Resources
updated 5/7/08
LTC Care Calculator
Goldencare USA is offering a searchable, nationwide database of long-term care resources. The site also features cost of care calculators. For more information, visit www.goldencareusaagent.com.

Updated 4/30/08
TPA Training
John Hancock Retirement Plan Services is offering an internet-training program for its 401(k) Third Party Administrators (TPAs).

Guide to 403(b) Regulations
TIAA-CREF introduced a comprehensive guide to regulatory requirements for 403(b) plans. For more information, visit www.tiaa-cref.org

401(k) Certification Program
Peachtree LBP introduced the LBP 401(k) Plus Certification Program for producers marketing Peachtree’s LBP 401(k) Plus program. The Certification Program kicks off with a full-day onsite training session and continues with milestones that need to be completed by the 15th and 30th days. For more information, visit www.PeachtreeLBP.com or call Barry Vose at 800-370-6368.

Standard Life Rates for Prostate Cancer Survivors
In response to the improved prognosis for prostrate cancer, The Hartford is offering life insurance at standard rates to men who have been treated successfully with radiation for moderate levels of prostate cancer. In the past, these survivors often had to wait several years to become eligible to buy life insurance and even then had to pay significantly more for their coverage for up to five years. For more information, visit www.thehartford.com.

updated 4/23/08
Estate Planning for Special Kids
MetLife is offering “The Special Needs Acceptance Book” through MetDESK specialists across the U.S. The book teaches children about special needs and encourages them to embrace differences with kindness. For more information, visit www.metlife.com/desk.

updated 3/19/08
Investment Tracking
AXA Equitable launched an online tool to help financial professionals make decisions about their client’s variable life insurance and variable annuity investment portfolios. It includes daily unit values, product performance, sub-account profiles, and allocation portfolios. For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com

Guidance on Automatic Features in Retirement Plans
MassMutual has a white paper on automatic features in retirement plans. The white paper suggests important criteria that retirement plan advisors and sponsors should consider when evaluating features, such as automatic enrollment, automatic deferral increase, and automatic asset allocation. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com/behavior.

updated 3/12/08
Annuities for Dummies
AnnuityAdvantage.com introduced a book titled, “Annuities for Dummies.” The plain-English guide explains annuities down to the smallest detail. For more information, visit www.annuityadvantage.com or call 800-239-0356. The book can also be purchased at local bookstores or www.Amazon.com.

updated 3/05/08
LTC Sourcebook
The American Assn. for Long-Term Care Insurance published the 2008 Long-Term Care Insurance Sourcebook. It includes rankings of Top 50 LTC insurers (covered lives), state-by-state policy sales, and summarized data from the latest research on utilization of long-term care services. The Sourcebook provides cost averages for home care, assisted living care, and nursing home care in major metropolitan areas. It includes results of industry studies by the Assn. Sample pages can be viewed at www.aaltci.org/for_producers/sourcebook.

LTC Pre-Application Process
Penn Treaty developed a streamlined pre-application process. Producers can determine quickly whether their clients qualify for long-term care insurance. Agents use a simple, one-page form that can be completed in the client's home or over the phone. If the client is able to answer no to the five health questions on the form, the producer submits it to Penn Treaty. There are no complicated rate calculations and no premium is required at this stage. Once the form is submitted to Penn Treaty, a nurse will contact the client to schedule a face-to-face interview and gather additional health information for the underwriting process. For more information, call 800-362-0700 ext. 5020 or e-mail marketing@penntreaty.com.

Multi Life Disability Insurance
Petersen International Underwriters is offering bigger premium discounts for multi-life disability insurance for groups as small as two people. For more information, visit www.piu.org or call 800-345-8816.

Veteran’s Disability Guide
The Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) is offering employers a free guide to help soldiers tackle work, life challenges after deployment. The guide, “Workplace Warrior: The Corporate Response to Deployment and Reintegration,” is available on the DMEC website at www.dmec.org and The Hartford’s website at groupbenefits.thehartford.com.

updated 2/27/08
Business Book
Author Bob MacDonald has a new book titled, “Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World.” For more information, email to: BobMacDonald@CTWConsulting.com.

updated 2/20/08
Consumer Behavior Website
MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division launched www.massmutual.com/behavior. The website will include white papers covering the following:

1. Tools to increase participation and savings in defined contribution plans.
2. Automation: three steps to a high performance plan.
3. A behavioral approach to retirement planning.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com/behavior.

updated 2/12/08
Fiduciary Warranty
Transamerica is offering the protection of a fiduciary warranty along with a turnkey fiduciary program. For more information, visit www.TA-Retirement.com.

