Great American's Two New Annuities

Great American Life Insurance Company recently introduced two new annuities to their portfolio, the Premier Bonus and Premier Income Bonus. Here are some thoughts on how to position Great American, and understand the new annuities.

First, it’s important you know two of the top selling annuities from Great American:

1. American Landmark 5 –This is a five-year, short-term option with growth potential. The indexed strategy caps are competitive, and the product offers a fixed rate of up 3%. This is a great short-term option.
2. American Legend 7 – Higher caps than the Landmark 5, annuity but in a seven-year contract. Optional riders are available with this product.

Sales Idea: Add the Inheritance Enhancer Rider. Issue ages for the rider are 55 to 85. It could be particularly appealing to clients ages 75 to 85 because it offers an alternative for clients looking for a great wealth transfer option, or those who can’t get approved for LIFE INSURANCE. This rider offers a 7% rollup credit for 10 years. The contract must be in force for a minimum of five years in order to recieve payout. If the client dies before income payments begin, all rider charges will be credited back. (Review agent guide for more details)

New Products Now Available!

Great American is rolling out the Premier Bonus and Premier Income Bonus products in 38 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico ,North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Premier Bonus

• Seven-year annuity
• 5.75% purchase payment bonus
• Ideal market – Late 50s to early 60s who prefer not to commit to an income rider or fees in an FIA so they can take advantage of a 5.75% bonus with good caps and a short-term contract.

Premier Income Bonus

• Seven-year annuity
• Built-in income rider offers 8% rider bonus and 8% rollup for 10 years
• Good for clients seeking early income
• Caps and participation rates are higher than Premier Bonus
• Ideal for clients ages 65-70 who are looking to take income in the early years.

Premier Bonus Marketing Collateral

• Client Materials
• Agent Materials

Anything unique about Great American we should know?

• Their optional income rider charges are usually refunded at death, if there is no successor owner, and if owner has not started to receive income payments. This is a very consumer-friendly feature you may not see from other products, and it helps combat the “use it or lose it” hurdle.
• Optional income rider charges are not refunded at death under the Legacy Income product because there is a death benefit paid upon death.
• Death benefit rider (aka Inheritance Enhancer) also will refund rider charges, if there is no successor owner, and the owner passes away during the first 5 contract years. Note - after the 60th month, then the death benefit is in effect and paid upon death.

Top Reasons to Sell Great American

1. “A+” rating with S&P; “A” (Excellent) rating with A.M. Best
• Received two upgrades from S&P during financial crisis
• A U.S. based company traded on NYSE ticker: AFG.
2. In business over 145 years and a top provider of fixed index annuities over the last 10 years; and manages over $61 billion in assets as of June 30, 2018.
3. Simple product portfolio focused on short duration accumulation products and a few great riders.

A.M Best rating of “A+” (Excellent) affirmed August 11, 2017 and is the second of 16 ratings. Standard & Poor’s rating of “A+” affirmed February 23, 2018 and is the fifth highest of 22 ratings. Products issued by Great American Life Insurance Company®, member of Great American Insurance Group (Cincinnati, Ohio), under contract form numbers P1112916NW, P1470017NW, P1129918NW and P1129918NW, endorsement form E1130018NW, and rider forms R6032310NW and R6032410NW (not available in Massachusetts), R6042513NW and R6056918NW. Form numbers, features and availability may vary by state.

5632-GAL-16 8/18


FOR PRODUCER USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH CLIENTS.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not designed, or intended, to be applicable to any person's individual circumstances. It should not be considered as investment advice, nor does it constitute a recommendation that anyone engage in (or refrain from) a particular course of action.

We're Revising www.partnersadvantage.com on Sept 3rd.

After many months of thought-provoking conversation, we will be bidding a fond farewell to the content on www.partnersadvantage.com, and we will be refreshing the site on September 3, 2018.  A whole new website for Partners Advantage is coming on September 3, and we're committed to keeping the new site as a fresh and valued resource for our contracted agents.

