Welcome to e-newsLink
the onLine home of LIFE&Health Advisor and i-web brokerAccess
Access, Exposure & Market Visibility for financial services, investment and retirement income planning.
Providing income to retiring boomers
by Elvin Turner, JD, MBA & Larry Cohen
Boomers face major challenges with retirement. The pensions that sustained their parents are fast disappearing or uncertain. Health care costs are rising and will continue to rise. The challenge for advisors is: What products or services should they recommend that will enable Boomers to meet their income needs during retirement.
Overcoming 'financial inertia'
Consumers are more cautious about their spending
by Anthony Vossenberg
The business of selling life insurance has never been easy. But today's environment may be the most challenging era ever for producers. In the second quarter of 2011, individual insurance premium and policy count rose just 1 percent over the same period in 2010. Meanwhile, new annualized premium for term life insurance dropped 5 percent.
Confidence for Life
Helping Americans create guaranteed income
by E. Thomas Foster
Americans have always been a confident bunch. Through economic depression, world wars, constitutional crises and other calamities, we have always persevered and looked boldly to the future. The last decade has taken its toll, however. Two bear markets, a humbling recession and stubborn joblessness have punched us right in the gut, taking the wind out of our confidence about the future, especially as it relates to retirement..
The new direction of income planning
Guarantees are in; Speculation is out
by Douglas Dubitsky
There's no mistaking the sobering change that has swept through the retirement savings marketplace since 2008. A bull-market fixation for investment growth is gone. A focus on accumulation of assets has changed, stressing continuity and dependability. Blame it on the aging of America or call it collective pragmatism, the fact is the industry's new focal point is distribution, namely, how we can ensure clients receive steady income over the course of their retirements. Guarantees are in, speculation is out. Today, retirees want income protection, not rates of return.
Making the case for Index GUL
When buying life insurance, some clients want it all
by Tim Heslin
When considering life insurance, some clients want it all: security, flexibility and the opportunity to accumulate cash value. Let's take a look at each of these needs in the context of the current economic climate and the anticipated outlook for 2012.
Watching tax law being made
One man's entitlement is another man's necessity
by Herb Daroff, JD, CFP
It has been said that watching tax law being made is like watching sausage being made. Both will make you sick to your stomach.
- What changes will be made during 2012 (an election year)?
- What will we have to look forward to if Congress gets real about offsetting the $15B (likely, much higher) deficit?
What life brokers can expect in 2012
A new years should bring more than just a new start for old habits
by Ken Shapiro
Whoever said, 'Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits,' may have got it right. While beginning a new year may be little more than a faint line in the sand, it can be useful for adjusting old business habits and assumptions. While most future gazing is only slightly less successful than trying to understand teenage behavior, here are four significant signposts that deserve life insurance brokers' attention in 2012.
Your Image: A game of influence
Understanding executive presence and being covertly sexy
by Sandy Dumont
There are three centers of influence in the U.S. The first is New York, home of the powerful financial center, Wall Street and international banks. Second: Washington, the political center of influence. The third great center of influence is Hollywood, whose influence reaches far beyond the big screen. Rock stars and some celebrity athletes and fashion models are included in this category of powerful influencers.
Ann Mackby Carolyn S. Ellis, features editor.
JWT recently released its annual report, 10 Trends for 2012, highlighting trends that will drive or significantly impact consumer mind-set and behavior. JWT, formerly J. Walter Thompson, is one of the world's largest marketing communications agencies. With 200 offices in 90 countries, JWT employs nearly 10,000 marketing professionals. We spoke with Ann Mack about the trends financial professionals should watch.
Recently:
December 2011
-
The changing face of wealth management
by Bruce Harrington -
Decoding economic turmoil
by Van Mueller, LUTCF -
On the road with Econo-Me
by John Schlifske -
Advisor exit-strategy
by Stephen Hassett -
Exit Strategy: Part II
by Timothy C. McFarland -
Consumers wary of fixed annuity performance
by Kenneth L. Brown -
Enrollment's new normal
by Elana Wu - In Profile Travis Bradberry