Elite Advisor Program
MassMutual's Retirement Services Division is introducing a program to recognize advisors for outstanding service. Charter members of MassMutual's Elite Advisor Program who have already met the criteria will be notified of their qualification over the next several weeks. For more information, call 866-444-2601.

updated 2/06/08
LTC Marketing Tools
John Hancock developed new brochures, a customizable prospecting program, and a new Website to help market its newest LTC insurance product called “Edge.” The materials are designed to make prospecting and sales easier for advisors who are frequent or occasional sellers. For more information, visit www.discoveredge.com.

Policy Management System
Pacific Life is offering Planned Performance Tracking. The Web-based policy management system helps agents monitor in-force policies while saving time, reducing paperwork, and increasing client service. For more information, visit www.PacificLife.com.
updated 1/30/08
New Best Practices Guide
Principal Financial Group introduced a free guide on best practices in employee benefits. For more information, visit www.principal.com/bestguide

Updated 1/16/08
New Empoyee Benefits Course
The Natinal Alliance for Insurance Education & Research Developed a course on employee benefits. Two 2 1/2-day seminars are schedule in 2008: April 28-30 in Las Vegas and October 20-22 in Nashville. These courses are opn to all insurance, risk management, and employee benefits professionals. For more information, visit www.TheNationalAlliance.com or 800-633-2165

Social Networking for the Insurance Industry
Dynamia Interactive launched the world's first socail network for the insurance industry --www.sexyinsurance.com. One forum on the site is dubbed, "After Dark -- the place to share your party exploits. "At press time, no one had posted in that forum. For more information, call 617-447-6013.

Doctor Ranking tool
WellPoint Inc. is launching an online tool that enables members to review and evaluated physicians. The Zagat Health Survey is available to members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield subsidiaries in metropolitan Los Angeles, Connecticut, and greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. The Survey will feature a comments section, allowing members to expand on their ratings.

Agnet Directory
InsWeb Launched its Agent Directory. The online guide features a focused, prioritized list of local insurance agents. Insurance agents can target specific counties and consumers can view their contact information along with a link to a website. The directory will only show the consumer eight local agents. For more information, visit www.financialfreedom.com

updated 1/9/08
Templates
Zywave Inc. introduced “Broker Briefcase,” an Internet content library that hosts thousands of customized, agency-branded, templates for broker-to-client communication. The application contains marketing materials, benchmarking information, educational articles for brokers' clients, newsletters and other communications for clients' employees. For more information, visit www.zywave.com.

Critical Illness Insurance Claim Guide
Gen Re LifeHealth released the first edition of its “Critical Illness Insurance Claim Guide.” It is designed to help claim staff understand key terms used in the policy definitions. These terms often apply to specific health conditions or procedures. Insurers can use this guide as a reference tool when establishing their own policies and procedures for claims adjudication. The guide is unique in that it offers examples of claim forms specific to each of the most common benefit eligibility triggers. Each sample form collects information specific to the condition or procedure being claimed and outlines all of the supporting evidence required in order for the claims staff to properly evaluate and adjudicate the claim. For more information, visit www.genre.com.

updated 12/12/07
Medicare-Part D Comparison Tool
Medicare-PartD.com released a one-click comparison of the 2008 Part D prescription drug plans. It includes CMS plan quality ratings, enrollment data, and Part D plan features in one view.

Medicare Part D Resource
The Kaiser Family Foundation released two reports that examine benefit design and cost sharing for Medicare drug plans, as well as the use of specialty tiers for high-cost drugs in 2008. The foundation is also offering an updated consumer guide to Medicare coverage. For more information, visit www.kff.org/medicare/med102507pkg.cfm.

Information on Expatriate Benefits
CIGNA International introduced www.CIGNAexpats.com/benefits. It covers information on benefit topics, such as retirees living overseas, U.S.-bound expatriates, and how companies can protect the return on their investment in expatriate employees.

updated 12/0/5/07
LTC Insurance Training
LTCiTraining.com is offering courses to meet mandated LTC insurance training requirements, which producers must meet between December 31, 2007 and August 1, 2008. For more information, visit www.ltcitraining.com.

LTC Tax Information Brochure
The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance Association published an eight-page guide providing tax and planning information on LTC insurance. It is designed to support insurance and financial professionals who want to form alliances with accountants and tax professionals. The guide provides federal tax deductibility limits for 2007 and 2008 as well as answers to questions most often posed by accountants. The brochure can be viewed on the Website (www.aaltci.org/subpages/resources/marketing_accountingguide.html). For more information, call the Association at 818-597-3227.  

Book Helps Overcome Bureaucracy
Bob MacDonald came out with a new book, “Beat the System 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World.”. It covers secrets to building entrepreneurial cultures in businesses, their departments, or jobs. In 1987, MacDonald built a new life insurance company (LifeUSA), which he sold to Allianz SE for $540 million. MacDonald led the merged companies as CEO for three years and then was chairman until his retirement in 2003. For more information, visit www.bobmaconline.com.

