Nationwide | Higher lifetime withdrawal rates

Nationwide | Higher lifetime withdrawal rates

Nationwide | Higher lifetime withdrawal rates
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A new high for withdrawal percentages!

Nationwide Peak 10 Bonus Income+ rider

Starting December 11, 2023

Provide your clients with even more guaranteed retirement income!

Effective December 11, 2023, Nationwide is boosting withdrawal percentages on the Bonus Income+ rider for the Nationwide Peak 10® fixed indexed annuity.

The rider gives your clients:

•   20% initial bonus¹

•   8% simple interest roll-up²

•   Competitive guaranteed lifetime income


Take a look at our increased withdrawal rates:

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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Aetna | Finish strong: AEP deadlines, compliance reminders

Aetna | Finish strong: AEP deadlines, compliance reminders

Aetna | Finish strong: AEP deadlines, compliance reminders
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AEP wrap-up information

We’re in the home stretch! Thank you for all your efforts this AEP, and for your dedication to helping members and clients enroll in a plan that will best meet their needs in 2024. We’re here to support you with any last-minute needs or questions that arise.

Finish strong

Review AEP enrollment deadlines

  • December 7: All AEP enrollment applications must be completed, signed, dated and received by the agent no later than 11:59 PM, December 7, 2023. 
  • 48 hours: We must receive signed enrollment applications within two calendar days after you receive them from beneficiaries. 
  • December 9 is the last day to submit all applications that were signed and dated December 7, 2023.

Remember, if you receive a completed enrollment application after AEP ends on December 7, do not hold or destroy it. Under CMS rules, you must still submit it to us within two calendar days as noted above. We then will process or deny the enrollment as appropriate.

Ensure your enrollments are processed – 

Encourage clients to contact us if their enrollment is pending due to a request for information (RFI) 

You can check the member application search report in Producer World to see if any enrollments are in a “pending RFI” status. Encourage these clients to call us so we can verify any outstanding items and finish processing their enrollment. They should call the customer service number in the message we leave or the letter they receive. 

If we’re unable to reach them (within 21 days or by the end of the enrollment period, whichever is longer), their application will be denied. 

Compliance

Remember, you must get approval before using an image of the Medicare card 

As announced in the CY2024 CMS Final Rule, you cannot use the Medicare card image unless you get authorization from CMS. This restriction applies to ALL communication and marketing materials, not just those materials which meet the CMS definition of marketing. For example, not only does it apply to traditional materials like flyers, it also applies to marketing and communications on private vans, public buses, billboards, etc. Read more

In case you missed it

BenefitsPRO: Words as medicine: Creating a healthier tomorrow through literacy

Brokers can play a role in increasing people’s access to resources and empowering individuals and their loved ones to navigate the process of choosing a plan with confidence.

HealthLeaders: The Exec: Terri Swanson details Aetna’s largest-ever MA portfolio, Part 1

HealthLeaders: The Exec: For Aetna’s Terri Swanson, Better Outcomes Don’t Have to be Complicated, Part 2

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance | Annuity Rate Update

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance | Annuity Rate Update

Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance | Annuity Rate Update
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Annuity rate update

We are adjusting rates for our FG Guarantee-Platinum® 3, 5 and 7 multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGA). New rates will be effective on December 14, 2023.

Important Reminders

  • For applications received before December 14, 2023, we will issue the policy with the current rates.
  • For applications received on or after December 14, 2023, we will issue the policy with the new rates. 
  • Standard rate lock rules apply. Please refer to our rate lock procedures for more details.
For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Independence Blue Cross | The Last Day of AEP is December 7. What’s Next?

Independence Blue Cross | The Last Day of AEP is December 7. What’s Next?

Independence Blue Cross | The Last Day of AEP is December 7. What’s Next?
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Thank you for your support during AEP!

We appreciate your helping Independence Blue Cross (IBX) make this another memorable Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). AEP ends December 7, so make sure all applications are submitted before that deadline! The Broker Medicare Resource Center (BMRC) will be open until midnight to provide assistance. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today with any questions.

End-of-AEP survey

IBX strives to provide a valuable, accessible, and resourceful experience both to you and our members. Please give us your feedback on how we did this year by responding to our End-of-AEP survey. Your responses will help us determine what’s working and identify areas for improvement. Please share your thoughts with us by Friday, December 22.

