Monday, April 30, 2007
NASD Providers Altering Equity-Indexed Annuities and Marketing Strategies As NASD EIA Regulation Bring Down Sales
Almost two years after the NASD issued its 05-50 Notice to Members alert on equity-indexed annuities, industry experts note that providers have been reformulating the controversial financial product and their marketing strategies to compensate for cooling sales.
Source: Insurance News Net
NASD Providers Altering Equity-Indexed Annuities and Marketing Strategies As NASD EIA Regulation Bring Down Sales
Source: Insurance News Net
NASD Providers Altering Equity-Indexed Annuities and Marketing Strategies As NASD EIA Regulation Bring Down Sales
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:49 PM 
Genworth Financial Launches New "Cornerstone Advantage" Long Term Care Insurance Product
Genworth Financial today announced the launch of the newest addition to its portfolio of long term care planning solutions -- Cornerstone Advantage.
Cornerstone Advantage's unique design and innovative approach helps expand the long term care insurance market to a much larger consumer base and makes long term care protection a more "mainstream" insurance solution -- much like auto, life and health insurance.
Genworth Financial Launches New "Cornerstone Advantage" Long Term Care Insurance Product
Source: PR Newswire
Cornerstone Advantage's unique design and innovative approach helps expand the long term care insurance market to a much larger consumer base and makes long term care protection a more "mainstream" insurance solution -- much like auto, life and health insurance.
Genworth Financial Launches New "Cornerstone Advantage" Long Term Care Insurance Product
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:47 PM
Nationwide Financial Redefines 401(k) Enrollment
For plan sponsors, getting associates to enroll in their company-sponsored 401(k) plan can be one of the most challenging aspects of managing the plan. With an associate's income earmarked for so many things, saving for retirement often conflicts with more immediate goals like buying a new home, saving for college or paying off debt. To help plan sponsors simplify the retirement planning process for their associates, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc, has overhauled its end-to-end enrollment experience.
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Nationwide Financial Redefines 401(k) Enrollment
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Nationwide Financial Redefines 401(k) Enrollment
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:45 PM
Saving 10% of Income Might Not Suffice for Contingencies
It's a rule of thumb that's been repeated so often it's become accepted wisdom: If you want to be financially set in retirement, you should save 10 percent of your salary each year.
The 10 percent solution has simplicity going for it. And the fact that it's invoked so frequently lends it a certain air of authority. But will following this strategy guarantee you a secure retirement?
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Saving 10% of Income Might Not Suffice for Contingencies
The 10 percent solution has simplicity going for it. And the fact that it's invoked so frequently lends it a certain air of authority. But will following this strategy guarantee you a secure retirement?
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Saving 10% of Income Might Not Suffice for Contingencies
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:39 PM
Friday, April 27, 2007
NASD Amends Its Proposed VA Sales Rule Again But Some Objections Remain
For the fourth time, the NASD has amended its pending regulation (proposed Rule 2821) covering the sale of variable annuities.
According to the Financial Services Institute (FSI), the latest version of the controversial Variable Annuity Sales Practice & Supervisory Standards Rule has two important changes.
NASD Amends Its Proposed VA Sales Rule Again But Some Objections Remain
Source: Insurance News Net
According to the Financial Services Institute (FSI), the latest version of the controversial Variable Annuity Sales Practice & Supervisory Standards Rule has two important changes.
NASD Amends Its Proposed VA Sales Rule Again But Some Objections Remain
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:47 AM
Roth IRAs Have Advantages for Younger Workers
Concerned he might not be able to save enough for retirement through his 401(k), Russ Munisteri decided to open a Roth individual retirement account two years ago.
The North Bellmore, N.Y., resident was particularly interested in the Roth IRA because, unlike with his traditional 401(k), he will not have to pay taxes on the IRA withdrawals at retirement. (But he isn't able to deduct his annual contributions to the Roth IRA on his taxes, as he can with his traditional 401(k) plan.)
Roth IRAs Have Advantages for Younger Workers
Source: Chicago Tribune
The North Bellmore, N.Y., resident was particularly interested in the Roth IRA because, unlike with his traditional 401(k), he will not have to pay taxes on the IRA withdrawals at retirement. (But he isn't able to deduct his annual contributions to the Roth IRA on his taxes, as he can with his traditional 401(k) plan.)
Roth IRAs Have Advantages for Younger Workers
Source: Chicago Tribune
Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:45 AM
American Equity Targeted by Minnesota Attorney General
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, today became the target of a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General of the State of Minnesota concerning sales of deferred annuity products to Minnesota residents. The suit was brought against AEL's primary operating subsidiary, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company ("American Equity"). American Equity has a strong market conduct record in the State of Minnesota. American Equity had cooperated fully with the Attorney General's requests for information from the Company, and yet was denied any opportunity to discuss the Company, products or sales practices with the Minnesota Attorney General's office prior to the filing of its lawsuit. We strongly believe the allegations of the Attorney General are without merit.
American Equity Targeted by Minnesota Attorney General
Source: Yahoo! Finance
American Equity Targeted by Minnesota Attorney General
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:43 AM
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Securian Applies Experience and Client Research to New Debt Protection Products
Securian Financial Group has unveiled its new suite of debt protection products designed to meet today's lending needs. The products are a result of Securian's experience in the marketplace as well as client research conducted throughout 2006.
Securian Applies Experience and Client Research to New Debt Protection Products
Source: PR Newswire
Securian Applies Experience and Client Research to New Debt Protection Products
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:15 PM
Life Insurance Not Common for College Students
When you send off your child to college, it's with the understanding that he or she will be not only educated, but also, typically, fed, housed and provided with other life amenities such as access to e-mail and computer services, health care and recreation.
Life Insurance Not Common for College Students
Source: Roanoke.com
Life Insurance Not Common for College Students
Source: Roanoke.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:06 PM
Ex-AIG Chief Talks About Regulation, Brokers, AIG and China in Exclusive Interview
Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, former chairman and CEO of AIG, said courage and loyalty should be key characteristics of corporate leaders. His remarks come in a six-page interview in the May edition of Risk & Insurance, a 15-time-a-year magazine that covers emerging trends in risk.