What You Need to Do ... Back-Up Saved Cases Because we are using new technology in this website, we want to ensure that any cases you have saved to iPipeline, Annuity Rate Watch or Firelight are backed up to your local computer. There may be instances where your saved cases in these outside applications will not be present in the portal after the new site launches, and having a back-up on your local computer will be necessary. Keep an eye out for more information on the new website.

Need Help? If you need any assistance, you can schedule a call with a member of our Sales Team by clicking below For financial professional use only – not for use with the public. This content is for informational and educational purposes, and is not designed, or intended, to be applicable to any person's individual circumstances. It should not be considered as investment advice, nor does it constitute a recommendation that anyone engage (or refrain from) a particular course of action. 565987

Non-Medical vs Underwritten Life Insurance Policies

Peter Pan’s most famous line was “I never want to grow up!” Today, in the life insurance application process I hear, “I do not want to take a medical exam…” While not every type of life insurance plan requires a medical exam, there will be times that it’s necessary when applying for coverage. Is one type better than the other? No. It really just depends on the needs of your prospects/clients, and if they are eligible for a non-medical option.

Life Insurance without the Medical Exam
Do you have clients who need to get a policy issued due to a loan? Divorce? Afraid of needles? They need it yesterday? The non-medical option may be an option for qualified clients.

The non-medical opportunity is available for ages 18 to 69; Class approval ratings can be Sub-Standard to Preferred Plus; Products available are from Term to Permanent; Face amounts are up to $1 million dollars, and approvals can happen within 24-48 hours, on most occasions. Were you aware of all of these options for your clients?

Fully Underwritten Life Insurance
Fully underwritten life insurance usually costs less than non-med insurance, and the medical exam does involve a questionnaire about your lifestyle, blood, urine sample, weight and height check, in addition to family medical history, hospitalizations and medications you take. Normally the insurance carrier pays for the medical exam, but if results come back different than what your clients believe, and they want to contest those results, those additional tests will run at the client’s own expense. With the medical exam, there is a chance that your client may fail and coverage is denied.

Using eApps to Help Speed up the Process
Insurance companies have done an incredible amount of research to get this to a science. The tools for them are there. We can show you the FIVE MINUTE life application that most companies offer. After the case is entered by you on the Partners Advantage website (the client does not have to be present), it gets sent directly to the carrier. Your client then goes through a phone interview, and answers all the same health questions that are on an application. Partners Advantage can help you prepare your client for this call. The carriers will then check Medical Information Bureau (for insurance history and medical codes assigned), run a prescription drug check, a motor vehicle check, and LexisNexis® for additional risk details; All of these areas are checked within 24-48 hours. A carrier either approves the case, or has the client go through additional underwriting (i.e. exam, medical records) based on the information that is uncovered.

Next Steps for You to Take
Partners Advantage can guide you through the process and let you know which carrier, and if non-med or a fully underwritten life policy is the best fit for your prospect/clients’ situation. Give us the opportunity to review a case for you. We have a very talented Underwriting Department that offers questionnaires and other avenues to offer underwriting risk services. So are you and your client up for the challenge? The five minute application process, and the approval may occur within 24-48 hours so call today at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700 to speak to a member of the Partners Advantage Sales Team.

For financial professional use only. Not for use with consumers.

This blog is designed to provide general information about the subject matter covered. Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. The material in this blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Guarantees and benefits are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Keep in mind that most life insurance policies require health underwriting and, in some cases, financial underwriting. Each case is individually underwritten as the severity of medical conditions varies among individuals. Formal underwriting evaluation and pricing is based on the individual characteristics of each case.

Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. The material in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Guarantees and benefits are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Keep in mind that most life insurance policies require health underwriting and, in some cases, financial underwriting.

473499

Five Life Insurance Myths

Courtesy of: Protective Life

Life insurance can be a complex subject, and just about everyone has an opinion about who does and doesn't need it, how much to buy, and what types of policies are best.

For this reason, we're listing the top five myths about life insurance and an explanation for why that myth might not be true. We hope this information will provide insights that can help you, help your prospects/clients decide what's right for them.

