Advanced Markets
American General
Small Business Seminar Toolkit
Small Business Prospecting Toolkit - access everything you need to hold a small business seminar and attract prospective clients.
AG Choice Index GULSM
See how life insurance can be used to retain key business managers.
Reminder: Notice and Consent Requirements for Employer-Owned Life Insurance In Effect
This bulletin is to remind you that the new requirements for employer-owned life insurance passed by the Pension Protection Act are now in effect.
AXA
Recent Economic Uncertainty Has Made it Difficult to Navigate the Risk/Reward Trade-Off
AXA Equitable's Variable Universal Life products provide an income-tax free death benefit and features that can help manage uncertainty over the long-term. For example: asset allocation can help clients achieve their long-term investment objectives and reduce volatility through proper diversification and the Market Stabilizer OptionSM (MSO) can provide downside protection of up to negative 25% and by continuing to fund their policy consistently, clients can reduce the average price of their investment options, a concept known as dollar cost averaging. Variable Universal Life (VUL) policyowners often give considerable thought as to how they allocate their premiums among a diverse array of investment options available in their policies. Less thought is typically given to which investment option should be the source of a clients monthly policy charges. But, both of these choices can be important to help stabilize VUL performance. To find out more about the investment options check out Performance Center available at www.axa-equitable.com.
BATL Plan
This planning perspective discusses ways to retain key employees using the BATLSM (Bonus and Tax Loan) Plan.
ING
S.O.L.A.R. Simplified: Simplified Issue, That Is!!
While guaranteed issue may be the right answer when everyone in a particular employee group participates, what happens when an employer wants to offer a S.O.L.A.R. Insurance Arrangement as a voluntary, employee funded option? The answer is simple - Simplified Issue. This new flyer, which explains the benefits as well as the requirements for Simplified Issue cases, is available on ING for Professionals and the S.O.L.A.R. microsite using #160381.
S.O.L.A.R. Simplified: Simplified Issue That Is! producer flyer (#160381)
Simplified Issue S.O.L.A.R. producer email (#160484)
S.O.L.A.R. Insurance Arrangement GI/SI Underwriting Guide (#158817)
Lincoln Benefit
Key Employee Insurance
Key Employee Insurance is one of the easiest business planning strategies to implement. Click here to read this sales idea.
Lincoln Financial
Sales Solutions with Lincoln ChoicePlus AssuranceSM VA and i4LIFE® Advantage
Help your clients leverage assets to maximize their estate by utilizing both life insurance and the benefits of i4LIFE® Advantage. The combination of these products working together with a trust could potentially have a greater benefit to the trust beneficiaries while at the same time provide flexibility, upside potential and income potential for beneficiaries. Using a Defective Trust allows the grantor to further leverage the gift by paying the taxes out of his/her pocket. Read more
Pacific Life
1-Year Indexed Acct Growth Cap Increased in Custom COLI VIII & IX
On September 1, 2011, Pacific Life will raise the current Growth Cap (cap) for the 1-Year Indexed Account in Custom COLI VIII (Policy Form #P10CC8) and Custom COLI IX (Policy Form #P10CC9) private placement variable universal life insurance products. This change will affect both new and in-force policies. Read more
Principal
Everything You Need in One Easy Location
Learn about the background and key changes surrounding TRA 2010 and access sales ideas, advisor updates, legislative updates, our federal estate tax calculator, and more. Go to site
Principal SUL Protector Gifting Sales Idea
See how using only the earnings from a $5 million gift to an ILIT can be used to purchase a $10 million survivorship life insurance policy. View sales idea
Transamerica
Producers Can Get Free CE Credit for Gift and Estate Planning for Foreign Nationals
Help beef up producers' skills with a free, one-hour presentation on gift and estate tax planning for Foreign Nationals. If you're interested in sponsoring a presentation for producers, call your Transamerica Regional Marketing Director. If you want more information on the presentation or on continuing education credits, call Field Education at 866-545-9058, option 2.