Ex-AIG Chief Talks About Regulation, Brokers, AIG and China in Exclusive Interview
Source: Risk & Insurance
Ex-AIG Chief Talks About Regulation, Brokers, AIG and China in Exclusive Interview
Source: Risk & Insurance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:05 PM
Lessons to be Drawn from Anna Nicole Smith's Lousy Estate Plan
Investment News, a well-respected trade publication for financial professionals, reports "Anna Nicole Smith's mess of a will attracts the attention of clients." It says financial advisers have seen an increase in the number of clients calling with questions about preparing their wills since her death in February.
Lessons to be Drawn from Anna Nicole Smith's Lousy Estate Plan
Source: CBS Marketwatch
Lessons to be Drawn from Anna Nicole Smith's Lousy Estate Plan
Source: CBS Marketwatch
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:02 PM
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Down 3.5% in March
North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was off -3.5% in March year-over-year, according to the MIB Life Index. March's decline moderated from January's published -7.4% decline and February's -6.5% decline year-over-year. At the close of the first quarter, North American application activity was down -5.5%, compared to Q1 2006. Month-over-month, March volume was off slightly from February 2007, down -1.1%.
Source: PR Newswire
MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Down 3.5% in March
Source: PR Newswire
MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Down 3.5% in March
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:24 AM
Prudential Retirement Introduces Fund Option for Retirement Plans with Interest in "Value-Based" Investment
To more effectively meet the needs of retirement-plan sponsors with an interest in "values-based" investment options for their participants, Prudential Retirement has introduced three new institutional sub-advised funds that will be managed in a manner consistent with socially, ethically and morally responsible investing. Prudential Retirement is a business of Prudential Financial Inc.
Prudential Retirement Introduces Fund Option for Retirement Plans with Interest in "Value-Based" Investment
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Prudential Retirement Introduces Fund Option for Retirement Plans with Interest in "Value-Based" Investment
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:23 AM
Uncover What Your Clients Want from an Estate Plan with a Four Step Guide from Pacific Life
Identifying what they want to accomplish in an estate plan can be very difficult for many clients. Add to that the wide variety of planning techniques and you can really confuse a client. There are so many issues – both emotional and financial. To help, Pacific Life Insurance Company and Pacific Life & Annuity Company introduced a new guide for insurance professionals to use with clients called, “What You Want – Estate Planning.”
Uncover What Your Clients Want from an Estate Plan with a Four Step Guide from Pacific Life
Source: Business Wire
Uncover What Your Clients Want from an Estate Plan with a Four Step Guide from Pacific Life
Source: Business Wire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:21 AM
Principal Protection Adds Appeal to VAs
The quick ramp to $1-billion in assets of Income Plus has sparked new competition in Canada's infant variable-annuity (VA) market.
Technically, it's just the term "variable annuity" that is new in the Canadian market. According to Manulife vice-president Bob Tillmann, the term is synonymous with segregated funds.
Seg funds have long been a fixture in Canadian life insurance companies, providing clients with some protection against market losses not normally available in ordinary equity mutual funds. Both seg funds and variable annuities use insurance contracts.
Principal Protection Adds Appeal to VAs
Source: Canada.com
Technically, it's just the term "variable annuity" that is new in the Canadian market. According to Manulife vice-president Bob Tillmann, the term is synonymous with segregated funds.
Seg funds have long been a fixture in Canadian life insurance companies, providing clients with some protection against market losses not normally available in ordinary equity mutual funds. Both seg funds and variable annuities use insurance contracts.
Principal Protection Adds Appeal to VAs
Source: Canada.com
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:20 AM
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
U.S. Trust Releases Survey of Affluent Americans with New Focus on Higher Net Worth
U.S. Trust announced today the findings of the 2007 Survey of Affluent Americans which focuses this year on a higher net worth demographic. Unlike past years' surveys, in which primary residence and income were factors in respondent eligibility, the 2007 survey polled an even more elite sample both in terms of size and composition, consisting exclusively of Americans with more than $5 million in total investable assets (high net worth individuals). Also included in the survey is a new focus on Americans with more than $25 million in total assets (ultra high net worth individuals).
U.S. Trust Releases Survey of Affluent Americans with New Focus on Higher Net Worth
Source: PR Newswire
U.S. Trust Releases Survey of Affluent Americans with New Focus on Higher Net Worth
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:25 AM
The government wants to make it easier for you to buy long-term-care insurance.
The government wants to make it easier for you to buy long-term-care insurance.
A federal law enacted last year has given states leeway to start programs that ease some of the worry of purchasing long-term-care policies, which pay for lengthy stays in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities or for care at home. These services generally aren't covered by Medicare or other health insurance.
Buying Old-Age Insurance
Source: Wall Street Journal
A federal law enacted last year has given states leeway to start programs that ease some of the worry of purchasing long-term-care policies, which pay for lengthy stays in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities or for care at home. These services generally aren't covered by Medicare or other health insurance.
Buying Old-Age Insurance
Source: Wall Street Journal
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:24 AM
Beware of Risks of Liquidating Life Insurance Policies
Consumers in difficult situations where they try to sell their variable life insurance policies for cash or because they're no longer needed generally have faced two unattractive options: 1) letting the policy lapse; 2) "surrendering" it for its cash value -- both at a fairly steep cost.
Beware of Risks of Liquidating Life Insurance Policies
Source: Insurance News Net
Beware of Risks of Liquidating Life Insurance Policies
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:21 AM
Monday, April 23, 2007
LTC Industry Needs to be Investigated
Insurance companies have been selling the concept of long-term care for many years, seeing it as a profitable new avenue, though not profitable enough to keep some from dropping the product.
Now questions have been raised about the practices of some companies that sell LTC policies. They have been accused of refusing to pay apparently legitimate claims, according to a recent story in The New York Times.
LTC Industry Needs to be Investigated
Source: Investment News (subscription required)
Now questions have been raised about the practices of some companies that sell LTC policies. They have been accused of refusing to pay apparently legitimate claims, according to a recent story in The New York Times.
