800-377-4776
TMA logoTMA _enews_top
top

IN THIS WEEKS NEWS: November 25, 2014

 
webinarsUPCOMING WEBINARS
 
  • Genworth:
    • Index UL 101 LIVE webinars
      These short sessions are packed-with-information to give you an introduction to Index UL, tips to starting the conversation and closing the sale, the confidence and know-how to serve your clientele and insightful sales tips to improve your sales volume immediately. Register here!

      • December 4th – 2:00 PM ET – Introduction to Index UL Insurance: A Flexible Soultion for Protection, Accumulation and Retirement Solution
      • December 11th – 2:00 PM ET – The Mechanics of Index Universal Life Insurance: A Closer Look Inside an Index UL Policy
      • December 18th – 2:00 PM ET – Retirement Income Strategies: Starting the Conversation and Addressing Objections to Help Close the Sale
      • January 8th -2:00 PM ET – Beyond the Death Benefit: Building Cash Value with Index UL Insurance
      • January 15th – 2:00 PM ET – Index UL Insurance Sales Concepts
  • Minnesota Life:
    • 15-minute sales strategy teleconference every Wednesday at 10:00 AM CT
      Dial-in Number: 1-800-910-2399 Passcode: 224032

      • November 26th – PDA on AVUL
    • PDA Agreement – Pay Once. Enjoy the Benefit

Back to Top

salesSALES ARTICLES
 
yearendIMPORTANT YEAR-END DATES
 
  • AIG:
    • 2014 year-end Life processing dates
      American General’s year-end processing cut-off dates represent deadlines that must be met for cases to have the best chance of being put in force in 2014. Timeline information is detailed in this bulletin.
  • American National:
    • End of year procedures for annuity business
      • Applications must be received in good order in the home office by 4:30 PM CT on December 19th in order to guarantee processing for year-end.
      • Normal month-end rate lock procedures will apply. Applications must be signed and dated no later than December 31st and received in the home office by January 6, 2015.
      • Applications received after 4:30 PM CT on December 19th cannot be guaranteed to be processed by year-end.
  • John Hancock:
    • Year-End deadlines
      As year-end approaches, key submission deadlines for cases you are targeting for completion in 2014 are noted in this flyer.
  • MetLife:
    • 2014 year-end life new business deadlines for Independent Agencies & National Accounts
      Here are the deadlines to meet the cut-off dates to place cases and credit them to 2014 business.
  • Prudential:
    • Year-End Dates & Reminders
      As you prepare for year-end, use these helpful tips and reminders to make submitting Life cases easier.
  • Symetra:
    • Deadlines for year-end business are approaching
      Final issue requirements for Life new business to be placed and counted in 2014 should be received by December 19th, if commissions are paid weekly, and December 26th, if commissions are paid daily. If you are working toward contest and production bonus goals, we encourage you to submit applications through Symetra Express as soon as possible. Express will determine if premium can be collected from applications that qualify for temporary coverage or instant approval. Allow enough lead time on fully underwritten business for the applicant to complete the medical history interview and para-med exam. These take three weeks to complete, on average.
  • Voya Financial:
    • Year-End deadlines
      Be sure to send in requirements to have your new business placed and commissions paid in advance of these deadlines.

Back to Top

carrierCARRIER & INDUSTRY
 
  • Legal & General American:
    • Quotes Done Right just got better! Now quoting customers on mobile
      LGGA has improved the Quotes Done Right experience for consumers on smart phones. When a consumer visits your QDR site from a smartphone, he/she can enter some basic information, rate his/her health, and get a quote with just one click! It’s that simple!
      What else is cool? At lunch or dinner and need to run a quote? Your broker can pull up his/her Quotes Done Right website and easily quote a customer and fill in the customer’s contact info to save that quote as a lead. All mobile leads go straight into our Partner Dashboard (partner.LGAmerica.com) for the broker to manage later and submit to AppAssist.
      What’s even cooler? They’ve kept the broker’s contact information accessible from every page, so if a consumer wants to pick up the phone, that option is always available. Click here to test drive QDR on your mobile device. If on a desktop browser, shrink your screen to the size of a phone.
  • North American Company:
    • Time to get your slice of the pie
      You’ve harvested your ripest leads. Now, it’s time to get your business paid so you can get a slice of this year’s commission pie.
  • Voya Financial:
    • Born to Save campaign
      As of Nov. 11, more than 1,700 babies are registered. If you know of someone who welcomed a new addition Oct. 20, 2014, encourage them to take advantage of this new program. The deadline to register is Dec. 19, 2014, at Voya.com.