Disability Insurance
National Underwriter
The Affordability of Disability
Even with the economy showing significant recovery in the past year, an air of caution lingers over employers’ heads. This is true when it comes to making decisions about increasing salaries, new hires and especially group benefit offerings. Many businesses are continuing to tighten their belts and streamline costs, primarily by discontinuing disability coverage. The stark reality, however, is that going without disability insurance can often be more costly for employers. Read more
Licensing & Contracting Compliance
ING
Indiana Requires Producers Selling Variable Life and Annuity Products to be Licensed for Variable Life and Annuity Authority
Click on link above for details
Marketing/Industry Updates
NFP
Product Updates
07/25: Principal – SUL Protector 2011 (reprice)
Pacific Life – Prime VUL (new; like Select Exec V but with a fixed blend)
08/01: MetLife – Guarantee Advantage UL (reprice)
Transamerica – Freedom Index Universal Life II (new; S&P 500; 1% floor; 12.50% current cap; annual pt-to-pt)
Transamerica – Freedom Global IUL II (new; S&P 500, EURO STOXX 50 and Hang Seng; 1% floor; 13.25% cap; annual pt-to-pt) Click here for the Transamerica IUL State Availability
Transamerica – Trendsetter Super Series (discontinued; Trendsetter Super YRT and Trendsetter Super Series NY will remain available for sale)
Upcoming:
08/15: Lincoln Financial – LifeGuarantee UL 2011 (reprice; adding Flex Option; now only DB Option 1 and CVAT will be available; eliminating comp on excess premiums over target in 1st year)
Lincoln Financial – LifeReserve Indexed UL 2011 (reprice; increased cap to 13% from 12%; new Guaranteed Index Bonus; lower premium loads; primary NLG extended to 10 yrs)
09/15: West Coast Life – All Products No Longer Available; Only Protective Products Available; Last Day for WCL Apps will be 12/1/11
09/30: Sun Life – Sun Universal Protector Plus, Sun Protector VUL and Futurity Accumulator II VUL (discontinued)
As the cost of college keeps rising, your clients may be counting on grants, scholarships, student loans, or savings programs such as 529 plans to pay for an education. But there’s another option many people overlook: Your clients can use their life insurance policy to help supplement their college savings. Continue reading.
Thursday, August 11 at 2pm CT: Life Insurance Can Help Fund an Education Webinar
As the cost of college continues to rise, your clients may be looking for more ways to help fund an education. One often-overlooked option may be their fixed index universal life insurance (FIUL) policy. Read more
Thursday, August 25 at 2pm CT: Help Your Clients’ Grandchildren Get a Strong Start Webinar
Join our exclusive webinar to find out how those with grandchildren can use life insurance to help cover the cost of college expenses. Life insurance could be a good choice for your clients’ children and grandchildren. It provides the reassurance of death benefit protection, but the potential cash value accumulation may also supplement the cost of a college education. Read more
Life Pro+ Offers Three Kinds of Protection in One Policy
Allianz Life Pro+SM Fixed Index Universal Life Insurance Policy starts with an income-tax-free death benefit – but the protection goes beyond life insurance, so you can address several of your clients’ concerns with one policy. Read more
American General
Discover How Our Lineup of Universal Life Policies Covers the Spectrum of Options!
From AG Secure Lifetime GULSM to Elite Global PlusSM, discover how our lineup of UL policies covers the spectrum of options to meet your clients’ needs. Read more
The SunAmerica Retirement Re-Set Study
Please read this letter from Mary Jane Fortin, President and CEO of American General Life Companies, about this important new research on redefining retirement.
Aviva
Mark Your Calendars for Aviva’s August Webcast Schedule
Click here to view.
AXA
Jump Right In With AXA Equitable
Why? Because you can earn extra commissions with AXA Equitable for first year compensation rates on certain products. Read more
Genworth
Thursday, August 18 at 2pm ET: Grow Your Business with Actionable Sales Tools Call
Genworth's conference call series is designed to keep you connected while helping you grow your business. Join your Genworth Sales Leadership team on Thursday, August 18, to learn about Genworth's progress to help you tell our story. Click here for details.
ING
ING Prohibits Rebating
ING wants to remind distributors that engaging in "rebating" is strictly prohibited.