Myth 1: Life insurance through work is really all you need.
Having life insurance through work is good, but many employer-sponsored plans offer small term or accidental death policies with low limits. Moreover, these policies are not typically portable, so if your prospects/clients leave their company or get laid off they'll be left without coverage and will need to apply for a new policy based on their current age and health status.

It's important to know their policy limits because what they have through work may not be enough. Securing life insurance independent of what they have at work that can lock them into a lower rate and you won't have to worry about losing coverage if you they are changing jobs.

Myth 2: If you're single or young you don't need life insurance.
Even if your prospects/clients have no dependents, they'll still have funeral expenses that their family will need to pay when they die. They might also get married and start a family at a later date and will need to provide financial support for their spouse and dependent children.

Buying life insurance while they're young can lock them into lower rates.

Myth 3: Only the breadwinner of the family needs life insurance.
A stay-at-home spouse may not earn an income, but think of all he or she does to keep the household running: child care, meal preparation, transportation, housekeeping, and more. With that spouse gone, life suddenly gets a lot more challenging - and expensive.

The cost of replacing the services provided by a stay-at-home spouse can be higher than they think. Life insurance can help defray the cost of hiring help to accommodate a new lifestyle in their partner's absence.

Myth 4: You don't need to review your coverage.
Life insurance isn't a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. Every significant life event - marriage, a new baby, divorce, buying a house, retirement planning- should prompt your prospects/clients to double-check their coverage.

Even if they've had no big changes, it's smart to review their policy every few years to ensure that they're keeping pace with inflation and still getting the best value for their premium dollars.

Myth 5: You're better off investing your money rather than buying life insurance.
Your prospects/clients are taking a big chance when they depend solely on their investments to take care of their family. If they die without coverage, there may be no means to provide for them after their assets are depleted.

Don't bank on their assets being enough. Establishing a life insurance policy outside their investments ensure that their family has enough readily available cash when they die.

These are just a few of the misunderstandings about life insurance. Help your clients know the facts and don't let the myths stop them from choosing the right coverage. To get more helpful information about types of life insurance and how they can meet your clients needs, contact Partners Advantage at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700.

You can view the original article post on Protective Life's Learning Center website: https://www.protective.com/learning-center/life-insurance/five-life-insurance-myths/

This material is intended for educational purposes only. You should not treat any opinion expressed as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion and experiences. Partners Advantage does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.
A Life insurance is a complex subject that is easily misunderstood. Many times people look to friends or relatives for advice about life insurance and with that increases the chance for myths to be taken as fact. This article highlights a few common myths that are commonly accepted as fact. Don't let misinformation keep you from gaining the understanding you need to make informed decisions about your life insurance coverage needs. For more information, visit our learning center.

All Learning Center articles are general summaries that can be used when considering your financial future at various life stages. The information presented is for educational purposes and is meant to supplement other information specific to your situation. It is not intended as investment advice and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Learning Center articles may describe services and financial products not offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries. Descriptions of financial products contained in Learning Center articles are not intended to represent those offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Neither Protective Life nor its representatives offer legal or tax advice. We encourage you to consult with your financial adviser and legal or tax adviser regarding your individual situations before making investment, social security, retirement planning, and tax-related decisions. For information about Protective Life and its products and services, visit www.protective.com.

Companies and organizations linked from Learning Center articles have no affiliation with Protective Life or its subsidiaries.


WEB.1234.10.14

Why Is Life Insurance Important?

Courtesy of: Protective Life

The value of life insurance cannot be overstated. Life insurance offers protection for your prospects/clients family and home in the event of their death. Help prevent financial hardship for your clients' loved ones with life insurance.

Some people may think of life insurance as just another expense. The question your prospects/clients need to consider is would someone in their life suffer an economic hardship if they were to die? If the answer is yes, then life insurance is important for them to have.

