As we approach our nation's 250th birthday, collectively as a country we pay respect to the brave forefathers who not only fought for our independence, but also spent a great deal of time thinking about what independence meant to them and to future Americans.

With the 24-hour news cycle, social media algorithms that seem to know our fears better than we do, and an endless stream of dopamine disguised as a phone in everyone's pocket, it makes perfect sense why America seems to be engulfed by anxiety.

For many people, the very first thing they do in the morning is look at their phone. Within seconds they're blasted with opinions on subjects they never asked to hear about, social media posts specifically designed to stir emotions, and an endless stream of information competing for their attention.

The next thing many people do is check their email.

While checking your email first thing in the morning isn't necessarily a bad thing, it might not be the best way to begin your day.

As we head into the holiday weekend and continue through the summer months, here are a few practical ideas that may help you sharpen your mind, become more present, and simply enjoy life a little more.

These aren't magic tricks. They're simple habits that have been proven to benefit both the mind and body.

When life feels overwhelming, one of the simplest things you can do is slow your breathing.

Try breathing in through your nose for four seconds, holding for a second or two, and then breathing out slowly through your mouth for six seconds. Repeat this for a few minutes and you'll be surprised how quickly your mind begins to settle.

No, you don't actually need to take a bath in the woods! Forest bathing simply means spending quiet time in nature without distractions. It’s a centuries-old method that originated in Japan. The theory is that man may have left the forest – but the forest never truly left the man.

So, go out to the woods and leave the phone in your pocket. Listen to the birds. Watch the leaves move in the breeze. Notice the sounds around you.

There is something deeply calming about disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with God's creation.

This commentary is a little different than what I normally write.

As financial professionals, we spend a lot of time talking about retirement planning, market volatility, and income strategies. Those conversations are incredibly important.

But your health, your family, your faith, and your peace of mind matter too.

As we celebrate Independence Day, maybe one of the greatest forms of independence available to us today is learning to disconnect from the constant noise and reconnect with what really matters.

So, spend time with your family, take a walk, say a prayer – watch the sunset. Maybe put the phone down for awhile and truly connect with nature and your loved ones.

Remember who you are – a human being who innately craves nature, human connection and love.

My hope is that at least one of these ideas helps someone reading this. Somehow, though, I have a feeling it will help a lot more than just one.

Have a wonderful Independence Day and God Bless America!

​One of the biggest risks facing retirees today isn't necessarily market volatility, inflation, or even taxes. In many cases, it's simply doing nothing. Every week, we speak with agents who uncover annuity contracts that haven't been reviewed in years. The client purchased the product for a specific reason at a specific point in time, but life changes, products evolve, and markets shift.

Many clients assume that because their money is protected, there is no reason to revisit an existing annuity. While safety is certainly important, protection alone does not necessarily mean the contract remains the best fit for their current objectives. We've seen situations where clients are paying for income riders they never intend to use, sitting in products with outdated crediting strategies, or holding contracts that no longer align with their retirement goals.

I recently worked on a case involving a client who was in the seventh year of a ten-year fixed indexed annuity. The contract still had a 7% surrender charge, and the client was already taking income from the income rider. Many agents would immediately assume that a transfer would not make sense under those circumstances. However, after reviewing the available options, we found a carrier willing to accept the transfer with no premium bonus at all because the income being offered was substantially higher than what the client was currently receiving.

That case is a good reminder that assumptions can sometimes prevent us from uncovering opportunities for our clients. We see similar situations on the accumulation side as well, where newer product designs, enhanced crediting strategies, or premium bonuses can create outcomes that were simply not available when the original contract was written. The point isn't that every contract should be replaced. The point is that every contract deserves to be reviewed.

The annuity industry has changed dramatically over the last several years. Carriers have introduced stronger accumulation opportunities, enhanced income solutions, and in some cases substantial premium bonuses designed to help offset surrender charges. As a result, products that were considered competitive five or ten years ago may no longer offer the same value when compared to today's marketplace.

