Author: Jeff Reed

AdminUpdate: New Equitable Advisor Web Portal Now Live

FROM EQUITABLE…

Our life insurance resources website is taking off with a new name — equitableLIFT.com.

LIFT (Life Insurance Financial Tools) provides you with the materials to show your clients how life insurance is a smart addition to their financial plan. The new website name is part of our transition to the Equitable brand.

You may remember this website by its previous names:

While the name has changed, it continues to feature pertinent, downloadable tools and information with no login required.

Find out more about these changes from Equitable…

AdminUpdate: Mutual of Omaha Announces Human API Pilot

FROM MUTUAL OF OMAHA…

Mutual of Omaha is committed to offering you and your clients the tools and resources to make it easy to do business with us. Beginning August 10, 2020, Mutual of Omaha will launch a new pilot with Human API to obtain your clients’ electronic health records as part of our underwriting process. This pilot will include Fully Underwritten Life and Long-Term Care products where ordering of medical records is required.

By partnering with Human API, we can provide your clients a simple and secure way to share their health data with Mutual of Omaha. Client participation is completely optional.

  • Your client will receive an email from Mutual of Omaha inviting them to participate in the Human API process. This email will include instructions on how to transfer their medical records electronically via their personal patient portals.
  • If the client chooses not to participate, they can disregard the email and the traditional underwriting process will continue as normal.
  • Throughout the pilot we will evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Human API electronic health records process alongside our traditional underwriting process.

Important: This pilot program only applies to marketers who do not order their own medical records. Thank you in advance for your collaboration.

A New Look for Mutual of Omaha IUL Illustrations
We have enhanced our fully-underwritten IUL illustrations in design, functionality and speed. These improvements to our Income Advantage IUL and Life Protection Advantage IUL illustrations in WinFlex Web reinforce our commitment to delivering high quality, simple, transparent products to the IUL marketplace.

  • The Look
    • The new illustrations use a cleaner design that complements the Mutual of Omaha brand.
    • The tables have been redesigned to make them easier to read. Plus, by using a combination of landscape and portrait pages, we are now able to fit all of the values you need on each page.
  • The Functionality
    • In addition to providing the NAIC required illustration elements, we have also added more client-friendly information to the beginning of the illustration. The Your Policy Highlights section was designed to help clients quickly understand all of the benefits the policy has to offer.
    • The illustration pdf size has been reduced significantly. This will make it much easier to email and upload your illustration pdf files.
    • Another improvement is the Table of Contents. You can now click on a section and it will take you directly there. No more scrolling to get to where you need to go!
  • The Speed
    • We are unveiling a new technology improvement in WinFlex Web that will make your Income Advantage IUL and Life Protection Advantage IUL illustrations run faster. Although this improvement happens ‘behind the scenes’, you will notice that your IUL illustrations will run significantly faster. Illustration solves that typically took over a minute will now take approximately 20 seconds!

Here is a preview of what the new IUL illustration will look like.

Find out more about these changes from Mutual of Omaha…

ProdMod: Prudential Announces Changes to Index Advantage UL

FROM PRUDENTIAL…

On August 17, 2020, Prudential launched revisions to PruLife Index Advantage UL (Advantage UL).

This updated version of Advantage UL refreshes the product and includes exciting changes. We have:

  • Added a Participating Loan option, letting clients take a loan and still earn indexed interest
  • Added an Advanced Premium Charge that applies to short-duration funding. In doing so, we have removed single-pay restrictions
  • Improved commissionable targets for Type B for ages 65 and under
  • Discontinued the Multiplier Index Account and Plus 20 Bonus

Transition Rules

The following rules apply to any request for New Business, Term Conversion, or OPAI (Option To Purchase Additional Insurance) Conversion.

  • August 17, 2020 (Ready to Sell Date): New Rates for the repriced product are in effect. All applications signed and dated1 on or after August 17, 2020 will receive New Rates (unless Old Rates are requested and permitted).
  • September 13, 2020 (Transition Period End Date): Last day that an application can be signed with a request for Old Rates.
    • If Old Rates are desired for an application dated during the 28-day Transition Period, a written request, along with the appropriate presentation version, must be submitted on or after the state introduction date.
    • Applications dated September 14th and later will receive the New Rates only.
  • States that approve the revised product after August 17, 2020 will have their “Ready to Sell Date” adjusted.

Find out more about these changes from Prudential…

ProdMod: Cap Change Coming to Symetra’s Accumulation IUL

FROM SYMETRA…

Due to the continued historically low interest rate environment, we will be decreasing Symetra Accumulator IUL’s index cap and participation rates.

These changes will be effective September 14, 2020, and will affect all in-force policies and new business, including new premium, transfers (including DCA) and reallocations of matured segments. Please note, this change only applies to our Accumulator IUL product.

