Industry News

LifeInsight is an easy, interactive policy management tool that pulls essential information into one place and simplifies monitoring policy goals, assumptions, and performance. Our hope is that this tool will quickly become a differentiator for our producers and partners in how they sell and support Variable Life policies. Read more. The post Introducing LifeInsight – Pru’s Innovative New Tool for Managing Life Insurance Policies appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Click here to view updates on Lincoln’s new IUL portfolio, which they designed with the objective of being the industry leading choice. You’ll also find updates on Lincoln Care Coverage ABR, Lincoln’s commitment to the term market, and process enhancements. The post New Lincoln IUL Portfolio Launches Feb 11 appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Effective February 11, 2019, Lincoln is implementing pricing improvements to enhance competitive positioning in core market segments for Lincoln MoneyGuard II. This is a change to rates only for current offering of Lincoln MoneyGuard II (2017). There are no changes to the product structure, contract language, compensation, or types of benefits provided. Read more. View […] The post Lincoln MoneyGuard II Pricing Update appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Effective Feb. 8, 2019, Symetra is increasing the maximum illustrated rates for Accumulator IUL’s Base and Select index strategies. Read more.  The post Increased Max Illustrated Rates for Symetra Accumulator IUL Base and Select Index Strategies appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

At Symetra, we’re always fine-tuning our products to ensure they are competitive, fulfill your clients’ financial needs and help you build your business. That’s why we’re pleased to introduce refreshed rates for our existing term products and a new version of our term product in New York, effective February 8th. Read more. The post New Year, New Enhancements to Symetra Term Portfolio appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

On Jan. 15, 2019, the Guaranteed Interest Rate increased from 1.55% to 1.65% for new issues of the following products: Indexed Annuity Care – In all states where this product is sold. Annuity Care II – In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin only. The new rate applies to both the base and LTC Accumulated Values. […] The post OneAmerica Guaranteed Interest Rates Increased in January appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Now, John Hancock Vitality PLUS members can earn a one-year Amazon Prime membership when they achieve Platinum Vitality Status three years in a row. To learn more about this new reward and all other rewards click here. The post It’s (Amazon) Prime Time! appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

See this announcement for enhancements to Lifetime Income Edge 2.0 effective February 19.  The post Lincoln Makes Enhancements to Lifetime Income Edge 2.0 Fixed Indexed Annuity appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Effective March 1, 2019, John Hancock will be changing the interest crediting rates on certain Universal Life, Indexed Universal Life products and Variable Life Fixed Accounts for new and in-force policies. They will also be making some changes to the Indexed Account Cap rates of certain Indexed Universal Life products. This flyer provides details on […] The post Upcoming Interest Crediting Rate Changes at John Hancock appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

Effective Feb. 1, 2019, the Income Advantage IUL and Life Protection Advantage IUL maximum illustrated rate in WinFlex will increase. Find out more about the change. Read more. The post Mutual of Omaha IUL Max Illustrated Rate Change appeared first on Insurance Designers of America.

A settlement has been reached in the years-long law suit over increases in non-guaranteed costs of insurance for universal life policy owners.

On October 4th Transamerica announced a $195 million settlement for increases announced in 2015 and 2016 that affects over 100,000 policy owners.

Ron Sussman, CEO of CPI Companies was an expert witness in the case and an advocate for policy owner rights.

Policy owners will receive payments credited to their cash value and a 5 year moratorium on any future rate increases.

More information to follow.

Happy to share my first article in INN Magazine Article: http://www.insurancenewsnetmagazine.com/article/%E2%80%98unscheduled-policy-loans-can-create-sales-opportunities-3524#.W4Vo_ehKiHs To Learn More: https://mailchi.mp/07aa3321648b/policyloanrescue

Still think that term policy your client doesn’t need anymore is worthless? THINK AGAIN! We recently worked with a 75-year old client who owned a $1.5M term policy. The policy was approaching the end of the guarantee period, the client did not want to pay to convert, and planned to let the policy lapse. We explored a life settlement option and the client was able to sell the policy for $232,000, instead of letting it lapse and walking away with nothing.

Agent's need to educate their client's about these opportunities, as too many are missed. Contact us if you'd like to learn more.

Read CEO, Ron Sussman's latest article published on InsuranceNewsNet.com website: https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/commentary-have-we-created-a-national-shadow-retirement-system

Congresses change from C-CPI to CPI-U for indexing inflation could lead to a reduction in the daily per diem limits for your client's LTC or Chronic Illness Rider. Help your client's plan accordingly for the unexpected reduction and make sure they understand the impact it will have whether they own an indemnity or reimbursement style rider. Click the image below for more info

Beginning late January 2018 John Hancock will notify LTC policyholders (including those from the block acquired from Fortis) that their premiums are increasing. The effective date will begin with policies with anniversaries on or after May 1, 2018.

Implementation is state specific and continues increases that, for some policy holders, began in 2012.

Please contact our office for more details.

For policy holders that are healthy, consider switching to newer linked benefit products with premium guarantees such as the Secure Lifetime GUL from American General.

Recently two carriers, North American and Protective Life, Announced decreased cap rates for their newly issued and in-force blocks of IUL products. This repricing of options reduces the index cap rate, and the maximum illustrated rate for index segments that are initiated or renew in 2018.

Indexed Universal Life cap and participation rates are determined by the carrier's options budget and the cost of options as determined by the options provider. These rates can be counterintuitive in a rising equities market where interest rates continue to moderate to the low side or fall.

We may be seeing the tip of the iceberg. Protective and North American are two conservative companies that tend to treat their policyholders very well. But there a...

If you've ever asked your investment advisor for data on mutual funds or ETF's you know that there is a plethora of information available from a large number of sources. The source of the original purchase is irrelevant because the data is required by SEC and FINRA and is available through a simple internet search.

You can research any fund, manager, or investment company and easily find the performance and cost structure. This makes investing easy and accessible for any purchaser.

Now, try the same thing with your permanent life insurance policy. It is virtually impossible. Not only is there no repository of data, but the issuers go out their way to make sure you do not receive the information.

Insurance carriers protect your data so wel...

Life insurance policies need to change to meet the needs of new generations of purchasers. The idea that the benefits of a policy are only for the purchasers beneficiaries is outdated and in desperate need of a makeover.

American General has the only solution: Secure Lifetime GUL 3 is life insurance for the living.

This product provides three opportunities for clients to benefit while they are alive:

1. Opt Out. After year 25 clients can elect to terminate the policy and receive a full refund of all premiums paid.

2. Use the death benefit to pay for LTC or chronic illness. Indemnity based benefit. No need to provide receipts. Pay for home care by a family member or use for any other purpose.

3. At age 85 receive the net death benefit in 10 e...