​With many carriers working remotely, we are seeing a slight delay in the contracting process. If you are planning on contracting with a carrier, we recommend completing the contract sooner, rather than later. Utilizing our online contracting system, SureLC, is the easiest way to do so.  

Our online contracting link is:
https://surelc.surancebay.com/sbweb/agency/492

This is also a great time to review your current CE status - you can find CE information on your state Department of Insurance websites.

You can complete CE training on sites such as:
www.webce.com, www.reged.com, and www.kaplanfinancial.com

Anti-money laundering training is required every other year from most carriers. Some carriers, such as American General, require AML training annually. Most agents complete AML training via LIMRA, https://knowledge.limra.com/ , but can also be completed via WebCE, RegED and Kaplan. 

If you have questions regarding CE training, please feel free to email me at akonopka@ohlsongroup.com 

​We know it has been a tough time for all of our agents and The Ohlson Group wants to make the process for submitting new business as easy as possible.   Below I have listed a few guidelines to help.
​

• All Applications can be emailed direct to the carriers or uploaded on their websites.  
• If you want our office to review application first, please email to me at medwards@ohlsongroup.com, and then I can process and forward.
• Most Carriers are working remotely now, you may experience a longer hold time however all are open and processing business.
• If you happen to have a check to submit with the application, you can email me a copy of application to review first and then mail both direct to carriers.
• E-applications are also available on carrier websites, feel free to contact our office if you need the website address or have any questions.

 
The Ohlson Group is working remotely also however for us it is business as usual.

Please contact our office at 877-844-0900 if you need anything.   

​We appreciate your business and stay safe!
 
Thanks!
Michelle Edwards
New Business Director 

Lots of challenges today. We are, as you already know, dealing with something that hasn’t affected America for decades. It is definitely creating a challenge for our business.  But, it is also creating new opportunities.  So, how about a few tips from a veteran that has been through other "significant challenges?"

Keep doing something. It is hard to hit a moving target. Pick up the phone, call your clients, check in and see how they are doing. Give them a review of their “Safe Money Products.” Ask them how their kids are doing.  Ask for permission to call their kids to let them know that the products their parents have with you are working just like you “guaranteed.”

Ask them about the rest of their portfolio, and ask if they would like to review and explore opportunities.

Ask them if they have friends that could benefit from a 15 minute phone appointment to let them know how you have protected their assets.  Ask them to drop their friends an email, or call them to expect your call.  Email the new prospects, introduce yourself and tell them that you will be calling them. They all have the time and the interest.

Prepare a webcast, Go To Meeting, ZOOM or other product to do a virtual work shop with your clients, ask them to invite others, remind them of what you do, how your products work and after the short 15 minute presentations, invite them to go to your calendar and book a phone appointment.

Write a letter, send a card to your clients and wish them all good health and encourage them to stay safe.  Also, invite them to call you if they would like to check up.

Bottom line… you have the time, it is the right thing to do, it will pay dividends.  And you can also be viewed as… a different experience

Ladies and gentlemen, I will make this short.  Life sales are on the rise.  People have lost a great portion of their portfolios.  They were counting on that money to give to a surviving spouse, to stay in the world they became accustomed to.  But, the markets have tanked.  

There is only one way to quickly give them the recovery they need… life insurance.  But, do you think they want a paramedic facility coming out to give them an exam?  The answer is, "No".

We have life products with no medical exam, that can be purchased remotely and no one has to worry about spreading or catching the virus. People need your help.  Do you need ours?  

Call us at 1-877-844-0900, and we will guide you to the solution of your clients’ concerns. 

Have your attention?  Let’s start with the obvious that can often times not be the lead in offering FIA’s to our clients and prospects. Yes, the FIA locked down all previous gains and principal. 

Your clients did not lose a penny during this volatile and unforeseen time.  Even an index annuity that had an anniversary of TODAY didn’t lose. Granted, they probably did not have a gain. But, as was said early on in the debut of index annuities, “zero is your hero.”

So, call your clients, call their prospects and re-introduce them to the glory of FIA’s.  I have a feeling that this will be a big part of your presentation in the months to come. This is a “Safe Money” product, not an investment vehicle. Why? Because an investment has the possibility of gains and losses.  How many people wish that they had more money in this beautiful product? 

Let's look at marketing alternatives in the event this coronavirus continues to hang around for a while.

First off, it is important to realize that many people, regardless of the active cases in their states, might be hesitant or reluctant to meet face to face.  So, today we want to focus on "face to face" alternatives.  I will be the first to admit that there is nothing like a face to face meeting with clients and friends.  But, as has been said before, "behind every adversity lies an equal or greater opportunity.” So, let us help you get equipped to do business a different way. 

My first approach would be to current clients to re-assure them that their “Safe Money" products did what you promised.  They did not lose a penny of principal or previous gains.  It is a great time to discuss how market losses have affected their current, or future, retirement income plans.  Therein lies a great opportunity to come back to them with options and ideas.  But if you are not able to meet face to face do you need help with the tools?  

So, we would like any questions that you have about Facetime, GoToMeeting, WebEX, Join.Me, Skype, Facebook Video Chat, or other tools.

We also encourage online applications.  Do you feel comfortable doing this?  Do you know how to get the electronic signature? How to use DocuSign?

We want any questions that you have. We will respond to all as a group, and you don't have to worry about us identifying you.  Plus, assuming this continues, we will be doing a webinar with content to help you do a phone or electronic presentation with prospects.  

