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Resources
updated 2/24/10
Modeling Tool for Wellness ROI
The Vitality Group developed a tool that enables employers to forecast worker engagement in the company’s incentive-based wellness program. Employers can estimate the program’s effect on cost savings and productivity and determine the return-on-investment. For more information, visit www.thevitalitygroup.com
New On-Line Producer Zone
Petersen International Underwriters has added a Producer Zone tab to its website, www.piu.org. This secure zone will allow producers to check the status of their new business, billings, paid-to-dates, in-force policy details, cancelled/lapsed policy details, and commissions or proposals any time by simply logging on to the PIU website at and typing in their user name and password. Petersen will still offer customer service by phone or e-mail.
updated 2/17/2010
New Business Development Program
The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is launching a new business development program to help financial advisors serve businesses that sponsor retirement plans. The program helps identify businesses that may need help improving their retirement savings plans. The program helps financial advisors craft strategies that best meet the needs of retirement plan sponsors and their participants. For more information, visit www.thehartford.com.
Agent Learning Centers
Liberty Mutual Agency Markets introduced comprehensive online Agent Learning Centers for agents appointed with its commercial lines regional companies. The Agent Learning Centers are one-stop training and development resources for agency partners to grow their businesses. Appointed agents can register for classroom workshops and participate in virtual or self-paced online programs. They can access professional development courses, many of which qualify for continuing education credits. Courses cover general insurance topics, sales, product, and office productivity, consultative selling skills, and agency management. An Agency Manager Toolkit is available to help agency owners or principals in hiring and developing new producers. For more information, contact Mr. Ed Kula, director, Distribution and Product Training, Agency Markets Learning Services at 206-473-4042 or e-mail edward.kula@libertymutual.com
updated 2/11/10
Free Seminars on Benefits and Workplace Issues
Unum is teaming up with the Disability Management Employer Coalition to offer a series of online educational forums on workplace topics:
• March 9: Clinical and employer-based strategies for managing chronic pain.
• May 11: The 2010 FMLA regulation changes, new case law decisions, administrative issues, and how leave management programs affect the workforce.
• June 15: Voluntary benefits, benefit communication and enrollment strategies.
The sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. The one-hour presentations will be followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session. Participation is free and registration opens six weeks before the event. To register, visit www.dmec.org and select Virtual Education Forums under the Education Events tab.
Mature Market Website
MetLife Mature Market Institute enhanced its website, (www.MatureMarketInstitute.com). It’s now easier to access research, information, and consumer publications. The site also features a new index of resources on Baby Boomers, caregiving, advocacy, health, housing, long-term care, finances, family and work.
Student Fees Waived
The American College is waiving its new student fee of $130 for anyone who registers for their first course by February 26. The new student fee waiver can be applied to any of the following designation programs:
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
• Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)
• CFP Certification Curriculum (CFP)
• Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF)
• Financial Services Specialist (FSS)
• Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC)
• Registered Health Underwriter® (RHU)
• Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL)
• Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP)
• Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF)
For more information, e-mail at ProfessionalEducation@TheAmericanCollege.edu, call 888-263-7265 or visit TheAmericanCollege.edu/Gold.
Tools Help with Form 5500 Reporting Rules
Many employers that sponsor retirement plans are struggling to comply with new Dept. of Labor regulations. They are now required to file their annual Form 5500 report electronically and provide more information than ever before. The new regulations can be overwhelming, especially those with 403(b) plans that have to fulfill so many new requirements. The Principal Financial Group has developed online tools that can help streamline the plan sponsor’s data collection and investment expense disclosure. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress 2010
The 3rd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will be held September 22 to 24th in Los Angeles. Register early to save on registration fees. For more information, visit MedicalTourismCongress.com.
updated 1/27/10
Online Financial Planning Materials
New York Life launched www.GuaranteesMatter.com, a site that offers consumers educational and planning materials to help them navigate the changing financial landscape.updated 1/6/2010
Employee Benefits for the Public Sector
Sun Life Financial Inc. enhanced its employee benefit products for the public sector. Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) and long term disability (LTD) plans offer more optional riders, such as a line of duty AD&D Benefit, a critical burn rider, and health coverage continuance not limited to COBRA. For more information, visit www.sunlife.com/us.