Married with children
If your prospects/clients are married and have young children at home who depend on their income, they have a clear need for life insurance. If they were to die, the loss of your client's income could cause an immediate financial hardship. Not only would this make it harder for their family to make ends meet, but for them to realize future goals such as a college education. Even if one spouse is a stay at home parent and doesn't bring in a formal paycheck, his or her death means that the surviving spouse will have additional expenses such as child care, cooking, and housekeeping - all necessary services for running a household.

Married without children or singles
Why is life insurance important if your clients' don't have children or a spouse? Just because they don't have children or are married, doesn't necessarily mean that they don't need life insurance. If their spouse or significant other depends on your client's income to keep the bills paid and to run the household together as a joint venture, then having the financial safety net of a life insurance policy is vital. And whether they're married or living the single life, who is going to pay the costs associated with their final expenses? Things such as funeral costs and jointly held debt (such as a cosigner on a loan) are just a few of the costs that they'll need to consider in the event your clients were to unexpectedly die. Unless they already have sufficient financial resources to cover these expenses, their survivors will most likely need life insurance to help pay for it all.

Having enough life insurance is just as important
The loss of a loved one is an emotional and traumatic experience for any family. But not having enough money to meet immediate and ongoing living expenses, can make a very difficult situation even worse. Not only are the people your clients loved grieving their loss, but they'll now have added financial stresses to cope with. Depending on their current financial resources and ability to get back on their feet both emotionally and financially, their loved ones could be forced to move to a less expensive home or community, forego education and career plans, and cut back on their quality of life. They may be even forced to take out loans to pay for your funeral and burial costs, as well as any outstanding medical or tax bills.

If your clients are still wondering why life insurance is important, stop them to consider the potentially devastating consequences of not having coverage to financially protect the people that they love.

Learn more about the life insurance resources available to you and your clients. If you have potential clients, Partners Advantage can guide you thru the life insurance process and can let you know which carrier would best meet for your clients' needs. Call us at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700.

You can view the original article post on Protective Life's Learning Center website:  https://www.protective.com/learning-center/life-101/why-get-life-insurance/why-is-life-insurance-important/

This material is intended for educational purposes only. You should not treat any opinion expressed as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion and experiences. Partners Advantage does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. 

All Learning Center articles are general summaries that can be used when considering your financial future at various life stages. The information presented is for educational purposes and is meant to supplement other information specific to your situation. It is not intended as investment advice and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Learning Center articles may describe services and financial products not offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries. Descriptions of financial products contained in Learning Center articles are not intended to represent those offered by Protective Life or its subsidiaries.

Neither Protective Life nor its representatives offer legal or tax advice. We encourage you to consult with your financial adviser and legal or tax adviser regarding your individual situations before making investment, social security, retirement planning, and tax-related decisions. For information about Protective Life and its products and services, visit www.protective.com.

Companies and organizations linked from Learning Center articles have no affiliation with Protective Life or its subsidiaries.


WEB.1893.02.16

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) Strategies

By: Bill Jackson J.D., CLU®, Director of Advanced Markets at Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC

Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA); short for “An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.” What a mouthful! I think we will stick with TCJA. One of the major areas of complexity in this new law, which is effective for 2018, is its application to pass through entities. 

As you may be aware, the top corporate tax rate has been reduced from 35% to 21%. However, with sole proprietors, partnerships, “S” corporations, and pass through LLC’s there is a 20% deduction on adjusted gross income.

The complexity arises in how and when the 20% deduction is applied. If the client has an “S” Corporation, only the distributive share is eligible for the 20% deduction. W-2 wages paid to principals are not eligible nor are guaranteed payments to the shareholders. 

To add to the complexity of this act, congress chose to limit the benefits of the 20% deduction for “service” organizations. If the business derives its income from personal service, the deduction is phased out at certain levels of adjusted gross income; so doctors, accountants, attorneys, financial professionals, real estate agents, and consultants must deal with the phase-out of the 20% deduction.   

For service organizations where the taxpayer is filing singly, the deduction is available up to $157,500 of adjusted gross income. There is a pro rata reduction up to $207,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and over that amount the deduction is completely gone. If the taxpayer is married filing jointly, the threshold is $315,000 and the deduction is gone at $415,000 of AGI. If filing jointly, the spouse’s income is also included in determining the phase-out. 