July Forms Journal
Now it's easier to adhere to New York Regulation 60 and complete the forms necessary for replacement due to the consolidation of 3 forms into one! And changes were made to the Children's Insurance Rider application forms to reduce confusion and NIGO and speed up processing. Click here to read about all the forms changes that happened in July. As always, you can send feedback or questions to the Forms team at LifeBIM@us.ing.com
High Five! Top Reasons You Should be Using the ING Life PromoCenter
Click here to access
John Hancock
John Hancock Parent Company, Manulife, Ranks Highly in AM Best's Review of Insurance Companies
In the July 2011 issue of Best’s Review, A.M. Best reports on the top insurance companies. Manulife’s strong position as a global insurance company is demonstrated with high rankings across a variety of categories. Read this article to learn more and for the link to the July edition of the magazine.
John Hancock Investor Sentiment Index Declines Even Though Optimism Remains in Second Quarter of 2011
Earlier this month, John Hancock Financial announced the results of its quarterly measure of investors’ views on a range of investment choices, life goals and economic outlook. Read this press release for more information.
Lincoln Benefit
Keep Your Competitive Edge in the Credit Crunch
You can, with enhanced coverage protection guarantee options! Provide the assurance of the same lifetime guarantee with a new flex option that allows for financial flexibilities clients often want. Read more
How Often Does Life Go Exactly As Planned?
Helping customers remain adaptable to life’s constant changes is one of the most important things we can offer them. How do we do that? Read more
Total Value Calculator
Premium payments shouldn't be the only thing that your customers consider when comparing the cost of life insurance policies. The potential to accumulate solid cash value is a very strong factor that should be taken into consideration also.
Total value story | Total value calculator
Lincoln Financial
Still The One For Your Secondary Guarantee Needs
You don’t have to look around for secondary guarantee solutions. Lincoln remains the number one provider committed to the secondary guarantee market. Lincoln’s financially disciplined approach to asset and risk management gives you a robust portfolio of secondary guarantee solutions. Read more
MetLife
MetLife Term Conversions
MetLife offers competitive conversion periods, with some policies up to age 70. No restrictions when converting to Guarantee Advantage UL, MetLife Promise Whole Life, Legacy Advantage SUL or Equity Advantage VUL! When looking at the competition for Term Conversions - MetLife offers unmatched flexibility when it comes to product convertibility. Click here for additional information.
Thursday, August 18 at 1pm CT: Advanced Markets Webinar: Women and Investing Webinar
On August 18, Fay Radding will host an advanced markets webinar on Women and Investing. Click here for details.
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month
Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) is a great opportunity to reach out to clients and prospects to ensure they have the right amount and type of insurance to protect their families. Click here for details that can help you.
Life Product Pages Redesigned
The Life Product Pages on metlifeinvestors.com have been redesigned with a cleaner look and feel, making it easier for you to get to your life product information. Click here access your product materials!
Mutual of Omaha
Updated Life Product Portfolio Guide and Life Underwriting Guide for United of Omaha and Companion Life Insurance Company Are Available
Read More
GUL Plus Short Pay Sales Idea
Show your clients how they can buy universal life insurance without paying premiums their whole life. Read More
Sales Illustrated Flyer: Help Clients Use Life Insurance to Provide For the Extended Care Needs of Loved Ones
See Flyer
Pacific Life
Pacific Life Acquires U.S. Pension Advisory Group from JPMorgan Chase
Click here for a press release announcing the acquisition of the Pension Advisory Group from JPMorgan Chase (entity to now be called Pacific Global Advisors).
Pacific Life Signs Definitive Agreement to Purchase Manulife Financial's Life Retrocession Business
Pacific Life Insurance Company announced on Monday, June 18, 2011 that it has signed an agreement to purchase Manulife's life retrocession business. The portfolio of approximately $106 billion of individual life reinsurance face amount will make Pacific Life the leading individual life retrocessionaire in North America, with an approximate 41% share of the market. For more information, please refer to Pacific Life's press release at www.PacificLife.com.
Pacific Life / Preferred vs. Preferred - "When Is An Apple Really An Orange?"
We have updated the Preferred vs. Preferred flyer based on product type (IUL, VUL, NLG, and UL). Please see below.