updated 12/23/09
Small Business Benefits Suite
Lincoln Financial is offering a suite of small business group benefits aimed at the two- to nine-life market. It includes life, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, and dental. For more information, visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.Free Reverse Mortgage Guide
The MetLife Mature Market Institute released a free guide, “The Essentials: Reverse Mortgages.” It’s designed to help consumers make informed decisions about using home equity to help fund retirement. For more information, visit www.maturemarketinstitute.com.Guide to Healthcare Choices
URAC, the nation's leading healthcare accreditation and education organization, is offering written materials to help consumers make more informed health plan decisions. For example, it covers when to select an HMO versus a PPO versus a CDHP. For more information, visit www.urac.org/consumers.updated 12/16/09
Medical Travel Quality Certification
Medical Travel Quality Alliance announces that it is the first program to train and certify international patient care managers and medical travel providers worldwide. All medical tourists who want treatment in another country now can plan, arrange, and complete medical travel with a Certified International Patient Advisor (CIPA) and map out the best road to safer, top quality care, great doctors, and great hospitals, says Julie Munro, MTQUA's founder and a leading medical travel facilitator. For more information, visit http://www.mtqua.org
updated 11/18/09
Free Marketing Webinar Tomorrow
InsuranceLeads.com will present a free webinar on November
19th on insurance marketing for insurance agents. For more information, visit www.insurancejournal.com/webcasts/register.php?w=62.
updated 11/11/09
Guide to the Effects of Health Reform
Hewitt Associates is offering its “Health Reform Impact Model,” a customized assessment that helps companies understand how health reform will affect their healthcare programs and strategies. For more information, visit www.hewitt.com.
updated 11/04/09
Critical Illness Insurance Sales Boot Camps
The Critical Illness Insurance Sales Boot Camps will be held in Anaheim on May 18, in Dallas on May 11, and in Houston on May 12, 2010. The first 100 registrants get four hours of CE. All attendees become members of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance and have one-year free access to the online Learning, Marketing & Sales Center. For more information, visit www.criticalillnessinsuranceinfo.org.
updated 10/28/09
HSA Video
OptumHealth Inc., a UnitedHealth Group company, has produced a short video that explains how health savings accounts (HSAs) can help people save and pay for health care needs tax-free. For more information, visit www.optumhealthbank.com.
updated 10/21/09
Enrollment Tool
ING Employee Benefits enhanced its proprietary enrollment software, ING Enroll. The changes include a tailored quick quote function, additional automated forms, and enhanced reporting and re-enrollment capabilities. For more information, visit www.ing.com.
updated 10/14/09
LTC Marketing
SellingLTC.com, LLC, released a marketing kit to help insurance producers analyze the effectiveness of their marketing plan in order to develop a productive, more consistent approach.
updated 9/30/09
HSA Market Report Webinar
Canopy Financial is holding an HSA Webinar Wednesday, October 7 at 10:00 AM PT or 1:00 PM EST. The company has collected data on actual HSA usage, including transactions, investments, customer service, and market leaders and laggards. For more information, visit: www.canopyfi.com.updated 9/23/09
Webcast Series on the Business Implications of Health Reform
PricewaterhouseCoopers' announced a five-part webcast series that will explore the business implications of health reform beginning September 25 and concluding November 20. The Webcasts are free; registration and more information are available at www.meetpwc.com/healthreform.updated 9/16/09
Voluntary Critical Illness Plan
Colonial Life introduced a voluntary critical illness plan. The following are covered illnesses:
• Cancer
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Stroke
• Major organ failure
• End stage renal (kidney) failure
• Permanent paralysis caused by a covered accident
• Coma
• Blindness
• Occupational infectious HIV/ Hepatitis B, C or D
• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
• Carcinoma in situ
The plan features the following:
• Subsequent diagnosis optional benefit pays more than once for certain illnesses.
• Face amounts up to $100,000.
• $50 wellness (health screening) benefit.
• Dependent child coverage.
• Health-savings-account compliant option for employees and spouses up to age 70.For more information, call 803-798-7000 or visit www.ColonialLife.com.
Free Resources on the Mental Health Parity Law
The American Psychological Association released free information to help consumers and employers understand a new law requiring insurance companies to cover mental and physical health equally. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity passed last year and goes into effect on January 1, 2010. The law is designed to improve access to mental health treatment. Guides for consumers and employees are available at these links: www.phwa.org.Consumers and www.apahelpcenter.org.
updated 9/2/09
Online Healthcare Forum
The general agency, BenefitMall, launched www.HealthcareExchange.com to allow industry experts to weigh in on topics affecting the healthcare market. It was established to be a place where brokers, consumers, and healthcare providers can exchange thoughts and ideas about the challenges of the healthcare market.
updated 8/26/09
Enrollment
Guardian Life now offers online self-enrollment as part of its suite of Web self-service capabilities (Guardian Anytime). The company also offers enrollment kits that can be personalized for each employee. For more information, visit www.GuardianLife.com.
Financial Planning Designation Website
FinancialPlanningCertificationCenter.com offers unbiased and interactive information for financial planners to evaluate their educational options.
