Agent’s Sales Journal February 2008

A new survey shows that retirees, highly concerned about running out of financial assets, may be overly focused on preserving their savings principal and needlessly reducing their quality of life.The survey, commissioned by AARP and the American...

Member companies of LIMRA International and LOMA have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal to unite two of the world’s largest insurance and financial services trade organizations. The merger became effective on Jan. 1, 2008.The final...

U.S. companies enjoyed a nine-year low in health care cost rate increases this year, but employers and employees should not expect to see that trend continue in 2008, according to Hewitt Associates, a global human resources services company. In...

One in 4 baby boomers erroneously believe they have coverage for long term care expenses, according to new survey data released by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The survey also found that many baby boomers have misconceptions about...

Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have elected 2008 officers.President: Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger President-elect: New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny Vice president: West Virginia...

According to the Advantage Index Sales and Market Report, which represents 99 percent of index annuity production, total third quarter sales were $6.4 billion, down 1.7 percent from second quarter sales. Compared with the same period last year,...

Countless software companies these days are targeting insurance agents and financial professionals with specialized products. These organizations often claim that their user-friendly products will simplify your life and boost your bottom line....

Fad - the word often refers to fashion, diets, language, and other cultural matters that come and go with the whims of consumer obsession. What’s “groovy” one day is “awesome” the next. Bell bottoms were all the...

For insurance agents serving the growing opportunities within the baby boomer and retiree markets, the new year is an important time to recommend that boomers assess any future risks that may impact their lives. They need your help taking a closer...

We all know why we need to market to baby boomers — the demographic is huge, and their retirement needs are just as hefty. But reaching this generation is a challenge that many financial professionals face. Marketing to boomers requires a...

Fixed index annuities (FIAs) have recently received bad press be­cause the stock brokerage community is not overjoyed with these products. They’re popular because they provide attractive features not available from securities. FIAs...

For some advisors, their client profile generally consists of well-to-do pre-retiree boomers in their 50s and 60s. These clients are concerned about how to continue building their wealth, how to manage it in retirement, and how to transfer it to...

This year, index universal life (IUL) celebrates its 10th year on the market. First introduced in 1997, this product has become more and more common, with more than 20 companies offering it, and advisors and the public are increasingly taking...

In today’s insurance industry, agents may often offer clients and prospects products that are nearly identical to their competitors’. In the wake of this situation, industry players have begun to focus on products that offer guarantees...

Every financial professional wants to acquire more clients that resemble their top customers — following are seven steps to accomplishing that goal. Step #1: Develop an ideal client profile OK, like you’ve never heard this before...

How would you respond to a prospect who says… I’m not sure about annuities. What if I need to access that money? “I’m glad you brought that up, because there are many ways to access the money held in your annuity. For...

For insurance agents serving the growing opportunities within the baby boomer and retiree markets, the new year is an important time to recommend that boomers assess any future risks that may impact their lives. They need your help taking a closer...