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Life Insurance Review Issues

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Title: Life Insurance Review Issues


1
Life InsuranceReview Issues
2
Factors That Cause Life Insurance Policies To Be
Reviewed
  1. A review of the impact of declining interest
    rates or dividend scales on the non-guaranteed
    assumptions of the in-force policy.
  2. A decline in ratings of the in-force insurance
    carrier.
  3. A Comdex review of the in-force carrier.
  4. Keep in mind that where a promise of future
    performance is sold for present dollars, the
    buyer is at the sellers mercy.
  5. Industry-wide product and pricing improvements
    (i.e. improved mortality assumptions, lower cost
    of insurance charges.)
  6. A change in company structure, financial
    stability and ability to meet its ongoing
    obligations.

3
Factors That Cause Life InsurancePolicies To Be
Reviewed (Continued)
  1. A proper review will assist your insured to get
    the most insurance for their money and make
    certain that the insurance product is high
    quality and appropriate policy for their need.
  2. Improvements in underwriting allow better
    distinction of risk class. Examples include
    super-preferred risk class, and Table Shave
    programs.
  3. Regulations require that the relationship between
    insurer and policy holder remain reasonable and
    every effort has been made to maintain policy
    holder expectations. A review of policy
    provisions confirms that this relationship is
    clear and fair.

4
Factors That Cause Life InsurancePolicies To Be
Reviewed (Continued)
  • Guarantees are only as good as the guarantor. A
    thorough evaluation of the carrier should be
    paramount to selection of contracts promising
    long term guarantees.
  • Review the laws of your state on the fiduciary
    responsibilities of trustee owned policies.
  • Change in planning goals or circumstances. Risk
    tolerance and planning goals change as the client
    ages. A more appropriate product or financial
    vehicle may be available.

5
General Rules OfA Trustees Duty
6
General Rules Of A Trustees Duty - To Review
Insurance That IsNo Longer Prudent
  1. General rule A trustee must review investments
    on a regular basis and dispose of investments
    that are no longer prudent within a reasonable
    time- this applies to life insurance policies.
    (As per Uniform Investors Act, 1995)
  2. A trustee who violates their fiduciary
    responsibility can be held personally liable for
    any loss to the investment. (As per Uniform
    Investors Act, 1995)
  3. This rule applies to investment management both
    inter vivos and testamentary (during and after
    lifetime).
  4. Every state has different statutes and/or case
    law interpretation of a trustees duties under
    specific fact situations.

7
General Rules Of A Trustees Duty - To Review
Insurance That IsNo Longer Prudent (Continued)
  1. In most states, the trust document trumps state
    law unless trust provisions are clearly illegal
    or against public policy.
  2. The majority of states have statues that read it
    is the duty of the trustee to exercise prudence
    in determining whether to retain investments made
    by the settler (prudent man rule).
  3. Professional responsibility is to review the
    investment to determine if the fiduciary
    responsibility has been compromised. The courts
    have ruled a trustee is not justified in
    retaining investments that are no longer
    appropriate.

8
Selected Issues In1035 Exchanges
9
Exchanges In LifeInsurance Contracts
  • Section 1035(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
    provides that no gain or loss will be recognized
    on the exchange of a life insurance contract for
    another life insurance contract, for an annuity
    contract or for an endowment contract. As the
    following will indicate, certain conditions will
    apply and the transaction may have other
    implications that should be understood
  • Contract with an Outstanding Premium Loan
  • Exchange of the policy following a partial
    surrender
  • Exchange of a Modified Endowment Contract
  • Exchange of a pre-June 21, 1988 single premium
    life insurance contract
  • Policy loan limits- Exchange of a pre-June 21,
    1986 Business-owned contact
  • Grandfathered loan limits
  • Business Exchange rider
  • Change of ownership in a policy exchange
  • Exchange for a Survivorship policy
  • Exchange into an existing contract

10
A Life Insurance Analysis
Sample Client Issue Age 47, Current Age 65
XYZ. Co. Universal Life 1,000,000 30,000
284,823 January 1, 1989 Estate
Liquidity/Planning Evaluate Performance and
Possible Alternatives
Current Insurance Company Product Death
Benefit Current Annual Premium Year End
Projected CSV (1035) Policy Date Objective
Audit Objective
11
Ownership, Funding and Beneficiary
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
  1. This policy is currently owned by the XYZ Family
    Trust, 1989, ABC serves as the trustee.
  2. The XYZ Family Trust is the listed Beneficiary.
  3. Sample Client gifts 30,000 annually to the trust
    in order to fund the policy. The year end
    projected surrender value is 284,823.
  4. It is recommended that the legal and tax counsel
    assist in reviewing these arrangements.