BenefitMall Teams Up With Norvax
General agency, BenefitMall, has partnered with Norvax -- a company that creates web-based software to help insurance agents sell health policies. Norvax offers a nationwide consumer quote engine with the largest number of carriers and plans. For more information, visit www.benefitmall.com.

updated 11/28/07
Medicare Part D Tutorial
Medicare-PartD.com released an online tutorial of the Medicare.gov Part D Plan Finder tool. The tutorial guides the user through the Medicare.gov website and illustrates important site features, cautions, and tips.

updated 10/24/07
Financial Planning Tool
MassMutual Financial Group has developed 10 questions to help consumers gain more insight into their insurance and financial needs and goals. The interactive presentation is available on MassMutual’s Website at www.massmutual.com/GetThere.

Graduating Dental Benefits
MetLife is offering graduating dental benefits. The annual maximum benefit for dental plan participants increase over a two or three-year period regardless of their claim history. Since MetLife’s enhancement is not a rollover of unused benefit dollars, employees are encouraged to continue to access appropriate levels of oral healthcare without trying to “save” benefit dollars to utilize in another calendar year. In addition, MetLife added dental implants as a standard feature on new plans. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

updated 10/10/07
Web Application
Superior Access launched “Superior Access 2.0.” It gives independent insurance agents immediate access to insurance products from more than 65 carriers. The site also includes a feature that enables agents to seek out new markets and identify available products within those markets. For more information, visit www.superioraccess.com.

Tips to Help People Get the Most from Their Employee Benefits
The Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE) is offering the following tips to help people weigh their employee benefit options:

1. Don't try to maintain your status quo: Not taking the initiative to enroll in a benefit program could mean missing out on new options offered by your employer or could leave you in a program that no longer meets your needs.
2. Re-evaluate your insurance coverage: If you’ve had a child or gotten married or divorced this year, make sure your insurance policies and beneficiary designations are up to date. While you typically have 30 days to change your benefits after a life-changing event, open enrollment is a good time to make sure that all of your major insurance coverages are structured properly.
3. Look for cost-effective ways to increase your life and disability insurance. In some cases, it makes sense to buy or increase life or disability insurance coverage through your employer’s group insurance plans. But, other times, it may be more sensible to purchase coverage on your own by contacting a local insurance professional.
4. Consider a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). An FSA allows you to set aside a portion of your pre-tax earnings to pay for qualified expenses, such as doctor co-pays, prescriptions, daycare or even mass transportation and parking. If you haven’t enrolled in this benefit, you should strongly consider it. If you contribute to your FSA, you may want to increase or decrease your contribution depending on your needs.
5. Talk to the H.R. rep about your benefit options during open enrollment. In addition, review your options with your spouse. Some benefit packages are better than others are, so you may want to consider being added to your spouse's plan as a dependent or vice versa.

    For information, visit www.lifehappens.org.

Sales Help
The Principal launched a training program about cross selling and referrals. It includes easy-to-use marketing strategies, sales ideas, sales tools, and client materials. For more information, call 866-309-1623.

Brain Fitness Program
Penn Treaty American Corp. is offering policyholders the opportunity to try a computer-based mental exercise program called “the Brain Fitness Program.” Created by Posit Science Corp., it was hailed as one of the medical breakthroughs of the year by CNBC. The program guides users through a series of listen-and-respond exercises designed to improve memory, strengthen communication, and sharpen thinking, with the goal of delaying the onset of dementia-based impairment. For more information, visit www.penntreaty.com, www.PositScience.com, or call 800-514-3961.

Utilization Data
UnitedHealth Group is offering a program that analyzes whether employees consistently take advantage of available resources for their personal healthcare and wellness needs. For more information, call 860-702-5795.

HSA Comparison Tool
To help consumers decide if a health savings account (HSA) is the best choice for them, www.HSAcenter.com introduced a health plan comparison calculator, a potential tax savings estimator, and a future value calculator.

updated 10/3/07
Online H.R. Management Tool
LOMA, a trade association to the insurance and financial services industry, introduced the online version of “LOMASelect – ASSET.” The assessment tool is designed to help select and develop candidates to become first-level leaders within organizations. For more information, visit www.loma.org.

updated 9/26/07
LOMA Courses Online
LOMA’s online course collections cover customer service, life insurance and annuity fundamentals, and critical legal requirements. Forthcoming collections will focus on claim administration, new business processes, management, desktop skills, and collections. For more information, visit www.lomalearn.org.
 
Annuity Suitability Guidance
The National Assn. for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) released a position paper on the suitability of fixed annuities. The goal is to demonstrate the benefits of fixed annuities for people with safe money needs. For more information, visit www.nafa.us/suitability.asp.