LTC Industry Needs to be Investigated
Source: Investment News (subscription required)
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:38 AM
Protect Yourself, Your Family, By Making A Budget for Life Insurance
Seventy-three percent of U.S. adults think life insurance costs too much, according to a 2006 Mutual Life Insurance Co. survey conducted by Harris Interactive.
But declaring "I can't afford it" is not a good enough reason for not buying a life insurance plan, some experts say. They argue that life insurance is a good way of financially caring for loved ones after you die.
Protect Yourself, Your Family, By Making A Budget for Life Insurance
Source: Insurance News Net
But declaring "I can't afford it" is not a good enough reason for not buying a life insurance plan, some experts say. They argue that life insurance is a good way of financially caring for loved ones after you die.
Protect Yourself, Your Family, By Making A Budget for Life Insurance
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:36 AM
Workers Wasting Opportunity 401(k) Provides
With so many workers failing to manage the do-it-yourself 401(k) retirement plan, employers increasingly are becoming more hands-on.
Some automatically enroll employees. Many supply workers with advice or have added no-fuss funds to take the guesswork out of investing.
Workers Wasting Opportunity 401(k) Provides
Source: Hartford Courant
Some automatically enroll employees. Many supply workers with advice or have added no-fuss funds to take the guesswork out of investing.
Workers Wasting Opportunity 401(k) Provides
Source: Hartford Courant
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:34 AM
Term Life Insurance Policies are Good Bargains
A key financial product -- term-life insurance -- continues to get cheaper and easier to buy.
Prices for coverage have plummeted, partly because people are living longer. A healthy 40-year-old man who has never smoked can get a $500,000 term-life policy for as little as $355 a year for 20 years. That's down from $375 two years ago and $674 a decade ago, according to AccuQuote, an online insurance broker. In the early 1990s, the same policy cost more than $1,000 a year.
Term Life Insurance Policies are Good Bargains
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Prices for coverage have plummeted, partly because people are living longer. A healthy 40-year-old man who has never smoked can get a $500,000 term-life policy for as little as $355 a year for 20 years. That's down from $375 two years ago and $674 a decade ago, according to AccuQuote, an online insurance broker. In the early 1990s, the same policy cost more than $1,000 a year.
Term Life Insurance Policies are Good Bargains
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:33 AM
Friday, April 20, 2007
Jackson’s First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (JacksonSM) generated total sales of nearly $3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2007, up 21 percent from the same period a year ago. The company’s record quarterly sales performance was driven by continued strong growth in variable annuity sales, which rose 31 percent over first quarter 2006 to nearly $2.1 billion, and a 17-percent increase in institutional product sales to $913 million, a market in which Jackson participates on an opportunistic basis. Jackson is the fastest-growing variable annuity provider in the US based on new sales over the span of the last four years.
Jackson’s First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Source: dBusiness News
Jackson’s First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Source: dBusiness News
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:24 AM
How To Get Your Slice Of The Multi-Billion Annuity Market
Annuities, according to the 2006 Fact Book published by the National Association for Variable Annuities (NAVA), is one of the most successful financial products in the last decade with annual sales exceeding $200 billion. The thriving sale of annuities is expected to continue this year well into the next 10 years.
How To Get Your Slice Of The Multi-Billion Annuity Market
Source: Insurance News Net
How To Get Your Slice Of The Multi-Billion Annuity Market
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:07 AM
Where All the Retirees Are Above Average
Are you average?
Come on, admit it -- not a chance, right? Not in your own mind, at least. Garrison Keillor's fictional Lake Wobegon, "where all the children are above average," speaks to the way many of us view the world. It's human nature to think of ourselves as just a little bit smarter, stronger, faster, and of course, more devilishly attractive than the average person.
Where All the Retirees Are Average
Source: The Motley Fool
Come on, admit it -- not a chance, right? Not in your own mind, at least. Garrison Keillor's fictional Lake Wobegon, "where all the children are above average," speaks to the way many of us view the world. It's human nature to think of ourselves as just a little bit smarter, stronger, faster, and of course, more devilishly attractive than the average person.
Where All the Retirees Are Average
Source: The Motley Fool
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:02 AM
Bank-Sold Life Insurance Premium Falls for Second Straight Year
Pulled down by a steady decline in single-premium sales, individual life insurance premiums sold through banks in 2006 fell for the second year in a row, according to the latest survey from Kehrer-LIMRA. The survey found that premiums have fallen from a high of nearly $1.3 billion in 2004 to $1.06 billion for 2006.
Bank-Sold Life Insurance Premium Falls for Second Straight Year
Source: Insurance News Net
Bank-Sold Life Insurance Premium Falls for Second Straight Year
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:59 AM
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Take Control of Your Retirement
Many of us have our heads buried in the sand when it comes to life after work. While we're confident of financial security in retirement, we're not doing a lot to make that happen.
Instead, we're watching employers drop their pension and retiree health benefits but doing little to replace those benefits on our own. Think it won't happen to you? Maybe it already has. Maybe you never had a job that promised those benefits in the first place.
Instead of expecting someone else to take care of you in retirement, take control of your own destiny.
Take Control of Your Retirement
Source: Yahoo! Finance/Motley Fool
Instead, we're watching employers drop their pension and retiree health benefits but doing little to replace those benefits on our own. Think it won't happen to you? Maybe it already has. Maybe you never had a job that promised those benefits in the first place.
Instead of expecting someone else to take care of you in retirement, take control of your own destiny.
Take Control of Your Retirement
Source: Yahoo! Finance/Motley Fool
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:39 AM
Ad Campaign Targets Baby Boomers
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co. will premier its award-winning "800-pound gorilla" series of spots in Buffalo beginning May 7 during evening television programming.
Ad Campaign Targets Baby Boomers
Source: MSN Money
Ad Campaign Targets Baby Boomers
Source: MSN Money
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:37 AM
Jackson's First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (JacksonSM) generated total sales of nearly $3.5 billion in the first quarter of 2007, up 21 percent from the same period a year ago. The company’s record quarterly sales performance was driven by continued strong growth in variable annuity sales, which rose 31 percent over first quarter 2006 to nearly $2.1 billion, and a 17-percent increase in institutional product sales to $913 million, a market in which Jackson participates on an opportunistic basis. Jackson is the fastest-growing variable annuity provider in the US based on new sales over the span of the last four years.
