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March 12, 2014

 
 
 
SALES ARTICLES
 
CARRIER & INDUSTRY NEWS
 
  • AIG/American General:
    • Logo is changing to AIG
      American General is transitioning to the AIG brand to unify our presence in the marketplace. The AIG logo will replace the American General logo on sales materials, illustrations, policy communications, websites and other digital properties over the course of this year. This change has no impact to policies and there is no change to the issuing companies.
  • Lincoln National:
    • 2014 White Mountain Spring Regional Meeting
      Please join one of the GA Channel White Mountain Regional Meetings, hosted by Lincoln Financial Distributors. These will be exclusive meetings designed specifically for Lincoln Financial Network’s GA distribution channel. Come learn more about Lincoln’s competitive positioning and new sales ideas, hear from peers on what’s working, and earn insurance continuing education!
  • Protective Life:
    • 2014 Tax Rates
      It’s tax season! This quick reference guide will help you stay informed of changes to 2014 federal tax rates and limits.
LIFE INSURANCE NEWS
 
  • AIG/American General:
    • Sample Legal Documents for Advanced Markets Sale Opportunities
      Deferring capital gains on an appreciated asset (such as CRATs) can be very compelling. When meeting with clients and their attorney, bring sample documents such as this CRAT as a professional courtesy to give you the edge. Hundreds of sample documents and agreements are available in the Specimen Documents section of www.AGAdvancedMarkets.com.
    • Innovative solutions for funding the unexpected
      Give your clients peace of mind knowing unexpected expenses and their retirement assets are protected. With AG Asset Protector – available on AG Secure Lifetime GUL II – your clients have access to their life insurance benefits while they are LIVING. Watch the AG Asset Protector Sales Training Video.
    • Elimination of Itemized Deductions – How to Help
      The phase out of itemized deductions for high income earners increases taxes on highly appreciated assets. This consumer-approved sales concept addresses the issue.
  • Minnesota Life:
    • Building a multi-life platform for executive benefits business
    • Tax season tools
      We’re coming up on tax time, and many clients might be worried about taxes coming due on their investments; investments that may very well have lost money. Here are a few tools to help you discuss taxation with clients and how they can best position their resources for maximum tax efficiency.
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
    • AccumUL AnswersNEW PRODUCT!
      This new product offers:
      – Higher target premiums
      – Extended long-term no-lapse protection
      – A shorter surrender charge period
      – Enhanced Accelerated Death Benefit Riders for Chronic and Terminal Illness
      – A new Disability Continuation of Planned Premium Rider
      AccumUL Answers is competitive for:
      – Solves for minimum premiums to carry to or endow at ages 100+
      – Long-term cash value accumulation when using level premiums
    • Help Create a Supplemental Retirement Fundsales idea
      Qualified retirement plans help clients defer taxes on their funds until they begin withdrawals after retirement when, in theory, their tax rate will be lower. But what happens if future taxes become higher than the tax rate they are currently deferring?
    • Underwriting Case Study – Multiple Sclerosis
      This underwriting case study shows how Fit credits are applied to help issue a universal life policy for a 45-year-old male with multiple sclerosis.
    • Getting Out on TopAdvanced Markets Minute
      The famous financier Bernard Baruch said that selling at the top cannot be done-except by liars. So maybe this isn’t an exit “at the top.” But it’s a strategy your clients will thank you for if the market turns against them.
    • Chronic Illness Riderclarification
      Last week we announced the Enhanced Accelerated Death Benefit Riders for Terminal and Chronic Illness that are now included in AccumUL Answers, Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL), GUL Express and GUL Plus (in all states except CA, CT and NY). To clarify the Benefit Period Flexibility, please review these details.
    • Enhanced Underwriting Criteria Guidelines
      Mutual of Omaha is one of few companies to continue to offer the benefit of age last birthday underwriting. This unique feature makes your clients’ premiums even more competitive for half of your life sales!
  • North American:
    • Smart Moneyvideo
      Help your clients gain death benefit protection and a financial safety net for their smart money. Learn how to put this concept to work for your business by watching this video. Also take a look at these 3 sales ideas.
  • Protective Life:
      • Custom Choice UL
        For clients who are looking for coverage initially for the shorter term and are less concerned about accumulating cash value.
      • Advantage Choice UL
        For clients desiring long-term coverage with potential cash-value accumulation. Offers flexible guarantee periods up to lifetime.
      • Indexed Choice UL
        For clients who want a life insurance policy that offers lifetime protection, flexible features and a greater potential for cash value accumulation without market downside risk.
    • Tax Planning and Life Insurance Policy Reviewchecklist
      Planning discussions are a great way to develop new client relationships and strengthen connections with existing clients. This checklist helps identify financial planning needs and strategies.
  • Prudential:
    • Completion of transition to Prudential products and closure of remaining products from The Hartford – Important
    • GUL Premium Limitation removed
      Great News! On March 10th, the 7X CTP premium limitation on the UL Protector and SUL Protector products were removed from the illustration system.
    • Consider a Dynasty Trust Strategy
      There are many estate planning approaches that can help your clients pass on their monetary wealth. But if they are also interested in passing on their traditions, values, and the other components that make up their real wealth, consider a Dynasty Trust strategy. In addition to helping your clients leave a legacy that includes both their monetary and non-monetary values, it can be designed to last into perpetuity.
    • Non-Smoker Plus – meeting your underwriting challenges
      When the competition ONLY has three non-smoker categories and you are quoting standard, remember to quote Prudential’s Non-Smoker Plus! With four non-smoker categories, we’re able to approve more cases at better rates than just Standard Non-Smoker.
    • Premium caps on UL & SUL Protector have been lifted
  • Symetra:
    • Expanded Sweet Spots for Symetra Classic with Lapse Protection Benefit
      Symetra Classic Universal Life with Lapse Protection Benefit sweet spots have been expanded to include guarantees to age 120!
ANNUITY NEWS
 