Pension Act Guidance
Nationwide Financial Services Inc. is offering guidance on the Pension Protection Act (PPA). Nationwide says that its materials remove the legalese from the PPA and provide sales ideas, which are broken into simple steps. A plan sponsor piece also is available for investment professionals to use with clients. For more information, call 800-626-3112, option 1.

updated 9/19/07
History of Term Life Insurance Premiums
Compulife Software Inc. added a feature to its Website called “History of Term Life Insurance Premiums.” The public can see images of the average month-to-month changes in term life insurance premiums for the past 10 years. The graphs cover 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year level term products for five classes of health. For more information, visit www.term4sale.com/ratehistory.htm
Updated 9/121/07
Presentation Software
SmartDraw.com launched a program that automates the task of creating business graphics for finance and accounting professionals. It includes flowcharts, bar charts, pie charts, graphs, and forms. For more information, visit www.smartdraw.com.

Wellness Coach
Trustmark Group Benefits launched a healthy-lifestyle program. It offers unlimited, personalized coaching for every covered employee, employee health assessments, and a $25 gift card as an incentive for participating. For more information, e-mail consideritdone@trustmarkins.com or call 847-283-2394.

Living Benefits Tool
Jackson National introduced a Web-based Sales and training tool that simplifies the process of selecting living benefits. Registered representatives get instant output after answering a few qualifying questions. The tool also features multimedia presentations, fact sheets, and side-by-side comparisons of Jackson’s optional living benefits. For more information, call 800-565-9044 or visit www.jnl.com.

updated 9/5/07
Lead Generation
ChoicePoint Precision Marketing introduced a lead generation marketing solution that brings together data, analytics, and direct mail services to target the most responsive prospects for long-term care insurance. For more information, visit www.cp-pm.com.

updated 8/22/07
Client Management
BenefitPoint will distribute ClientConnect for benefit brokers and their customers. ClientConnect offers a secure, customizable Website for each client. Staff can access virtually any content the employer would expect including benefit statements, eligibility, and company documents. Employers and employees get information on-demand. For more information, visit www.benefitpoint.com

Rollover Guidance
Scott Brooks, CFP launched an online course at www.rollovercoach.com on how to roll over IRAs. www.rollovercoach.com

updated 8/15/07
Healthcare Cost Analysis Tool
Hewitt Associates introduced the Value-Based Design Model. It allows companies to analyze how compliance and costs will be affected by reducing employee cost sharing for some healthcare services and increasing cost sharing for others. The tool helps employers understand how to make desirable plan design changes without increasing healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.hewitt.com.

Lifetime Income Guidance
MetLife is giving financial professionals tools to help clients who are approaching retirement. It discusses the longevity risks that clients face in retirement, how these risks can affect retirement, and how a variable annuity can help mitigate risks by providing lifetime income. The tools include easy-to-understand educational materials, worksheets for financial professionals and consumers, and brochures, sales ideas and seminars for use with clients.

updated 8/8/07
Prospecting Tool
My Agency Solutions, LLC introduced software called “Agency New Business.” It manages all personal and commercial agency prospects. The software qualifies prospects to ensure that they are a good match with the agency, helps prioritize prospects, and helps agencies devise a marketing strategy. For more information, visit www.myagencysolutions.com .
updated 8/1/07
Employer Tax ID Database
Judy Diamond Associates Inc. is offering a searchable online service on employer identification numbers. These numbers are included on most federal business tax filings. They are rapidly becoming the standard identification tool for compliance purposes, fraud prevention, and customer relationship management.
For more information, visit wwww.einfinder.com.

updated 7/18/07
Long-Term Care Insurance Booklet
MetLife’s Mature Market Institute is offering a free publication to the public titled, “Long-Term Care Insurance: The Essentials.” The 25-page booklet contains information to help consumers sift through the product details. For more information, visit www.maturemarketinstitute.com.
updated 7/11/07
onsumer Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance
The MetLife Mature Market Institute is offering a 25-page booklet to help consumers sift through the details of LTC insurance. The guide covers the need to plan for long-term care, and long-term care insurance coverage, cost, and eligibility.  For a free copy, call 203-221-6580, e-mail: MatureMarketInstitute@metlife.com, or visit   www.maturemarketinstitute.com / under ‘What's New.'
updated 7/3/07
Help with Long-Term Care Discussions
CareOptionsOnLine collaborated with nationally syndicated columnist and eldercare expert, Carol Abaya, to provide ideas of how to discuss long-term care issues with elders. The site includes more than three dozen scripts, question and answer forums, and feature articles. For more information, visit www.navgate.org.