Jackson's First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Source: Business Wire/Google
Jackson's First Quarter Sales Climb 21% to Nearly $3.5 Billion
Source: Business Wire/Google
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:33 AM
The Good Places For Your IRA Money
Today, I will address an excellent question asked by a young client: Where is a good place to invest my IRA money?
In the past, I have written about different financial products such as annuities, money managed accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, saving accounts, mutual funds and insurance products that can all be used to fund an IRA.
Today, I will start to address three of these investment products:
- Money managed accounts.
- Certificates of deposit.
- Variable annuities.
The Good Places For Your IRA Money
Source: Insurance News Net
In the past, I have written about different financial products such as annuities, money managed accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, saving accounts, mutual funds and insurance products that can all be used to fund an IRA.
Today, I will start to address three of these investment products:
- Money managed accounts.
- Certificates of deposit.
- Variable annuities.
The Good Places For Your IRA Money
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:30 AM
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Retirement Planning: Healthcare Considerations Available Free from the MetLife Mature Market Institute
For those considering retirement, before or after age 65, there are a number of important healthcare considerations.
What happens with your employer health benefits when you retire? If you retire early, will you have health insurance to cover you until age 65 when Medicare takes over? Will you need Medicare supplement insurance to cover any gaps in Medicare coverage after age 65? What healthcare needs might not be covered by Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance or your retiree health insurance?
Retirement Planning: Healthcare Considerations Available Free from the MetLife Mature Market Institute
Source: Yahoo! Finance
What happens with your employer health benefits when you retire? If you retire early, will you have health insurance to cover you until age 65 when Medicare takes over? Will you need Medicare supplement insurance to cover any gaps in Medicare coverage after age 65? What healthcare needs might not be covered by Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance or your retiree health insurance?
Retirement Planning: Healthcare Considerations Available Free from the MetLife Mature Market Institute
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:18 AM
ING Introduces Indexed Universal Life
Minneapolis ING today announced that it has introduced the ING Indexed Strategic Accumulator Universal Life, issued by Security Life of Denver Insurance Company. The product allows policyholders to earn index credits linked in part to increases, if any, in the S&P 500(R)(1) (subject to a maximum index credit rate) with protection from downside risk through a guaranteed minimum interest rate.
ING Introduces Indexed Universal Life
Source: PR Newswire
ING Introduces Indexed Universal Life
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:17 AM
A Perspective on the Growing Controversy of Life Settlements
Life settlements continue to generate controversy, but continue to be popular, viable solutions for some of today’s consumers.
As we know, life settlement buyers, often a group of investors, become the new beneficiaries of the policies. The buyers pay the premiums to keep them in force until the insured dies. Then they collect the death benefit.
A Perspective on the Growing Controversy of Life Settlements
Source: Insurance News Net
As we know, life settlement buyers, often a group of investors, become the new beneficiaries of the policies. The buyers pay the premiums to keep them in force until the insured dies. Then they collect the death benefit.
A Perspective on the Growing Controversy of Life Settlements
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:15 AM
SNL Financial to Publish Statutory Insurance Company Financial Data
Publisher SNL Financial has reached an agreement with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to acquire and publish statutory insurance data through SNL's database products.
SNL Financial to Publish Statutory Insurance Company Financial Data
Source: Insurance Journal
SNL Financial to Publish Statutory Insurance Company Financial Data
Source: Insurance Journal
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:11 AM
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The High Price of Free Insurance
The deal offered to affluent seniors sounds awfully good: two years of free life insurance, plus a luxury car, a cruise, or a cash payment. All you have to do is take out a multimillion-dollar life insurance policy with a loan you're not obligated to repay and sell or transfer the policy in a couple of years.
The High Price of Free Insurance
Source: Business Week
The High Price of Free Insurance
Source: Business Week
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:47 AM
Different Strategic Uses of Survivorship Life Insurance Policies
Survivorship life insurance (also called joint and survivor life insurance, second-to-die life insurance, survivor whole life and survivor universal life) provides coverage for two people and the benefits are paid out only after both policyholders have passed on. Since estate taxes could be delayed for married couples until both have died, survivorship life insurance is used to mainly to pay the estate taxes after the death of the two policyholders.
If the insured husband and wife own the policy it would not only increase the estate but would be subject to taxes as well. Generally, survivorship life insurance policies have a third-party owner such as an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) or an adult child/children to handle/offset estate taxes.
Different Strategic Uses of Survivorship Life Insurance Policies
Source: Insurance News Net
If the insured husband and wife own the policy it would not only increase the estate but would be subject to taxes as well. Generally, survivorship life insurance policies have a third-party owner such as an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) or an adult child/children to handle/offset estate taxes.
Different Strategic Uses of Survivorship Life Insurance Policies
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:45 AM
Study Sets Guidelines for Saving for Your Retirement
From a quintet with credentials comes the answer to a question that baffles working Americans: How much do I need to save now to maintain my lifestyle in retirement?
The answer, in a study, amounts to: "It depends."
I am not trying to be cute. "It depends" must be the answer because how much you need to save depends on how much you want to spend later, how much you have already saved and how long you have before retirement, among many factors.
Study Sets Guidelines for Saving for Your Retirement
Source: LA Times
The answer, in a study, amounts to: "It depends."
I am not trying to be cute. "It depends" must be the answer because how much you need to save depends on how much you want to spend later, how much you have already saved and how long you have before retirement, among many factors.
Study Sets Guidelines for Saving for Your Retirement
Source: LA Times
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:44 AM
Monday, April 16, 2007
SunLife Financial and CI Investments Launch SunWise Elite Plus Guaranteed Retirement Income Product
Sun Life Financial and CI Investments Inc. today announced the launch of SunWise Elite Plus, an innovative new product that redefines retirement planning.
