Variable universal life insurance accounted for 8% of life insurance sales last year, but sales are growing, LIMRA says. Experts say clients need to understand such policies’ pros and cons, including tax treatment, income guarantees, fees and exposure to market swings. National Underwriter Life & Health (8/28)
Emerging-market corporate bonds, middle-market loans and private-equity assets are some of the investments life insurance companies might be able to use to enhance their investment returns, writes Mike Siegel of Goldman Sachs Asset Management. National Underwriter Life & Health (8/27)
Financial advisers’ leading concerns include preparing clients for a potentially imminent interest-rate increase and helping them generate income in a low-rate environment, according to a survey by Eaton Vance. The survey says 34% of advisers have acted to ready clients for higher rates. ThinkAdvisor (8/27)
Agents selling long-term-care insurance are facing a nearly 40% rate of declines for policy applications, Margie Barrie writes. They can take steps to reduce declines by ensuring they are asking clients the right questions and educating themselves about underwriting standards, says Bob Starek of ACSIA Partners. National Underwriter Life &…
Brokers and agents who help clients choose the most appropriate voluntary benefits become trusted advisers, says Kathy O’Brien of Unum National Client Group. Voluntary benefits fill gaps in coverage and can boost employee engagement, she says. Brokers “need to understand how the benefits coordinate with other benefits and the best…
Examinations are uncovering a significant number of broker sales of structured securities products that were inappropriate for the buyers, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission alert. “In these examinations, staff observed not only indications that the examined firms’ suitability controls may be weak, but also significant weaknesses in supervision…
The week’s stock volatility is a good thing for retirement savers because it offers the chance to buy stocks at discounted prices, certified financial planner Hal Bundrick writes. Savers should hope for a bear market, Bundrick writes. MainStreet.com (8/25)
Fifty-two percent of women own life insurance, compared with 62% of men, and the dollar value of a woman’s coverage was 31% less, a LIMRA survey says. A lack of life insurance among women puts families at risk of financial hardship, experts say. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.)
Many people wonder how to better handle student loans, which tend to linger for years. Unfortunately, the government prevents refinancing of student loans the way other debt can be refinanced. WealthManagement.com (U.S.)
Advisers can use asset-based long-term-care products to help clients with a variety of issues, including couples who want one stream of cash to fund long-term care, people who lack the cash for a single-premium policy and clients age 70½ and up who need somewhere to put their required minimum distributions,…
Main office
BROOKLYN OFFICE
Copyright © 2023 BrokersCentral. All Rights Reserved.