Website Forum for Experts in the Healthcare Market
BenefitMall launched HealthcareExchange.com. The website allows industry experts to weigh in on topics affecting the healthcare market. Brokers, consumers, and healthcare providers can exchange thoughts about healthcare challenges. The site also covers the latest activities in healthcare reform.
Annuity Website
Prudential’s new website, www.retirementredzone.com/protect, features an educational video, simple navigation, and consumer-friendly language about the company's “Highest Daily Lifetime(6) Plus” optional living benefit.Benefits Benchmarking Tool
MetLife is offering a Web-based benefits benchmarking tool. Through customized queries, the tool now allows for comparing benefit offerings, objectives, strategies, and preferences. It includes more than 80 dimensions, such as industry, company size, region, and many employee demographics. The complimentary tool is available at whymetlife.com/benefitsbenchmark. By using the Benefits Benchmarking Tool, brokers and employers will see that benefits considered most important by employees may vary among many demographics.
updated 8/19/09
Website to Help Advisors understand the Client's Financial Decisions
The New York Life Center for Retirement Income at The American College unveiled a website designed to help financial service professionals understand the complex retirement decisions facing consumers. For more information, visit www.TheAmericanCollege.edu.
updated 8/12/09
Financial Designation
The American College has added a capstone case study course that incorporates complicated aspects of savings, estate planning, taxation, and business planning to ensure that those providing financial advice can apply the insights that have emerged in recent years. For more information, visit www.TheAmericanCollege.edu.updated 8/05/09
Health Expense Tracker
UnitedHealthcare is offering the Quicken Health Expense Tracker to nearly 700,000 commercial health plan enrollees nationwide. It helps consumers organize and understand their healthcare financial information in a simple way. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthcare.com.Planning for Special Needs Children
Securian Financial Group is offering a guide that helps families start the financial planning process for special needs children. For more information, visit www.securian.com.Life Insurance Education Tool
ING unveiled an interactive online tool that helps consumers decide on the type of life insurance and the amount. For more information, visit www.ingforlife.com.
updated 7/29/09
LTC Insurance Webinar
SellingLTC.com, LLC is offering a seminar titled, “Overcoming Third-Party Advice.” It will be held August 5, 2009 at 1:00 pm EDT. To register, visit www.SellingLTC.com.updated 7/22/09
Insurance Agency Directory
With the New http://www.InsuranceAgencyLinkDirectory.com, brokers can add a free listing with a direct link to their insurance Website.Professional in Disability Management Curriculum
The Insurance Educational Association introduced a completely revised Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) curriculum. The curriculum is designed for working professionals. The coursework and exams are equivalent to first and second year college courses. For more information, visit www.ieatraining.com,www.dmec.org.
Client Reports
United Concordia Dental unveiled an online tool called “eReporting,” which provides producers with the most commonly requested client-specific reports. The online tool provides access to client-specific information on claims, premiums, benefit utilization, network savings and more. The reports are available for fee-for-service, administrative services only, and dental HMO accounts with at least 200 enrolled employees. For more information, visit www.unitedconcordia.com, log in under the Producers tab, and select the eReporting link on the left side of the screen.
updated 7/15/09
Guide to A.M. Best Ratings
Subscribers to the Property/Casualty and Life/Health editions of A.M. Best's Key Rating Guide can now download and install the 2009 product and get early access to financial data and Best's Credit Ratings. For more information, visit www.ambest.com/sales/krg.Health Care Advocacy
All Assurant Health permanent policyholders now have access to healthcare advocacy services from Patient Care at no additional cost. These services help them navigate through the healthcare system and become better health care consumers. For more information, visit www.patientcare4u.com.
Luxury as a Voluntary Benefit
Agents and Brokers are invited to learn about a voluntary employee benefit program that offers “Luxury Made Easy” with name brand furniture, appliances, electronics, computers and much more through payroll deduction or cash discounts. It will be held Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM EDT
To register, visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/729777297updated 6/17/09
Annuity Training Guide
Principal Financial Group is offering a guide to help financial professionals understand how to offer income annuities as part of a retirement income strategy.