12
Rate Class Review
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
  1. The 1989 Sample policy indicates that the policy
    was issued as a non-smoker classification.
  2. Based on the medical information provided, using
    current underwriting criteria, a few select
    companies are likely to offer a Preferred
    Non-Smoker classification.
  3. Medical testing will be required to validate rate
    classification.
  4. A reduction in policy cost if Preferred
    Non-Smoker rates are obtained.

Lower Cost
Higher Cost
Preferred Plus Preferred Risk Classes
Standard Non-Smoker Risk Classes
Preferred Smoker Risk Classes
Standard Smoker
Risk Classes
Rated and Substandard Risk Classes

13
Policy Performance Assessment
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
  1. The current net death benefit is 1,000,000
  2. The annual premium is 30,000
  3. The year end projected surrender value is
    284,823
  4. At the current funding level, COI and current
    interest crediting rate, the policy is projected
    to remain in-force to Age 83.
  5. At the current funding level, Maximum COI and
    minimum interest crediting rate, the policy Is
    projected to remain in-force to Age 73.

Continued.
14
Policy Performance Assessment
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
Continued.
Non-Guaranteed Assumptions Non-Guaranteed Assumptions Non-Guaranteed Assumptions Non-Guaranteed Assumptions Non-Guaranteed Assumptions
Policy Year Premium Outlay Net Policy Value Net Surrender Value Net Death Benefit
18 0.00 284,823 284,823 1,000,000
19 30,000 305,466 305,466 1,000,000
20 30,000 325,105 325,105 1,000,000
21 30,000 343,500 343,500 1,000,000
22 30,000 360,233 360,233 1,000,000
23 30,000 375,232 375,232 1,000,000
24 30,000 388,158 388,158 1,000,000
25 30,000 398,697 398,697 1,000,000
26 30,000 406,301 406,301 1,000,000
27 30,000 410,139 410,139 1,000,000
28 30,000 386,022 386,022 1,000,000
Age 83 30,000 86,758 86,758 1,000,000
15
Policy Performance Assessment
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
Continued.
Guaranteed Assumptions Guaranteed Assumptions Guaranteed Assumptions Guaranteed Assumptions Guaranteed Assumptions
Policy Year Premium Outlay Net Policy Value Net Surrender Value Net Death Benefit
18 0.00 265,739 265,739 1,000,000
19 30,000 263,707 263,707 1,000,000
20 30,000 256,599 256,599 1,000,000
21 30,000 243,495 243,495 1,000,000
22 30,000 223,193 223,193 1,000,000
23 30,000 193,979 193,979 1,000,000
24 30,000 153,435 153,435 1,000,000
25 30,000 98,193 98,193 1,000,000
26 Age 73 30,000 23,566 23,566 1,000,000
27 0.00 0
28 0.00 0
16
What Can I Do?
1035 The Net Cash Surrender Valuefrom the
current XYZ Company to aFully Guaranteed
Universal Life Policyand never worry about your
policy lapsing again.
17
This report should only be used in conjunction
with the complete illustrations, reports, and
professional interpretation of a properly
licensed representative.
  • This is not tax or legal advice.