Obviously affluent service business owners need help. Keeping income below the $315,000 threshold could provide a $63,000 deduction and save $17,640 in taxes for a pass through service business owner with and AGI of $315,000.

How can a service business owner reduce taxable income below the threshold? Most have fewer than five employees or may work alone. The ability to reduce income by buying a substantial depreciable asset is often limited. The only alternatives for reducing income are a qualified retirement plan or deductible interest payments on a loan based split dollar plan.

In the qualified retirement plan space, two options stand out. The most flexible option for a business that may have fluctuating profits is the SOLO K plan, which can allow deductions of up to $61,000 for owners over age 50. For businesses with stable profits, the defined benefit plan is a top choice. Deductions for this type of plan can easily exceed $170,000 each year for an owner participant. Several carriers like Lafayette Life, National Life Group, and American National offer plan design, plan administration, and funding media specifically designed for these plans. Options include annuities and life insurance.

With the loan based split dollar or dual loan strategy, the business takes a commercial loan and loans the proceeds to the owner to pay premiums on a personal life insurance policy. The policy is collateral for the loan and the owner pays interest at the applicable federal rate. The owner receives a higher level of protection for family and higher retirement income potential than with a traditionally funded plans. The business interest deduction often amounts to between $30,000 and $60,000.

These strategies can mean the difference between being able to benefit from the 20% deduction and not seeing any tax relief. To learn more about how these strategies work, and how they can benefit your clients, contact the Partners Advantage Advanced Markets Department at 888-251-5525, Ext. 361.

Did you miss the webinar titled, “Opportunities Generated by the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA)?” You can access the replay here >> Get Webinar On-Demand.

For financial professional use only. Not for public distribution.

Not to be used for consumer solicitation purposes. You should not treat any opinion expressed as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion and experiences. Partners Advantage does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.  

Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Encourage your clients to consult their tax advisor or attorney.

449066

Two Insurance Marketing Powerhouses Announce Merger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Insurance Marketing Powerhouses Slated to Merge 

Urbandale, March 12, 2018 - Two of the biggest Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMOs), AMZ Financial Insurance Services and Partners Advantage Insurance Services, announced today their definitive merger to further enhance and extend their insurance distribution network. The new company will be called Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC. The merger went effective March 1, 2018, with the companies planning to fully integrate by September 30, 2018.

The new IMO will operate out of four main office locations including three offices in California; Riverside, Irvine, El Dorado Hills; as well as an office in Urbandale, Iowa. The new company will have the breadth and reach to serve life, annuities and linked benefits at the absolute top levels. The CEO of Partners Advantage, Scott Tietz said, “With the merger, we believe we have created a robust IMO that can provide assistance to any agent, agency owner or IMO regardless of the insurance products they sell.”

“This merger is a critical piece in our long-term growth strategy,” said Allie Miller, Partners
Advantage President. “This is a very exciting time for us, and we believe that merging allows us to elevate the overall insurance industry with innovative financial products, technology,
marketing strategies, practice management and sales support, while still holding meaningful
relationships with our valued distribution partners.”

The merger will usher in a revolution in the independent insurance distribution marketplace and the new services provided through the company will result in greater efficiencies. “Our clients will continue to enjoy the same quality services.” Commented Joe Zuccolotto, Chief
Operations Officer of Partners Advantage. “We have been working together for months to
make this transition as smooth as possible for our agencies and agents.”

About AMZ Financial:
Founded in 2000, AMZ Financial is the only independent marketing organization with a proven track record in developing and distributing Indexed Universal Life products. To date, we have developed 10 products with the industry's most recognized life insurance carriers.

About Partners Advantage:
Partners Advantage is an independent insurance marketing organization and nationally
recognized leader in the life insurance, annuity and linked benefit products marketplace.

Press Release originally published in PR Newswire: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-insurance-marketing-powerhouses-announce-merger-300611567.html

For financial professional use only. Not for public distribution.