That doesn't mean every existing contract should be replaced. In fact, many shouldn't. However, every client deserves the opportunity to understand what they own, why they own it, and whether it still serves the purpose for which it was originally purchased. A simple policy review can often reveal opportunities that neither the client nor the agent realized existed.

The most successful agents I know aren't constantly chasing the next prospect. They're consistently reviewing existing business, asking thoughtful questions, and helping clients make informed decisions. Sometimes the review confirms the client is exactly where they need to be. Other times it uncovers opportunities to improve income, increase growth potential, reduce fees, or better align the contract with the client's current needs.
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The hidden cost of inaction is that time continues to pass whether we review these contracts or not. Clients deserve proactive guidance, and as advisors, one of the most valuable services we can provide is helping them evaluate whether yesterday's solution is still the right solution for today.

Agents,

I’ve spent years watching agents chase production.

I’ve seen marketing systems overpromise. I’ve seen seminar programs fail. I’ve seen agents spend money on things that sounded great and produced very little.

Because of that, I’ve become extremely skeptical. So, when I tell you this… Understand I’m not saying it lightly.

Our Elevate no-dinner workshop program is one of the closest things I’ve seen to a repeatable, scalable annuity production system.

Not because someone told me. Because we’ve watched agents execute it.

The average premium per campaign is $1M in FIA production, and an appointment setting ratio around 75%-80%, Incredible!

And before you think: “I’ve heard this before.” I understand.

You should be skeptical.

The difference is this program isn’t built around theory.

It includes:

• Ongoing in-person training opportunities
• Weekly coaching and mentoring calls
• Actual workshop recordings and appointment processes
• Scripts, presentations, workflows, and implementation support
• A no-dinner educational model producing exceptional appointment ratios

This isn’t passive. You still have to work. But after seeing countless programs over the years, I can tell you:

I would not be sending this message if I didn’t believe this could materially change an agent’s business.

If you’d like details on upcoming training opportunities and whether this fits your practice, contact us at (877) 844-0900. Email us at [email protected].

The agents taking action now may not recognize their production 12 months from today.

Wow - This year is zipping by! As I'm writing this today on April 30th; spring fever is in full effect!  Now let's take a look ahead at what the month of May has in store for us ...

If you are spending any time talking to clients right now, you are likely hearing the exact same underlying concern in every conversation: uncertainty. Between market fluctuations, economic headlines, and the natural anxiety that comes with planning for retirement, clients are exhausted by all of it. They want growth, but more than anything, they want to know if their hard-earned money is protected!

This is exactly where you step in, and this is why the Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) remains one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. When you sit down with a prospect this week, I want you to focus on changing the conversation from "chasing returns" to "capturing opportunity without the risk."

Because safety and income guarantees are more important to the retiree today than ever. Think about it for a second — setting aside a few blips, most folks have seen a steady rise in their brokerage accounts over the last 15 years.

1. The Math of Losing
Clients often don't realize how devastating a market loss is to their retirement timeline. If a portfolio drops 20%, it doesn’t just take a 20% gain to recover; it takes a 25% gain just to get back to zero. By utilizing an FIA, you eliminate that recovery time completely. You give them the peace of mind that their principal is locked in.

2. Show, Don't Just Tell
Don't just explain the concept of downside protection—show them. Pull out the performance graphs comparing a standard S&P 500 buy-and-hold strategy against a properly structured FIA over the last two decades. When clients physically see the flat line during market crashes instead of the deep valleys, the client can see the power of protecting their nest egg from market losses. "Zero is your hero" isn't just a catchphrase; it's a mathematical reality with FIA's!

3. The Psychological Shift
An FIA doesn't just protect a client's money; it protects their retirement mindset. When they no longer have to check the market daily out of fear, they have the freedom to actually enjoy the retirement they worked so hard to build. You aren't just selling a contract; you are selling financial peace of mind. And we have some really innovative FIA's that guarantee an S&P 500 cap for the entire length of the surrender charge term. We have a new product that can guarantee a 10% annual cap on the S&P 500, and the carrier is contractually bound to renew the cap at 10% for all seven years of the surrender charge term.