The guide goes beyond basic income annuity education. By showing how income annuities can work with other products, the guide helps financial professionals offer their clients tailored retirement income strategies. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
updated 6/10/09
Connecting with Clients Online
LiveChime Inc. teamed up with The Word & Brown Companies to provide instant Web chat. Word & Brown agents can place a LiveChime instant Web chat link in their online ads and e-mail marketing campaigns. LiveChime offers unlimited chat, personalized, anonymous and custom chat links, email and SMS notifications (text) and mobile chat. LiveChime Pro also provides chat/lead history, link management and co-branding. The service is available for $7.99 per month or $79.90 per year.LTC Agent Website
Senior Market Sales Launched www.ltcforagents.com, an online training center. The site features, Webinars, presentations, articles, online quoting, and carrier-approved marketing materials.Estate Planning Analysis
Guardian Life introduced professional estate planning analysis on The Living Balance Sheet (LBS). The Estate Planning Module provides a full suite of tools that enable Guardian's financial representatives to customize estate-planning strategies for their clients using simulation models that account for inflation, taxes and life expectancy. For more information, visit: www.GuardianLife.com.Free Marketing Seminars
The Principal Women in Business Teleclass Series features Carolyn Sawyer, Founder and Chief Creative Strategist of the Tom Sawyer Company. The live teleclass will be held June 30 at 12 p.m. (CT). The program is titled, “Marketing Your Business: Five Strategies to Position Your Company in a Challenging Market.” For more information, visit www.principal.com/women.updated 6/3/09
Free Book on Controlling Benefit Costs
A new book provides strategies to help employers control costs and maximize their benefit dollars. “The Benefits Edge: Honing the Competitive Value of Employee Benefits,” is by Dr. Ronald Leopold, vice president of MetLife Institutional Business. Based on extensive research, The Benefits Edge introduces a benefits framework that provides a systematic view to making more effective benefit decisions. For more information, visit http://whymetlife.com/benefitsedge.Help with Financial Plan Administration
With Transamerica's Plan Administration Service Support, plan sponsors can delegate day-to-day plan administration responsibilities to Transamerica including plan maintenance and mailings, loans, distributions, and eligibility-related tasks. For more information, visit www.TA-Retirement.com.updated 5/27/09
Mental Health Parity Guidance
Milliman's most recent white paper addresses what health plans need to know about parity. To request a copy, "Preparing for Parity: Investing in Mental Health,” call Steve Melek at 303-299-9400 or e-mail at steve.melek@milliman.com.updated 5/20/09
Health Insurance Sales and Service Automation
The TriZetto Group Inc. and HealthConnect Systems Inc. teamed up to offer a complete end-to-end solution for sales and service processes, including prospecting, rating and quoting, underwriting, enrollment, billing, membership and customer service. For more information, visit www.healthconnectsystems.com.updated 5/13/09
Life Settlement Webinar Tomorrow
The International Society of Life Settlement Professionals (ISLSP) will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m. ET to introduce investors to the industry's first risk assessment methodology. UK Integrity Group Ltd. designed the risk assessment methodology. "This is crucial, time-sensitive information for life settlement investors. There are potential risks and traps in life settlement investments. Our webinar will educate the investors and help them truly understand how IRS rules 13 and 14 will affect their investments, and will outline professional risk assessment," said George Polzer, Executive Director of ISLSP.
updated 5/06/09
Agent-Guided Phone Enrollment
Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company (SLAICO) is offering phone enrollment for life insurance sales. The agent introduces the client to a SLAICO in-house customer service specialist over the phone. The specialist collects information and the application is completed in minutes and off to an underwriter for review. For more information, visit www.slaico.com.
Webinar on Benefits, P&C, and Executive Liability
Equity Risk Partners is offering an update on the state of the insurance market on Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m PST or 4:00 p.m. EST. For more information, visit www.equityrisk.comupdated 4/16/09
Client Support Tools
The website, www.SecurianRetirementCenter.com has been designed to help advisors support clients during uncertain times. A plan snapshot shows participation and contribution rates, plan cash flow, investment data, and retirement industry and regulatory updates. Advisors can download the information, personalize the reports for clients, and add their own contact information on the cover.
Life Insurance Illustration Software
John Hancock is offering software modules on wealth transfer planning, the use of the “§6166 election” and life insurance, and one-way buy-sell. The company added new features to its Buy-Sell Planning suite to illustrate the transfer of ownership from one business owner to a key employee. For more information, call 888-266-7498, Option 3 or visit www.johnhancock.com.
updated 4/1/09
Seminar on Going Independent
InvestmentNews, the weekly news source for financial advisers, is offering a one-day workshop in San Francisco on May 1 on: “What You Need to Know About Going Independent.” For more information, visit www.investmentnews.com/going_independent.
updated 3/25/09
Insurance Social Media Site
On December 1, 2008, the first Social Media site dedicated to the insurance industry began accepting new members. As of March 20, there are 1,000 members to Insurance Campus.org. Members create their own profiles, groups, posts, blogs, photos, videos, and more.updated 3/18/09
2009 Long-Term Care Insurance Sourcebook
The new Long-Term Care Insurance Sourcebook is a compendium of current research about long-term care. The annual publication from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (www.AALTCI.org) includes proprietary research conducted by the organization and highlights of significant studies conducted during the past year. Highlights include annual cost of care studies for homecare and assisted living and nursing home care in major markets. Additional studies report the age of buyers of long-term care insurance and details about claimants. For information, call 818-597-3227.Instant Access to Payroll Info.