SunWise Elite Plus offers a Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB), providing investors with guaranteed, sustainable income during retirement, along with the potential for the guaranteed income to grow. SunWise Elite Plus policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and managed by CI Investments. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.
SunLife Financial and CI Investments Launch SunWise Elite Plus Guaranteed Retirement Income Product
Source: Yahoo! Finance
SunWise Elite Plus offers a Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB), providing investors with guaranteed, sustainable income during retirement, along with the potential for the guaranteed income to grow. SunWise Elite Plus policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and managed by CI Investments. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.
SunLife Financial and CI Investments Launch SunWise Elite Plus Guaranteed Retirement Income Product
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:43 AM
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
What if I outlive my money? The fear of such a thing happening haunts many older Americans. So when a reputable company, New York Life Insurance, teams up with AARP to offer an investment with the absolute promise of lifetime income, it can sound like an answered prayer.
Indeed, the investment, an immediate annuity, may be ideal for some retirees, but financial advisers say it is not for everyone. Prospective buyers need to do some homework — studying both their own finances and the annuities available in comparison with other investments.
After all, an immediate annuity is an investment for the rest of a person’s life or a couple’s lives, and it is not easily liquidated if either personal circumstances or financial markets change.
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
Source: NY Times
Indeed, the investment, an immediate annuity, may be ideal for some retirees, but financial advisers say it is not for everyone. Prospective buyers need to do some homework — studying both their own finances and the annuities available in comparison with other investments.
After all, an immediate annuity is an investment for the rest of a person’s life or a couple’s lives, and it is not easily liquidated if either personal circumstances or financial markets change.
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
Source: NY Times
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:41 AM
Regulators Urge Clearer Fee Disclosure. Costs of Managing Retirement Portfolio Often Obscured, Eating Up Savings of Workers
In an era of do-it-yourself retirement planning, workers often are hobbled by a lack of clear information on their investments and the fees they are charged to manage them.
Those fees can eat away tens of thousands of dollars over time. Now, federal regulators are seeking to toughen disclosure rules and devise a single standard for a wide variety of investments and retirement plans.
Saying current disclosures often are "missing the mark by a country mile," Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox said his agency would seek new rules that would force mutual funds, insurance companies and others to more clearly detail the cost and performance of investment funds and retirement plans.
Regulators Urge Clearer Fee Disclosure. Costs of Managing Retirement Portfolio Often Obscured, Eating Up Savings of Workers
Source: Chicago Tribune
Those fees can eat away tens of thousands of dollars over time. Now, federal regulators are seeking to toughen disclosure rules and devise a single standard for a wide variety of investments and retirement plans.
Saying current disclosures often are "missing the mark by a country mile," Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox said his agency would seek new rules that would force mutual funds, insurance companies and others to more clearly detail the cost and performance of investment funds and retirement plans.
Regulators Urge Clearer Fee Disclosure. Costs of Managing Retirement Portfolio Often Obscured, Eating Up Savings of Workers
Source: Chicago Tribune
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:39 AM
Friday, April 13, 2007
Conning Research: U.S. Life Reinsurers Evolve Their Business Models in a Consolidating Market with Multiple Challenges
Continued consolidation among U.S. life reinsurers, combined with a drop in new recurring reinsurance are just two issues in an array of challenges facing U.S. reinsurers, who are responding by reevaluating their value propositions, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting, Inc.
Conning Research: U.S. Life Reinsurers Evolve Their Business Models in a Consolidating Market with Multiple Challenges
Source: PR Newswire
Conning Research: U.S. Life Reinsurers Evolve Their Business Models in a Consolidating Market with Multiple Challenges
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:13 AM
Setting the Stage for the Life Settlement Sales Process
Life settlements (also known as Senior or Senior Life Settlements) is the selling of ownership rights to an unwanted or unnecessary life insurance policy from the policyholder to a third party – a group of investors or a life settlement company. The policy seller receives immediate cash for the policy from the purchaser. The market value of life settlement is greater than cash value of the life insurance but less than the net death benefit.
Setting the Stage for the Life Settlement Sales Process
Source: Insurance News Net
Setting the Stage for the Life Settlement Sales Process
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:12 AM
Unum Faces Challenges in Rebranding Itself
Sometimes, it takes someone from the outside to recognize what should have been apparent to insiders all along.
Joseph R. Foley, senior vice president for Unum, remembers that when the company was refining its lighthouse logo in the 1990s, an advertising firm had a bright idea: Why not show the lighthouse with the light actually on?
Unum Faces Challenges in Rebranding Itself
Source: Insurance News Net
Joseph R. Foley, senior vice president for Unum, remembers that when the company was refining its lighthouse logo in the 1990s, an advertising firm had a bright idea: Why not show the lighthouse with the light actually on?
Unum Faces Challenges in Rebranding Itself
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:10 AM
John Hancock Funds' Signature Services Unit Named 'Best-in-Class' by National Quality Review
John Hancock Signature Services, Inc. (JHSS), the transfer and shareholder services agent for John Hancock Funds, was awarded "Best-In-Class" honors and "5-Star" performer status for telephone customer service for all of 2006 by National Quality Review (NQR).
Keith F. Hartstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Funds, said: "Amid rapid sales growth for John Hancock Funds over the past 18 months, we remain deeply committed to excellence in customer service. We are proud of this recognition, and congratulate our colleagues at JHSS."
John Hancock Funds' Signature Services Unit Named 'Best-in-Class' by National Quality Review
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Keith F. Hartstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock Funds, said: "Amid rapid sales growth for John Hancock Funds over the past 18 months, we remain deeply committed to excellence in customer service. We are proud of this recognition, and congratulate our colleagues at JHSS."
John Hancock Funds' Signature Services Unit Named 'Best-in-Class' by National Quality Review
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:09 AM
Thursday, April 12, 2007
New York Life Site Wins Top Honor
New York City-based New York Life Insurance Co.’s consumer Web site was best in the nation among insurance and annuity companies in the fourth quarter of last year, according to Dalbar Inc., a Boston-based company that tracks Internet innovation.
