3 Mark Financial, Inc.

4/4/2018

Join Rick Katz from AIG as he introduces

7 Must have conversations to have with with a business owner

Learn about the seven major topics you should address with every business owner client.  Eliminate their reluctance to meet with you by having a meaningful, interesting conversation.  While only your client can set their priorities as to the importance and timing of each, it is your job to make known to them these important subjects like Exit Planning and Key Person Retention. Over time, they should all be addressed in an actionable way.  Understand the topics and how you present them to the business owner.

Webinar Later Today at 3:00 PM Central

Video: Learn What Our LTC Rider Adds to Our New IUL Protect Policy

With the new IUL Protect, your clients get protection and more—with a simple, "no-math" guarantee to age 90 (or 40 years, if purchased before age 50), and our Long-Term Care Services Rider, one of the most competitive LTC riders in the industry. See for yourself how this rider can add another layer of flexibility to your clients’ plans, without the typical tradeoffs.  Watch video.

Video: Extra Interest Credit - See How it Works

Delivering direct cash value to your clients, on top of their index return, when credited interest rates rise. See our Extra Interest Credit brochure and how it works in different market conditions and watch this video to see why this feature is so unique.

New Sales Opportunities with 1040 Overlay

Place AXA’s overlay pages on top of your clients’ tax returns (1040 and Schedule A) to see where you should be focusing to find planning opportunities in cooperation with clients' CPAs and other advisors.  Learn more. 

Podcast: Impacts of the 2017 Tax Act on High Net-Worth Individuals

Randy Zipse’s podcast guest this week is Larry Brody, an exceptionally accomplished and well known expert on estate planning with a legal practice that focuses on planning for high net worth individuals, using life insurance and non-qualified deferred compensation planning. Recent episodes of our podcast focused on the impact of the recent tax law changes for business owners. This episode is a detailed discussion of the impacts of changes for individuals. Some changes are minimal, others are significant and no one is better prepared to deliver a succinct analysis of this than Larry Brody.  Listen now.

Protection UL Featured in Life Annuity Specialist

Protection UL’s extended guarantees and living benefit riders have already attracted media attention, and were the focus of a recent article by Life Annuity Specialist. The article cites how John Hancock has enjoyed tremendous success with riders including the Critical Illness Benefit rider, Long Term Care rider and John Hancock Vitality.  Read this article. 

DOL Fiduciary Rule Vacated

Last week, a federal court agreed that the Fiduciary Rule is unlawful, and it vacated the regulation in its entirety. The decision will likely become effective nationwide in early May, but there is the possibility of further litigation by the DOL that could delay that effective date or alter the decision.  Read more.

Horizon SPIA is at the Top of the Pack

Recent LIMRA studies have shown that the number one issue facing potential clients is retirement income. A Horizon Single Premium Immediate Annuity can help you and your clients design a retirement plan that helps protect them and potentially guarantee an income stream that lasts a lifetime. Learn more. 

Webinar Replay: Reintroduction to the 10-Pay Whole Life

Have you ever wondered how to differentiate Lafayette Life’s diverse whole life portfolio? We have you covered! We have recently launched a new webinar series that discusses the distinct advantages each product of our six products have, a few sales concepts, and illustration tips and tricks! First up? We tackled the 10-Pay Life.  Watch now.

Consistent, Competitive Pricing = New Rates! 

At all ages, classes, amounts, and durations, OPTerm pricing* for Banner ranks #1 - 78% of the time. For William Penn, pricing ranks #1 - 87% of the time. New rates include a mix of decreases and increases. Only 8% of rates increased.  Learn more.

Weekly Economic Outlook: Hanging On for the Ride

Equity markets ended a volatile March on an upswing, with the S&P 500 stock index up by about 2.0 percent last week. Still, the index fell by a modest 2.5 percent for the month. With February’s 3.7 percent decrease, the market is down slightly year-to-date. On a total return basis, the first quarter’s loss snapped a nine-quarter gain streak for the S&P 500.  Read more in this week’s report. 

Large Case Capacity - Low Term Rates

We've made updates to our rates for Lincoln LifeElements® Level Term, but cost isn’t the only reason to choose us for your large case needs. We offer:

• Reinsurance capacity for coverage amounts of $100 million+
• Competitive pricing on convertible term coverage* for 10, 15, 20 or 30 years
• Key person coverage of up to 20X income available
• Concierge underwriting with the same dedicated team working on your term and permanent business

Learn more. 

Tell the PruLife Index Advantage UL Story with New Sales Tools

Our recent IAUL enhancements have boosted product performance, making it more competitive than ever before.  Learn more. 

Good News for Term Essential® 10 Policyholders

To help increase client retention rates by offering a more affordable option, starting February 26, 2018, policyowners continuing their coverage beyond the level term period will pay lower premium rates than had been previously scheduled.  Learn more.

A Powerful Combo for Clients’ Retirement Strategy

The blending of equity and fixed income indices could give clients the potential for steady returns even during down markets.