Perquest Inc. is offering a service that allows workers to access their payroll information from any computer with Internet access. They can get immediate answers to some of the most frequently asked payroll questions, such as pay history, tax status, direct deposit, accrued time-off expense reimbursements, and more. For more information, visit www.Perquest.com.
Mental Health Parity
Health Integrated is offering a service to help the nation's health plans comply with the Federal Mental Health Parity (MHP) and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which takes effect in October 2009. Health Integrated will help health plan customers quickly interpret the pending federal MHP laws that affect them and recommend changes needed to achieve compliance. For more information, visit www.healthintegrated.com.Help With COBRA Enrollment
Vangent Inc. is providing enrollment solutions, such as interconnected contact centers, on-demand and high volume printing and fulfillment capabilities, and an intimate understanding of the new COBRA guidelines. For more information, visit www.vangent.com.
TPA Alliance Business Model
MassMutual's Retirement Services Division is kicking off an enhanced model for its TPA Alliance business. It includes the following:
- Managers to help intermediaries and TPAs with business development efforts.
- A new regional service team including new relationship managers and account managers.
- Additional participant enrollment and education resources.
- A new registered mutual fund product for the TPA market designed to help TPAs and intermediaries take advantage of opportunities in the 403(b) market.
For more information, visit wwwrs.massmutual.com/retire/pdffolder/rs16611.pdf
401(k) Retirement Plan Data Portal
The new website, www.fiduciarybenchmarks.com, allows advisors to enter plan data and receive benchmarking reports on fees, plan design, and participant success measures. For more information, visit www.fiduciarybenchmarks.com.Tracking Healthcare Utilization and Cost Trends
Benefit Informatics is offering a single data analysis and reporting application to look at benefit utilization and cost trends. Results are produced in one finished document that can be printed, saved as a PDF, or stored in an online secure format for others to access. For more information, call 888-802-4636 or visit www.benefitinformatics.com.
updated 3/11/09
Beneficiary Resource Center
AXA Equitable Life launched an online beneficiary resource center. It offers the forms, tools, and guidance for beneficiaries and financial professionals to file a life insurance or annuity claim quickly and easily. The site provides checklists and contacts for beneficiaries. For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com/beneficiary.
Agency Management Institute
The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) is offering its Agency Management Institute (AMI), which is designed to provide educational programming to agency staff of all levels. It will be held in Lombard, Illinois, May 28 to 29, 2009. The conference, tailored to the independent brokerage industry, offers tools to manage caseloads, tips on working more efficiently, information on the latest underwriting trends, and opportunities to network with peers at brokerage agencies across the country. The AMI will offer product presentations followed by round-table "speed-dating" where attendees will have the opportunity to meet with company representatives to discuss products and services. For more information, visit
www.nailba.org/content/meetingsandconferences/agencymgmtinstitute.cfm
updated 3/04/09
Common Census Updates Common Benefits Administrator (CBA)
Common Census has updated Common Benefits Administrator (CBA). The online software is for benefit counselors, HR administrators, and producers to enroll and manage any core or worksite insurance program in addition to providing other online HR services. New features include expanded reports, improved payroll data exchange, summary payroll deduction file, and enhanced process for managing life events. For more information, visit www.commoncensus.org.
updated 2/25/09
NAIFA Sales System
The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) launched the NAIFA Sales System -- an online sales skills program with coaching support. The four-month program includes 12 online modules and is designed for new as well as experienced agents. For more information, visit www.regonline.com/naifasalessystem.A Preview of 2010 Medicare Part D Costs
Most Medicare Part D plan parameters, such as the initial deductible or out-of-pocket expense, will increase by only 3.13% in 2010, compared to the 7.54% increase in 2009. Medicare-PartD.com released the 2010 PDP-Planner, an easy online tool that illustrates how prescription drug costs change throughout the year and through the different phases of prescription drug coverage.Help With Retirement Plan Enrollment
HSA Guide
MassMutual is committing additional resources to enrollment and education to intermediaries and their plans serviced by MassMutual's network of third-party administrators. A MassMutual retirement education specialist will deliver an initial enrollment meeting for all plans with $1 million or more in assets under management transitioning to MassMutual. TPA plans with more than $5 million in assets under management will get an annual ongoing participant education meeting in addition to the initial enrollment meeting. For more information, e-mail lreilly@massmutual.com or call 413-744-0589.