18
Summary of Alternatives
Current Policy
Company Name Rate Class Current DB
Current Prem. Ratings
Guaranteed To Projected To
XYZ Co.
Preferred
1,000,000
30,000
A AA
Age 73 Age 83
The alternatives assume a 1035 exchange of
284,823.
Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage Objective Increase and Extend Coverage
Rank Company Name Rate Class Benefit Amount Premium A.M. Best SP Guaranteed To Projected To
1) Company A Preferred 1,725,700 30,000 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
2) Company B Preferred 1,612,801 30,000 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
3) Company C Preferred 1,602,976 30,000 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
4) Company D Preferred 1,513,243 30,000 A AAA Lifetime Lifetime
19
Summary of Alternatives
Current Policy
Company Name Rate Class Current DB
Current Prem. Ratings
Guaranteed To Projected To
XYZ Co.
Preferred
1,000,000
30,000
A AA
Age 73 Age 83
The alternatives assume a 1035 exchange of
284,823.
Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost Objective Reduce Cost
Rank Company Name Rate Class Benefit Amount Premium A.M. Best SP Guaranteed To Projected To
1) Company A Preferred 1,000,000 7,677 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
2) Company B Preferred 1,000,000 9,221 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
3) Company C Preferred 1,000,000 9,466 A AA Lifetime Lifetime
4) Company D Preferred 1,000,000 11,844 A AAA Lifetime Lifetime
20
Summary Comparison
Objective Cost Reduction Increase Guarantees Objective Cost Reduction Increase Guarantees Objective Cost Reduction Increase Guarantees
XYZ Co. (Current Company) Company A
Annual Premium 30,000 7,677
Death Benefit 1,000,000 1,000,000
Years Guaranteed 8 Lifetime
Underwriting Class Standard Non-Smoker Preferred Non-Smoker
Company Ratings
A.M. Best A A
S P AA AA
Moodys Aa3 Aa1
21
Conclusion
  1. Mortality class could be improved from Standard
    Non-Smoker to Preferred Non-Smoker based on
    current underwriting criteria.
  2. Policy is projected to lapse at Age 83 at current
    funding levels of 30,000 annual premium with a
    Death Benefit of 1,000,000.
  3. Policy will lapse at age 73 at current funding
    levels and guaranteed assumptions of 30,000
    annual premium with a Death Benefit of
    1,000,000.
  4. The Cash Value of the 1035 Exchange is presently
    284,823.
  5. By using a No Lapse Guarantee product, can now
    provide a Lifetime guarantee and the annual
    premium is reduced from 30,000 to 7,677
    utilizing the 1035 cash value. The Death Benefit
    is the same as the present policy of 1,000,000.

22
Appendix
  1. No Lapse Guarantee The latest generation of No
    Lapse Guarantee UL products offer flexibility in
    premium and the ability to catch-up if premiums
    paid are less than illustrated.
  2. Information about the Trustee Due Diligence
    Requirements With Respect to Trust Owned Life
    Insurance Policies this is just general
    information about trusts due diligence in
    regards to owning a life insurance policies.
  3. Letter for Life Insurance Review of Current
    Policies this sample letter is used to write to
    clients that own older policies to make them
    aware that new products have been introduced
    which might be more beneficial than their current
    policy so they should review their current
    situation.
  4. Letter of Authorization to Release Policy
    Information this letter is used for agents that
    are in need of information in regards to their
    clients current policy which they are not the
    agent of record.
  5. Letter of Trust this letter is used for policies
    owned by a trust that are looking to receive
    information on their current policies for their
    annual review of coverage. The review is required
    in order to fulfill the trusts fiduciary
    responsibility to regularly monitor the
    performance of all investments owned by the trust.

23
How Do Changes in Premium Effect the No Lapse
Guarantee?
  • The no lapse guarantee duration is driven by the
    amount of premium paid into the policy. If
    premiums are paid late or not at all, the
    guarantee period could be shortened.
  • Product enhancements have been made to allow for
    greater premium flexibility and more liberal
    catch-up provisions. It is possible to skip a
    year of premium without voiding the guarantee
    entirely.
  • Each company handles their catch-up provision
    differently. Some even offer a no-interest, no
    penalty catch-up feature.
  • Annual monitoring will ensure the no lapse
    guarantee is not accidentally lost or shortened.
    Flexibility in premium demands regular policy
    review.

24
Trustee Due Diligence Requirements With Respect
to Trust Owned Life Insurance Policies
Introduction The Uniform Prudent Investor Act
(the Act) was developed by the National
Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
in 1995 and has been adopted with various
modifications by all 50 states. The Act sets
forth standards of prudence to be followed by
trustees in establishing investment policy and in
the selection and monitoring of trust
investments. The Act measures prudence in terms
of the process by which investment decisions are
made as opposed to classifying categories of
investments as prudent or imprudent per se (the
so called legal list standard). The General
Standard The Act requires that the trustee
design and implement an investment policy and
select investments to carry out this policy in a
manner that is consistent with the trusts unique
purposes and properly reflects the needs and
circumstances of the trust beneficiaries. In this
regard, the trustee should invest and manage
trust assets as a prudent investor would, taking
into consideration the purposes of the trust, its
terms and conditions, distribution requirements
and other circumstances. In satisfying this
standard, the trustee is required to exercise
reasonable care, skill and caution. Failure to
adhere to this standard could subject the trustee
to personal liability not only for losses
sustained but also, mere failure to exercise
reasonable care, skill and caution even though no
actual economic loss is demonstrated. In
addition, trustees are required to confirm to
fundamental fiduciary duties of loyalty and
impartiality, be prudent in deciding whether and
how to delegate authority in the selection and
supervision of agents and incur only those costs
that are reasonable in amount and are appropriate
to the trustees investment responsibilities. 

