3 Mark Financial, Inc.

12/19/2018

We want to thank you for your business this year and wish you a Happy Holiday and a joyful New Year.

A reminder, our office will be closed on December 24, 25 and January 1.  Our carriers typically don't share significant marketing content over the holidays, ans since they provide most of the content for this publication it is likley we will not publish again until January 9, 2019.  Rest assured we will continue to monator our carriers announcements and bring you the news that can't wait until our next edition. 

The Lincoln Life Leader

Click here to read the latest version of The Lincoln Leader for updates on the enhanced variable product underwriting program, 2018 year-end dates, and more.

Webinar Replay: What’s Changing in 2019? Everything.

During the December ONEmeeting, Steve Sabol and his guests looked at a Product Update, ONE big idea, ONE Sales idea of the month, and more. Learn more.

Ensure Legacy and Reduce Premium

Would your client like to manage loved ones’ ongoing expenses after they’re gone? Concerned they will mismanage their money? What if your client could help their beneficiaries manage ongoing expenses while they also help themselves with potentially lower premium payments?

Select Income is a no-cost rider that allows you to choose the amount (10-100%  of the life insurance benefit) and payment duration (10, 20 or 30 years). Help ensure the money you set aside for them is there when they need it. Learn more about Select Income Rider on Value+ Protector.

Advanced Markets: Tax Time Recap

As tax time approaches, we’re posting again our articles on the 2017 tax bill. Welcome to a special edition of the Advanced Markets Minute, in both print and audio form. Today we are going to begin a series of special articles on the new tax bill and what it means for you and your clients. Read more.

Automated Underwriting Training

Have you checked out our training videos for Automated Underwriting on Living Promise (Final Expense) e-Applications? If not, take some time to watch and learn how the new process works and walk through the e-App step by step.  Read more.

TLA is Right Up Your Alley

On December 1 we knocked down our TLA rates. Learn why our Accelerated Death Benefit for Terminal Illness rider makes Term Life Answers a perfect strike.  Read more.

Our IUL Comes with a Guaranteed Refund Option

Income Advantage IUL is unique. It is the only accumulation-focused IUL that includes a Guaranteed Refund Option rider. Learn why this feature is important and how it can help you close a sale.  Read more.

Market Insights: Looking Past Lower Gasoline Prices

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was unchanged in November, primarily as a result of a sharp 4.2 percent drop in gasoline prices. While lower energy prices may hold down inflation readings in the near term, these impacts are unlikely to persist with crude oil prices likely to rebound at least modestly next year. Read more.

2019 Dividend Scale Announcement

For 2019, Lafayette Life remains committed to delivering solid performing whole life policies and competitive dividend payments that provide policyholders with value — now and in the long term. Please read the full announcement.  

Best In Market Term Conversion Plus Program Extended Due to Popular Demand

The Term Conversion Plus program has been extended to year-end. Add AXA’s Long-Term Care Services Rider with only a streamlined questionnaire and no additional medical requirements. Learn about AXA’s three conversion programs in this simple chart.

Up to 43% Higher Distributions When Reality Hits

Illustrations show how clients can maximize distributions, especially with positive indexed growth being illustrated each and every year. But what happens when reality hits – and 0% indexed growth occurs? Are your clients set up for success in their Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policy?  Learn how Orion IUL’s index account options can help ensure success in diverse market scenarios compared to other leading competitors.

Reminder: Eclipse and Omega Builder IUL Retiring 12/28

As a valued advisor, you're receiving advanced notice of an upcoming product change. Eclipse Indexed Universal Life (IUL) and Omega Builder IUL will no longer be offered for sale effective Friday, December 28, 2018, in all states (except in New York).  Read more.

Business Succession Planning for Baby Boomers

In the coming years, many boomers may be looking to sell their businesses to establish a livable nest egg for retirement. Don’t miss an opportunity to help your boomer clients with business succession planning.  Learn more.

Landmark Study Proves Vitality and Apple Watch Significantly Boost Exercise Rates

The world’s largest behavior change study on physical activity finds that when you combine Vitality incentives with the Apple Watch benefit, people significantly increase their physical activity!  In fact, their monthly activity days increased by more than 30%. It's further proof that you can help your clients get more active and healthier with Vitality and the new Apple Watch Series 4 — one of the most popular features of the John Hancock Vitality Program.  Because engaged and motivated clients are happy clients — that means stronger relationships, more referrals and new opportunities to grow your business.  See study results.

Living Benefits - Greater Coverage with Competitive Premiums

See how John Hancock's Protection UL with the Living Benefit riders can offer a solution to help keep your clients financial plans on track no matter what life brings.

2019 Dividend Interest Crediting Rate Announcement

Effective January 1, 2019, there will be no dividend rate change for participating life products originally issued by John Hancock. This flyer provides further details.

Important Year-End Blog Post

As the year comes to an end, logon to the AM blog for useful year-end planning strategies and to learn more about the certainty the IRS has provided regarding no "clawback" of estate tax exemptions.

1Q 2019 Interest Rates and Caps – Effective January 1, 2019

Please click here to see the updated fixed rates and caps for permanent products. 

New Term Rates Hit the Mark…Again

New rates for OPTerm 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 include a mix of decreases and increases. The rates for recent portfolio additions of 35 and 40 year durations have not changed. Rate decreases in more than 30% of pricing cells improved our ranking against core competitors. Less than 2% of rates increased and concentrated in 10 and 15 year durations, at younger ages in Band 2.  Read more.