So, give us your questions ASAP, and we will get back to all of you with our answers. 

​

There is no doubt that the coronavirus will have an impact on our marketing efforts.  We can expect to see attendance down in retirement workshops, cancelation of appointments, and fear making some people want to just hunker down.  But, this is too bad because this is when your clients and prospects need to see you.  And, last but not least, you must keep your business growing... not just going.  

So, what is an advisor/agent to do?  Market differently is the answer. 

The Ohlson Group will be putting out information to assist you in your success in this unique time.  We will work with you in areas such as, but not limited to:

• Online workshops (webcasts/webinars)
• How to utilize Facetime, GoToMeeting, or WebEx video conferencing software
• Sending information in PDF form to discuss with your prospects and clients.
• Even "overnighting" information that you can discuss over a phone meeting the next day

Many clients will still feel comfortable meeting face to face.  Let them know that you will attempt to follow the 6 foot rule, no handshaking, and plenty of hand sanitizer for all.  Last but not least… what are you going to tell them to make them feel more comfortable?  We can help. Make an appointment to speak with one of our marketing consultants, and let’s turn lemons into lemonade.  Stay safe, and wash your hands.

That is a question I have been asking some of our advisors as well as some consumers.  This response comes after I am told that caps are low, participation rates have been reduced, and MYGA rates are seeing a downturn.  They continue by saying that these products don't look as good.  It is at that point I say... "compared to what?" 

Is your client going to put money in a money market?  Those are great rates. What about a 10 year treasury with rates below 1%.  Take a long look at cd's and compare to our MYGAS.  Also, don't forget the "loss recovery" program we use at The Ohlson Group when portfolios take a big hit. And, if you have prospects desirous of a lifetime income... then show the FIA with the income rider. It beats a SPIA like a drum.

As I am writing this, we are experiencing the biggest MYGA production day that we have ever had. I spoke with carriers and trying to get a lay of the land as to when we can expect more rate reductions. 

In closing, this is the best time to be in our business. This is the best time to be a member of "The Safe Money Places Agent Network" (check us out at www.safemoneyplaces.com).  Girls and guys, if you feel stuck and need ideas as to how to increase sales and profits during times like these, call the marketing consultants at The Ohlson Group. You will again be reminded as to why agents from coast to coast, continue to refer to us as a... different experience.  

A senior life settlement is the sale of an unwanted, underperforming, or obsolete life insurance contract by an elderly individual to a third party for an amount less than the face value but in excess of the cash surrender value. Life settlements exist out of the need for seniors to attain access to the life insurance death benefit while still living. With a life settlement, the insured has a medically determined life expectancy of at least three years or longer.

Who is an ideal candidate for a life settlement?

• ​The ideal client is a male or female in their mid-70’s or older that has had a change in health since the policy was issued. Term policies can be sold as long as they are convertible.
• An exception to this guideline would be a male or female in their 60’s to early 70’s that has multiple chronic medical conditions and a significant health change has taken place since the policy was issued.
• The most common life insurance policy sold is universal life. Minimum death benefit is $100,000.00.

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing with you a series of educational emails designed to help you better understand the life settlement market, the characteristics of an ideal candidate, and our complete process for selling an unwanted or unneeded life insurance policy. Please subscribe to Ohlson Group emails to receive more life settlement resources. 

In the meantime, I encourage you to visit our website at lsa-llc.com for more content designed specifically for financial professionals like you. If you have any questions, or want immediate help examining a potential case, do not hesitate to respond to this email or call me anytime!

I, like many of you, make sure that I get the above mentioned shots.  Why?  Because I see what can happen if I don’t take the precautions to avoid a sickness.  We all know, that regardless how good we feel today, danger lurks around the corner and we can all become victims.  

So, why is it that some Boomers and the older generation don’t take precautions to avoid “financial flues?”  I think that many of us have the fear of missing out. You know, missing the rise in this great Bull Market. Well, we are going through a little bit of what the market always does. It is never a straight and endless shot to the moon. There will always be corrections.  Before I continue, I will state again that I am not giving investment advice.  I love the market, and I am still pretty heavily invested. But, I continue to change the make up of my portfolio as I get older and look towards the date when I will start making withdrawals. Yes, I have become more conservative and happy not to be as exposed to losses.  But, is there a way that the soon to be retired, or now retired can still get above average interest rates, have money linked to different indices and have an income that they can’t outlive?  Of course there is. Let’s review this option.

This is a simple answer.  Tax deferred annuities.  There are many flavors.  You have a stated rate guarantee for 3-5 years… called a multi-year guaranteed annuity.  This are for people that are desirous of a product that usually provides a rate higher than most bank cd’s.  You have read about immediate annuities.  This provides a stream of income from day one that will be there forever and never change.  Fixed Index annuities provide interest credits linked to an index.  You have a cap, so you won’t be hitting home runs.  But, you will never lose a penny of principal or previous gains in a market turndown.  Some have income riders that allow the insured to turn this product into an income annuity.  But, you are not locked in and you can start and stop.

Finally, I know that most of the people reading this know all about these products.  There are some agents who refuse to sell annuities. They speak of nose bleed fees, commission etc. And, they say that if you have “at least $500K to invest,” give them a call.  I like the fact that we can help the vast majority of Americans that might not have $500K to give us.  So, this is but a refresher course for most of the readers. This is not to be used in a sales situation, because you need to show surrender charges, terms etc.  But, ladies and gentlemen… we have the products to protect our clients from the next financial flu. Have questions? Give us a call as the doctors are in the house.