25
Trustee Due Diligence Requirements With Respect
to Trust Owned Life Insurance Policies
(Continued)
  • Due Diligence Standard for Trust Owned Life
    Insurance
  • In the absence of language to the contrary in the
    trust instrument, the Act mandates that the
    trustees duties and responsibilities with
    respect to life insurance policies purchased by
    the trust or contributed by others are to be
    governed by the same standards as apply to any
    other trust investment. Thus, in the selection of
    life insurance policies to be acquired by the
    trust, in the evaluation of policies contributed
    to the trust and in the ongoing monitoring of the
    performance of these policies, the trustee will
    be held to the same standard of care, prudence
    and due diligence as applies to any other trust
    investment.
  • In this regard, the trustee has the initial duty
    of acting prudently in selecting the life
    insurance policy that reflects the risk and
    return objectives of the trust. If life
    insurance policies are contributed to the trust,
    the trustee has the affirmative duty to review
    these policies to make certain that they meet the
    standards enumerated above. Once acquired by or
    received by the trust, the trustee has an ongoing
    responsibility to periodically monitor these
    policies and when appropriate, take such actions
    with respect to such policies are necessary to
    protect the interests of the trust and its
    beneficiaries.
  • Circumstances where a change in the structure of
    an existing policy, a replacement of an existing
    policy with another issued by the same or another
    carrier or the surrender other disposition of an
    existing policy include but are not limited to
    the following.
  • an adverse change in the financial strength of
    the current carrier
  • a change in the investment or economic
    environment or economic environment which will or
    has the potential to adversely impact the
    underlying investment performance of the policy
  • a change in the circumstances of the trust, the
    settler or its beneficiaries
  • a change in the tax, legislative or regulatory
    environment which impacts the need the policy as
    intended to address
  • product enhancements, pricing improvements and
    other favorable product changes which could
    result in reduced costs or increased benefits if
    the change is made

26
Trustee Due Diligence Requirements With Respect
to Trust Owned Life Insurance Policies
(Continued)
  • Conclusion
  • The requirement that the trustee act prudently
    and exercise reasonable care, skill, and caution
    in carrying out investment responsibilities
    applies to life insurance policies as well as
    other trust investments. In the event that the
    trustee determines that a change is appropriate,
    an analysis should be undertaken to determine
    what action will serve the purpose of the trust
    and the best interests of its beneficiaries.
    This analysis should include an evaluation of the
    expected future performance of the existing
    policies, the financial circumstances of existing
    carriers, the current health status of the
    insured(s), the purpose for which the insurance
    was originally purchased and such other matters
    that are relevant to this analysis.
  • Failure to adhere to the required standard of
    prudence can be significant. A trustee can be
    held personally liable for failing to act
    prudently in carrying out its duties and
    responsibilities under the terms of the trust.
    Such duties and responsibilities include the
    initial evaluation and periodic review of life
    insurance policies purchased or acquired by the
    trust. Failure to take appropriate action with
    respect to such policies in light of changes in
    policy performance, deteriorating carrier
    financial integrity or changes in beneficiary or
    other circumstances could be considered a breach
    of the trustees duty of prudence.

