MassMutual Joins The Brokers Network
The Brokers Network is proud to announce our newest addition, MassMutual. Rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best, MassMutual is a Forbes 500 company with over $300 billion in assets and over $830 billion of protection inforce. Contact us for more information on MassMutual’s portfolio of whole life, term life, guaranteed universal life, disability and long-term care products.
Revised NAIC Model Regulation Adopted in Eight States, Additional Training Required
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) revised the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation 275 in February of 2020. The revisions require completion of either a 1-hour General Annuity Training CE course available to producers who have taken the previous NAIC Annuity Suitability training or a new 4-hour General Annuity Training CE for those who have not taken it previously. General Annuity Training CE must be completed with a training vendor approved by the state in which they are selling.
The revision is being reviewed by various state insurance departments and has been adopted by eight states: AZ, AR, DE, IA, MI, ND, OH, RI. Before doing business in these states, agents must fulfill the General Annuity Training requirement.
Value+ Protector IUL Now Available Without an Exam
American General’s Value+ Protector II IUL joins the Max Accumulator+ II IUL on American General’s non-medical underwriting program. This program is available for issue ages 0-50 for up to $1,000,000 of death benefit coverage for both non-smokers and smokers. For those who qualify, the application process will be less intrusive with no paramed exams, no APS and no lab tests. All living benefits and rate classes will be available. This includes American General’s Table Shave program (Table 2 to Standard) for your mildly impaired clients. | more
COVID-19 Product & Underwriting Updates
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, life insurance companies have announced an unprecedented number changes to their life products and underwriting. These changes have altered the life insurance landscape like never before. While some of these changes have actually been beneficial – like increased death benefit amounts for Accelerated Underwriting and the introduction of new APS retrieval options – others have not been so favorable. Please use the resources below to guide you through the many changes that have been announced.
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- Accelerated Underwriting Guidelines – overview of the various term, universal life and whole life accelerated underwriting programs we offer.
- COVID-19 Underwriting Restrictions – summary of current life insurance underwriting restrictions.
- COVID-19 Announcements – detailed listing of life insurance company product, underwriting and workflow changes.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information on any of the above or for assistance in structuring an application process for your clients to maximize social distancing.
Introducing Delaware Life
The Brokers Network is proud to announce the addition of Delaware Life to our portfolio of fixed annuity solutions. Contact us for more information on their great multi-year guarantee and fixed indexed annuities with some of the highest trail commissions in the industry.
Indexed Universal Life Changes
Actuarial Guideline 49 (AG-49) was adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2015 to bring uniformity to indexed universal life (IUL) illustrated rates. A revised version known as AG-49A was approved by the NAIC earlier this year to address illustrated rates for the latest innovations of IUL products, including multiplier and buy-up features. To comply with AG-49A, life insurance companies are either modifying their existing IUL products or introducing new IUL products this month. If you have any outstanding sales opportunities, we encourage to submit your applications by November 19, 2020, or contact us for updated illustrations that will comply with AG-49A.
Savings Bank Mutual Increases No-Exam Underwriting to $750,000
Effective October 15, 2020, Savings Bank Mutual Life (SBLI) increased the maximum face amount for their unique Accelerated Underwriting process, which is guaranteed for anyone ages 18-60, from $500,000 to $750,000 all risk classes. The process is available on all SBLI term and whole life insurance products and provides expedited underwriting with no in-person contact to maximize social distancing.
New Fixed Annuity Options with Oceanview Life & Annuity and Oxford Life
The Brokers Network recently enhanced their fixed annuity portfolio with the additions of Oceanview Life & Annuity and Oxford Life. Though completely unrelated companies, Oceanview and Oxford Life were both established west of the Mississippi in 1965. Oceanview and Oxford Life have relatively new product portfolios so they are not strained by old blocks of business in this near 0% interest rate environment. We invite you to learn more about these new options and how their guaranteed fixed annuity solutions can help your clients.
Introducing Security Mutual Life
The Brokers Network is proud to announce the addition of Security Mutual Life of New York to our portfolio of companies. With 127 consecutive years of paying dividends, we invite you to contact us for an illustration on their complete line of whole life products.
EMSI Shuts Down Operations
As of July 3rd, Examination Management Services Inc. (EMSI) ceased the processing of insurance interviews, paramed exams, medical records and all related services. This sudden and unexpected announcement is creating service issues across the entire life insurance industry. The Brokers Network is working closely with affected life insurers and their service providers regarding all underwriting requirements previously assigned to EMSI.
Any requirements we are handling on your behalf are in the process of being re-ordered. If you ordered any medical records or insurance exams directly with EMSI, you must place new orders with a different service provider. If you would like assistance in re-ordering these requirements, please let us know. | more