updated 6/27/07
Narcotic Management
CIGNA is offering a narcotic therapy management program. The goals are to reduce over utilization of narcotic analgesics, identify fraud and abuse, and help physicians align appropriate clinical care to help members adhere to the medication programs prescribed by their physicians. For more information, visit www.cigna.com. Spanish Language Resources
Futuro Sólido USA developed bilingual DVDs that address deep-seated misconceptions that prevent some Spanish-speaking immigrants from participating in retirement plans, health plans, and safety programs. For more information, visit www.futurosolidousa.com

Annuity Textbook
LOMA released a new edition of its textbook for AAPA 313: ?Financial Aspects of Annuities.? It is required reading for the course. It describes the process that financial services firms use to develop and design annuity products. It also explains technical design and product management in depth. For more information, visit www.loma.org/AAPA.asp or e-mail education@loma.org.


updated 6/6/07
Actuarial Support
TRICAST Inc introduced AccuCAST. It can be used to evaluate plan design and formulary modifications accurately. The timesaving application will automatically fill in worksheets for filing with CMS. AccuCAST is available to health insurance payors, benefits advisors, and pharmaceutical benefits managers. For more information, visit www.tricast.com .
updated 5/30/07
No More Handwritten Life Apps
With John Hancock's JH Illustrator software system, producers can complete life insurance applications electronically. John Hancock has eliminated all handwriting from the application process except for the producer's signature and the client's signature. The system fills in supplemental forms that need to be included with the application. JH Illustrator also includes an asset allocation option, which generates the appropriate asset allocation for the client's risk tolerance and time horizon. For more information, visit www.johnhancock.com .

updated 4/28/07
Financial Planning and the Web.
Guardian Life is offering ?The Living Balance Sheet.? The online tool provides instant feedback about cash flow, savings, debt, taxes, and the level of insurance that protects people from life's mishaps. It can also monitor and store assets, such as business interests and real estate holdings, airline and hotel reward programs, copies of tax and legal documents, and treasured photos, audio recordings, and videos. To view a Living Balance Sheet demo click here: www.guardianlife.com/special_ promotion/living_balance_sheet.html Updated

updated 3/28/07
Publication on the Uninsured
The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) released "Understanding the Uninsured: And What to Do About Them." The publication looks at who are the uninsured and why they lack coverage. CAHI Director Dr. Merrill Matthews said, "Policymakers often talk as if the uninsured are one homogenous group. They aren't.” Some can't get coverage because of a medical condition, some can’t afford it, and others may be young and healthy and don't want to spend the money. A one-size-fits-all solution for a diverse population almost never works," he added.  The report outlines the various segments that make up the uninsured population, looks at some state actions that make the problem worse, and looks at several solutions. For more information, visit www.cahi.org.

Updated State Mandate Publication
CAHI released the 2007 edition of "Health Insurance Mandates in the States." The study also includes an estimate, provided by a team of health actuaries, of how much each mandate adds to the cost of a health insurance policy. For more information, visit www.cahi.org.

Absence Management
MetLife and Nationwide Better Health agreed to enter into a marketing and services agreement to give employers access to solution for administering and reporting on employee absences. Employers would be able to track planned and unplanned absences due to other causes as well, such as company-sponsored leaves, jury duty, military leaves, and vacation days through one point of administration and one contract with MetLife.
    For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

Retirement Coaching
Those who have completed the Certified in Long-Term Care CLTC designation program can enroll in The College's HS 351 course, Health and Long-Term Care Financing for Seniors at a discounted registration fee of $195. The course, Health and Long-Term Care Financing for Seniors, is part of the curriculum for The American College's CASL Retirement Coaching Program.

updated 10/18/06
Consumer Driven Tutorial
bWell International is offering a consumer-directed healthcare (CDH) educational tool through direct download, CD, or DVD, starting at $149. The nine-minute video tutorial can be used for broker marketing, employer and employee education and communication at open enrollment and other times. It provides an introduction to CDH, the choices necessary to be an informed health consumer, and the risks and benefits of health savings
account (HSA)-based plans. It also explains how HSA-based health plans differ from traditional managed care and how these plans can work to the consumers' advantage. For more information, visit www.bwell-inc.com.

updated 9/27/06)
Agency Automation
OnlineAgencyPro.com allows an insurance agent to create a Website without technical know-how. They can integrate their Website with OnlineAgencyPro.com's quoting management service -- ?QuoteAssist.? For more information, visit www.OnlineAgencyPro.com

Medicare Accreditation
The National Association of Medicare Supplement Advisors is offering materials for a professional designation -- the Medicare Supplement Accredited Advisor (MSAA). The classroom style PowerPoint presentation is available for group or individual study. For more information, call 406-442-4016.