HSA Insider released the eighth edition of “HSA Road Rules.” The updated reference guide includes 2009 figures for minimum deductibles for qualified high deductible health plans (HDHPs), out-of-pocket expense limits for HDHPs, HSA maximum contribution limits, and eligible long-term care premium amounts (as a qualified medical expense). For more information, call 786-281-7007 or email markh@egoeast.com or visit www.egoeast.com.
updated 2/18/09
FMLA Law Guidance
On March 10, Unum and the Disability Management Employer Coalition will host a free forum to offer practical insights and authoritative information on changes to FMLA regulations. Special attention will be paid to the employer, administrative, compliance and legal implications. Presenters will be Angela Ripper, assistant vice president and senior counsel, Leave Management for Unum; and Helen Applewaite, branch director of the Wage/Hour Division, FMLA Group for the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information, visit dmec.org, click on the “educational events” tab and select “virtual education forum.” Beginning March 1, Unum will offer a new leave management option for employers with 100 to 2,000 employees. For more information, visit www.unum.com.Disability Insurance Book
The Disability Insurance Resource Center published a book on what it takes to understand and sell Disability Insurance, based on Larry Schneider’s 35 years experience of exclusively selling DI. The book includes statistics, explanations of products, how to construct a plan (which configuration works the best), sales presentation, how to overcome objections, closes, how to get the application through underwriting, why there are declines, business applications and tax consequences of DI, and more. For more information, e-mail: info@di-resource-center.com, visit www.di-resource-center.com, or call 800.551.6211 or 505.299.5566.
Agency Management Tool
eBridge Solutions Inc. launched a Web-based agency management tool. Using eAgent and a computer with Internet access, insurance agents can do the following:
- Organize and manage their book of business.
- Scan, store and view documents in customer records.
- Use reports and graphs to track employee performance, commissions, and new business.
- Set important dates and reminder alarms.
- Download information from multiple carriers.
- Access information from any computer with Internet access.
These features come with free technical support and a low monthly maintenance fee. For more information, visit www.ebridge-solutions.com.
updated 2/11/09
New LOMA Course
LOMA introduced an online course targeted to employees who are new to the insurance industry. The new course - Meeting Customer Needs with Insurance and Annuities (LOMA 281) - is part of LOMA's “Need 2 Know” series of learning and development programs. For more information, visit www.loma.org.
Educational Open House Online
The value and benefits of advanced professional education will be the focus of a virtual open house held by The American College on February 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Featuring live presentations by The College’s President and faculty, this one-hour complimentary online event gives participants an insight into The American College’s program.
For more information, visit www.TheAmericanCollege.edu.
Cost of Care Estimator
Beginning this spring, CIGNA is launching the “CIGNA Cost of Care Estimator.” The new technology will inform patients and healthcare professionals of the total cost to be charged for medical services based on the person’s CIGNA health plan. The Estimator’s real-time cost estimates detail portions of the bill to be paid by the CIGNA health plan and by the individual’s sources of liability whether that is out-of-pocket costs due to co-insurance or co-pays or their flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, and health savings accounts. CIGNA reports that, during 15 months of pre-launch market trials, the CIGNA Cost of Care Estimator enhanced the patient experience and improved the likelihood that patients paid their bills. For more information, visit www.cigna.com.
Kit for Working with Affluent Clients in Difficult Times
A new sales kit from Pacific Life explains how life insurance can help stabilize wealth transfer plans. For more information, call 866-722-9555.
updated 2/4/09
Help With Retirement Plan Reporting Requirements
Employers that sponsor retirement plans face rigorous new reporting requirements at the end of this calendar year. To comply, they need to start collecting and saving extensive additional data now for the new Form 5500 and retirement plan financial statement (FAS No. 157) requirements. The Principal Financial Group is offering a white paper and a reference guide. For more information, visit www.principal.com.
updated 1/21/09
2009 Financial Services Fact Book
The Insurance Information Institute is offering the Financial Services Fact Book. It covers trends and statistics shaping the financial services industry, including the banking, securities, insurance and mortgage sectors. For more information, visit www.iii.org.Life & Benefits Book
The National Alliance Research Academy has just published “Life & Benefits Essentials,” for the person who is just entering the life, health, and benefits arenas. For more information, visit www.TheNationalAlliance.com/publications or call 800-633-2165.eBook Helps Senior Care Suppliers
The complimentary eBook, “Reach and Engage Buyers of Senior Care Products and Convert Them to Leads,” is authored by Mark Willaman, founder of Fisher Vista, LLC, and SeniorCareMarketer.com.
updated 12/31/08
Total Compensation Statements
Benefit Software Inc. (www.bsiweb.com) is offering software that helps employers and brokers produce total compensation statements.