444383

The PILLAR System: An Exclusive Practice Management and Seminar System

The PILLAR (Partners In Life, Long-term care And Retirement) System is an exclusive practice management, and seminar system created by Partners Advantage and reflecting dozens of years’ experience and countless hours in the field with leading agents.

The PILLAR System packages content that Partners Advantage subject matter experts have tested and provided to Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT) level financial professionals throughout the years. The system brings all the content together to help financial professionals, who work directly with Partners Advantage, generate more consultative sales. This complete sales, marketing, and seminar system uses a secure online training platform that comprises different educational modules, tools and resources to enhance your learning. These tools help you shift your mindset from products to solutions, from sales to service, and from scarcity to growth.

The content that will be taught is divided into 6 different categories. Each of the categories is a different “PILLAR.” 

Using a secure online training platform the company refers to as The PILLAR System Playbook, a 24/7 “Online University” that houses numerous tools and resources, helps individuals join the ranks of top insurance and financial professionals. Visit www.thepillarsystem.com to learn more.

The Partners Advantage Brokerage Team can be reached at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700 for more information.

For financial professional use only. Not to be used for consumer solicitation purposes.

*Production results gathered from January-June 2016. Not all financial professionals in attendance experienced the same results and there is no guarantee of future success. The information provided is for your own practice management purposes and education.

Becoming a member of The PILLAR System may be dependent on various factors including but not limited to production requirement and "PILLAR" carrier contracts placed with Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC. Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC reserves the right to change the requirements of the PILLAR System at their discretion. Results may vary, this communication does not constitute an offer or guarantee. Participating agents will need to be properly licensed and may be subject to screening. Participating agents must adhere to all federal and state compliance and market conduct standards. Additional terms and conditions to be set forth in an agent agreement between Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC and the agent. 

All rights reserved, trademark pending.

373170

Substandard Underwriting: Comorbid Impairments

By Lisa Morris, VP of Underwriting and Development at Partners Advantage

If you’ve ever been faced with a situation where your client has multiple medical or mortality impairments, then welcome to the world of substandard underwriting! 

There may be a few situations when the client has one significant impairment and a few other minor impairments that adds to the major issue, and may tack on additional rateclasses. But why? Some conditions are exacerbated or the mortality risk increased when they are together. As an example, let’s consider siblings. There are situations where one child acts worse when their other siblings are around. This is the same relationship of multiple impairments in which the additional, or increase in risk is due to the other being “around” — this condition is called comorbid impairments. Certain conditions have an added risk when they are combined with another. For example, due to metabolic concerns, a person with diabetes has an additional risk if they also have coronary artery disease because one condition can increase a person’s mortality risk when they are put together. 

For these situations, pivot to the Partners Advantage Underwriting Department so that they can assess and determine the items that may increase an assessment and just like comorbid impairments, sales and underwriting has something in common — its customers!

Don't forget to get your copy of the "4 Steps to an Effective Cover Letter for Life Insurance Applications" by VP of Underwriting and Development, Lisa “Lee” Morris. 



Do you have an underwriter with experience on your side? Partners Advantage can help. Contact Lisa “Lee” Morris at 888-251-5525, Ext. 199 or email lmorris@partnersadvantage.com.


For use with financial professional only. Not for public distribution.

This blog is designed to provide general information about the subject matter covered. Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. The material in this blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Guarantees and benefits are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Keep in mind that most life insurance policies require health underwriting and, in some cases, financial underwriting. Each case is individually underwritten as the severity of medical conditions varies among individuals. Formal underwriting evaluation and pricing is based on the individual characteristics of each case.

Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. The material in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Guarantees and benefits are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Keep in mind that most life insurance policies require health underwriting and, in some cases, financial underwriting.

250102

Webinar On-Demand: Opportunities Generated by the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA)

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) into
law. The TCJA has made significant changes in personal and business federal tax rules.

Learn how the new tax law can impact the use of Life Insurance and Annuity products for legacy creation and retirement income planning strategies.

