--- title: "BSMG Blog: Protecting the Future of Families and Businesses | Insurance Industry News" description: Insurance Industry News | Retirement topics, insurance news, annuity and life insurance broker tips --- [info@bsmg.net](mailto:info@bsmg.net) [(800) 343-7772](tel:800.343.7772) [![Unified | HubSpot COS Framework](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.png?width=359&name=logo-1.png "Unified | HubSpot COS Framework")](http://www.bsmg.net) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 # BSMG Blog: Protecting the Future of Families and Businesses - Blog ## [Top 10 Helpful Hints for the Broker](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-07-27_top_hints_for_underwriting) BSMG [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Underwriting](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/underwriting), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news), [Risk Differentiation Underwriting](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/risk-differentiation-underwriting) No Comments 27 Jul 2023   Applying for life insurance can be an arduous process for clients. By setting expectations, you can help your clients avert any pain points and create a more positive experience. Check out these “Helpful Hints” from NAILBA to make sure your clients know what to expect. [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-07-27_top_hints_for_underwriting) ## [The Ultimate Cover Letter for the Underwriting Process](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-07-27_the_ultimate_cover_letter) BSMG [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Underwriting](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/underwriting), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news), [Risk Differentiation Underwriting](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/risk-differentiation-underwriting) No Comments 27 Jul 2023   In those instances where the case submitted isn’t as black and white as one would hope, a well thought out cover letter inclusive of case details will aid in the underwriting process. We worked with our underwriters at Lincoln Financial to provide some guidelines [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-07-27_the_ultimate_cover_letter) ## [Annuity Awareness Month 2023](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-06-05_annuity-awareness-month) BSMG [Retirement](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement), [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Annuities](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/annuities), [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 5 Jun 2023   Annuity rates have seen unprecedented increases in the past year. Now is a great time to take advantage of the best rates we have seen in a generation despite markets being relatively flat after a year of extreme volatility. For more details, check out the infographic below. [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2023-06-05_annuity-awareness-month) ## [2022 Recap: A Message from Jason Lea](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/12/22/2022-recap) BSMG [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 22 Dec 2022   [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/12/22/2022-recap) ## [South Dakota and New Mexico Regulations - Effective Dates](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/17/south-dakota-and-new-mexico-regulations-effective-dates) BSMG [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 5 Apr 2022 **South Dakota Regulation - Goes into effect January 1, 2023** [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/17/south-dakota-and-new-mexico-regulations-effective-dates) ## [Section 1035 Exchange of Life Insurance with Policy Loans](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/17/section-1035-exchange-of-life-insurance-with-policy-loans) BSMG [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 17 Mar 2022 IRC Section 1035 allows Tax-Free Exchanges of life insurance policies in a gain position (i.e. gross cash value greater than adjusted cost basis) so that cash values can be easily transferred to more financially efficient policies. Sometimes greater death benefit and/or lower premium can result from the exchange in addition to desirable contract guarantees. [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/17/section-1035-exchange-of-life-insurance-with-policy-loans) ## [Securian’s SecureCare will be replaced with SecureCare III](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/15/securians-securecare-will-be-replaced-with-securecare-iii) BSMG [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 15 Mar 2022 | Effective March 26, 2022, Securian’s SecureCare will be replaced with SecureCare III. See below for Important Dates and Transition Guidelines: | | --- | [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/03/15/securians-securecare-will-be-replaced-with-securecare-iii) ## [John Hancock announces New Protection IUL – Increased Pricing](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/02/23/john-hancock-announces-new-protection-iul-increased-pricing) BSMG [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 24 Feb 2022 Effective March 4th, 2022 John Hancock Protection IUL (2021) contract will be replaced with Protection IUL (2022).  Based on our initial testing, the pricing is increasing with most designs and ages.  [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/2022/02/23/john-hancock-announces-new-protection-iul-increased-pricing) ## [NAIC New Best Interest Standard for AL, AZ, AR, CT, DE, IA, ID, KY, ME, MI, MS, MT, NE, ND, OH, RI, TX, & VA](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/naic-new-best-interest-standard-for-az-ar-de-ia-id-me-mi-mt-ne-oh-ri-tx) BSMG [Annuities](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/annuities), [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news), [Fixed Index Annuities](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fixed-index-annuities), [Retirement Income](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement-income), [Annuity](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/annuity), [Retirement Reform](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement-reform), [NAIC](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/naic), [Best Interest Standard](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/best-interest-standard) No Comments 4 Aug 2021 ## Arizona, Arkansas, & Iowa Regulation: Agents who have already completed a four-hour NAIC training course prior to January 1, 2021, must complete one of the following by July 1, 2021: [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/naic-new-best-interest-standard-for-az-ar-de-ia-id-me-mi-mt-ne-oh-ri-tx) ## [National Guardian Life - Product Enhancements and Pricing Changes to EssentialLTC](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/national-guardian-life-introducing-an-enhanced-essentialltc) BSMG [Life Insurance](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance), [Fiduciary](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary), [Insurance Industry News](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) No Comments 18 Mar 2021 \*\*RELEASED BY National Guardian Life\*\* ## A product that can now do more We have been listening to your feedback and are excited to announce your suggestions were used to enhance EssentialLTC! The changes are geared toward making it easier to sell, and the new features will allow you to offer your clients a product that can do more. [Read More](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/national-guardian-life-introducing-an-enhanced-essentialltc) - [1](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com) - [2](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news/page/2) - ### Posts by Topic - [Life Insurance (21)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/life-insurance) - [Insurance Industry News (15)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-industry-news) - [Fiduciary (8)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fiduciary) - [Advisor Marketing Tips (6)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/advisor-marketing-tips) - [Annuities (4)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/annuities) - [Communication Tips for Advisors (4)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/communication-tips-for-advisors) - [Retirement (4)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement) - [Sales & Prospecting Tools for Advisors (4)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/sales-prospecting-tools-for-advisors) - [Advanced Markets (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/advanced-markets) - [Insurance Products & Solutions (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-products-solutions) - [Insurance for Small Business Owners (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/insurance-for-small-business-owners) - [Long Term Care (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/long-term-care) - [Retirement Planning Strategies (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement-planning-strategies) - [Risk Differentiation Underwriting (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/risk-differentiation-underwriting) - [Tax Season (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/tax-season) - [Term Life Insurance (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/term-life-insurance) - [Underwriting (3)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/underwriting) - [Annuity (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/annuity) - [Estate Planning (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/estate-planning) - [LTC (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/ltc) - [RMD (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/rmd) - [Retirement Income (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement-income) - [Retirement Reform (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/retirement-reform) - [Tax Planning (2)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/tax-planning) - [Advanced Sales (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/advanced-sales) - [Best Interest Standard (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/best-interest-standard) - [Business Succession (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/business-succession) - [Buy Sell Agreement (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/buy-sell-agreement) - [Financial Advisor Tools (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/financial-advisor-tools) - [Fixed Index Annuities (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/fixed-index-annuities) - [ILITs (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/ilits) - [IRAs (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/iras) - [Linked Benefits (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/linked-benefits) - [NAIC (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/naic) - [Policy Review (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/policy-review) - [Required Minimum Distributions (1)](https://life-annuity-blog.specialtyprogramgroup.com/topic/required-minimum-distributions) see all - [500 South Main Street](https://g.page/BSMGInsurance?gm) - [Providence, RI 02903](https://g.page/BSMGInsurance?gm) - [(401) 751-9400](tel:401.751.9400) - [(800) 343-7772](tel:800.343.7772) - Fax: [(781) 237-8585](tel:781.237.8585) - [info@bsmg.net](mailto:info@bsmg.net) ### Recent Blog Posts ### Quick Links - > Quotes - > Annuity rates - > Case Studies - > Forms - > Get contracted © 2021 Brokers’ Service Marketing Group. 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