Posted by:
Jeff Reed on 10/23/2012
Aside from being able to quote one of the most quotable individuals in history, why would I feel compelled to make such a comment? It feels just like 2010, that's why. Rather than get into all the similarities (which are staggering in number), today's focus is on one of the budget proposals on the table for 2013 that includes language that could very easily cause the inclusion of ILIT held assets in a decedent's taxable estate.
That's right. Included, not excluded. Sound like a problem? You bet.
Posted by:
Jeff Reed on 10/16/2012
We all know there is a large amount of Whole Life business on the books that has been significantly impacted but the recent economic environment. We have all talked about decreased dividend scales and their impact, but there is another danger lurking for some of these contracts: clients who have not been able to make their premium payments.
Posted by:
Jeff Reed on 10/9/2012
Conventional wisdom from the underwriting community will usually limit a proposed insured with a history of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) to no better than a Standard Nonsmoker offer. There is at least one carrier out there, however, who has a more progressive approach to this history. If enough time has gone by since the incident, and the balance of the client's medical history is favorable, there may be a Preferred offer out there, just waiting for you to apply.
Posted by:
Jeff Reed on 10/2/2012
We spend a lot of time in our business talking about all the creative solutions that are out there for business owners and executives. The unfortunate truth is the majority of our clients will never be able to use them. Why is that? How many of your small business owner clients are C-Corps? Go ahead and count. I'll wait...
Posted by:
Jeff Reed on 9/25/2012
With the ratification of
Actuarial Guideline 38 last week, I think we have reached the tipping point; the end of 2012 is going to see another round of price changes on
Guaranteed Universal Life products, and the increases will be dramatic. How dramatic? A recent analysis of one carrier's increase showed a range of 10% to 27% depending on the premium structure, with shorter premium payment periods shouldering the largest increases.