Preferred vs. Preferred UL
Preferred vs. Preferred VUL
Preferred vs. Preferred NLG
Preferred vs. Preferred IUL
Principal
Product and Services Guide
Click here to access
Dream Again Campaign
Click here to access
Transamerica
Independent Producer Contract, Agent and Solicitor Terminations for Inactive Producers and Solicitors (AMB 3876)
Transamerica Insurance & Investment Group is changing the review process for inactive producers, agents, brokers and solicitors. Effective next month, we are implementing an ongoing process to identify and terminate the appointments of independent producers (IPC), agents, brokers and solicitor appointments who have not, at time of review, produced the sale of a new fixed life insurance policy during the past two years for Transamerica Life Insurance Company or Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company. For more information, please click here.
Producers Can Get Free CE Credit for Gift and Estate Planning for Foreign Nationals
Help beef up producers' skills with a free, one-hour presentation on gift and estate tax planning for Foreign Nationals. If you're interested in sponsoring a presentation for producers, call your Transamerica Regional Marketing Director. If you want more information on the presentation or on continuing education credits, call Field Education at 866-545-9058, option 2.
National Underwriter
Bachus: SEC About to Draft Fiduciary Standard Regs
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reassigning examiners to speed up the process of writing a uniform
NAIC Panel Plow Ahead on Dodd-Frank Receivership Draft
The American Council of Life Insurers wants a guide state insurance regulators will use to handle failures of systemically important insurers to convey a need for quick decision making…Read more
NAIC Panel Eyes COLI Exchange Proposal
Some state insurance regulators are looking into the idea of allowing tax-free exchanges of corporate-owned life insurance policies…Read more
New Business/Underwriting
American General
New Pricing on American Elite Whole Life®!
Premium rates reduced as much as 20% and attractive new underwriting for our nonparticipating whole life product.
Revised Life Insurance Applications and Other New Business Forms
See the announcement for complete details on state approvals, transition rules and a summary of changes, as well as links to application packets and Brainsharks.
Reminder: Submitting Other Companies' Exams
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about submitting exams from other companies.
How to Prevent Term Conversion Delays
We've prepared a guide for preventing term conversion delays to help you avoid the common errors we see in the process.
Discover the New Flexibility in eAppoint
The easiest and fastest way to submit agent paperwork.
Reviewing Applicants with Diabetes
Read this Underwriting Insights flyer for an overview of how we review applicants with diabetes as well as examples of underwriting offers.
American General Adapts its Stance on Chapter 7 Bankruptcies
The economy's difficulties have impacted your clients. You can help.
Introducing the AG Life Underwriting Impairment Library
This exclusive, new tool helps you easily reference underwriting information so you can correctly quote common complex risks, such as diabetes, asthma, thyroid problems and dozens more. Read all about it!
AXA
New Life Applications Coming Early this Fall
AXA Equitable’s life insurance team is proud to present another enhancement in a series of improvements that continues to make AXA Equitable a company that’s easy to do business with. Read more
ING
ING Quick Quote Has a New Homepage!
Get lightning-fast access to the tools you need for ING Life Companies' quotes - including Quick Quote, Quick Quote Plus, and more.
New Contracting & Compensation Section on ING Pro!
This dynamic new section provides you more of the details you're really interested in.
Lincoln Benefit
Commission Information Available Online
Coming Soon! Commission information will soon be available on accessallstate.com. The information available online will include commission rules, applicable hierarchy charts, schedules and statements. Read more
iGO Term e-Application Now Available in AL, CT, MO, PA and SC
iGO e-App is now available for electronic submission of TrueTerm applications in Alabama, Connecticut, Missouri, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Read more | View the state approval map | Add these new products to your Profile
Lincoln Financial
Illustrating 1035 Proceeds
When proceeds are received for internal or external 1035 exchanges and the associated cost basis discloses that a portion of the total proceeds includes dividends, return of premium, or unearned premium, the 1035 cash value portion will need to be illustrated separately from the non-rollover portion. Read more
Underwriting Enhanced Foreign Risk Guidelines
Lincoln has made extensive adjustments to its Underwriting Requirements, Preferred Guidelines, Foreign National Guidelines and Medical Impairments Manual that reflect our industry leading philosophy. Read more
Death Benefits: How Much is Enough?