updated 12/17/08
Guide to Getting Health Insurance After a Lay off
The “Guide to Family Health Insurance” at www.healthinsurancefinders.com offers tips on getting insurance after a lay off. It also includes state-by-state agent contacts.
updated 12/03/08
Collective Trust Funds
Prudential has made its nine fixed income collective trust funds available to defined contribution plans. Individual plan participants have access to institutional products through their company retirement plans. The funds cover a range of sectors, including enhanced index bonds, core and core plus bonds, inflation protected securities, U.S. corporate bonds, high yield bonds, bank loans, and international bonds and emerging market debt. The trust also offers growth equity, real estate and quantitative equity funds. For more information, visit www.news.prudential.com.updated 11/19/08
Medicare Part D Comparison Tool
Medicare-PartD.com released an online tool to help Medicare beneficiaries see how their 2008 Medicare Part D plan will change in 2009.
updated 11/12/08
403(b) Specimen Plan Document
MetLife Resources is offering a 403(b) specimen plan document that clients can use in meeting the written plan requirement under the final 403(b) regulations that generally must be met by January 1, 2009. For more information, visit www.metlife.com/mlr.Chinese-Language Benefits Website
Aetna introduced a Chinese-language website highlighting the company’s products, services, and provider network. Aetna.com in Chinese also provides general information and tips about health benefits to help members choose benefit plans.
For more information, visit www.Aetna.com/chinese.Debt Education for Clients
Securian is offering several educational pieces. It includes educational materials dealing on decling with debt a presentation for advisors to give to a client. Also, the Financial Toolbox at Securian.com includes a calculator and worksheets to help consumers figure out how fast they can pay off any level of debt.Customized Cards
www.CardsFromBarry.com is offering a service that allows users to create custom cards with their own uploaded photos and logos. Each unique card is printed on recycled paper and sent USPS for about a dollar per card, plus postage. In addition, users can insert signatures. The company’s corporate gift line includes motivational books, gourmet brownies, and gift cards from Amex, Home Depot and Starbucks. These are just a few of the easy-to-send new gifts designed with businesses in mind.BenefitMall Website
www.BenefitMall.com redesigned it website to offer easier navigation, one-click access to the most popular and often used features of benefitmall.com, and enhanced reporting options in the client quoting system.Customized Cards
www.CardsFromBarry.com is offering a service that allows users to create custom cards with their own uploaded photos and logos. Each unique card is printed on recycled paper and sent USPS for about a dollar per card, plus postage. In addition, users can insert signatures. The company’s corporate gift line includes motivational books, gourmet brownies, and gift cards from Amex, Home Depot and Starbucks. These are just a few of the easy-to-send new gifts designed with businesses in mind.BenefitMall Website
www.BenefitMall.com redesigned it website to offer easier navigation, one-click access to the most popular and often used features of benefitmall.com, and enhanced reporting options in the client quoting system.
updated 11/05/08
Insight into Life Insurance Options
On its website, A.M. Best is has multimedia offerings that explain that life insurance policyholders have other options besides letting their policies lapse. The program discusses options, such as cashing the policy in for its surrender value, seeking an accelerated death benefit, exchanging the policy, taking a loan out against the policy, or seeking a life settlement. Upcoming features will discuss what’s new in disability insurance and health and retirement products and will offer tips on homeowners and car insurance. For more information, visit www.ambest.com/consumer.
Optional Federal Charter Website
The Competitive Enterprise Institute launched a website devoted to news and information about an Optional Federal Charter for insurance companies. The site, OfcFaq.org, will be supported by a significant Google advertising budget and will be updated several times a week. Revisions of the website may also feature online debates, interactive Q&A sessions, and other enhancements. For more information, visit www.cei.org.
updated 10/22/08
Hispanic Marketing Guide
Research and Markets has is offering a report on Marketing to Hispanic Moms in the United States. For more information visit: www.researchandmarkets.com/research/385ed1/marketing_to_hispa
Free Long-Term Care Publications
The MetLife Mature Market Institute has a number of new long-term care and caregiving publications for free in advance of Long-Term Care Awareness month in November. The two-page bulletins contain tips and advice for older Americans and for those caring for aging friends and relatives. The six tip sheets can be accessed online and are available in hard copy. For more information, visit www.maturemarketinstitute.com.
updated 10/01/08
Expanded Lending For Agents
Oak Street Funding is purchasing commissions and lending against commissions from insurance carriers. Oak Street is purchasing long-term disability commissions for long-term care, Medicare supplement, whole life, term life, and specified disease policies. After receiving the funds, agencies maintain relationships with clients who don’t need to know that long-term disability commissions have been sold.