Back to Top

lifeLIFE INSURANCE
 
  • AIG:
    • Pre and Post Retirement Risks: Are your clients prepared?
      Watch this video on pre and post retirement needs and how life insurance can play an important role in the evolution of a client’s financial plan. With the rising number of retirees that are financially unprepared for retirement, the market opportunity for retirement insurance is significant. AIGs’ products and resources can help your clients Retire Stronger.
    • Don’t overlook UL tax savings and income potential
      John Deremo, AIG’s head of distribution for life products, encourages producers to rethink UL’s role in retirement planning in this recent article in National Underwriter Life & Health magazine.
  • Legal & General America:
    • Upsell program helps close the coverage gapNEW!
      According to LIMRA and other industry studies, even those who have made the intelligent and responsible choice to purchase life insurance often purchase too little. This coverage gap can be nearly as devastating to families and businesses as having no coverage at all. Learn more about this GET MORE program.
  • MetLife:
    • Tools to help you and your clients identify proper protection needs
      • MetLife Quick Predict: Determine early in the process whether a client may qualify for Elite or Preferred rating class with this first-of-its-kind mobile field underwriting tool.
      • Guaranteed Level Term: Expand your client base and strengthen existing relationships with new, lower rates for price-sensitive customers.
  • Minnesota Life:
    • Top 10 underwriting sweet spots
    • The Four C’s of policy review
      Your clients’ lives are constantly changing. Their life insurance policies may also perform differently than they expect. That’s why policyholders should periodically review their coverage to make sure it still meets their protection and accumulation needs. Ensure your clients’ policies are working for them. Visit your advisor site to learn to learn the four C’s of policy review.
    • Premium Deposit Account Agreement
      The PDA policy agreement provides the opportunity to fund a life insurance policy through a series of pre-scheduled fixed payments. It allows a single-payment solution without creating a modified endowment contract, increases total premium paid into the policy and earns interest¹ which is applied to the policy at the time of each payment.
    • Wisconsin is a pre-appointment state
      Effective immediately, Minnesota Life will consider the state of Wisconsin a pre-appointment state for all producers selling their products. An appointment must be in place in the state of Wisconsin before any business can be accepted.
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
    • 5 ways to sell the Guaranteed Refund Option Rider
      All qualifying GUL and GUL Plus policies automatically include the new Guaranteed Refund Option rider at no additional charge. The rider provides three 60-day windows in which clients can surrender their policy and get their money back – no questions asked! Learn more about this rider and receive five ideas for selling this great feature.
    • Business Succession + Advanced Markets Advice = Opportunity for Producers
      The Succession Consulting Group is a service offered by Mutual of Omaha’s Advanced Markets department. It provides training and support to assist producers and their business-owner clients in their efforts to formulate a business succession plan.
    • Substandard? Don’t be so sure!
      When it looks like it’s going to be a substandard case, pull out your secret weapon: the Fit underwriting credit program. Apply this amazing rate-shaving tool and before your producers know it, they could have a standard case on their hands.
    • Accelerated Death Benefit Rider approved for Living Promise in CA
      Effective December 1, 2014 the Accelerated Death Benefit Rider will automatically be added to qualifying Living Promise policies in California.
    • Children’s Whole Life Application enhancements
      Enhancements
      have been made to the application to make it easier to complete and to help get your policy issued faster.
  • North American Company:
  • Prudential:
    • Term Policy Cancellation Form requirement
      Internal term to term replacements must be submitted as new business and follow all applicable business rules. Separately, producers must coordinate cancellation of the in-force term contract using the Term Policy Cancellation form. Get details here.
    • NY Regulation 60 Replacement…the process is as easy as 1-2-3!
      When replacement is involved in the new business transaction, Regulation 60 requires the producer to obtain a list of all existing life insurance or annuity contracts that will be replaced, notify the insurer whose contract is being replaced of the proposed replacement, request information from the existing insurer on the policy being replaced, complete the Disclosure Statement, and present it to the applicant so that the producer and the applicant can decide whether the replacement is in the applicant’s interest. Get more details here.
    • Life Insurance with an Optional Rider for Chronic & Terminal Illness Protection new consumer presentation
      This brief, yet powerful presentation
      is a new tool for you to use with your clients and prospects. It highlights the importance of protecting against the financial impacts of chronic and terminal illnesses with life insurance.
    • Misc. Itemized Deductions for Trust and Estates
      Trust and estates are able to reduce taxable income by an amount of certain miscellaneous itemized deductions, but only to the extent they exceed 2% of adjusted gross income. This new Advanced Markets Insights and Ideas (AMI) article discusses the recent IRS final regulations defining these deductions for estates and non-grantor trusts.
  • Transamerica:
    • Existing clients make the best prospects
      Some of the best opportunities for new sales already exist. Transamerica offers two programs that can help you sell more to current clients.
    • Grow your foreign nationals business
      Here are quick tips to grow your business in the Foreign Nationals market, including ideas to help find clients. Transamerica can help you navigate the complexities of the international marketplace.
    • Options matter when selling living benefits
      Address client needs and concerns with Transamerica’s Living Care Portfolio.
    • Stack GUL policies for greater flexibility
      Offer guarantees and flexibility to address short- and long-term needs.
    • Tax-saving benefits of life insurance
      Life insurance can be a resource with significant tax advantages for protecting wealth and accumulating funds for future income.
    • QDOT: Protect a Non-U.S. Spouse
      A Qualified Domestic Trust can help protect a surviving non-U.S. citizen spouse from immediate estate taxes.
    • Waiver of Premium Rider suspended in CA
      Transamerica is temporarily suspending sales of the Waiver of Premium Rider on Trendsetter Express and Trendsetter LB effective December 19, 2014. Please note that Trendsetter Express and Trendsetter LB are still available for sale in California. Transition rules and guidelines are:
      • Applications with the Waiver of Premium Rider must be signed, dated and received in good order in our Cedar Rapids administrative office by close of business on December 19, 2014.
      • Incomplete applications or applications received after December 19, 2014 will not be issued with the above Rider.
      • All current policies with the existing Rider will continue to have coverage under the terms of the Riders.
      • The Waiver of Premium Rider on Trendsetter Express and Trendsetter LB in the state of California will be removed from iGO on the close of business December 12, 2014.
      • Any current locked cases on iGO wanting the Waiver of Premium on Trendsetter Express and Trendsetter LB must be completed and released by close of business on December 12, 2014.
  • Voya Financial:
    • The HEX Benefit consumer brochure
      The Hybrid Executive (HEX) 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.
    • Requirement for Third Party Addressee Designation in CT
      Starting January 1, 2015, form #170508 will be required at the time of solicitation in Connecticut. The form allows a policy owner to designate a third party to receive notices of policy cancellation.