  • AIG/American General:
    • Offer clients the opportunity for guaranteed rising income with principal protection
      The enhanced Lifetime Income Plus optional guaranteed living benefit rider, available with the AG Choice Index 10 and Power Index Plus index annuities, can now provide clients with guaranteed rising income for the first 10 contract years-provided withdrawals are taken within the terms of the rider. Clients can also take advantage of a new Monthly Average index interest account to help grow and protect their retirement assets. Note: Lifetime Income Plus is available at contract issue for a 0.95% annual fee. Restrictions and limitations apply. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of American General Life Insurance Company. Products not available in New York.
  • American National:
    • SPIA required form
      Effective immediately, IRS form W-4P will be required when applying for all SPIA contracts. The form is available in Virtual and iPipeline forms and is required for all states. The form will help ANICO withhold the proper amount from annuity payments; if the client does not want withholding, that can also be indicated on the form. Print the form here. This form is updated annually by the IRS.
  • ING:
    • New bailout feature – RenewalFLEX – on ING Secure 5 and Secure 7
      This strategy-specific bailout feature makes a very competitive accumulation story even better. See the state launch dates below as well as these Secure 5 and Secure 7 brochures with the RenewalFLEX feature attached.

      • March 3 Launch**: Texas, Mississippi and Delaware
      • March 17 Launch**: Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Florida
        **Any new Secure 5 or Secure 7 cases received on or after the dates listed above from the newly launched states will have the RenewalFLEX Feature added to their contract at no additional cost.
    • Lifetime Income/RenewalFLEX adjustmentseffective March 12th
      The Payout Factors for ING Lifetime Income single premium deferred annuity are decreasing by 15 basis points. To get the current (higher) payout factors, apps needed to be signed by March 11th and received at ING by the 18th. Two examples of the new payout factors on and after March 12th are below. Please note: this change is ONLY for ING Lifetime Income Annuity. IT does not affect IPWB.
      • Lifetime Income issued at age 55, income starting after 10th contract anniversary (after the second boost):
        – Single Life at age 65 = 4.45%
        – Joint at 65 = 3.95%
        – Single Life with Optional Death Benefit Rider = 3.85%
      • Lifetime Income issued at age 60, income starting after 10th contract anniversary (after the second boost):
        – Single Life at age 70 = 4.95%
        – Joint at 70 = 4.45%
        – Single Life with Optional Death Benefit Rider = 4.35%
    • RenewalFLEX state approvals
  • Lincoln National:
    • Using a Lincoln Deferred Income Solutions Annuity
      Give your clients a way to continue growing a portion of their assets while turning some of their portfolio into guaranteed retirement income. By using a Lincoln Deferred Income Solutions Annuity in conjunction with an investment account, your clients can get the income they need while still maintaining their accumulated assets. Use the materials below to create a strategy for your clients that helps them continue building assets while they prepare to take income.

LONG TERM CARE
 
  • John Hancock:
    • California 8 hour general LTC course now available
      LTC Connection, now offers the required 8 hour LTC training online. California requires that producers take 8 hours of General LTC Continuing Education (CE) training for each of the first 4 years licensed and then every 2 years thereafter. To take the California course, visit the John Hancock training website. John Hancock subsidizes the price of the training.
    • Connecticut Partnership certification training course on April 17th
      On Thursday, April 17, 2014, the CT Partnership will be holding its monthly agent certification training class at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Meriden, CT. The class will be held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Agents will still need to take the prerequisite online course before being able to register for the Meriden training. For detailed information on the Meriden training, please call 860-418-6318.
  • Transamerica:
    • Video talking about Transamerica’s BIO rider on their LTC product
      With costs increasing every year, how can our clients increase their coverage on LTC policy?
      • Looking for ways to boost your LTCi sales?
        Learn how Transamerica’s experience and expertise in the multi-life market can help you grow your business.
      • MLAdvantage.com – your 1-stop resource for TALTC Multi-life
        Whether you are a multi-life professional or just getting started, TALTC’s multi-life website makes it easy to find what you need at the moment you need it.
      • Complete Multi-life Solutions from a Company You Can Trust
        With Transamerica you have the opportunity to bring many solutions to businesses and business owners.
      • 15-Minute Power Crunch – Multi-life – March 12th
        There’s plenty of sales action in the multi-life marketplace, and you can be a part of it. Webinar space is limited so register today!
      • HIPAA rule changes require revised BAAs
        With new “Omnibus Rule” changes to HIPAA, you’ll need to sign a revised Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to continue to sell HIPAA-covered products.
DISABILITY & CRITICAL ILLNESS
 
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
 
AGENT CONTESTS
 
  • American National:
    • Cash is King 2014 (ENDS April 30th)
      Earn a CASH BONUS for annuity sales! Total of all fixed/ indexed annuities paid. Minimum of 3 applications.
      • $500,001 – $750,000 = $750 cash bonus
      • $750,001 – $1,000,000 = $1000 cash bonus
      • $1,000,000+ = $1500 cash bonus
    • 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.
  • Legal & General:
    • Go Figure Contest(3/1/2014 – 12/31/2014) – NEW!
      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!
  • Minnesota Life:
    • Earn an extra $700 (ENDS March 31st)
      Beginning January 1, 2014, through March 31, 2014, you have the opportunity to receive up to $700 in Visa gift cards for the business you place with Minnesota Life.