HSA Resource Package
Great-West Healthcare unveiled its HSA resource package. It includes an employee readiness survey and an HSA employer resource guide CD. It is useful to employers of all sizes, but is ideal for smaller employers that have limited time and resources to develop their own education and enrollment campaigns. All employee resources are available in English and Spanish. To get the employee survey and a copy of the HSA resource package CD, e-mail tracey.budz@gwl.com with your contact name and address.

(updated 9/20/06)
Life Insurance Marketing
ING launched of its new print-on-demand services and extranet site, dubbed ING Life PromoCenter. Producers can personalize marketing material with their name and other information. ING offers personalization for a wide selection of products and advanced marketing flyers, brochures, and mailers. Agents can upload professional photos, logos, and get mailing lists with integrated printing and mailing fulfillment. The service also offers free printing and postage. For more information, visit www.ing.com.

updated 9/6/06
LTC Training on the Web
SellingLTC.com is offering a free ?Power Lunch? sales training series to teach producers how to set more appointments and close more long-term care insurance sales. For more information, visit www.SellingLTC.com.

NAILBA Guide for Producers
The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) released ?The Field Underwriting Guide? for life insurance agents, brokerage general agencies, and life carriers. It is designed to be a hands-on resource for producers to use as they work through an application. It is also a long-term reference tool on the important steps in the application process. A customized version of the guide is available to NAILBA members for free. Non-members and insurance carriers can contact NAILBA at 703-383-3081 to learn how to purchase a copy.

NAILBA Offers Coding System
NAILBA released its Communications Standard Coding system, designed to simplify communications among producers, brokerage general agencies (BGA), and carriers. BGAs can easily identify the subject matter of the incoming information and distribute it quickly to the appropriate parties. BGAs are bombarded daily with information bulletins from the carriers. In many offices, these communications go to one person who reviews the incoming messages and forwards them to the appropriate person or departments. Mistakes are made in this often time-consuming process when the information doesn't get to the correct person within the BGA, said NAILBA Chairman, Matthew J. McAvoy. To view the communication standard coding system, visit www.nailba.org.

updated 8/30/06
Client Manager Software
IMNetwork Corp. released a new product for insurance agents and brokerage firms called ?eClientManager.? It provides tools, such as paperless applications, life insurance quoting, task and appointment management, automated follow-ups, and custom reporting tied into a client database system. For more information, visit www.eclientmanager.com.
updated 8/23/06
Retirement Planning CE
The Retirement Income Industry Assn. has unveiled an educational program for advanced retirement income planning. Called ?Delivering Retirement Income Solutions,? the program provides guidance to uncover client needs in order to deliver the right investment and risk management solutions. It is the first in a series of programs that will result in an industry designation, which accredits financial advisors as retirement-income specialists. For more information, visit www.riia-usa.org.

(updated 8/02/06)
LTC Guide for Advisors
The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance published a guide on the relationship between long-term care and financial planning. It provides industry information and a variety of charts to help address some of the planner’s biggest misconceptions. The brochure can be viewed at www.AALTCI.org or ordered by calling the Association at (818) 597-3227.

Security Software
AMS Services is offering “AMS Sagitta 7.0,” an agency management system for larger agencies, bank-owned agencies, and national brokers. It helps protect customers’ data and ensure compliance with privacy regulations. It offers role-based security, tighter control of system access, detailed login tracking, broader password options, and menu access limitations. For more information, visit www.amsservices.com.

(updated 6/14/06)
Life Insurance Marketing CD
Prudential introduced a CD to help financial professionals understand common business exit strategies by focusing on buy-sell arrangements funded with life insurance. For more information, call 973-802-8012 or e-mail janet.gillespie@prudential.com


Online Quoting and Agent Network
Insurance Neighborhood, LLC launched a Website to help California consumers navigate the individual health insurance market.
The site is co founded by Alan Katz, who was a vice president of Blue Cross of California and a president of NAHU. Through www.InsuranceNeighborhood.com, consumers can compare rates and benefits, examine the physician and hospital networks, and apply for individual and family medical coverage from Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, and Health Net. Consumers can also research and select a local agent. Agents who participate in the network have to meet the company's demanding qualification requirements. More than 100 agents throughout California have already signed-up for the Network and the list is expanding quickly. "Professional agents, with knowledge of the market dynamics in a community, are the most effective resource available to consumers seeking to understand their individual health insurance options," said Katz.

Annuity and LTC Marketing
Asset Marketing Systems (AMS) entered into a marketing alliance with American Independent Marketing (AIM) and GoldenCare USA. AIM and GoldenCare USA will handle the administrative duties for Asset Marketing System’s (AMS) growing LTC business. AMS is a fixed annuity marketer and AIM and GolderCare are long-term care marketing organizations. The business venture is designed to give producers a better solution for their long-term care insurance and annuity sales. For more information, contact Asset Marketing Systems at 888-303-8755 or htruong@assetmarketingsystems.net; AIM at 800- 672-7202 or info@AIMforLTC.com, or GoldenCare USA at 800-842-7799 or email info@goldencareusa.com.

