Millennials are a unique generation with a new approach to life,which includes the way they secure information, collect insights and make purchasing decisions. This is especially true when it comes to benefits and financial products — particularly life insurance. In this under-served segment, only 16% own individual life insurance and about a third are likely…
Variable annuity sales continued on a downward trend during the first quarter, declining 18.5 percent from $31.8 billion to $26 billion, according to new sales figures from the Washington, D.C.-based Insured Retirement Institute. Variable annuity sales were $30.9 billion during the fourth quarter of 2015. Anticipation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule may…
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution of disapproval blocking the U.S. Department of Labor’s controversial fiduciary rule. The DOL released its final rule last month. The rule, sometimes referred to as the conflicts of interest rule, mandates financial professionals who service individual retirement accounts, including IRAs and 401(k) plans, to serve…
Insurance Agency Marketing Services has been following the Department of Labor fiduciary ruling very closely. We are monitoring how it will affect fixed annuities and other retirement strategies. The Department of Labor dealt a bit of a surprise blow to fixed indexed annuities in the final iteration of its rule, issued Wednesday, by lumping the…
What can a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system do for your company? Several recent surveys of small business owners in the U.S. revealed that their top priorities for 2015 were to increase revenue; implement systems to drive profits, and to expand their customer base. Following closely as second their business goals were: to improve promotional…
Thirty years of experience providing product intelligence to the best producers in our industry has taught us that you want the best solution for each client. While we go the extra mile to make sure you have a custom fit, we have also learned that you like to have some idea of product leaders in…
The annuity and life industry revolves around building relationships and sharing experiences. Social media revolves around these same networking concepts and should not be viewed as advertising. Building relationships with clients is the best place to start when growing your agency and social media can help. The Nielson Company indicated that “Nine in every ten…
Many of you remember the uncapped crediting strategies of the mid 1990’s with 80-95% participation on the S&P- the results were phenomenal-and unsupportable. As always, our industry learned as it went along and began to offer 6-7% caps with 100% participation; the rate and option costs at the time supported it and clients loved it-sales…
For much of the past 6 years, we have enjoyed the guaranteed nature of income riders. The ability to know exactly the income that could be accessed, without question, was the core benefit of income riders. That we have been able to couple guaranteed income for life with 6 and 7% guaranteed “roll up rates”…
AIG, the #1 provider of fixed-rate deferred annuities, have updated their rates on the IAMS proprietary suite of products. AIG has a strategy focused on enhancing the value and competitive position of their annuity products and continues to earn their A rating from AM Best. Call us today at (800) 255-5055 to learn why top…
