In the face of rising long-term care costs and uncertainty around retirement planning, many retirees are asking a simple but critical question: “What happens if I—or my spouse—gets sick?”

Enter Single Premium Life Insurance — a powerful tool making a big comeback for today’s retirement-minded clients.

Single Premium Life (SPL) policies aren’t just about leaving money behind. They do double duty:

• Tax-Free Death Benefit: Your client deposits a lump sum (typically from idle CDs, savings, or underperforming assets) and instantly turns it into a larger, tax-free death benefit for their beneficiaries.
• Chronic Illness Access: If they become ill and are unable to perform 2 out of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), they can access a portion or even the full death benefit while living, tax-free, to pay for home care, assisted living, or nursing home costs.

​Unlike traditional long-term care insurance that can feel like a "use it or lose it" gamble, SPL offers:

• Return of Premium: If needs change, your client can walk away with their initial premium returned, in many cases without penalty.
• No Medical Exams: These are simplified issue policies — meaning no needles, no doctors, and no hassle. Online underwriting makes the process easy and efficient.

Today’s retirees are financially smarter than ever. They're looking for leverage — how to turn one dollar into multiple uses. SPL does exactly that:

• Leave a legacy.
• Cover a crisis.
• Maintain control.

And with long-term care costs averaging $4,000–$9,000/month, the question becomes not “Can I afford coverage?” but rather “Can I afford not to?”

My father, Raymond J. Ohlson, who founded The Ohlson Group, put out a 10-minute video on this topic called "The Laughing Banker". This video has been viewed over 14,000 times - Check it out here as the information and sales ideas are on point even in today's environment!

In today’s uncertain economic environment, many advisors are rethinking the traditional 60/40 portfolio rule, which historically called for 60% equities and 40% bonds. As rates fluctuate and bond volatility increases, more and more professionals are replacing a portion — or even all — of that 40% bond allocation with fixed index annuities (FIAs).

And for good reason.

FIAs can be a powerful solution for conservative clients — especially those currently in CDs or bond-heavy portfolios. Consider this: the average 5-year CD rate right now is only 1.72%, and even some of the most aggressive banks are only offering up to 4.28%. Sure, a handful of money market accounts are touting 5% rates, but none of those options provide the tax deferral, upside potential, or guaranteed income features that an FIA can.

We currently offer a suite of 5-year FIAs that not only provide competitive growth potential, but also lock in participation rates for the life of the contract. That means no surprises when your client opens up that renewal statement — what you promised on day one is exactly what they’ll see moving forward. And if you’re looking for growth? Some of these 5-year FIAs are offering double-digit S&P 500 cap rates.

But it doesn’t stop there.

By simply presenting FIAs as a CD or bond alternative, you may uncover deeper concerns your client has — such as fears about outliving their money, future health care costs, or income in retirement. FIAs with lifetime income riders can provide guaranteed income for life, and many include enhanced payout options if your client becomes chronically ill or enters a nursing facility.

Whether it’s a 5-, 7-, or 10-year FIA, keep these products front of mind the next time a client says they’re “happy” with their CD, or their advisor insists bonds are the best safe money play. Show them there’s a better, safer, more reliable alternative.

Because that’s what we do — we’re Safe Money Places agents. We’re proud members of the Safe Money Places Agent Network. 

On that note - give The Ohlson Group a call to get set up with your free agent website and to inquire about lead availability in your territory. And connect you with the best back-office support and most experienced marketers in the industry.

Let’s show our clients that safe doesn’t mean settling — it means strategy, structure, and security.

Life Insurance Sales are Blazing – And Annuity Demand Remains Strong!

According to LIMRA, life insurance premiums were up 8% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025, totaling $3.94 billion in new annualized premium. Even better? The total number of life policies increased by 1% compared to Q1 of last year. It’s clear—more families are seeing the value of life insurance, and you’re in a great position to help them. Whether it is a tax-free death benefit to leave a legacy, or a policy designed to build cash value for tax-free withdrawals down the road, Americans are seeking protection and security and the statistics prove this.

Here at The Ohlson Group, we’re proud of our top-tier life insurance department—and we’ve got a big in-person life insurance bootcamp on June 19th, at our headquarters. If you haven’t signed up yet, we’d love to have you here. It’s going to be an energizing, idea-packed event that will help you grow your life business. Levon Justice, Director of Life Insurance Sales, will be leading the meeting and we have a terrific line-up of presenters accompanying him as well.

To register for the in-person life insurance bootcamp, click here.

Now let’s talk annuities—still red hot. First quarter annuity sales came in at $98.2 billion, according to the latest Wink Sales & Market Report. Demand remains strong. Athene led the way as the #1 carrier in overall annuity sales with a 9–10% market share.

With global uncertainties, market volatility, and ongoing tariff discussions, clients are craving guarantees—guaranteed income, guaranteed protection, and guaranteed legacy planning. Whether it’s lifetime income, tax-free death benefits, or leveraging life insurance as an asset, there’s no better time to have those conversations.

At The Ohlson Group, we’ve got your back. Our team of case design pros and product experts are just a phone call away, ready to help you win your next case.

And one last thing—don’t forget about our annuity and lead generation program. It continues to deliver results and fuel production. If you want in, or need more details, contact us today.