At The Ohlson Group, our goal is to make sure you have the tools, marketing expertise, back-office support and lead generation capabilities to help you make each week better than the last one. If you have a tough case on your desk or need help structuring an illustration that highlights these exact benefits, pick up the phone and call our team today.

​Alright Everyone,

I want to keep this one simple and focused, because the opportunity right now is real. We’ve got a combination in the market that we don’t see all that often. On one hand, interest rates are still at levels that allow carriers to offer strong fixed rates and very competitive caps. On the other hand, volatility hasn’t disappeared—and that is important. Because volatility is what helps drive option pricing, and option pricing is what helps fuel the caps and participation rates we’re able to offer clients. So when you’ve got solid rates and lingering volatility, that’s when fixed index annuities tend to shine the most.

Clients are still uneasy. They’ve seen the swings. They’ve felt the uncertainty. And even when the market rallies, there’s still that voice in the back of their head asking:

"What happens if it drops again?" ... "What if the war widens, causing investor panic?" ... "Is OUR nest egg protected enough?"

That’s your opening - What a perfect time to bring up the fixed index annuity concept. We have FIA products that guarantee S&P 500 cap rates for the entire surrender charge period. A product that came out this week guarantees a 10% S&P 500 cap for seven years. Whether it's a cap lock index strategy, a premium bonus play to help refinance your client's retirement plan or a fixed indexed annuity with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit rider that can guarantee income for life and can double the income if your client becomes chronically ill. What other industry can provide these types of financial guarantees?
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If your client or prospect is hesitant to talk about anything index related, that's no problem either. MYGA rates are beating bank CD rates handily and have the added benefit of tax deferral. As my father used to say, "Don't try to sell them a steak when all they want is a ham sandwich!" This season of the business is all about making clients, establishing relationships with prospects and in my opinion, marketing like never before.

Our annuity lead program has continued to produce strong returns for agents. Our Elevate no dinner annuity seminar program is working, and several agents are doubling production by running these workshops. Whether you prefer purchasing leads or presenting in a seminar style fashion, it makes no difference. The key is to have a plan and place and to work that plan. Call us and we can set up a tailored plan for you and your practice.

To say the world is in turmoil right now would be an understatement.
 
And one of the clearest indicators of that is the volatility index. As we all know, the 10-year Treasury yield is the primary driver of how annuity rates are priced, especially in the fixed indexed annuity space. Layer on top of that elevated market volatility—measured by the VIX—which impacts the cost of options, and you’ve got a very dynamic pricing environment.
 
That’s exactly what we’re seeing right now. Rates are moving. Some are going up, some are coming down—but the opportunity for clients today is still incredibly strong.
 
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen volatility spike and remain elevated, with larger daily swings in the market—both up and down—and sometimes multiple times within the same day. That kind of movement is being driven by several factors: geopolitical tension, particularly the U.S.–Iran conflict, rising oil prices, inflation concerns, and continued interest rate uncertainty. All of this is leading to increased hedging activity and more defensive positioning across the board.
 
Now, what does that mean for us?
 
It means we’re in one of the most dynamic pricing environments we’ve seen in years. And despite that, we’re still seeing tremendous opportunities for clients.
 
We’re seeing S&P 500 cap rates at 10% and higher. We’re seeing products that will lock in cap rates for the entire surrender charge period. Think about that—clients can purchase an annuity today and know that the cap they start with is the same cap they’ll see years from now when their renewal letter arrives. And in my opinion, those caps are going to look very attractive down the road.
 
This is a big reason why we’re continuing to see a record number of annuity applications flow through our office in 2026.
 
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—this is the time to be proactive. But given everything that’s transpired over the last month, and especially with the outlook that this current conflict could extend for several more weeks or longer, I’m going to take it a step further:
 
It’s time to reach out to every client you’ve ever done business with. This is also an ideal time to launch a lead campaign or get a seminar on the calendar.
 