Rounding out the Top 5 insurance company consumer sites, all considered “excellent” by Dalbar, were Lincoln National Corp., Philadelphia; Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee; AXA Financial Inc., New York; and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Springfield, Mass.
New York Life Site Wins Top Honor
Source: Insurance Networking News
Rounding out the Top 5 insurance company consumer sites, all considered “excellent” by Dalbar, were Lincoln National Corp., Philadelphia; Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Milwaukee; AXA Financial Inc., New York; and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Springfield, Mass.
New York Life Site Wins Top Honor
Source: Insurance Networking News
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:59 AM
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
What if I outlive my money? The fear of such a thing happening haunts many older Americans. So when a reputable company, New York Life Insurance, teams up with AARP to offer an investment with the absolute promise of lifetime income, it can sound like an answered prayer.
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
Source: NY Times
Income for Life? Sounds Good, but Do Your Homework
Source: NY Times
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:58 AM
The Hartford, Berkshire Hathaway Join Forces on Surplus Lines
The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. announced that its First State Management Group has formed a strategic relationship with certain members of the Berkshire Hathaway group of insurance companies to offer expanded levels of surplus lines commercial property insurance.
The Hartford, Berkshire Hathaway Join Forces on Surplus Lines
Source: Insurance Journal
The Hartford, Berkshire Hathaway Join Forces on Surplus Lines
Source: Insurance Journal
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:54 AM
Why is Everybody Beating Up on the Insurance Industry?
It seems like all of a sudden, everybody is beating up on the insurance industry. Consider:
There are bills to repeal the industry’s limited antitrust exemption under McCarran-Ferguson. Lawmakers are calling for the industry to be regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, or by a newly-created federal insurance regulator and new federal regulatory bureaucracy.
Why is Everybody Beating Up on the Insurance Industry?
Source: Insurance News Net
There are bills to repeal the industry’s limited antitrust exemption under McCarran-Ferguson. Lawmakers are calling for the industry to be regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, or by a newly-created federal insurance regulator and new federal regulatory bureaucracy.
Why is Everybody Beating Up on the Insurance Industry?
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:46 AM
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Nationwide Retirement Solutions Simplifies Retirement Planning
A recent survey shows that only 34 percent of public-sector workers participate in their employer sponsored defined contribution plan compared to 70 percent of private-sector workers.1 In addition to low participation rates, public-sector participants tend to be more conservative and less active investors.2 To help participants make the most of their retirement planning, Nationwide Retirement Solutions (NRS) has launched Nationwide® ProAccountSM and Nationwide® FundGuardSM.
Nationwide Retirement Solutions Simplifies Retirement Planning
Source: Business Wire/Google News
Nationwide Retirement Solutions Simplifies Retirement Planning
Source: Business Wire/Google News
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:57 AM
Catching the Retirement Wave: Planning with Fixed Annuities
America is aging rapidly and the need for sound estate and financial planning practices is more essential today than ever before. Instead of retiring at 65 and having seven to 10 "golden years" of retirement, people are now faced with living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. The old fear of dying too early has been replaced by the fear of living too long, but those fears can be abated with the use of fixed annuities.
Catching the Retirement Wave: Planning with Fixed Annuities
Source: Life Insurance Selling
Catching the Retirement Wave: Planning with Fixed Annuities
Source: Life Insurance Selling
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:56 AM
Lincoln Financial Group Adds Travel Assistance to Group Life Coverage
The Employer Markets division of Lincoln National Corporation today announced the addition of travel assistance services as a value-added feature to its group life insurance policies. Based on employers' need to control the cost of employee benefits while still providing high quality benefit plans, Lincoln added the travel assistance program, called TravelConnect (SM), to deliver further protection for its group life insurance clients at no additional cost. The Lincoln Employer Markets division is focused on delivering retirement income security to employers and their employees through retirement plans, group insurance, and executive benefits.
Lincoln Financial Group Adds Travel Assistance to Group Life Coverage
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Lincoln Financial Group Adds Travel Assistance to Group Life Coverage
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:55 AM
Trust Sued Over Backing Retiree Plan
A lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan last week contends that a retirement plan offered by the New York State United Teachers breached its fiduciary duty when it accepted millions of dollars in payments from an investment firm in exchange for endorsing the firm’s products to plan members.
Trust Sued Over Backing Retiree Plan
Source: Star News
Trust Sued Over Backing Retiree Plan
Source: Star News
Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:54 AM
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Mass Mutual Inviting Over 250,000 Retirement Plan Participants to 'Spring Into Savings'
MassMutual Retirement Services today launched an educational campaign that will invite more than a quarter million 401(k) plan participants to change their retirement savings behavior to more effectively prepare them for retirement. MassMutual, a leading retirement plan provider, is supporting more than 4,300 retirement plan sponsors by personally reaching out to their retirement plan participants and providing quicker, easier ways for them to take action.
Mass Mutual Inviting Over 250,000 Retirement Plan Participants to 'Spring Into Savings'
Source: PR Newswire
Mass Mutual Inviting Over 250,000 Retirement Plan Participants to 'Spring Into Savings'
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:47 PM
ROP Term Is A Nice Alternative
Sure, your clients come to you to talk about where to put their money so it will grow and provide them some kind of benefit down the line. And while they need life insurance, term insurance is temporary, so many clients will think it’s a waste of money. Perhaps one of the most-often quoted industry statistics, according to LIMRA, is that fewer than 1% of all term insurance policies end up paying a death benefit. So, what is an adviser to do?
ROP Term Is A Nice Alternative
Source: Life Insurance Selling
ROP Term Is A Nice Alternative
Source: Life Insurance Selling
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:46 PM
The Magic of Ownership: Why Top Long Term Care Agents are Flocking to LTC Financial Partners
Industry watchers have been tracking the rapid growth of the organization, which has mushroomed to 285 agents in a little over three years. "Few thought we could declare a dividend so soon," says Truesdell, "let alone one this size." LTC Financial Partners (LTCFP) has enjoyed a compound growth rate of 50% a year, remarkable for any company in any industry. "Some people considered us a bootstrap operation, but I think we've proved we're very substantial. Nobody's growing as fast as us and we're making good on our promises."