27
Date MM/DD/YEAR   Mr. Mrs. Valued
Client Street Address City/ State/ Zip   Re Life
Insurance Policy Review     Dear Mr. Mrs.
Valued Client   The life insurance industry has
gone through some dramatic changes in the past
several years in the design and pricing of its
products.   These changes are a direct response
to consumer demand for products that are more
flexible and more readily adaptable to changes in
the insureds circumstances, the fact that actual
mortality experience has been significantly
better than what was originally expected when the
products were priced, improved expense
management, better than anticipated investment
performance and a greater range of investment
alternatives to choose from.   As a result of
these changes, it is not uncommon to encounter a
situation where an existing life insurance
portfolio put into place before these changes
took effect can be dramatically improved upon in
terms of coverage, cost, investment alternatives,
investment performance and/ or product
flexibility.   If you own (or have in force) life
insurance coverage on your life that is more than
5 year old, it is possible that such coverage can
be restructured on a tax favored basis to
increase the amount of available death benefit,
lower the cost for the same amount of coverage,
provide a wider range of investment choices,
improve investment performance and/ or provide
you with greater flexibility to adapt the
coverage to future changes in your personal and
gamily circumstances.   In order to determine
whether you life insurance portfolio is capable
of being improved, we will need to obtain basic
information regarding your existing policies and
your current health status. Once we have
completed our analysis, we will be able to
quantify for you whether a change would be in
your best interest taking into consideration the
expected future performance of the existing
policies, your current age and your current
health status.   Sincerely,   Your Name Click
here to open this letter in Word format
28
Authorization to Release Policy
Information     Date MM/DD/YEAR   To Name (If
Insurance Company) Attention Policy Owner
Service Department Street Address
City, State ZIP     Re Policy Number
xxxxxxx   To Whom it May Concern   Please be
advised that I (we), _____________________________
_____, have retained the right to review the
above listed life insurance policy(ies). In order
to conduct this review for we will need to
evaluate certain information regarding the past
and expected future performance of the listed
policy(ies). I herby authorize the release of any
and all information pertaining to the listed
policy(ies) including, but not limited to
original illustrations upon which the original
purchase was base, current policy values, loans
outstanding, current projections of future
performance, illustrations of projected
assumptions, policy forms, rider and amendments
and such other relevant information that deems
relevant with respect to the evaluation of these
policy(ies).   I agree that a photocopy or
facsimile of his Authorization shall be as valid
as the original. I further agree that this
Authorization shall be valid for the longer of
lifetime of the undersigned insured (or the last
to die of the insureds if there are two or more
insured under the policy) or the maximum period
permitted under the laws and regulations of any
state having subject matter jurisdiction over
this Authorization. Policy Owners   Signature
________________________ Date _ _/ _ _/ _ _ _
_ Print Name ___________________   Signature
________________________ Date _ _/ _ _/ _ _ _
_ Print Name ___________________
Click here to open this letter in
Word format
29
Date MM/DD/YEAR Name of Life Insurance
Company Street Address City/State/Zip   Re Name
of Trust   To Whom It May Concern Please be
advised that I (we) are conducting an annual
review of the life insurance policy(ies) listed
below which are owned by the Trust. The review is
required in order to fulfill my (our) fiduciary
responsibility to regularly monitor the
performance of all investments owned by the trust.
In order for us to complete our review, we will
require the following information For each whole
life policy, please provide an in force
illustration showing projected policy performance
based upon current dividend crediting rate and
assuming the same duration of premiums payment as
was illustrated when the policy was originally
purchased. Second, please provide an illustration
of the amount and duration of premium payments
that would be required to maintain this policy in
force to maturity bases upon current dividend
crediting rates and assuming that dividends are
applied in the same manner as was originally
illustrated. For each universal life policy,
please provide an in force illustration showing
projected policy performance based upon the
current interest crediting rate and assuming the
same duration of premium payments as was
illustrated when the policy was originally
purchased. Second, please provide an illustration
of the amount of additional premium, if any, that
would be required to maintain each policy in
force to maturity at current interest crediting
rates again assuming that premiums will be paid
for the same duration as was illustrated when the
policy was originally purchased. Third, please
provide an illustration of the amount of annual
premium that would be required to maintain this
policy in force to maturity based upon current
interest crediting rates assuming that premiums
are paid annually to maturity. Finally, Please
verify that each policy includes a maturity
extension rider or similar policy features that
will allow such policy to continue in force
beyond maturity without further expenditure of
premium and describe the terms and limitations of
such rider or similar policy features. For each
variable universal life policy, please provide an
in force illustration showing projected policy
performance based upon actual historic investment
performance (and assuming that such performance
is maintained to the maturity of the policy) and
assuming the same duration of premium payments as
was illustrated when the policy was originally
purchased. Second, please provide an illustration
of the amount of additional premium, if any, that
would be required to maintain each policy in
force to maturity based upon historic investment
performance (and assuming that such performance
will continue until maturity) again assuming that
premiums will be paid for the same duration as
was illustrated when the policy was originally
purchased.   Signature of Trustee
____________________________Date _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _
Signature of Trustee
____________________________Date _ _/_ _/_ _ _
_ Signature of Witness __________________________
_ Date _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _
Signature of Witness __________________________
_ Date _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _   Name of Trust
__________________________________________________
_____ Click here to open this letter in Word
format
30
The Life Insurance Review Agent Checklist
  • Client and policy summary
  • Review of the structure of the policy, ownership,
    beneficiaries, and payment methods, relative to
    your objectives.
  • Re-evaluate the underwriting rate class.
  • Asses the possibility of a rate-class
    improvements.
  • Evaluate the effect of changes in interest
    rates/sub-account performance, increase in cost
    of insurance, or any combination of these.
  • Fair market value assessment of the policy, if
    applicable.
  • Evaluate the financial stability of the insurance
    company.
  • Objective and comprehensive evaluation of
    potentially cost effective or beneficial
    alternatives.
  • List of Options.



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