National Underwriter Life & Health Magazine January 04, 2010
Cover Story
Industry Facing Crush Of Issues
The life and health insurance industry will be dealing with an extraordinary number of regulatory, legislative and tax issues as 2010 begins.
Focus
-
Downturn, Health Reform Set Stage For Worksite Growth
People have less discretionary money but are still concerned about their families' financial security, and in that may lie continued growth for the voluntary worksite benefits business, experts say.
-
Converting To A Roth IRA: A Big Opportunity In 2010
Beginning this year, the opportunity to convert individual retirement accounts and other retirement accounts into a tax-free Roth IRA will be greatly expanded.
-
VUL Could Be Coming Back
Over the last decade, variable universal life insurance sales have struggled. As a new decade dawns, VUL may be ready for a comeback. Why? Because two things have changed--the market and the product.
-
The Case For Individual CI: Strong
Approximately 90% of all critical illness insurance sales in the United States come from either the worksite or group sales channels.
-
As the Dust of 2009 Settles, Advisors See Advanced Sales Opportunities
As the U.S. economy recovers ever so slowly from a near-catastrophic contraction, 2010 is not likely to be a banner year for life insurance professionals.
-
Products This Year May Come With A Hint Of Innovation
Life insurance and annuity products in 2010 will be much as they were in 2009 but with a hint of innovation.
-
Annuities Face Uncertain Future If Rule 151A Goes Through
It is ironic that an insurance product valued for its certainty faces a very uncertain future.
-
LTC Insurance Sales: Optimism Is Hard To Find
Hopes for growth for long term care insurance have taken a sober turn, as many professionals in the industry are beginning to face up to obvious weaknesses after several years of declining sales.
-
Index UL Facing A Big Year
The new year is going to be big for index universal life. Since the decline in the equities markets at the close of 2008, sales of indexed insurance products have been on the rise.
News
-
Industry Keeps Pushing Its Priorities As Meshing Of Health Bills Starts
The first priority of the industry in 2010 will be prevailing on Congress to enact final health care reform legislation that makes health insurance more affordable than current versions of the legislation.
Opinion
-
Just One Word
In an age where millions of people get off on conveying their thoughts in 140 characters (not words) or less, the art of crafting a one-word description of anything seems like the next logical step.
-
10 Product Woes To Laugh About--Later
When things go wrong, some wag usually says, "We'll laugh about it later." Well, here are 10 insurance product woes for the wags to chew on, plus some thoughts on how the woes might turn around.
-
The Importance Of Salesmanship
Industry research indicates that life insurance, along with other financial products, is feeling the pinch of the current recession.
