3 Mark Financial, Inc.

March 27, 2019

Join Rick Katz Director, Business Development Institute, AIG as he introduces us to 

8 Obstacles and 8 Habits.

This presentation will share some ideas as to how you can take your practice to the next level by strengthening your weaknesses and engaging business owners in a process of planning ahead.

Webinar later today at 3:00 pm Central

Reduced Pricing on UL Protector Is Here

We’re excited to announce reduced pricing on UL Protector, positioning us as an industry leader in the GUL marketplace.  Learn more.

llustrating the Impact of Inflation on the IRS Per Diem with the BenefitAccess Rider 

The cost of care during a chronic illness—like other items and services associated with healthcare—is subject to inflation. When explaining BAR chronic illness benefits, it’s not uncommon for the topic of inflation to be raised. With the most recent illustration update, you can now illustrate how inflation of the IRS Per Diem limit may impact BAR benefits.  Click here for an example of how to illustrate this new feature.

New Competitive OPTerm Pricing: Effective March 18 

New rates for OPTerm 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 include a mix of decreases and increases. No changes to our highly-competitive rates for OPTerm 35 and 40. Rate decreases in more than 55% of pricing cells improved our ranking against core competitors.  Learn more.  

Start the Longevity Conversation Today

When was the last time you had a longevity conversation with your clients? Now's a great time! Help them by explaining the living benefit riders bundled into Asset Protector. Secure Lifetime GUL 3 and Asset Protector offer clients access to assets whether they die too soon, live longer than expected or get sick along the way. Learn more.

Video: The New “4% Rule”

We’ve all heard of “The 4% Rule” in financial planning… But have you seen its new successor, “The Rule of 25?”  Watch this quick video and start using The Rule of 25 to easily assist your clients in planning their ideal savings for retirement, including life insurance. Like what you see? Take it to the next level, and meet the Rule of 25’s offshoot for the financially accomplished in the “Pyramid of Philanthropy” video.

 Death and Taxes

Those are the only two things supposedly guaranteed in life, but chronic illness may be a close third. Start a conversation about why there’s more than one reason to buy life insurance using this colorful customizable infographic. 

 eStation Shutdown: April 30 I Connext is Live

 We are happy to announce that Connext - our NEW Producer Website - is live, and available for use by our producers and distribution partners.  As a result, eStation will shut down on April 30, 2019. After this date, eStation links will redirect to the Connext log in. No need to register - enter your existing eStation username and password. It's that easy!  Read more.

Weekly Economic Review & Outlook: Still Searching for Inflation

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose for February with gasoline prices higher. Still, the 12-month inflation rate remains tepid.  Read more.

Powerful Resources on Social Security from Nationwide

Nationwide has great resources to help you help your advisors and clients with Social Security. This includes a “Social Security 360 Analyzer” online tool which helps advisors help their clients understand longevity and modern life expectancies, which enables them to make more informed decisions with Social Security.  Other available resources include a break-even analysis to help determine whether higher payments from filing later will outweigh extra payments from filing early. Customers want help with Social Security! Check out these resources today. Microsite. Fact finder. Sample report. Short video.

Video: See How Our LTCSR Gives Clients Flexibility with No Surprises

With our IUL Protect, your clients get protection and more – with a simple, "no-math," no-lapse guarantee to age 90 (or for 40 years, if purchased before age 50) and our highly competitive Long-Term Care Services℠ Rider1 (LTCSR). See for yourself how this rider can add another layer of flexibility to your clients' plans without the typical trade-offs.  Watch video now.

These Podcasts are Golden

AVA Digital Awards has recognized AXA’s Life with inSight podcast series with a Gold Award for excellence in the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communications. Listen and subscribe today. 

Extra Interest Credit: As Unique as the Clients You Serve

With IUL Protect, clients get clarity and straightforward performance with our Extra Interest Credit. We’re making complex life insurance concepts simple.  Read more.

Symetra and Sumitomo Life

Tokyo-based Sumitomo Life is one of Japan’s oldest and largest life insurers with more than a century in the nsurance business. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Symetra is led by a local management team that is focused on growing the company on a national level. Since 2016, Symetra has been an integral part of Sumitomo Life’s $339 billion family of companies. Read more

5 Common Retirement Myths Debunked 

Entering retirement marks a new chapter in your financial, professional and personal life — but like some retirees, you may find the reality doesn't quite align with your vision. Don't let the following five common retirement myths affect the ways you save, invest and otherwise prepare for your golden years.  Read more.

The No-Prospecting Opportunity

Of the $12 trillion life insurance protection gap, 1 in 2 U.S. households are existing policyowners with an average coverage gap of $225,000 per household. The greatest opportunity may be hiding in your book of business.  Download guide.