The Magic of Ownership: Why Top Long Term Care Agents are Flocking to LTC Financial Partners
Source: PR Newswire
The Magic of Ownership: Why Top Long Term Care Agents are Flocking to LTC Financial Partners
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 12:43 PM
Monday, April 09, 2007
Great-West Lifeco's U.S. Subsidiary Announces Agreement to Acquire Third-Party Health Plan Administrator in Montana
Great-West Lifeco Inc. today announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, has entered into an agreement to acquire an 80% majority interest in Benefit Management Corp., whose principal subsidiary is Allegiance Benefit Plan Management, Inc., a Montana-based third-party administrator of employee health plans. The existing majority shareholder will retain a 20% interest in Benefit Management Corp.
Great-West Lifeco's U.S. Subsidiary Announces Agreement to Acquire Third-Party Health Plan Administrator in Montana
Source: Newswire.ca
Great-West Lifeco's U.S. Subsidiary Announces Agreement to Acquire Third-Party Health Plan Administrator in Montana
Source: Newswire.ca
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:44 AM
LTC Insurance Sales to Grow 15% in 2007": Say What?
In the January 27th edition of the LTCi Digest (an Internet publication), the American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance stated:
“Sales of individual long-term care insurance policies are poised to grow again in 2007 with a projected increase of some 15% over 2006 sales. Following a 2006 first quarter decline of 10% and the second quarter's 15% decline, new premium for the third quarter declined just five percent compared with the same three-month period in 2005."
Let me understand this: LTCI sales declined by 30% over the first three quarters of 2006 but, based on a five-percent decline in the third quarter, one can project a 15% increase for 2007? Let’s see: -10%, -15% and -5% = +15%? I’m no math expert, but that formula doesn’t make much sense to me.
LTC Insurance Sales to Grow 15% in 2007": Say What?
Source: Insurance News Net
“Sales of individual long-term care insurance policies are poised to grow again in 2007 with a projected increase of some 15% over 2006 sales. Following a 2006 first quarter decline of 10% and the second quarter's 15% decline, new premium for the third quarter declined just five percent compared with the same three-month period in 2005."
Let me understand this: LTCI sales declined by 30% over the first three quarters of 2006 but, based on a five-percent decline in the third quarter, one can project a 15% increase for 2007? Let’s see: -10%, -15% and -5% = +15%? I’m no math expert, but that formula doesn’t make much sense to me.
LTC Insurance Sales to Grow 15% in 2007": Say What?
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:42 AM
Banking on Boomers
Few companies have been as successful at winning shelf space in 401(k) plans as Newport Beach-based Pacific Investment Management Co. Under the guidance of chief investment guru Bill Gross, Pimco bond funds have become a staple in thousands of 401(k)s.
But investors may be seeing an unfamiliar name — BlackRock Inc. — pop up more frequently on their retirement plan menus. Analysts say that could be good news for individual investors, especially if BlackRock brings new products at competitive rates.
Banking on Boomers
Source: LA Times
But investors may be seeing an unfamiliar name — BlackRock Inc. — pop up more frequently on their retirement plan menus. Analysts say that could be good news for individual investors, especially if BlackRock brings new products at competitive rates.
Banking on Boomers
Source: LA Times
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:40 AM
SunLife Financial Expands Stop-Loss Cost Containment Program
The U.S. division of Sun Life Financial announced today that its Group Division is expanding its industry-leading Stop-Loss cost-containment program with new features. The company is also renaming the program to SunResources(SM) to reflect this expansion.
SunLife Financial Expands Stop-Loss Cost Containment Program
Source: Yahoo! Finance
SunLife Financial Expands Stop-Loss Cost Containment Program
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:26 AM
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Warning to Boomers: Difficult Questions Ahead
Because they are such a big and robust part of the American population -- 76 million of them were born between 1946 and 1964 -- the baby boomers have long set the agenda for the nation.
What the boomers want, they usually get. They also give back a lot, too. The boomers pay 60% of all taxes in the U.S. and make the greatest amount of contributions to charities and volunteer services of any age group.
Warning to Boomers: Difficult Questions Ahead
Source: Yahoo! Finance/CBS MarketWatch
What the boomers want, they usually get. They also give back a lot, too. The boomers pay 60% of all taxes in the U.S. and make the greatest amount of contributions to charities and volunteer services of any age group.
Warning to Boomers: Difficult Questions Ahead
Source: Yahoo! Finance/CBS MarketWatch
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:39 AM
John Hancock Ranks Number One in Pension Closeout Sales in 2006
John Hancock led the life insurance industry in single premium pension closeout sales in 2006, according to a recent survey of 18 major life insurers by LIMRA International (LIMRA).
John Hancock's pension closeout sales reached $415.2 million in 2006, capturing approximately 23 percent of the industry's total sales for the year, according to LIMRA.
John Hancock Ranks Number One in Pension Closeout Sales in 2006
Source: PR Newswire
John Hancock's pension closeout sales reached $415.2 million in 2006, capturing approximately 23 percent of the industry's total sales for the year, according to LIMRA.
John Hancock Ranks Number One in Pension Closeout Sales in 2006
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:38 AM
New York Life Sets Many New Record in 2006
New York Life Insurance Company, America's largest mutual life insurance company, set new records in 2006 for sales of insurance and investment products, as well as reached new highs in operating earnings, surplus, operating revenue, and assets under management. The company's net income reached $2.3 billion in 2006, compared with $855 million in 2005. The rise in net income was the result of strong operating earnings coupled with realized capital gains that included a $1,011 million one-time gain from a change in accounting for a company investment.
New York Life Sets Many New Record in 2006
Source: Insurance News Net
New York Life Sets Many New Record in 2006
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:37 AM
MetLife Introduces Full Service Dental Benefits Plan for Retiree Market
MetLife today announced a new dental plan to help employers meet the needs of their retirees. MetLife's Full Service Dental for Retirees is a turnkey offering that bundles standard and enhanced dental plans along with participant marketing, enrollment, customer service, record-keeping and billing services. Retirees pay 100% of the premium.
