Annuities

Why prospect using social media?

Presented by Brian Leising The Problem To get customers in any business you have two choices, be special enough that people talk about you, or buy advertising. In the insurance industry, the most effective way to reach qualified prospects changes every several years. Once it was enough to open an office in the community or make door-to-door sales. Then we started cold calling, blast faxing, sending direct mail, presenting seminars and blast e-mailing. All of these methods were effective once, but as they become obsolete, we started prospecting with the next best thing. Today, all systems of selling are preceded (or precluded) by our online reputation. People know you before they call. Is this a problem for you or an opportunity you are capitalizing on? The Opportunities Social media has changed your world, now you can find customers and they can find you. Due to social media, big companies no longer have the advantage– social media is the great equalizer. Social media is where people (your customers) express their thoughts and feelings. It also allows you to put yourself on the client’s mind. The opportunity in our business is tremendous, only 16% of financial services professionals currently use social media.  It’s time to jump on board or be left behind.
Annuities

Mailbox Money

Presented by David Corwin Living too long is a risk that many seniors are faced with today.  Studies show that a 65-year-old man has a 34% chance of living to age 90 and a 17% chance of making it to 95. A 65-year-old woman has a 44% chance of living to age 90 and a 23% chance of reaching 95. These longer life spans present wonderful blessings, but difficult challenges with a real risk of running out of savings that people have worked a lifetime to create. With proper planning and forethought, seniors can gain some peace of mind in knowing that every month they can receive a check in their “mailbox” for the rest of their lives. The following types of annuities are a remedy for the fear of outliving income and ways to provide for “mailbox money.”
  • Single premium immediate annuities (SPIA) offer income for life or a specified period of time.  To accomplish this, a lump sum has to be traded to create the income stream, and the annuitant loses control of the asset.
  • Fixed annuities afford annuitants 100% control over the asset, allowing them to withdraw money as needed, but how long the funds will last is dependent on withdrawals and interest gained on the contract.  Generally, penalty free amounts are withdrawn so additional fees and charges aren’t incurred.  A drawback could be that income may not last for life.
  • Lifetime income riders are available on many fixed indexed annuities.  These are popular because they guarantee a future result. This allows a client to rest easy, retain control of their asset, and have an income that will continue for a lifetime.