Back to Top

comboCOMBO PRODUCTS
 
  • Lincoln National:
    • Lincoln MoneyGuard II offers more for your clients and your business
      Healthcare costs have been on the rise; including health-related expenses associated with long-term care. How would these costs affect your clients if they or a loved one needed care? How would expenses impact their savings? Which assets would they sell to cover the costs? Offer a solution that fits their financial plan. Lincoln MoneyGuard II gives them flexibility with a choice of premium payment options of 1 through 10 years. Take a look at this video you can share with your clients.

Back to Top

annuitiesANNUITIES
 
  • North American Company:
      • New! Volatility Control Index
      • Return of Premium w/ optional Additional Benefit Rider (for an additional cost)
      • Up to 5% Premium Bonus with optional Additional Benefit Rider
      • 2 Index Account Options with No Cap (Subject to a Participation Rate and/or Index Margin) -Up to 6 index options available
      • 10-Year Surrender Charge
    • Power of Stacking
      Did you know the NAC IncomeChoice 10 offers market-leading growth potential for clients who are looking for lifetime income?
      • 4% Guaranteed Roll Up Plus Interest Stacking
      • New! Volatility Control Index and Annual Point-to-Point with No Cap (Subject to an Index Margin)
    • Application and Suitability form changes
      The Suitability Form layout has been refined; and the Verification of Identity section has been moved to the application. The application has also been updated to include an expanded beneficiary section. Recent regulatory updates require complete information for each insured and beneficiary. If complete insured and beneficiary information is not submitted with the application, a letter requesting the missing information will be generated to the applicant and a copy will be provided to the writing agent. It is very important to gather this information. You may inform your clients that obtaining this information will serve to help us locate their beneficiary over time. Please begin using the new Application and Suitability Form as soon as possible. The new forms will be required for all business received on or after November 27, 2014. NOTE: the old versions will be accepted prior to November 27, 2014; however, please do not mix an old application with a new suitability form, nor a new application with an old suitability form.
  • Voya Financial:
    • Voya Wealth Builder Series Annuities with Caps up to 6%NEW!
      Build your business and client wealth with the new Voya Wealth Builder series of annuities. An industry leading rate built for accumulation and optimal growth potential. Click here to view the Wealth Builder Product Specific Training presentation.
    • Monthly Average Index Strategy now available
      This strategy
      may smooth out the ups and downs throughout the year and has potential to earn interest credits even when the market ends flat or negative.
    • Video presentations
      • Lifetime Income Annuity (5 Minutes, 27 seconds)
        Voya Lifetime Income offers a simplified approach to guaranteed income, including boosts to the income benefit base of 150% in year 5 and 225% in year 10.
      • Return of Premium Rider (2 minutes, 58 seconds)
        In just three minutes, you can learn about one of the most sought after riders for today’s challenging economic environment.
      • Performance Trigger Strategy (5 minutes, 10 seconds)
        Diversify while you simplify. Fixed Indexed Annuities just got a whole lot easier with the Performance Trigger Strategy.
      • IncomeProtector Withdrawal Benefit Rider (7 minutes, 22 seconds)
        You insure your house, your car, your life, and even your flat screen television. Now you can insure your retirement income through an annuity with a lifetime withdrawal benefit.
      • Interest Rate Benchmark (4 minutes, 2 seconds)
        Worried about rising interest rates? The Interest Rate Benchmark Strategy was designed to capture the upside potential of a rising interest rate environment. This optional benefit is available with a fixed index annuity from Voya Insurance and Annuity Company.