Rated Clients Can Save Big

By electing to engage in John Hancock’s Vitality PLUS, your rated clients not only receive motivation to live healthier, but they can also realize big premium savings — in some cases ending up at a premium that is even lower than if they had received a Preferred decision and did not engage in the program. SEE THE DIFFERENCE!  Read more. 

Term Conversions: Long-Term Care Rider Now Available

We’re excited to announce that the Long-Term Care (LTC) rider can now be added to a permanent policy upon conversion, and new evidence of insurability will be applied only to the LTC rider offer. Please refer to our updated Term Conversion guidelines for additional details, including the applicable requirements.

Make it a Word of Mouth Business

Everyone knows that word of mouth is a powerful way to grow your business. But exactly how do you create happy clients that want to refer you over and over again? Read Linda Levyne’s recent article on why the John Hancock Vitality solution is recommended nearly twice as often as traditional life insurance — hint, it has to do with frequent engagement and a positive customer experience.

Tax/State Law Updates: Refreshed Flyers

We’ve updated several of our “Because You Asked” flyers to reflect recent tax/state law updates. Refer to our Know the Law tool — a state-by-state interactive guide — to gain insights into how income taxes, creditor protection, and state estate taxes should be reflected in case design.

• BYA: State Estate Taxes
• BYA: Guide to Income Taxes
• BYA: Creditor Protection and Life Insurance

Central Intelligence

It's easy to stay current with important court rulings and legislative updates that impact our industry by checking out the summaries we provide in Central Intelligence (CI), our monthly publication and podcast.

 Some Things in Life are Free!

It’s never been easier to sell John Hancock Vitality. That’s because Vitality GO is now included on all our policies at no additional charge — so, you don’t really have to “sell it” at all!  Read more.

Why Create an Estate Plan?

Life insurance can play a key role in your clients' estate planning, and this guide shows you how — from basic tools to more sophisticated planning techniques.

Offsetting the Cost of Life Insurance with Your RMDs

You’re wanting to protect your family and build your retirement income simultaneously. But, owning a guaranteed* universal life insurance policy while contributing to your IRA may be limiting to your family’s budget.  With Protective Indexed Choice UL — using a step premium strategy — you can affordably pay for a policy now and use your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) to offset policy costs later in life.  Read more.

Client Digital Tool on Living Benefits of Life Insurance 

Many people think of life insurance only in terms of protecting loved ones. However, the right plan can also provide potential living benefits that can help you do more during your lifetime — and sets the course for a more comfortable retirement. After all, it’s called “life” insurance for a reason.  Learn more.

 WealthAccumulate IUL Landing Page

Get to know the value of working with Lincoln and the innovations that make Lincoln WealthAccumulate® IUL (2019) so appealing.  Visit site.

Webinar Replay: Open NEW DOORS with our new IUL and Lincoln Specialty Markets

During the March ONEmeeting, Steve Sabol and his guests looked at best practices on accessing these rapidly growing opportunities, what their unique needs are and the tools and IUL sales ideas you can run with NOW.  Meeting replay

Sequence of Returns: A Risk Your Clients May Face in Retirement

It's usually not in your client's best interest to take retirement distributions in years following a down market. Learn how an Income Advantage IUL policy can help provide an alternate source of income during these years.  Read more.

What is Your Backup Plan?

You’ve convinced your client of the need for both life insurance and long-term care planning. You’ve provided him with the information on how a life insurance policy with a long-term care rider works and he is ready to buy a policy.  He signs the app but then something unexpected happens. Your client, who seemed in fair health, is approved for the life insurance coverage, but is ineligible for the long-term care rider. So, now what? What happens next helps differentiate Income Advantage IUL and Life Protection Advantage IUL from our competitors.  Learn more.

Income-Tax-Deferred to Income-Tax-Free Opportunity

For clients who are seeking a more tax-efficient financial portfolio and death benefit protection, one solution they could consider is to fund a fixed index universal life (FIUL) insurance policy with withdrawals from qualified retirement plans and IRAs. With guidance from a qualified financial professional,  your clients can complement growth potential, risk tolerance, and tax efficiency in their overall financial portfolio.  Download our new client sales piece for additional information and to see if this potential solution could be a fit for one of your clients.

Discover Opportunities with Complimentary Business Planning Services

Business owners have a variety of planning needs. An effective way to approach them is by offering a complimentary informal business valuation and/or buy-sell agreement review. The resulting reports offer important information about the impact the business value and/or the state of their buy-sell agreement can have on many aspects of their financial future. And that, in turn, can lead to sales opportunities for you.  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.

SUMMER 2019 EssentialLTC Bonus Program

Earn $1,000 when you place three EssentialLTC policies. Earn $250 per policy on your fourth to seventh placed EssentialLTC policies. Eligible applications must be submitted between May 22, 2019 and July 21, 2019 and subsequently placed by October 21, 2019.