Important dates

  • Sept. 9, 2020: The date on which all Accumulator IUL cases must be issued/paid to receive the existing cap and participation rates (including 1035 exchanges).
  • Sept. 14, 2020: Segments created on this date will receive the old cap rates; policies must be in-force and premium and/or transfer instructions received at Symetra no later than this date.
  • The new cap, participation and max illustrated rates will also be available on Symetra Life Illustrator and Winflex.
  • Oct. 14, 2020: Segments created on this date or later will receive the new cap and participation rates.

Please see the formal announcement from Symetra for additional details, including new cap and illustrative rates.

Find out more about these changes from Symetra…

AdminUpdate: AIG Eases COVID-19 Based Underwriting Restrictions

FROM AIG…

As the pandemic continues to impact the way we do business, our medical underwriting team continually monitors COVID-19 data, trends and research, looking for any opportunity to revise our guidelines.

This research has resulted in us being able to modify our guidelines to underwrite certain co-morbidities. This applies to both new submissions and cases that have been paused or postponed.

We have identified some medical conditions where we believe cases may proceed or be reopened under specific circumstances.

Going forward, cases with only one of the allowed co-morbidities noted below may be allowed if the co-morbidity is the only reason the case was, or would be, paused or postponed, and the applicant is under 70 years of age. Eligible co-morbid conditions include:

  • Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular/Cerebrovascular
  • Respiratory/Asthma
  • Malignancies
  • Immunosuppression Medication
  • Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
  • Hypertension

Impact on Previously Paused/Postponed Cases

Our underwriting team is reviewing all cases with co-morbid histories for reconsideration. Cases that meet specific criteria will resume underwriting – APS, MIB, Rx, etc. Requirements will be posted to any case which has been reopened. If you have questions on your cases that have been paused, please contact your Case Relationship Manager. Please note:

  • Not all cases will qualify. Cases will be reviewed individually to evaluate co-morbid conditions and overall risk.
  • Credits will not be used to improve ratings so a case qualifies for coverage. How will I know if my case has been reopened?

If you have a case or cases that meet criteria for reopening, your AIG sales representative or Case Relationship Manager will be in touch with you to contact the writing agent for instructions on how to best proceed.

Please see AIG Field Bulletin 20-074 for full details regarding these changes and complete temporary COVID-18 guidelines.

Find out more about these changes from AIG…

AdminUpdate: eInterview Now Required for PruExpress Worksheet Cases

FROM PRUDENTIAL…

In June of 2019, Prudential introduced an electronic interview (eInterview) questionnaire option for life insurance applicants, as a streamlined digital alternative to the telephone interview. Effective August 17, PruXpress Worksheet applications will connect exclusively to eInterview for fulfillment of Part B of the application.

eInterview Benefits:

  • Efficient: The applicant receives a link to the online interview questionnaire via email almost immediately upon Prudential’s receipt of the PruXpress Worksheet.
  • Convenient: Applicants can complete the eInterview on their own time, 24/7. In addition, they can start the process, save their responses, and come back later to finish. eInterview is compatible with laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
  • Fast: It typically takes an applicant less than 25 minutes to complete the eInterview. However, some applicants may need more or less time, depending on health history and responses. Nearly half of eInterviews are completed within two days of submission, leading to faster decisions and policy placement!
  • Easy: eInterview is intuitive and offers an enhanced client experience. It is easy to navigate, with plenty of onscreen instructions and assistance guiding applicants along the way.

Find out more about these changes from Prudential…

ProdMod: MoneyGuard Max Issue Age Capped at 70 Effective August 11th

FROM LINCOLN FINANCIAL…

Effective August 10, 2020, Lincoln will implement issue age adjustments to the Lincoln MoneyGuard® solutions suite.

All products will have a maximum issue age of 70. Lincoln will allow a two-day transition window to accommodate applications currently in progress. On or after August 11, 2020, no new applications will be accepted for clients ages 71 and up. This change supersedes any guidelines previously published in marketing or reference material.

The current Lincoln MoneyGuard® solutions suite is made up of the following offerings, all of which are impacted by the issue age adjustment noted above:

  • MoneyGuard® III (2020) – 06/15/20
  • MoneyGuard® II (2020) – 06/15/20
  • MoneyGuard® II NY – 06/15/20

Transition Guidelines
Reflected below are the Transition Guidelines that apply to all the Lincoln MoneyGuard® solutions impacted by this issue age adjustment:

  • For clients ages 71 and up to qualify for a MoneyGuard® policy, a projection of values and the completed Part 1 must be signed, dated, and received in-goodorder by Lincoln’s home office by Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
  • This does not impact issued, placed or inforce business.
  • For pending business, this adjustment does not impact applications currently pending. Please note that if a new application is required due to product driven deadlines, licensing or appointment issues, or underwriting rules, the new issue age restrictions will apply.
  • For placed business, normal internal replacement guidelines apply. Rewrites will not be accepted.
  • Ensure that you are appropriately credentialed. Clients of advisors who are not properly credentialed to solicit business when the paperwork is submitted will be subject to issue age availability in effect on the date when the advisor becomes properly credentialed and resubmits the paperwork.
  • Remember that once an application is submitted, the Personal History Interview (PHI) must be completed within 60 days of submission. In addition, the case must be placed within 90 days of the PHI. If these conditions are not met, the case will be closed out. If a case is reopened, a new Part 1 must be submitted, and the case will be subject to the maximum issue age at that time.
  • For MoneyGuard® II NY products only, please see the following reminder:
    • NY Reg 187: Please note that effective February 1, 2020, financial professionals are now required to complete two presale training courses prior to soliciting new business or servicing existing business in New York. Specifically, the trainings include:
      • NY Regulation 187 Best Interests Training; AND
      • Carrier Specific Product Training
    • You will not need to retake these trainings if you have already completed them (this issue age adjustment does not require any additional product training). In accordance with NY Regulation 187, the enhanced documentation and suitability review are still required before policy issue.

Additional Important Updates from the August 10, 2020 Lincoln Leader

  • New First-Year Premium list for VULOne and SVULOne of $500,000
  • Limited time Enhanced Underwriting Program for AssetEdge VUL: Eligible cases to receive a one-class upgrade through December 31, 2020
  • New TermAccel pricing available today, with premium decreases targeting $1MM in coverage at 10-year and 30-year durations
  • New LifeElements Term pricing available today, with premium decreases targeting $1MM and up at ages 30 and up
  • New, more liberal COVID-19 Temporary Underwriting Guidelines, including expanded internal retention and removal of restrictions on ABR’s.
  • New restriction to Standard or better risk classes on all life products for clients age 70 – 79
  • Some foreign travel now able to be considered

Based on the number and detailed nature of these announcements, please see the August 10, 2020 Lincoln Leader for full details.

Find out more about these changes from Lincoln…

AdminUpdate: North American WriteAway Program Maximum Increased to $2MM

FROM NORTH AMERICAN…

Higher face amount now available through WriteAway

We are excited to announce that more cases can now be run through WriteAway, North American’s accelerated underwriting program, as the maximum face amount for ages 18 – 50 is doubling from $1 million to $2 million! The maximum face amount for ages 51 – 60 will remain at $500,000.

WriteAway is an efficient underwriting process that couples an online application with publicly available data to help eliminate a paramedical exam and labs for your healthiest clients. WriteAway uses the same pricing as traditional underwriting with no additional policy fee. Clients eligible for a faster underwriting decision include clients who are age 18–60 who don’t have major medical conditions.

Find out more about the WriteAway platform on the North American website.

Find out more about these changes from North American…

AdminUpdate: Protective Eases Some COVID-19 Related Underwriting Restrictions

FROM PROTECTIVE LIFE…

Protective has simplified the underwriting guidelines it introduced on April 15 in response to the spread of COVID-19. The new guidelines are listed below. These temporary changes apply to fully underwritten life insurance applications and do not apply to applicants who are approved for instant issue of simplified issue life insurance, including single payment whole life or Executive Benefit life products approved on a guaranteed issue basis.

These revised limitations simplify the assessment for all ages. In addition, they now allow for possible coverage on applicants age 60 – 79 with underlying medical conditions by including those conditions within the risk class outlined below. For ages 0 – 59 rated greater than Table 4, we will continue to carefully consider the underlying conditions (including significant obesity).

Age and rating limitations:

  • Age 80+: Postpone
  • Ages 70 – 79: Must be Standard or better
  • Ages 60 – 69: Must be Table 4 or better
  • Ages 0 – 59: Will consider all risks through Table 4

Applicants age 0 – 59 who are rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if there is no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. These medical conditions and treatments include, but are not limited to:

  • Heart disease
  • Significant cancer in the last 10 years
  • Obesity rated higher than Table 4
  • Diabetes
  • Pulmonary disease (COPD, Asthma, etc.
  • Autoimmune or Immunosuppressive Disease
  • Any medication that causes immunosuppression (Biologic, Prednisone/Steroid, Methotrexate, etc.)

These temporary changes apply to all new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements. They do not apply to issued or approved cases that are awaiting policy issue requirements, including a Statement of Health.

Applications that were postponed due to our prior temporary underwriting limitations that may now be eligible for consideration within the revised guidelines may be reopened and reviewed as requested. We will not be automatically reopening cases that were previously postponed due to COVID-19 limitations.

Please see the formal announcement from Protective Life for additional details.

Find out more about these changes from Protective Life…