Blog

  Estate planning often conjures images of complex legal documents and difficult family conversations—but one of the most overlooked aspects is the tax landscape that awaits heirs after death. While much attention is paid to the federal estate tax, the reality is that far more individuals are likely to encounter estate or inheritance taxes at the state level. In fact, the federal estate tax applies only to estates exceeding $15 million effective January 1, 2026, affecting a tiny fraction of the population — less than 0.1% of all estates nationwide. By contrast, several states impose their...

A few years ago, we began one of our most popular blogs by writing, "If we had a nickel for every time a carrier suggested we spend more time showing life insurance as a supplemental retirement income strategy, we would have a ton of nickels.  After all, Windsor was created almost 50 years ago by Jerry Schwartz and Hal Brooks when Universal Life and Interest Sensitive Whole Life were first invented.  From that time on, we've been steadily promoting the unique advantages of life insurance.  But we have a stake in the game." The "view from outside the industry" that...

Life underwriting has changed significantly in recent years with the use of Accelerated Underwriting (AU) and other tools, focusing on making life insurance faster and less invasive for applicants while maintaining reliable mortality outcomes. In addition, the life industry is in the early stages of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to further drive changes and enhancements to the underwriting process. To gain insight into current AU trends and the industry's use of AI and other tools, we asked three leading underwriting experts to share their perspectives on what they see happening today and...

  The world of life insurance underwriting is shifting fast, with new challenges emerging on multiple fronts. From artificial intelligence reshaping risk assessment to ever-evolving regulations and complex financial considerations, underwriters must stay ahead of the curve.  In Part Three of our series on the 2025 Pacific Life Underwriting Symposium, we bring together industry experts for three engaging discussions: one exploring the power and pitfalls of accelerated underwriting and AI, another tackling the regulatory hurdles shaping the market, and a third evaluating business and f...

  Life underwriting is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by advancements in medical research, evolving risk assessment strategies, and the growing complexities of chronic illnesses. As insurers navigate this shifting terrain, the need for informed discussions has never been more crucial. In Part Two of our Pacific Life 2025 Symposium Blog, we present a series of insightful sessions featuring industry experts, medical professionals, and underwriting specialists. They offer valuable perspectives on how insurers can balance risk with opportunity in a rapidly changing landscap...

 Once again, Susan Ghalili, Senior Vice President, Underwriting Strategy & Chief Underwriter, and the Pacific Life team put together an excellent slate of topics and panelists for the Pacific Life 2025 Underwriting Symposium. The topics discussed were foremost in the minds of all attendees concerning the current and future state of the life insurance industry, especially as it relates to underwriting. Most platform discussions were in a panel format with panelists from Pacific Life, Distribution, Reinsurance, Medical Directors, and Technology contributing and participating. This is "P...

In recent years, microdosing has become an increasingly discussed topic, posing significant challenges to the underwriting of life insurance applications. While not yet widespread, microdosing is gaining mainstream awareness and warrants the careful attention of agents during the interview and application process. Microdosing involves the ingestion of very small quantities of a psychedelic substance to achieve specific benefits, including improved mood, mental health, creativity, energy, cognition, and awareness. Substances such as LSD, Psilocybin, mescaline, ketamine, and others are consumed ...

You are probably aware that Washington implemented WA Cares, the first mandatory state long-term care (LTC) program, in 2021. As a reminder, it is funded by a payroll tax on Washington workers' gross wages, without a cap on their contribution to the program. The lifetime LTC benefit amount is currently $36,500 and it may be indexed for inflation. Those who purchased a qualified long-term care product prior to November 1, 2021 were able to request a lifetime exemption from WA Cares and its payroll tax. The one-time exemption window is closed and Washington workers can no longer opt out of WA Ca...

A Guest Blog by Laura Brown CPA PFS - Vice President Advanced Sales - Partners Financial As a result of the recent election, some clients may feel that there is no urgency for estate planning. We are going to look at two recent cases brought to the Advanced Sales department. Each client had an estate exceeding $100 million and neither had implemented any gifting or insurance planning. The cost of waiting for each client was significant and can be used to motivate others to take action. Case Study 1 The first is a client who postponed implementing solutions we presented in 2019. The client's es...

Executive compensation and benefits have long been pivotal in attracting and retaining top-tier talent within organizations.  As companies vie for the best leaders, they often employ a variety of incentives to make what they offer more appealing. Among these incentives, life insurance has long been viewed as a significant component, offering tax benefits, flexibility and providing executives with a sense of security for their future and that of their families.  For over 40 years, Windsor Insurance Associates has actively supported agents in the marketing and sale of life insurance po...