MetLife Introduces Full Service Dental Benefits Plan for Retiree Market
Source: Yahoo! Finance
MetLife Introduces Full Service Dental Benefits Plan for Retiree Market
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:35 AM
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Yearly Long Term Care Costs Increase 15% Since 2004 to Nearly $75,000 in 2007 According to Annual Study by Genworth Financial
Genworth Financial's 2007 Cost of Care Survey found the average national cost of care for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and in the home has steadily increased over the past four years and has reached new highs that exceed most household incomes in the U.S.(1) The rising costs of long term care may, therefore, present difficulties for many Americans should they need to pay for long term care out of their own pockets.
Yearly Long Term Care Costs Increase 15% Since 2004 to Nearly $75,000 in 2007 According to Annual Study by Genworth Financial
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Yearly Long Term Care Costs Increase 15% Since 2004 to Nearly $75,000 in 2007 According to Annual Study by Genworth Financial
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:38 AM
AXA Equitable Encourages Consumers to Overcome Retirement Planning Inertia
AXA Distributors, LLC is launching a new marketing campaign to encourage consumers to overcome their inertia and focus on retirement planning. The company has developed materials to facilitate the retirement planning process that registered representatives can use to help clients plan for their futures. To encourage reps who sell its annuity products to initiate such conversations with their clients, AXA Distributors is offering to buy both of them a Grande Latte or their beverage of choice.
AXA Equitable Encourages Consumers to Overcome Retirement Planning Inertia
Source: PR Newswire
AXA Equitable Encourages Consumers to Overcome Retirement Planning Inertia
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:37 AM
MassMutual Expands Retirement Income Focus
MassMutual Financial Group announced today the creation of a new group - MassMutual Retirement Income (MMRI) - to enhance its ongoing efforts in serving the retail retirement- accumulation and retirement-income market. MMRI will deliver advisor-focused solutions for customers' accumulation and guaranteed lifetime income needs.
MassMutual Expands Retirement Income Focus
Source: Insurance News Net
MassMutual Expands Retirement Income Focus
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:36 AM
Lincoln Financial Introduces New, Solutions-Based Unified Product Portfolio
Lincoln Financial Group today announced the introduction of its new Unified Product Portfolio (UPP), a wide array of life insurance, annuity and linked benefit products. Lincoln plans to make the new product portfolio available through a phased introduction.
"This is truly an example of one plus one equals three," says Mark Konen, President, Lincoln Financial Individual Markets. "UPP is far more than just blending the best products of previous Lincoln Financial and Jefferson-Pilot platforms. We have combined the capabilities and expertise from both organizations, generating considerable horsepower in our product engine. We then channeled that horsepower through a new process of development that put the emphasis on understanding consumer needs and translating that into solutions rather than just new products. The result is a versatile, multi- faceted portfolio of product solutions."
Lincoln Financial Introduces New, Solutions-Based Unified Product Portfolio
Source: PR Newswire
"This is truly an example of one plus one equals three," says Mark Konen, President, Lincoln Financial Individual Markets. "UPP is far more than just blending the best products of previous Lincoln Financial and Jefferson-Pilot platforms. We have combined the capabilities and expertise from both organizations, generating considerable horsepower in our product engine. We then channeled that horsepower through a new process of development that put the emphasis on understanding consumer needs and translating that into solutions rather than just new products. The result is a versatile, multi- faceted portfolio of product solutions."
Lincoln Financial Introduces New, Solutions-Based Unified Product Portfolio
Source: PR Newswire
Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:35 AM
Monday, April 02, 2007
Sun Life Financial Study Reveals Baby Boomers Need More Flexible Income to Fund Their Retirement Lifestyle
A new survey released today by the U.S. division of Sun Life Financial shows that many baby boomers will need more income early in retirement than previously expected. The study also reveals that boomers will need more income flexibility throughout their lives to be able to live their retirement their way.
Sun Life Financial Study Reveals Baby Boomers Need More Flexible Income to Fund Their Retirement Lifestyle
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Sun Life Financial Study Reveals Baby Boomers Need More Flexible Income to Fund Their Retirement Lifestyle
Source: Yahoo! Finance
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:49 AM
ING Creates Wealth Management and Insurance Platforms in the U.S.
In its ongoing Consumer Retirement Surveys, McKinsey & Company identified a number of concerns that US pre-retirees are becoming increasingly anxious about, including potential cuts to safety net programs, accumulating sufficient savings, and creating a guaranteed stream of income. With these concerns as the backdrop for the US retirement savings environment, ING US Financial Services, part of Amsterdam-based ING Groep NV, announced recently that it has realigned its US retirement savings and insurance operations to pioneer a more effective way to address the evolving retirement challenges facing US consumers.
ING Creates Wealth Management and Insurance Platforms in the U.S.
Source: Insurance News Net
ING Creates Wealth Management and Insurance Platforms in the U.S.
Source: Insurance News Net
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:48 AM
Life Insurance Becoming a Better Bargain
Think about college tuition, health care and your electric bill, and it's easy to assume that prices only move in two directions: up and way up.
But you might not have noticed that one important financial product is significantly cheaper these days: term life insurance. Industry experts estimate that term premiums have fallen 40 percent or more in the past decade alone.
Life Insurance Becoming a Better Bargain
Source: Hartford Courant
But you might not have noticed that one important financial product is significantly cheaper these days: term life insurance. Industry experts estimate that term premiums have fallen 40 percent or more in the past decade alone.
Life Insurance Becoming a Better Bargain
Source: Hartford Courant
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:46 AM
Eliminating Group LTC Insurance Misconceptions
There are some major misconceptions about long term care insurance that really hinder a broker’s ability to sell the coverage to employers. Understanding the trends in the LTC insurance market can help brokers be prepared to answer questions, dispel the myths and make valuable recommendations for plans that fit an employer’s needs.
Eliminating Group LTC Insurance Misconceptions
Source: National Underwriter (subscription required)
Eliminating Group LTC Insurance Misconceptions
Source: National Underwriter (subscription required)
Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:44 AM
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