Life Insurance

Six Questions for Six Life Insurance Sales to Seniors…

Presented by Brian Leising Do you have senior clients?  Did they purchase only one product from you?  Was it a Medicare supplement, annuity, long term care or final expense policy?  If you were able to uncover the need for one insurance product, could you uncover another?  What if you had six simple questions to ask your clients that would uncover additional sales? When you meet with a person who is a grandparent, what photos do you see on their walls? The photos of their children are long gone and the walls are now adorned by their adorable grandchildren. Just try to ask a question about their grandchildren and see if you can get a word in edgewise for the next hour. They love to talk about their grandchildren and would do just about anything for them. Did you ever think to ask “Who handles your grandchildren’s life insurance and college funds?”  Parents may not have thought about these topics and if they did, may not have the funds to pay for them.  Chances are your senior clients have more disposable income than their children and are in a better position to help.  They are at a stage of their lives where their primary concern is leaving a legacy.  Two gifts their grandchildren will always remember will be their first life insurance policy and their college tuition paid for by Grandma and Grandpa. If you have been following my “Six Questions for Six Life Insurance Sales to Seniors” posts, you now have six easy conversation-starting questions to ask your senior clients.  You know what direction the conversations should take and what sales they will lead to.  For resources to implement these ideas, send me an e-mail (bleising@fb-inc.com) and we can discuss further.
Life Insurance

Six Questions for Six Life Insurance Sales to Seniors…

Presented by Brian Leising Do you have senior clients?  Did they purchase only one product from you?  Was it a Medicare supplement, annuity, long term care or final expense policy?  If you were able to uncover the need for one insurance product, could you uncover another?  What if you had six simple questions to ask your clients that would uncover additional sales? Do you need a good way to open up an estate planning conversation with a prospect you think may have a problem?  Maybe a business owner?  Why not ask, “What steps have you taken to minimize your taxable estate to your heirs?”  This is an easy way to lead into the conversation.  You are assuming they have already done some planning.  Most people have not, or if they have it was never completed.  Keep in mind with the higher exclusion amounts that went into effect recently, the Federal estate tax may not apply in as many situations as it did in the past.  Your state may impose its own state estate taxes at much lower thresholds. On top of that, income or capital gains taxes may also apply.  Make sure you are working with an attorney who specializes in estate planning to minimize your client’s taxable estate first.  If needed, life insurance can provide immediate funds to pay any remaining tax without liquidating assets. In part six I will discuss two opportunities that will open the door to your next generation of clients.
Life Insurance

Six Questions for Six Life Insurance Sales to Seniors…

Presented by Brian Leising. Do you have senior clients?  Did they purchase only one product from you?  Was it a Medicare supplement, annuity, long term care or final expense policy?  If you were able to uncover the need for one insurance product, could you uncover another?  What if you had six simple questions to ask your clients that would uncover additional sales? The fourth question comes in two parts.  “Where do you keep your safe money?  What is the purpose of these funds?”  Aside from emergency money, many seniors have funds they do not plan to spend in their lifetime.  The money is earmarked for their children or grandchildren and usually not sitting in a tax-favored vehicle.  Many seniors are not aware of the tax implications of their current arrangement.  CD’s, savings accounts and mutual funds lose value every year due to taxes.  Annuities and qualified plans can defer taxes, but that just means the value to be taxed will be greater when received by the next generation.  Why not move those dollars into a vehicle that offers immediate leverage (no need to wait for the funds to grow) and also avoids taxation?  A single premium life insurance policy works perfectly in these cases.  The death benefit will always be greater than the single premium paid by the client and will pass tax-free to their heirs. In part five I will look at some other ways to keep Uncle Sam’s hands out of the transfer of wealth.
Life Insurance

The Value of Life Insurance

Presented by Gary Peterson No one anticipates the challenges they confront at a loved one’s death. Insurance planning ensures that the emotional struggles are not compounded by financial hardship.  At the time of death, while others are presenting condolences and bills to the beneficiaries, you will be giving them a check to assist them with their financial needs.  Be a hero to your client’s family. Ask the tough questions today.
Life Insurance

Six Questions for Six Life Insurance Sales to Seniors…

Presented by Brian Leising Do you have senior clients?  Did they purchase only one product from you?  Was it a Medicare supplement, annuity, long term care or final expense policy?  If you were able to uncover the need for one insurance product, could you uncover another?  What if you had six simple questions to ask your clients that would uncover additional sales? “When did you last review your life insurance policies?”  You should ask this question of everyone, whether you think they have a life insurance policy or not.  Many people have never reviewed their old life insurance policies.  They may be paying too much or not enough.  Their coverage could be too low or missing key features.  I often see older universal life policies that have not been funded properly to keep them in force for the client’s full life expectancy.  I have also seen cash rich whole life policies that do not offer enough leverage for the client’s dollars.  Newer universal life plans with a no-lapse guarantee can help in both cases.  Find an annual review fact finder you like and start filling it out at every appointment.  You will help your clients and uncover more new business than you have in the past. In part three, I will review an added feature that can give your clients more than just death benefit protection.