax Reference Guide introduces the Advanced Markets team, their contact information and 2015 income tax key rates and rules.
• GUL is full of living benefits for your clients
  GUL offers your clients protection and flexibility. View this sales idea to learn more about these benefits.
• Have we got a good “FIT” for you!
  The FIT credit program lets your clients move up to two tables. Be sure to get the best rates for your clients.
• USADATA promotion
  USADATA is running a promotion for $10 off any and all orders placed through February 10, 2015. Use promotion code win10 before checking out to receive the discount. Minimum order prices still remain in place.

• Protective Life:
  • Do you want to offer tailored solutions?
    With the Choice Series, your clients have access to optional benefits which can meet multiple needs and help fill any gaps in their long-term plans. Help them customize a Choice Series solution and get more value from their protection with features like:
  • ExtendCare Rider: Offers an accelerated death benefit to help clients cover unexpected expenses related to any qualifying chronic illness
• Income Provider Option: Allows clients to maintain a source of income for beneficiaries by predetermining how the death benefit will be paid

• Prudential:
  • Cost-effective protection and living benefits – client strategy
    Do you have clients who want cost-effective death benefit protection, flexible premium options, and cash value growth potential? Founders Plus UL with a chronic/terminal illness rider may be an option.
  • You can’t afford to ignore women and multicultural consumers
    Women and multicultural consumers create enormous opportunity in the marketplace; often with significant spending power that continues to rise. Leverage Prudential’s diverse product portfolio for various solutions to effectively reach these markets.
• Life Products, Benefits & Concepts – Women’s Market
• Life Products, Benefits & Concepts – Multicultural Markets
• The importance of workplace retirement plans and guaranteed lifetime income
  Over 50% of American households are at risk of being unable to maintain their pre-retirement standard of living in retirement.  Participating in workplace retirement plans and a guaranteed stream of retirement income significantly improves retirement readiness.  Get more information.
• Contribution limits for tax-deferred pensions, retirement
  The IRS announced cost-of-living adjustments affecting dollar limits on tax-deferred contributions to retirement plans and eligibility for retirement related benefits for the 2015 tax year. Read this new Advanced Markets Insights & Ideas to learn more.

• Transamerica:
  • Trendsetter Express  discontinued – effective February 14^th
    Applications for Trendsetter Express must be signed, dated and received in good order at the Home Office by February 13, 2015. A great alternative to Trendsetter Express is Transamerica’s term with living benefits product – Trendsetter LB. 

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• 5 fixed annuity questions you need to stop asking
  Stop asking these questions and you’re already halfway to becoming an annuity expert. 

• Genworth Financial:
  • Current annuity rate flyers
  • New annuity incentive – be sure to check out the incentive section below!
• Rate decreases – effective January 28^th
  SecureLiving Index 5 and SecureLiving Rate Saver will not be affected.  View the guidelines regarding rate locks and the timely receipt of funds.  When rates decrease:
• the application must be dated prior to the rate change
• the application must be received at GNW within 14 calendar days of signature
• cash with app must be received at GNW within 14 calendar days of signature
• transfer monies must be received within 60 calendar days of signature

• North American Company:
  • BenefitSolutions feature series – Nursing Home Multiplier
    The NAC BenefitSolutions seeks to meet your clients where retirement takes them. When they need it most, your clients will have access to DOUBLED lifetime payment amounts! Since your Lifetime Payment Amounts are based upon your Benefit Base, the 120/140/160 design and possible increases continue to work for your clients in times of need. Offer the comfort of 120/140/160!
  • IncomeChoice available in California – effective February 3^rd
    This top selling product and includes the following benefits:
• Competitive income payouts
• 8% Street Level Commission (includes a 1% special)!  10 year surrender charge period
• Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) feature built-in with no additional charge
• 5% GLWB bonus and 4% GLWB stacking roll-up credit; plus interest credits
• New Volatility Control Index Strategy will be available on this product

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• Mutual/United of Omaha:
  • New Beginnings Cancer Video
    National Sales Director Alicia Hanson has a message for you about the New Beginnings Cancer, Heart Attack and Stroke product.

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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.
     
• Athene:
  • Leaders of Olympus  – new annuity incentive  (January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015) Click here for 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)
    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.