Financial underwriting is a critical part of the underwriting process at Lincoln. It helps prevent anti-selection and verify insurable interest while protecting all those involved. It’s important that your underwriter understand the client’s motivation for purchasing the requested coverage amount. Read more
MetLife
Updated Next Steps Brochure
Trifold lets clients know what happens after they've signed the life application. Click here for additional information.
Mutual of Omaha
Updated Life Product Portfolio Guide and Life Underwriting Guide for United of Omaha and Companion Life Insurance Company Are Available
Read More
Underwriting Tips Flyer
Help your cases move through underwriting faster by following a few simple steps. Read More
Principal
The Principal Financial Group® now on XRAE!
XRAE is the first multi-carrier field underwriting and quick-quote management tool in the industry built for brokerage general agencies. Search against the proprietary underwriting rules of multiple carriers with one click. Full story
Protective Life
Transition Update: New Online Protective Life Brokerage Center
Effective Monday, August 1, 2011, the new online Protective Life Brokerage Center, www.protectivelifebrokerage.com, will go live and producers may begin submitting business under the Protective Life Brokerage contract. Read more about this important new resource, as well as the one company transition timeline.
Transamerica
Make Sure Producers are Enrolled in EFT
Electronic Funds Transfer simplifies the online draft authorization process. Producers can easily register by faxing the Auto-Pay Authorization form to the Field Accounting department at 800-477-7683. To access the form, click here. For questions, please call Field Accounting at 800-256-7971, option 2.
Updated Operations Management Contact List
Please note that we have updated the Operations Management Contact List in the "Useful Links" section below. Contact lists are updated frequently, and the date of the update always follows the name of each list. Be sure to use the most current contact lists to reach the people you need.
Useful Links
Life Products Contact List (Jul 21, 2011)
Ops Management Contact List (Aug 3, 2011)
Quick Response Contact List (Oct 20, 2010)
Sales & Marketing Directory (Jun 15, 2011)
Strategic Marketing Contact List (Jun 15, 2011)
Underwriting New Business Contact List (Jun 22, 2011)
Form Updates
The Maryland Disclosure Form for Policies with No-Lapse Guarantees has been updated and should be implemented immediately for TransTermSM 20, 25 and 30. Forms may be accessed via Transamerica Forms on TransACT® (www.tatransact.com) under the Tools tab and eOrdering section for GAs and under the Sales Tools tab and Library section for producers or click here
West Coast Life
Transition Update: New Online Protective Life Brokerage Center
Effective Monday, August 1, 2011, the new online Protective Life Brokerage Center, www.protectivelifebrokerage.com, will go live and producers may begin submitting business under the Protective Life Brokerage contract. Read more about this important new resource, as well as the one company transition timeline.
Product
Allianz
New Fixed Index Universal Life Insurance Products Approved in Massachusetts!
GenDex Survivor® Fixed Index Universal Life Insurance Policy is life insurance coverage that is meant to be shared by providing death benefit protection for two people with a single policy. Besides affordable coverage, it also offers tax-deferred cash value accumulation potential to supplement retirement income or other financial needs. Read more
Sales of Term Life Insurance Policies to be Discontinued
At Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz), one of our strategic priorities is to grow our life insurance business, specifically, fixed index universal life (FIUL). Our FIUL focus aligns with our business strategy to provide protection for consumers, and it allows us to leverage the indexing and hedging experience of our fixed index annuity line of business. We continually evaluate our product portfolio and are committed to providing products that offer a unique value proposition for consumers. Read more
American General
New Pricing on American Elite Whole Life®!
Premium rates reduced as much as 20% and attractive new underwriting for our nonparticipating whole life product.
AG Secure Lifetime GULSM Approved in Maryland
As of July 25, AG Secure Lifetime GUL has been approved in the state of Maryland and will replace ContinUL. Read the bulletin for the transition rules.
AG Choice Index GULSM Approved in Five Additional States
As of July 25, 2011, AG Choice Index GUL has been approved in the states of AZ, DE, HI, NV and NH, and will replace ContinUL Extend Plus. Read the bulletin for the transition rules.