(updated 6/7/06)
E&O Coverage
Rockwood introduced Internet-based E&O quoting and binding capabilities through its website (www.rockwoodinsuance.com.) Rockwood’s Internet-based rating capabilities have been expanded to allow individuals to complete all phases of the E&O insurance purchasing procedure in less than 24 hours.

(updated 5/31/06)
Ethics and Compliance Education
LOMA has formed an educational alliance with LRN, a provider of legal, compliance, ethics management, and corporate governance solutions. Online courses from LRN will be offered through LOMALearn Online. Courses will focus on identifying legal and ethical risks, avoiding costly mistakes, conducting business with integrity, and complying with legal and regulatory standards. For more information, visit www.lomalearn.org.

Financial Advisors’ Online Referral Clinic
Financial advisors will get their toughest referral prospecting questions answered during a referral clinic and blog-a-thon sponsored by Horsesmouth, LLC. The event will last through mid-June. For more information, visit www.automatic-referrals.com.

(updated 5/23/06)
Healthcare Enrollment Platform
SHPS updated its eligibility and enrollment system. It provides enrollment capabilities and decision support tools, which allow consumers to take a more active role in managing their healthcare decisions and dollars. For more information, call 502-420-5533 or visit www.shps.com.

Quoting Software
AMS Services introduced software that enables agents to access rates and submit insurance data to multiple carriers through single-entry transactions. For more information, visit www.amsworld.com.

(updated 5/16/06)
MassMutual Offers Podcast to Field Sales Force
MassMutual is using the latest MP3 technology to provide podcasts to its field force. Each week, listeners get content on a wide range of topics, including updates on product information, underwriting policies and procedures, interviews with MassMutual's top sales representatives, and tips for success in markets. For more information, call 413-744-5427 or visit www.massmutual.com

(updated 5/04/06)
Coaching for Financial Advisors
Prospects-to-Profits introduced a coaching service for financial advisors. It provides access to a top producer, innovative direct mail pieces, a ghost written book and newsletters, a software package, and a seminar package. For more information, visit www.prospects-to-profits.com.

(updated 3/03/06)
Sales Software
Efinancial, an online life insurance brokerage firm (www.efinancial.net), launched a new version of its Internet-based life insurance sales software. The Automated Life Insurance Sales System (ALISS) is a 100% online solution that offers insurance agents a faster and more effective method for matching customers to the best policies. ALISS offers an automated application process, medical exam scheduling, updates on the underwriting process, and online quotes from all carrier-quote engines. The system sends agents updates and reminders. For more information, e-mail martyw@efinancial.com or visit www.efinancial.net.

(updated 2/15/06)
Anti-Money Laundering Training
LIMRA International and NAILBA are providing anti-money laundering training required under new U.S. Treasury Dept. rules and the Patriot Act. NAILBA member producers will be able to launch training directly from NAILBA and NAILBA agency Web sites. Under the rules, insurance producers who sell products that accumulate cash value or that have an investment component must be trained to understand and detect money laundering activities. By May 2, insurance carriers must have programs in place that include training and suspicious activity reporting. For more information, call 860-285-7873 or e-mail to tcaraher@limra.com.

Disability Proposal System.
Petersen International Underwriters completed its proposal system for guaranteed issue group excess disability insurance. It will print alternate proposals. For more information, call 800-345-8816 or e-mail PIU@piu.org.

(updated 11/09/05)
Mobile Dictation Service
NAIFA partnered with Copytalk to offer a mobile dictation service to members. The service is available to NAIFA Members for $49.95 per month After meeting with a client or prospect, the agent simply picks up the phone, dials Copytalk, and dictates the details of the meeting. Within a few hours, Copytalk transcribes the dictation and delivers the text to the agent via e-mail or a secure download. For more information, visit www.naifa.org .
(updated 10/07/05)
Customized Marketing for Agents
Symetra Financial is offering a specialized marketing service. The service can tailor marketing materials for prospective clients and distribute mailings on behalf of a local agent. Agents can target prospective clients through four integrated direct mail campaigns a year at about 69 cents per mailing. The program also offers an interactive marketing planning and promotions tool to support sales efforts. For more information, visit www.symetra.com/grow.
(updated 9/21/05)
Master's Degree
The American College recently completed the first residency of its newly reinvigorated Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree with an emphasis in Leadership. The MSM curriculum is tailored to people who want to have more responsibility within organizations, including financial services companies, securities firms, and non-profit organizations. For more information, call 610-526-1450.
(updated 9/02/05)
Workplace Life Insurance Guide
MetLife released a free guide that highlights employee's attitudes about life insurance and their ownership trends. It provides suggestions for increasing employee understanding and appreciation of their workplace life insurance benefits. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

E-Mail Shortcut
DynaSend.com unveiled a service that enables employees, independent agents, or other appropriate groups to create boilerplate e-mail messages. Rather than re-typing a similar response or searching in their sent items folder for an old e-mail to copy and paste, the employee can generate the required message with just a click. For more information, visit www.dynasend.com, e-mail rex@dynasend.com, or call 920 648-5408.