The ML Strategic Balanced Index^® is a blend of the S&P 500^® Index and the Merrill Lynch 10-Year Treasury Futures Total Return Index. It offers:

• A systematic, rules-based approach to indexing
• Two layers of volatility management to help reduce risk*
• Dynamic allocation between cash, equity and fixed income indices that's designed to help enhance growth potential

View consumer brochure. 

AG Secure Survivor GUL II Face Amount Capped at $5,000,000

Effective April 14th, AG Secure Survivor GUL® II sales will be limited to death benefit face amounts up to and including $5,000,000. This change is specific to AG Secure Survivor GUL II only. This does not affect our individual product Secure Lifetime GUL 3. Read bulletin. 

Advanced Markets - Weighing the Alternatives

Welcome to a special edition of the Advanced Markets Minute. Today’s article is called “Weighing the Alternatives.” Many of you know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the corporate alternative minimum tax.  What you may not have heard was that while exemptions have been raised, the alternative minimum tax for individuals is still intact.  Read more.

Sweet New Rates Coming on Life Protection Advantage IUL

Learn more about the changes to Life Protection Advantage IUL's guarantee-to-85 premiums that are coming on April 1, 2018.  Read more

Hybrid or linked-benefit products are a fresh approach to retirement and estate planning. These products, cover opposing risk groups by combining long-term care coverage with life insurance or an annuity.

How Your Clients Can Save on LTCi Premiums

MutualCare Solutions policies offer several premium allowances to help make LTCi more affordable for your clients. Be sure to mention these cost-saving allowances.  Read more.

New MoneyGuard Resources Guide

Attached you will find our brand new MoneyGuard Resources Guide for distribution to your downline agencies.  This piece features information on everything from co-branded material opportunities to details on supporting specialty markets.  It contains maps for regional support and details on email campaigns.  Read more.

How to Talk About LTC Planning

Long-term care (LTC) services are evolving, as more clients are choosing to stay at home and receive LTC from informal caregivers.  Informal caregivers are usually a loved one, friend or neighbor — and go unpaid for the daily care and assistance they provide. Now is the time to talk to your clients about their future LTC needs, so you can help them put a plan in place. The first step is to identify your client’s future LTC needs. Nationwide® can help you start the LTC conversation with any client — at any step of the planning process.  Learn more. 

On November 27, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) released its final 18-month delay of certain Fiduciary Rule compliance provisions.

What does this mean for you?

In summary...

• You are still a "fiduciary" for qualified sales
• You still need to provide your clients a PTE 84-24 acknowledgment and keep a copy in your records for at least 6 years
• It is important you comply with the DOL’s impartial conduct standards during this “transition period,” including (1) acting in your client’s best interest, (2) making no materially misleading statements, and (3) receiving no more than reasonable compensation.

Please Review these important resources:

• DOL Fiduciary Rule Delay FAQ
• Understanding Your Fiduciary Obligations

Annuity Fact Finder 

Click here for a great Annuity Fact Finder

ASSET TRANSFER TIPS 

For all annuity carriers

Transferring assets, or exchanging money via section 1035 of the tax code, may have tax consequences. Any questions regarding taxation should be referred to a qualified tax professional.

1. Call the Financial Institution/Insurance Company to see what they require to transfer the money e. g. some financial institutions, like Fidelity, require a call from the client to release money, others like Northwestern Mutual require their own surrender form to accompany the 1035/transfer form from the company receiving the money.
2. Attach a copy of a current policy/ account statement for the funds being transferred to the 1035/transfer document.
3. Complete the 1035/transfer form carefully and completely. Be sure all necessary signatures are obtained.
4. Send original transfer forms with the application to 3 Mark for processing.

New Senior Assessment

Effective April 1, 2018, a Senior Assessment will be required in certain age/face parameters on fully underwritten Life products. It will be completed at the time of the paramedical examination. This testing will assess a client's cognitive ability, memory functions, mobility testing and ability to perform Activities of Daily Living.  Read More

Accelerated Underwriting for TLA

We are excited to announce our new Accelerated Underwriting program for Term Life Answers. Learn how you can get an underwriting decision for your clients in 48-72 hours.  Learn mor

Introducing SBLI’s New E-Policy Delivery Process 

On Thursday, April 12, 2018 SBLI is launching a new e-delivery process, providing you with a quicker, easier option, for the delivery of your clients’ policies. We have partnered with DocuSign®, the global leader in eSignature, to bring you this great new system. Please note your agency will be automatically set-up for e-policy delivery unless you notify us otherwise.  Learn more.

Non-medical underwriting on IUL and VUL. Coming April 16.

Beginning April 16, 2018, Max Accumulator+ and AG Platinum Choice VUL 2 can be processed with non-medical underwriting. Meaning, a purchase process that is simpler for your client, faster for us to support, and easier for you to complete! No labs, APS’s, Para-meds, or physical exams. Easy processing with fewer requirements to gather. Same competitive products - no changes to compensation, product, or price. Check out this great flyer on our increased speed you can share. Prerecorded training webcast also available now!