Lincoln Benefit
Changes to TrueTerm Minimum Face Amounts
Effective September 19, the minimum face amount for TrueTerm will increase to $200,000 for issue ages 18 to 45 for all policy term periods. See the bulletin for complete details. National Bulletin | NY Bulletin
Lincoln Financial
Effective August 15, Lincoln Will Introduce Lincoln LifeGuarantee® UL (2011)
Lincoln LifeGuarantee® UL (2011) is an updated version of Lincoln LifeGuarantee® UL (2009). The new product provides the same type of affordable, flexible and guaranteed protection on the life of the insured with a focus on lifetime guarantees. Click here for more information. Click here for transition information. Click here for a Lincoln LifeGuarantee® UL flyer. Click here for a sales idea
Effective August 15, Lincoln will introduce Lincoln LifeReserve® Indexed UL (2011)
This new product represents an update of the current version with a focus on improving accumulation, distributions and compensation, while packaged in a simplified story that capitalizes on the strengths and consistency of Lincoln. Click here for more information.
Monthly Interest Rate Report
Click here to access
Lincoln Reintroduces the VUL Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Enhanced Interest Rate Program
Lincoln is pleased to reintroduce the VUL Dollar Cost Averaging Fixed Account Enhanced Interest Rate Program. This program includes a 10% fixed account enhanced current interest rate to help with short-term returns while the client transfers funds into variable investment options using a 12-month Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) program. Read more
Pacific Life
Cost of Insurance (COI) Rate Reduction for Versa-Flex III and Versa-Flex IV
As part of Pacific Life Insurance Company's ongoing commitment to serving the needs of its policyowners, we are pleased to pass on our latest savings in the form of reduced cost of insurance (COI) rates for Versa-Flex III (Policy Form #89-44) and Versa-Flex IV (Policy Form #92-45) universal life insurance products. Read more
Protective Life
Transition Update: New Online Protective Life Brokerage Center
As of August 1, the new online Protective Life Brokerage Center, www.protectivelifebrokerage.com, is now live and producers may begin submitting business under the Protective Life Brokerage contract. Read more about this important new resource, as well as the one company transition timeline.
Transamerica
Introducing Freedom Index Universal Life IISM and Freedom Global IUL IISM
As of August 1, Transamerica Life Insurance Company is offering two new Index Universal Life (IUL) policies which offer flexible benefits with different index account choices. Both the Freedom Global IUL IISM and the Freedom Index Universal Life IISM offer a Basic Interest Account with a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 2% and an Index Account with a guaranteed minimum interest rate of 1%. Any Excess Index Interest credited to the Index Accounts is based, in part, on changes in external indexes, excluding dividend income. Please note that the processes to sell these two new products are different than those for Transamerica's traditional Term and Universal life portfolio. To review the Guide to Doing Business for these new products, click here. To read the Product Guide, please click here. To see the Guide to Initial Underwriting Requirements, click here.
TLIC Trendsetter Portfolio Has Been Withdrawn Effective August 1
With the successful launch of TransTermSM, Transamerica Life Insurance Company has withdrawn from sale the Trendsetter® Super Series Level Premium Product Portfolio, effective August 1. Applications for any of the Trendsetter Super Series level premium products (10-, 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-year) must be signed, dated and received in good order in our Cedar Rapids administrative office by close of business on September 30, 2011. Click here for more information
TransACE® Surrender Flexibility Endorsement Approved in Illinois and Puerto Rico
As Michael Babikian mentioned in his message yesterday, Transamerica continues to provide producers with product solutions to address what clients want in today's turbulent economy--guarantees, flexibility and control. The addition of the Surrender Flexibility Endorsement (SFE) to our TransACE 2010 product is the latest enhancement to help producers provide customers with the ultimate flexibility and control on a guaranteed chassis. And now Illinois and Puerto Rico have been added to the list of approved jurisdictions. To view the Bulletin and updated Authorization to Sell, please click here.
Of Current Interest
For interest rates on Transamerica products effective August 3, click here.
West Coast Life
Transition Update: New Online Protective Life Brokerage Center
As of Monday, August 1, 2011, the new online Protective Life Brokerage Center, www.protectivelifebrokerage.com, is now live and producers may begin submitting business under the Protective Life Brokerage contract. Read more about this important new resource, as well as the one company transition timeline.
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