For more information, visit www.oakstreetfunding.com or call 866-625-3863.
updated 9/17/08
Benefit Decision Tool
MetLife launched and online tool to help consumers decide which benefits are right for them. For more information, visit www.metlife.com/benefits.
NAIFA and LIMRA Offer Free Seminars
The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and LIMRA are offering NAIFA members free access to a monthly online seminar series. Each 30 to 40 minute video features LIMRA experts. The experts give background information and explain what it means to advisors. They also offer sales tips on how to present material to clients. For more information, visit www.naifa.org/benefits/marketawareness.
Professional Training Series
NAIFA, The American College, the American Institute for CPCU, and AHIP launched a professional training series leading to 19 professional designations. For more information, visit www.naifa.org.
updated 9/10/08
Agency Management
AMS introduced a new version of BenefitPoint, a web-based, management and procurement solution for brokers. The new version features deeper integration, enhanced commission tracking, and customization. It also offers new event-driven workflow capabilities for benefits brokers and consultants. For more information, visit www.amsservices.com.
updated 8/06/08
Enhanced 403(b) Product
MetLife Resources bolstered its suite of solutions for 403(b) plans that are not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). It launched ExpertSelect, which is designed to help employers offer 403(b) plans with a broad range of investment options. For more information, visit www.metlife.com/mlr.
updated 7/30/08
Sales Support
John Hancock introduced the “Advisor of Choice” program. It provides education, customizable tools, and sales support to help advisors conduct comprehensive retirement income reviews and provide additional services. For more information, visit www.manulife.com.
NAILBA Technology Services Guide Available
NAILBA is offering a guide to the technology services that carriers are providing to agents. For more information, visit www.nailba.org.
updated 7/23/08
HR Guidance
Thompson Publishing Group Inc. is offering a book titled, “Human Resources 2008: Answers To The Top 25 HR Questions In 2008.” For more information, visit www.thompson.com/answrwellness.
updated 7/2/08
Dental Cost Estimator
Guardian’s dental plan members have access to online cost estimates on dental procedures. Before getting treatment, members can compare the financial effect of visiting an in-network or an out-of-network dentist. For more information, visit www.GuardianAnytime.com.
Dental Cost Estimator
Guardian’s dental plan members have access to online cost estimates on dental procedures. Before getting treatment, members can compare the financial effect of visiting an in-network or an out-of-network dentist. For more information, visit www.GuardianAnytime.com.
updated 6/18/08
Retirement Planning Website
MassMutual has a new feature on its website, which allows retirement plan participants to enroll in their employers’ 401(k) plan with just two clicks of their mouse. ExpressEnroll makes the process easy by providing pre-set contribution rates and asset allocations that employees can keep if they choose to or later modify. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.Guidance on Target Retirement Dates
MassMutual's Retirement Services Division released a research paper on using target retirement date investments as the default option for retirement plans with automatic enrollment. The paper explores factors retirement plan advisors and sponsors should consider when selecting a qualified default investment alternative. For more information, visit http://www.massmutual.com/behavior.
Designing And Printing Software for Windows
Belltech Systems Inc. introduced software devised exclusively for business printing, which helps users create professional quality printing such as, flyers, letterheads, brochures, labels, newsletters, advertisements, envelopes, postcards etc. with graphics, backgrounds and art-work. A single user license is $54.95 with user support and free upgrades. For more information, visit http://www.belltechsystems.com/software/sbpub.exe
(www.belltechsystems.com.)
Life Settlement CE Credits
Advanced Settlements Inc. teamed up with Success CE to offer continuing educational credits that meet insurance credits in all 50 states. For more information, visit http://advancedsettlements.successce.com.
updated 6/11/08
Policy Tracking
FindYourPolicy.com announced a secure registry and reminder service to connect loved ones with life insurance, safe deposit boxes, and other assets. The service sends members and their designated beneficiaries reminders of the information registered at www.FindYourPolicy.com.
updated 5/28/08
FINRA Rule 2821 Training
www.FINRA2821Training.com is offering courses designed to meet Rule 2821 training requirements. It will also be available as a resource for independent brokers, advisors, and agents.Disability Planning Resource
The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) added an Advisor Information & Resource Center to its Website to help advisors, financial planners, and brokers communicate to their clients the value of planning for disability. For more information, visit www.disabilitycanhappen.org/advisor.
updated 5/14/08
Agent Marketing
Health Plan Administrators Inc. is offering its Agent Resource Center on its website It includes marketing fliers and a video for agents to educate new graduates about the need for short-term health insurance. For more information, visit www.hpainsurance.com or www.ihcgroup.com.
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.org401(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:
- Tools to increase participation and savings in defined contribution plans.
- Automation: three steps to a high performance plan.
- 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
updated 2/06/08
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.
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.