Title: Life Insurance Review Issues
1Life InsuranceReview Issues
2Factors That Cause Life Insurance Policies To Be
Reviewed
- A review of the impact of declining interest
rates or dividend scales on the non-guaranteed
assumptions of the in-force policy. - A decline in ratings of the in-force insurance
carrier. - A Comdex review of the in-force carrier.
- Keep in mind that where a promise of future
performance is sold for present dollars, the
buyer is at the sellers mercy. - Industry-wide product and pricing improvements
(i.e. improved mortality assumptions, lower cost
of insurance charges.) - A change in company structure, financial
stability and ability to meet its ongoing
obligations.
3Factors That Cause Life InsurancePolicies To Be
Reviewed (Continued)
- 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. - Improvements in underwriting allow better
distinction of risk class. Examples include
super-preferred risk class, and Table Shave
programs. - 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.
4Factors 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.
5General Rules OfA Trustees Duty
6General Rules Of A Trustees Duty - To Review
Insurance That IsNo Longer Prudent
- 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) - A trustee who violates their fiduciary
responsibility can be held personally liable for
any loss to the investment. (As per Uniform
Investors Act, 1995) - This rule applies to investment management both
inter vivos and testamentary (during and after
lifetime). - Every state has different statutes and/or case
law interpretation of a trustees duties under
specific fact situations.
7General Rules Of A Trustees Duty - To Review
Insurance That IsNo Longer Prudent (Continued)
- In most states, the trust document trumps state
law unless trust provisions are clearly illegal
or against public policy. - 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). - 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.
8Selected Issues In1035 Exchanges
9Exchanges 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
10A 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
11Ownership, Funding and Beneficiary
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
- This policy is currently owned by the XYZ Family
Trust, 1989, ABC serves as the trustee. - The XYZ Family Trust is the listed Beneficiary.
- Sample Client gifts 30,000 annually to the trust
in order to fund the policy. The year end
projected surrender value is 284,823. - It is recommended that the legal and tax counsel
assist in reviewing these arrangements.
12Rate Class Review
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
- The 1989 Sample policy indicates that the policy
was issued as a non-smoker classification. - Based on the medical information provided, using
current underwriting criteria, a few select
companies are likely to offer a Preferred
Non-Smoker classification. - Medical testing will be required to validate rate
classification. - 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
13Policy Performance Assessment
XYZ. Co. Universal Life Policy Issue Age 47,
Current Age 65
- The current net death benefit is 1,000,000
- The annual premium is 30,000
- The year end projected surrender value is
284,823 - At the current funding level, COI and current
interest crediting rate, the policy is projected
to remain in-force to Age 83. - At the current funding level, Maximum COI and
minimum interest crediting rate, the policy Is
projected to remain in-force to Age 73.
Continued.
14Policy 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
15Policy 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
16What 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.
17This 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.
18Summary 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
19Summary 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
20Summary 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
21Conclusion
- Mortality class could be improved from Standard
Non-Smoker to Preferred Non-Smoker based on
current underwriting criteria. - 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. - 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. - The Cash Value of the 1035 Exchange is presently
284,823. - 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.
22Appendix
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
23How 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.
24Trustee 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.
25Trustee 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
26Trustee 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.
27Date 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
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28Authorization 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 ___________________
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29Date 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
__________________________________________________
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30The 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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