You will learn:

• How the new tax act can affect households in different economic situations
• Estate planning changes and how financial professionals should respond
• How businesses can take advantage of the new tax law with concepts

Complete the form to access this On-Demand webinar to learn how to thrive under the new tax law with families, estates, and businesses.





This webinar is intended for educational purposes only. For financial professional use only.  

Not to be used for consumer solicitation purposes. You should not treat any opinion expressed as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of opinion and experiences. Partners Advantage does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.  

Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. Encourage your clients to consult their tax advisor or attorney. 


371069

4 Steps to an Effective Cover Letter for Life Insurance Applications

There is an ongoing myth that Underwriters do not review cover letters. Boy, is that so far from the truth!

The purpose of a cover letter is similar to the frame of a house. It serves as the foundation of the applicant’s risk. This foundation gives a carrier underwriter a peek into the window of how the case was sold, the purpose of coverage, your relationship with the applicant, and a little about the client’s risk. As a result, the underwriter can start off with an open mind and baseline of the proposed insured.

Essentially, the key to an efficient and effective cover letter is being transparent and detailed, thus sending a signal to the underwriter that you’ve done your part in the application process. Effective cover letters are your introduction of your client to the carrier underwriter. 

Learn more in the full white paper "4 Steps to an Effective Cover Letter for Life Insurance Applications" by VP of Underwriting and Development, Lisa “Lee” Morris. 



Do you have an underwriter with experience on your side? Partners Advantage can help!
Contact Lisa “Lee” Morris at 888-251-5525, Ext. 199 or email lmorris@partnersadvantage.com.

For Financial Professional Use Only. Not For Use with the Public.

This blog is designed to provide general information about the subject matter covered. Partners Advantage Insurance Services and their representatives do not give tax or legal advice. The material in this blog is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Guarantees and benefits are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Keep in mind that most life insurance policies require health underwriting and, in some cases, financial underwriting. Each case is individually underwritten as the severity of medical conditions varies among individuals. Formal underwriting evaluation and pricing is based on the individual characteristics of each case.

373093

Do you have a marketing, sales and client fulfillment program?

Top producers consistently have one advantage the average agents don’t: they all have a system. Do you have one?

Partners Advantage’s PILLAR Playbook is an “online university” that gives you access to a huge library of 2-8 minute videos, which give you quick-hit tips you can apply from day one. These videos are bringing fresh ideas in prospecting and fact-finding that help excites clients, drive sales, and bring your business to a whole new level. 

What is PILLAR?
Partners In Life, Long-Term Care, And Retirement

The PILLAR System was created by Partners Advantage and reflects dozens of years' experience and countless hours in the field with leading agents, The PILLAR System is a proven marketing, sales and client fulfillment program for growing and thriving in the new era of insurance.

We believe it’s unlike any training and seminar program in the industry. Our approach broadens product confidence, details marketing, sales and client processes and teaches a results-transforming shift in perspective we call, The Seven-Figure Mindset. The PILLAR Playbook takes it a step forward and provides agent additional access to tools and guidance that help them stay up on top.

If you are interested in enrolling in The PILLAR System and would like access to The PILLAR Playbook, you can enroll at www.thepillarsystem.com, click APPLY and fill out the enrollment form, or contact us at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700.

For financial professional use only. Not to be used for consumer solicitation purposes. 

Becoming a member of The PILLAR System may be dependent on various factors including but not limited to production requirement and "PILLAR" carrier contracts placed with Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC. Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC reserves the right to change the requirements of the PILLAR System at their discretion. Results may vary, this communication does not constitute an offer or guarantee. Participating agents will need to be properly licensed and may be subject to screening. Participating agents must adhere to all federal and state compliance and market conduct standards. Additional terms and conditions to be set forth in an agent agreement between Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC and the agent. 

All rights reserved, trademark pending.

For financial professional use only. Not for use with consumers.