Click here to learn more

Cost of LTC From State to State

Do you know how much LTC typically costs in your state?  Click to find out. 

 Nationwide CareMatters: Learn the Difference a Cash Indemnity Policy Can Make

In order to offer your clients the freedom to cover their care expenses, without providing receipts to the insurance company, you will want to consider a cash indemnity policy vs. a reimbursement policy.  Watch this 2 minute video and/or read this white paper to learn how Nationwide is currently the only linked benefit product to offer cash indemnity benefits for long-term care for your clients.

The January edition of InsuranceNewsNet Magazine recently highlighted OneAmerica in "Shift in the Asset-Based LTCi Market is Expected to Grow," as one of three companies dominating the asset-based long-term care market.

Care Solutions Rate Calculator 
Our Care Solutions rate calculator quotes Annuity Care® II and all Asset-Care® products. It's easy, quick, accurate and consumer-friendly. Share the link with your producers today!

Reminder: Updated Tax Tables and LTC Tax Guide
Each year, as a result of tax law changes, the contribution and deduction limits for various accounts index for inflation. Our Advanced Sales team prepares Tax Tables at a Glance, which summarizes the new numbers for the year, and updates the Asset-based LTC Tax Guide for individuals and businesses, which reflects the changes for LTC. Review both documents for key 2019 tax information!

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

Automated Underwriting Enhancements

We have great news, we've made some major enhancements to Automated Underwriting, our 'instant decision' tool for Living Promise e-Applications.  Read more.

Life Policy Management Guide

Nationwide provides the resources to simplify life policy management.  Get started. 

Can Your Age 50-69 Clients Get Up to $1 Million Coverage With No Medical Exams?

That’s it! Simple. Easy. Transparent. It’s PL Smooth Sailing Underwriting.  Learn more.

Get on Board PruFast Track

PruFast Track is Prudential’s accelerated underwriting process that’s faster, less invasive, and more efficient than traditional underwriting. Experience the ease and convenience of PruFast Track today!  Watch this short video to learn more.

New Foreign National & Premium Finance Guidelines

Hot off the presses!  I just wanted to share some new Marketing information and guidelines for Foreign National and Premium Finance business that launched earlier this month. For Foreign National Business, I have attached a piece on the new Foreign National Team that will be responsible for all underwriting and inquiries on Foreign National Business as well as a piece showing side by side comparisons of our old guidelines vs. new guidelines and finally a piece on our New Foreign National Guidelines. For Premium Finance business, attached is a piece on our new Premium Finance Guidelines and a piece on Specialty Lender Guidelines.

Now Live: Connext New Business Changes Since

Connext is our new producer website that will replace eStation in 2019 and provides our distribution partners and producers with a simpler, faster and more transparent experience for doing business with us. Our newest feature debut is the new business Changes Since filter, which quickly shows you policies that have changed after a specific date. Learn more.

Reduce Application Cycle Time by up to 7 Days

You can now minimize the time your clients spend authorizing Attending Physician’s Statements (APSs) through EMSI with OneTouch. Clients will be able to create a biometric signature that can be transferred to authorization forms sent to their doctor.

Making Coverage More Affordable and Accessible for Clients with Substandard Ratings 

John Hancock Vitality has something to offer everyone, but it can be especially beneficial for people with less than perfect health. Not only can it make their coverage more affordable, but it can also motivate them to live healthier lives. See how we’re offering these clients savings of as much as 20% when they elect Vitality PLUS on their permanent policies!

Tips for Easier and Quicker Submission and Processing

 Tips for easier case submission:

• We’re all about making your life easier. Check out our submission optionsto see what best fits your needs.
• For email document submissions, be sure to use your dedicated email address from your contact sheet. Always include it in the “To:” or “Cc:” lines only. Do not use the “Bcc:” line. Note that status emails we send to this address are not monitored and do not enter into our system. For case status questions, contact your Case Manager, or view status on the Pending Business Report.

 Tips for beneficiary designation:

•  When naming a minor beneficiary using the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UTMA), include the name and relationship to insured along with UTMA like “Jane Doe – UTMA; daughter”. The UTMA paperwork should still be submitted with full details.If including a Present Trust beneficiary, include the trust date.
• If including a Testamentary Trust beneficiary, indicate “Testamentary Trust,” but don’t include a date. Make sure the trust exists in client’s will to avoid proceeds being paid to the contingent beneficiary, typically the estate.
• A Collateral Assignment is not a beneficiary and shouldn’t be listed in the Beneficiary section of the application. It is indicated using a separate form and processed prior to any payout.
• When naming children as beneficiaries, include their names rather than just indicating “children”.
• With common names like “John Smith,” include the last four digits of the Social Security number so proceeds can be paid appropriately at claim time.