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A successful sale typically has three common elements:  It solves a large problem.  The solution itself is time-limited, meaning that if you don't take action soon, all will be lost.  And it's a story that you can honestly get passionate about because it's so important to the client. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created that exact scenario.  Beginning in 2018 and lasting through 2025, the U.S. has dramatically increased the amount of money/assets that individuals can gift to non-charitable entities without being subject to federal gift taxes.  Any client who had m...

  It's always great catching up with industry technical guru and thought leader, Bobby Samuelson.  Bobby's Life Product Review is the only source for independent, objective and technical life insurance product intelligence and an outstanding resource for all of us in this industry. We asked Bobby if he would like to join Windsor's Marc Schwartz in a conversation about the latest developments in Index Universal Life products, and Bobby graciously accepted. Marc Schwartz, Windsor Insurance: Bobby, we really appreciate you taking the time to educate us on what's happening in the wo...

  Algorithmic and Predictive (aka Accelerated) Underwriting Hits a Speed Bump in New York In January of this year, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued an Insurance Circular Letter on the Use of External Consumer Data and Information Sources in Underwriting for Life Insurance.  According to the DFS, the purpose of the Letter was "to advise insurers authorized to write life insurance in New York of their statutory obligations regarding the use of external data and information sources in underwriting for life insurance." While on the surface this seems like a rath...

The popularity of Index Universal Life products has stirred up the creative talents of many professional financial advisors, and nowhere has that creativity been more apparent than in the area of policy loan rescues.  No question this is a significant opportunity to bring value to clients and generate a new sale, but it requires a high degree of expertise to navigate successfully.  This article will review rescue strategies so that you have a better idea of what works and what doesn't.  In addition, the Windsor case design team is fully conversant on the options and approaches t...

  New Section 199A Makes Pass-Through Deductions Available for Small Business Owners and Life Insurance Professionals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued its final regulations describing the rules pertaining to section 199A. For those who are unfamiliar with 199A, the section provides for a new deduction of up to 20 percent of qualified domestic business income for pass through entities such as sole-proprietorships, partnerships, S-corporations, trusts, and estates. AALU provided this summary in its January 30, 2019 WR Newswire: "By way of background refresher on section 19...

Ready for some quick sales ideas that you can take from start to finish before December 31?  Here are some of the best from Windsor and our carriers!   Year-End Tax Deductions!  American National ​As we enter the last two months of the year we are at the very peak of the pension season. Now is the time to contact prospects who couldn't pull the trigger on planning earlier in the year. There is much greater urgency to establish a plan now than back in March when no deadlines were looming. Contact accountants and let them know that you can help them and their client...

Throughout my career I've had the good fortune to be associated with a number of individuals and organizations that move and shake the life insurance underwriting profession. They include many industry thought-leaders – among them are chief underwriters, actuaries, medical directors, reinsurance leaders, insurance lab and exam leaders, data providers and others. They represent a wealth of knowledge and insight about the state of the underwriting profession, always looking towards what's impacting the industry today and what they expect to impact the industry tomorrow.  So what's at the to...

A major life insurer recently shared significant premium results that they've realized in the business planning marketplace over the last couple of years. The average size case represents $18,000 in new premium. And that's $18,000 of traditional individual life premium - not COLI or spread compensation type products. If that number and the resulting revenue grabs your attention, then you'll want to invest some of your time to realize this kind of ROI - because the results are real, business owners are buying, and advisors are successfully using permanent life insurance to alleviate a host of w...

Introducing Caitlin Peterson -  Earlier this year, Windsor participated in the Life Happens "Life Lessons Scholarship Program" for young people whose lives were dramatically changed by the death of a parent. The participants were asked to tell their stories and, as you would expect, all of their experiences were tragic and powerful.   Windsor selected Caitlin's story as the most compelling, and as a result Caitlin was awarded a scholarship for her ongoing education.    We recommend that you take a few minutes to read Caitlin's inspirational story here. ​ September is L...

Historically, there have been very few underwriting niches that truly provided expansive new sales opportunities. Life insurance companies have sometimes, often accidentally, discovered market segments that were being assessed based on outdated actuarial data or medical information, and tried to target those segments with more aggressive underwriting offers. But mostly, when I have come across various intriguing niches over the years, many are too narrow in scope and not all that significant in terms of the potential market size.   But recently, I discovered what I think is an exception. ...