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Getting Your Prospect to Think About Longevity, and Longevity Calculators

By Stephen Horvath, Annuity Brokerage Director at Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC

How often do you search for a way to get the conversation with a prospect rolling on the right track, particularly taking the discussion into retirement planning territory? You can use the phrases below and the links provided to help shape a thought-provoking conversation and encourage your clients to spend a few minutes “predicting” how long they might live and what a potentially long life could mean.

Since skillful fact finding can lead you to offer correct solutions, why not arm yourself with some thought provoking statements you can use while looking your prospect in the eye across that proverbial kitchen table? Statements like: 

“Let me ask you this. Do you come from a family that has a history of living into their eighties or nineties, or beyond?” 

“Has anyone in your family ever lived to age 100 or more?” 

“Do you have expectations of being the oldest living member in your family?” 

“If I asked you how many years you think you will live in retirement, what would you say?” 

And, conclude with this: 
“Would you be interested in checking out some fun websites that may help you estimate how many years you might continue to live?” 

Usually, the answer will be in the affirmative, so here are those websites – generic in nature – that you can share with clients to play that guessing game that everyone wants to know about but might be afraid to ask … what IS my longevity? 

LONGEVITY CALCULATORS   (click on the link or copy and paste to your browser)

• www.bluezones.com
• www.northwesternmutual.com/learning-center/the-longevity-game.aspx
• www.livingto100.com/calculator
• www.ssa.gov/planners/lifeexpectancy.html

NEXT STEPS
Now that you’ve opened the door to get your prospect thinking about their longevity, you can move to a more comprehensive deep dive into their overall financial situation and talk about their levels of planning, and protection to make those years in the future as well planned as possible.  This is where your Partners Advantage Brokerage Director can be your best friend, arming you with more comprehensive fact finders, as well as programs like Retirement Analyzer or our proprietary The PILLAR System. 

You can rely on us to guide you to more successful sales. Call us today at 888-251-5525, Ext. 700.

For financial professional use only. Not for use with consumers.

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Five Steps That Could Potentially Grow Your Business

By: Michael Macias, Relationship Coordinator at Partners Advantage Insurance Services, LLC

Here are five steps that could potentially help put you in front of more clients and grow your business by fully engaging a referral mindset. This will benefit your current clients, future prospects, and even the network of other financial professionals you work with on a regular basis.

Step 1: Make a Decision and Throw Out the HeadTrash¹
Before developing your referral strategy, you need to make a decision; the decision that you want to be in front of more clients and you are willing to put forth the effort that can potentially create the success you want to achieve.

Step 2: Develop and Work a Process
Developing a process needs to be customized in a way that works for you and your unique business model, but inflexible enough so that you will stick to it.

Step 3: Develop “Referral” Networks
Have you ever thought of giving referrals yourself? What if giving those referrals equated to you receiving referrals in return?

Step 4: Harness the Power of Expectation
Rather than be hopeful of getting referrals, be expectant. Would you agree going into any situation expecting a certain outcome would increase the chances of that outcome actually happening?

Step 5: Rinse, Repeat, and Monitor Results
The final step in the process is bringing it all together. Monitor your process over time for results based off of the action items you have taken. Are you getting the results you are “expecting”?

Putting forth effort into this process can help create a profitable referral strategy. When combined with your overall business model and prospecting strategy, you can create a solid foundation where your referral network and business can continue to grow. Get the full article titled, "Developing a Referral Mindset" by completing the form below.

Contact Michael Macias, Relationship Coordinator for additional creative ways to ask for referrals: 888-251-5525, Ext. 389. 

¹headtrash911.com

FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR USE WITH THE PUBLIC.

This material is intended to provide general information only. It is not intended to render legal, accounting, Social Security or tax advice, and the services of those professionals should be sought. Financial professionals who utilize this material may be able to identify potential retirement income gaps and introduce products, such as fixed annuities, as potential solutions. The testimonial may not be representative of the experience of other financial professionals and is no guarantee of future success.

Always follow your firm’s policies and procedures regarding review and use of third-party templates, creation and distribution of client and prospect materials, hosting of client and prospect events, offering giveaways or prizes, and your firm’s employment process.

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