Life insurance often plays an important role as one component of an overall retirement and estate plan. A new development in the world of insurance commands our attention. Insurance premiums on many permanent policies are going up and many plans will never be available at current rates again.
Interest rates have dropped over the last decade and remain stagnant today. This has caused chaos in conservative investment vehicles including bonds, fixed annuities, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. Now, these lower interest rates are going to drastically affect life insurance product design pricing for many guaranteed life insurance products. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has seen the need to make adjustments in the way that life insurance companies finance and carry reserves on their policies. In September, the NAIC approved revisions to Actuarial Guideline 38 (AG38) requiring insurance companies to hold more cash reserves in order to guarantee many life insurance policies.
Some insurance companies have already begun changing their policies, but certainly by January 1, 2013, we are going to see a dramatic change in product design and the pricing of life insurance in this country. The most common increase in pricing for guaranteed policies is projected to be between 8 and 15 percent, however, industry wide, the premium increases are going to peak as high as 25 percent.
Life insurance is more than just a death benefit. It is the only vehicle ever fashioned that creates an instant estate. Life insurance can ease the worry of outliving your resources, help fund a college education, bolster retirement prospects, help you maximize your social security or required minimum distributions, pay for estate and income taxes, and, in some cases, a combination policy can provide for long-term care coverage as well as life insurance.
If you are unsure if you need life insurance, or you’d like to get information about how life insurance can augment your portfolio and improve your loved ones, beneficiaries’, and even your own financial future, now is the time to find out more.
Please, call us today and schedule a complimentary appointment to evaluate and discuss your insurance needs taking into account whatever insurance you already own. You won’t be sorry.
Please call Alice, at 412.521.2732 to set up your free insurance evaluation today.