At the Ohlson Group, we can help you do both. Our Safe Money Places® annuity lead program has been running in-house for nearly a decade, and those leads are priced at cost. We also offer a no-dinner annuity seminar system mentored by a $50 million producer. We have several agents actively running that program right now, and they’re averaging roughly $700,000 to $800,000 in fixed indexed annuity premium per campaign.
 
If you’d like help putting together a client letter or follow-up communication, we can assist with that as well.
 
I’ve always believed this, and it’s especially true right now—when there is uncertainty in the world, this is when I get the most excited about what we do. Because when the world is full of anxiety, we get to be the calm.
 
We can’t fix everything going on globally, but we can take financial worry off our clients’ shoulders. We can ensure they don’t lose money due to market downturns. We can provide guaranteed income they and their spouse cannot outlive. And we can offer solutions that include enhanced benefits—like income increases in the event of chronic illness or long-term care needs.
 
And I’ll say it—we have the best back office in the industry here at the Ohlson Group.

If you’ve been in this business long enough, you already know this: taxes are not going down long term. Clients know it. They feel it. They may not articulate it perfectly, but they sense it.

That’s why Roth conversion conversations are no longer “advanced planning.” They’re becoming mainstream retirement planning topics.

Several of our key carriers now give us the ability to take a single premium of qualified funds and systematically convert those dollars internally into a Roth IRA over time. And this is where it gets powerful. And clients can tailor the conversion schedule.

Five years.
Ten years.
Or somewhere in between.

Instead of taking a massive lump sum distribution and getting crushed by taxes in one calendar year, they can stretch the tax burden out. Each year, they simply pay tax on the portion that was converted that year.

And the real beauty of this — what several carriers call the “mirrored contract concept.”

With this concept you have:

Contract A – The qualified account.
Contract B – The mirrored Roth account.

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The single premium goes into Contract A. Each time a distribution is made for conversion purposes, the funds move into Contract B — and that mirrored contract carries the same values, surrender schedule, and crediting strategies/rates.

Same chassis. Same structure. Just different tax status.

At the end of the five- or ten-year window — however the client designs it — the entire contract has transitioned from qualified to Roth. Now you’ve got tax-free growth potential and tax-free distributions down the road, without having taken the hit all at once.

We are actively working on client-facing marketing pieces to help you articulate this clearly. Because once a client understands the mirrored concept visually, the light bulb goes on. It stops feeling like a tax event and starts feeling like a controlled migration from taxable to tax-free. Look out for these pieces in the coming weeks.

Medicare considerations are important to note …

Large Roth conversions can impact a client’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which can trigger higher Medicare Part B and Part D premiums due to IRMAA adjustments. That doesn’t mean “don’t do it.” It means planning it properly. Stretch it out intelligently. Coordinate it with income levels. Be strategic about timing and partner with a CPA on complex cases.

Additionally, annuity business right now is coming in at a record pace. And we are fortunate to have carriers offering premium bonuses north of 20% on 10-year surrender periods. We’ve got carriers locking S&P 500 annual point-to-point caps for the entire surrender charge period.

If you’re like me, you’ve had that call before:

“Joe, the market was up. My friends made money. Why didn’t my annuity credit anything?”

And you’re re-explaining caps, spreads, participation rates, volatility control strategies — and sometimes the client just hears, “It didn’t credit any interest this year.”

We can’t control how the S&P 500 performs. But with guaranteed cap structures locked for the entire surrender period, we can control the predictability of the cap rates. No renewal rate surprises.

And let me just say this plainly — I’m grateful. Grateful for the agents writing business with the Ohlson Group. Grateful to those participating in our lead program. Grateful to those working the Elevate workshops and actively writing business.

Agents who are working marketing plans — whether through leads, workshops, or refinancing outdated annuities — are seeing real momentum. This quarter is shaping up to be one of the strongest we’ve had. The old saying “app-tivity leads to activity” holds true.

And as we continue to layer in strategic conversations like Roth conversions — especially using tools like mirrored contracts — you jump from “annuity salesperson” to “retirement income expert.”

This May will mark my 20th year working with the Ohlson Group, and to say that time has flown by would be an understatement. Having had the privilege of working alongside my father — Ohlson Group founder Ray Ohlson — for so many years was more than special. It was a blessing.