Guide to Health Plan Disputes
The Kaiser Family Foundation and Consumers Union released an updated guide to help consumers resolve disputes with their health plans. Titled, ?A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan, 2005 Update,? it includes information about how consumers can take advantage of their health plans' internal processes to resolve disputes and external review processes as allowed under state laws. For more information, visit www.kff.org.

(updated 8/05)
Senior Advisor Designation. The American College is offering a course for the Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) designation. All five College-level courses are available. The CASL program gives professional financial advisors a broader understanding of the financial issues facing today's seniors. For more information, call 888-263-7265.

Automated Lead System. Norvax introduced ?LeadMiner,? an affordable e-mail autoresponder that can offer complete health insurance quotes to prospective customers automatically. All three LeadMiner versions enable agents to e-mail messages customized with their own information at intervals specified by the agent. For more information, call 312-226-0027, e-mail jdesmarais@norvax.com,
or visit www.norvax.com.

Password Software. Siber Systems Inc. introduced Pass2Go software, which allows users to access their passwords, identities, and banking and credit card information from anywhere. Pass2Go can be used at Internet cafes, libraries, convention halls, airports, universities, or at work -- anywhere people have a computer with USB port. For more information, visit www.pass2go.com.

Insurance Training Designation. The Society of Insurance Trainers & Educators created The Insurance Training Professional (ITP) designation. It requires a minimum of five years training experience and training knowledge as evidenced through study or other course work. To get an application, call (415) 621-2830 or e-mail to ed@insurancetrainers.org.

Consumer Driven Training. MCOL released version 4.0 of consumer driven training kit on CD-ROM. It includes key facts; market research; case studies, and tips on avoiding HSA pitfalls. It is available for $195 for individual sale. Site licenses and group discounts are available. For more information, visit www.mcol.com or call 209-577-4888.

(update 04/05)
Software. Employee Benefits. Vertafore Benefits launched Benefits Workflow. The software helps brokers manage sales, marketing, implementation, policy management, and renewal. It also helps them manage relationships with clients, carriers, employees, and partners as well as all financial and operational aspects of their business. Brokers can track the sales process and online RFPs, automate proposals and renewals, and track commissions. For more information, call (860) 602.2519 or visit www.vertaforebenefits.com.

Advisor Search. The American College created an online search engine to help consumers find financial advisors. Consumers can go to The College's homepage at www.theamericancollege.edu and click on Find a Financial/Insurance Advisor Here!

Online Career Center . The Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA) launched an online Career Center accessible through www.pima-assn.org. It offers job-posting options for PIMA members and non-members who need to fill or find insurance marketing positions. For information, call (817) 569-PIM or visit www.pima-assn.org. Budgeting. The Agency Consulting Group released of ?The Agency Budgeter,? the second in its on-going Agency Management Toolbox. The agent can track monthly and year-to-date budget expenses. Also, the program does an annual forecast for every line of revenue and expense every month. For more information, visit www.agencyconsulting.com or call (800) 779-2430.

Compensation Statements. OnlineBenefits released the Real Value Statement, which gives employers a new way to create and publish Web-based and printed total compensation statements. The Real Value Statement is a personalized document that aggregates cash compensation, benefits contributions, and tax savings for each employee

In addition to pay and benefits contributions, the statement contains a feature that estimates employees' tax savings from employer-sponsored programs such as 401(k) and cafeteria plans. For more information, visit www.onlinebenefits.com.   Privacy Guidance for Agents. The Agents Council for Technology (ACT) has come out with guidance on how independent insurance agents and brokers should safeguard private client information. To download ?Safeguarding Non-Public Personal Information,? visit www.independentagent.com/act and go to the ?Technology Reports? section.

Office Space. Kelsey National Corporation is offering LifeSuites . Agents pay a monthly base rent and enjoy the benefits of having their own agency to include professional office space to meet clients, a receptionist, conference faculties, clerical support, and access to virtually all competitive carriers in the US and abroad at compensation levels usually reserved for only top producers. For more information, contact Steven Branstetter at (310) 390-1000. Insurance Product News, California Broker,Resources.