Back to Top

ltcLONG TERM CARE
 
  • John Hancock:
    • 2013 & 2010 in-force rate action notifications for late December
      The 2013 in-force rate action includes John Hancock LTCI individual policies originally issued in Maine, Montana, Oklahoma, and Washington state. Please note: Maine requires that policyholders affected by this increase must be notified 90 days prior to the effective date, resulting in effective dates beginning no earlier than April 1, 2015. Fortis policies or policies impacted by the 2010 in-force rate action are not included in this round. However, we will continue to notify those impacted policies and policyholders from previously announced rounds, as applicable. Click here for complete details. Please note: The phone number to call with any rate action questions or inquiries has changed to 888-654-6582.
    • 2015 minimum benefits for Partnership in CT, IN & NY
      Effective January 1, 2015, all Partnership policies in Connecticut, Indiana, and New York must meet or exceed the state-mandated minimums. Please note: the state-mandated minimum for New York is $142, and not $147, as previously reported. Click here for complete details. John Hancock will provide you with minimums in California as soon as they become available. We will also update you as soon as we are able to offer applications and product brochures that reflect the 2015 minimums.
  • Mutual of Omaha:
    • Planning for LTC
      It’s LTC Awareness Month. Here are eight things people should know about LTC.

Back to Top

disabilityDISABILITY & CRITICAL ILLNESS
 
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
    • DI underwriting case study
      View our underwriting case study to see how our underwriters handle a case involving Sleep Apnea.

Back to Top

medsuppMEDICARE SUPPLEMENTS
 
  • Mutual/United of Omaha:
    • December rate release
      Rate adjustments on Mutual Florida SELECT and Vermont effective 12/1/14. Materials also contain 2015 copay/deductible information.

Back to Top

agentcontestsAGENT CONTESTS
 
  • AIG:
    • AIG Better Ride Contest (8/1/2014 – 1/31/2015)
      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 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.
  • 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.
    • Take the Athene Benefit 10 Challenge (10/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      Where will Athene Benefit 10 take you? Introducing an incentive with flexibility – the Athene Benefit 10 Challenge – where winners create their own custom travel experience! Learn how to qualify here.
  • Lincoln National:
    • Double Your Credit (7/1/2014 – 12/31/2014)
      Help your clients prepare for the future and earn double PAP credit on all Lincoln MoneyGuard Solutions cases placed in force between July 1 and December 31, 2014. Click here for complete details.
  • Mutual of Omaha:
    • LTCI Marketing Credits Program
      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
  • 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.
      • Long Term Care production can help you win the above trip!
        Now earning your Break Away is even easier. Long Term Care production is being included towards qualifying! View the Break Away travel site for complete details.
      • Break Away and Hit the Links!
        Transamerica is excited to announce new destination options for Break Away. By popular demand, singles golf outings are now available! That’s right, by qualifying for a three-day Break Away prize package, you could find yourself teeing off under the blue skies of Palm Springs, California or enjoying the sea breeze on Amelia Island, Florida. Sell more, go farther! By qualifying for the second level Break Away prize package you can take your pick from the world famous courses of Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, and six TPC courses including Sawgrass and Scottsdale! All golf packages are for one person. Challenge your friends to qualify for their own trip and meet you on the greens! Start planning your outing today! View the new golf packages here.
    • 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.