After graduating from Ball State University, I had several ideas about what I wanted to pursue professionally. My main area of study was journalism. I love writing, and that love still lives within me today. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy writing these commentaries. I always aim to provide a positive message — and at least one nugget of value that might help you in your insurance career.

In May of 2006, I officially began my career with the Ohlson Group. I was young!
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But I wasn’t completely new to the business. The Ohlson Group opened its doors in 2003, and during my college years, I spent my summers interning in the office. My brother Nick — a few years older than me — was already working with my dad and Nick’s mentorship helped me gain confidence in my abilities. Those early summers gave me a clear-eyed view to what it meant to build something from the ground up: relationships with agents, partnerships with carriers, and a company centered around service.

Still, I looked young. Very young.

I may be one of the few people who was genuinely happy to see a few gray hairs show up in my mid-to-late twenties! At the time, I needed them. Some agents didn’t quite know what to make of me. Experience, I quickly learned, isn’t something you claim — it’s something you earn.

Twenty years later, I can say without hesitation that working alongside independent agents across the country has been one of the great blessings of my life. This business has never been about transactions to me. It has always been about relationships.

What you do in the field matters more than you may realize. What you sell is not a widget or a commodity. You are helping families complete dreams — protecting generations with tax-free life insurance benefits, preserving dignity through long-term care planning, and creating guaranteed income streams that function like personal pension plans.

You guide clients through Roth conversions that may significantly reduce future tax burdens. You help eliminate debt. And at our bread and butter, you safeguard assets in strategies that provide growth potential without market downside risk.

That is meaningful work.

Although we are still a couple of months away from my official 20-year anniversary, I’ll admit that I am getting a head start on the celebration. The reason is simple: 2026 has begun with tremendous momentum. We are seeing a record influx of business week after week.

If I sound like a broken record when I say that we can help you grow, it’s because after two decades in this business, I know growth is not accidental — it is pre-planned. We can build a clear marketing plan for you.
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We can review last year’s income and map out what it will take to reach your goals this year. We can talk realistically about budget, determine how many workshops per month you may need to run, and identify how many lead campaigns can support your production targets. We can even backfill the math and approximate what level of marketing may be required to reach the income you want.

​It continues to be a fast-paced year at the Ohlson Group. We’re seeing record numbers of new agent contracts coming in. The phones are ringing. The cases are coming across my desk. A lot of solid, regular-sized annuity cases — and yes, quite a few larger ones too. The money is out there. 

And it’s not hard to understand why.

We just had a losing week in the S&P 500. Geopolitical tensions are simmering. Domestic politics are noisy. Commodities are all over the place. AI disruption fears are real for a lot of industries. Consumer prices rose 2.4% in January — lower than expected, which is good news — but there’s still a sense of uncertainty in the air. Even with the Dow hitting record highs in recent weeks, everyday Americans aren’t feeling “calm.” They’re feeling cautious. And when people feel cautious, they look for safety.

That’s where we come in. We have fixed index annuities offering premium bonuses up to 23% on 10-year index products. We have MYGA rates that are higher than CDs and sitting near record highs for our industry. There is real value on the table right now for clients who want protection, predictability, and peace of mind.

And we’re not lacking opportunity. Our marketing systems are working for agents who work them. Whether it’s our Ohlson Group annuity lead program that we’ve been running successfully for years, or the Elevate no-dinner seminar program, we are not in any kind of shortage of prospecting tools. We have ways — proven ways — to get our agents in front of qualified annuity prospects.

Middle America — the family with $200,000 to $500,000 in savings — is often overlooked. They’re not big enough for the high-end brokerage firms to chase aggressively. But that money represents a lifetime of work. It needs to be protected. It needs to be handled with care. Those are our clients, and they are looking for a hand-up and that is where you become the hero.

To our agents that are writing business, thank you! To the agents who are reading this and have been looking at The Ohlson Group for a while - give us a call or schedule a meeting. We are well positioned  to get you to the next level in your practice - whatever that looks like.