LGA Analytics Login Update

LGA Analytics is our partner-facing analytics tool that provides metrics on all your life insurance business with Legal & General America (Banner/William Penn). What's changing? Before the end of 2018, Legal & General America will be updating how users log in to LGA Analytics. Due to New York's Department of Financial Services (DFS) Cyber Security Regulation, the information stored on LGA Analytics must be secured behind two-factor authentication.  Read more.

What are the Odds: Planning for the Loss of a Business Partner

As a business owner, you probably have insurance in case of fire, theft or possible liability. 

But do you have insurance to protect your company from the premature death of an owner? What are the odds your business could lose an owner to death before age 65?  Learn more.

Webinar Replay: S.T.O.P. Selling and Start Solving

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Global Atlantic’s new selling system that focuses on business owners. It’s called S.T.O.P. (Solve The Owner’s Problems), and it’s truly a turn-key system that empowers agents to talk to business owners about 8 different solutions life insurance can provide answers to common problems business owners face. Shift your role from salesperson to trusted ally—learn to stop selling and start solving with Global Atlantic!  Watch webinar replay. 

Introducing: PL Promise GUL for the Broad Market

On December 10, 2018, PL Promise GUL1, no-lapse guarantee universal life insurance is available for issue through the Lynchburg Operation. PL Promise GUL offers guaranteed death benefit protection at an affordable price for the broad market. It is designed for newly underwritten sales and is available in all states except CA (coming soon) and NY.  Full bulletin. Client guide. Fact sheet. 

PL Smooth Sailing Increases Coverage Amount to $1 Million

Pacific Life (PL) launched PL Smooth Sailing, as a predictable solution to fluidless underwriting, on March 19, 2018. Starting on December 10, 2018, applicants can apply for up to $1 million in PL Promise Term1 or PL Promise GUL2 life insurance coverage with death benefit protection and still qualify for PL Smooth Sailing fluidless underwriting if they meet the qualification criteria.  Read bulletin.

Video and More: Do Your Clients Have a College Savings Plan?

Your clients probably know that life insurance helps provide financial security for their loved ones when they pass away.1 But do they know it can also help them pay for college? Helping your clients make sure they can pay for college takes planning. And with the average cost of a four-year degree estimated to be greater than $80,000 by 20251, cash value life insurance can be a valuable addition to give their savings a boost. Video. Flyer. Microsite.

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.

Asset-Care product changes effective Jan. 1, 2019

To help maintain OneAmerica’s commitment to providing comprehensive, lifetime financial solutions for our clients, we are changing the availability of our joint life Asset-Care® acceleration options.  Click here to read the announcement.

LTC Riders: Understanding the Differences in Design

Watch this short video to understand the differences between an LTC Rider that uses a reimbursement model and one that uses an indemnity model.  Learn more.

 Protect Your Clients from the Medicare Myth

A red flag in many retirement plans? Counting on Medicare to help pay for potential long-term care costs. Many clients don't understand that Medicare does not pay for the type of care they'd need during an extended health care event. But if you don't talk to clients about how they plan to pay for care, it's a red flag you'll never see – and an opportunity you'll miss. We can help you have the long-term care conversation with clients and take the first step toward presenting them with solutions that address their top concerns.  Learn more.

Online Scheduling for the MoneyGuard Personal History Interview

We’re excited to offer online scheduling for the Personal History Interview. The scheduling tool can be used by clients or advisors, and makes it easier to arrange the interview at a time that’s convenient for the client. The addition of eFeatures, such as online scheduling, is part of Lincoln’s continuous effort to create the best overall application experience for you and your clients. Learn more.

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.

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.

Attach a copy of a current policy/ account statement for the funds being transferred to the 1035/transfer document.

Complete the 1035/transfer form carefully and completely. Be sure all necessary signatures are obtained.

Send original transfer forms with the application to 3 Mark for processing.

Annuity Fact Finder 

Click here for a great Annuity Fact Finder

There’s Still Time to Get Your Cases Issued

As the year comes to a close, Global Atlantic’s Accelerated Underwriting Fast Lane program lets you move forward with a shorter application, no exams and 5 day average submission to offer times. Pick up the ball and run with it — access everything you need by clicking here

Year-End Processing Dates and Holiday Hours

As we near the end of the year, we are preparing and mobilizing our resources so we can work at peak levels to place your pending applications in 2018. To this end, we are providing key dates below so you can plan your submissions.  Click here for more information.

Coversheets for Faster Non-Med UW Processing

With our improved non-medical underwriting process for Max Accumulator+ and AG Platinum Choice VUL 2, cases that are not eligible for non-medical underwriting now continue seamlessly to full underwriting for the same product and face amount.  Click here for instructions.

Reminder: Important Year-End Dates

The countdown to year end is on, and we want you to finish strong. Click here for r key submission deadlines on cases you are targeting to include in your 2018 sales results.

Revised Age and Amount Requirements

Revised Age and Amount Requirements, effective December 17, 2018.  Read more.

Year-End Procedures 2018

It's time to prepare for 2018 year-end closing. As always, Pacific Life’s goal is to make this a successful year-end for everyone. View the Full Bulletin for important dates and information about year-end closing.  Full bulletin.

Increased Coverage Limit - PL Smooth Sailing Underwriting Increases Coverage Amount Up to $1 Million!  Full bulletin.

2018 Holiday Schedule and Year-End Processing Guidelines

Now that you’ve read Kenneth’s year-end tips, familiarize yourself with our 2018 holiday schedule and processing guidelines—which will help you expedite your business during this time.  View important dates. 

2018 Year-End Processing News

Thank you for your partnership and business in 2018. As we approach the end of the year, please keep in mind the following dates and guidelines to ensure that all of your business processes in a smooth and timely manner.