Member Communications

New member experience

Your clients should feel valued from the moment they enroll in an IBX Medicare plan until they begin accessing care and benefits and beyond. Please follow up with them to make sure they have received everything they need.

Review the 2024 Enrollment Checklist to go over all materials your clients should receive, which is also on page 24 of the 2024 Smart Solutions Brochure. Members should hear from us within 30 days of their acceptance, and should expect to receive their Member ID and IBX Care Card in mid-December.

IBX Care Card

IBX is making it easy for members to access their over-the-counter (OTC) allowance and dental/vision/hearing (DVH) flex allowance by putting both benefits on one card, the IBX Care Card. Share the IBX Care Card Over-the-Counter Benefit flyer with your clients to guide them on using these benefits.

OTC allowance

Members will receive a quarterly allowance to spend on eligible OTC health and wellness items at participating retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, Walgreens, and more. Their IBX Care Card is automatically reloaded each quarter (every three months) with their OTC allowance. The balance remaining on the card at the end of a quarter does not carry over to the next quarter if it isn’t used.

Review the 2024 IBX Care Card Sales Quick Tips to determine the allowance amount for the plan that’s applicable to your client, and how they can shop from the convenience of their home.

DVH flex benefit

The DVH flex benefit is available to Keystone 65 Basic Rx HMO, Personal Choice 65 Elite Rx PPO, and Personal Choice 65 Prime Rx PPO members. They can use this $300 annual allowance to:

  • Cover cost-sharing expenses for covered dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
  • Pay for dental, vision, and hearing services or supplies received from any licensed provider of dental, vision, and hearing services or supplies that accepts your IBX Care Card — including Medicare-covered exams, routine exams, contacts and eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental X-rays, and comprehensive dental services.

Learn more about the DVH Flex allowance by reviewing the 2024 IBX Care Card Sales Quick Tips. This resource is an agent’s guide and is not to be shared with your clients.

Stay engaged with IBX

Dispositioning Leads Video

IBX offers leads to help you grow your business. Please watch the PowerApps tutorial on dispositioning leads, which will help you generate new sales. When leads are assigned to you, you’ll have four days from inputting your first activity or result to completing the lead and ensuring that you worked the lead.

Support Contacts at Independence

As always, we value your business. We are here for you and happy to help!

Tor Heilman
Manager Medicare Sales — Broker
Phone: 267-225-5710
Email: tor.heilman@ibx.com

Nick Mancuso
Associate Medicare Sales Executive
Phone: 215-776-9235
Email: nicholas.mancuso@ibx.com

Xiaoying Wu
Associate Medicare Sales Executive
Phone: 267-255-6610
Email: xiaoying.wu@ibx.com

Independence Broker Medicare Resource Center
Phone: 1-888-234-3313
Email: IBXMedicareBroker@ibx.com

BMRC AEP Hours of Operation
Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

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Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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Athene | Rate update for Athene Products

Athene | Rate update for Athene Products

Athene | Rate update for Athene Products
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Effective December 14, 2023

We’re updating rates on Athene products. Rate grids with current and new rates can be found below. Visit Athene Connect for additional product information or to run an illustration.

The following distribution group(s) are included:

·         National
·         New York

National

Application deadlines

To receive current rates:

  • The application must be signed on or before December 13, 2023.
    • For electronic applications submitted on AnnuityNet or Affirm, the application signed date is determined by the final date you submit the electronic order to your back office. Please note, physical signature dates will not be utilized.
  • The application must be received at Athene* by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023.
    • If your back office requires the use of an order entry platform, Athene must receive the electronic order by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023. Copies of the paper application without the electronic order will not hold the current rates.
    • If the application is being funded from a firm brokerage account, your firm must be able to submit both the funds and electronic application by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023.
  • The contract must be in good order, suitability review complete (if applicable) and all funds received at Athene* by market close (3 p.m. CT) on February 12, 2024.

* Please Note: Athene’s rate lock period begins on the rate change effective date. If you submit applications through your firm’s back office, please allow for additional processing time to meet the deadlines listed above.

Revised materials will be available on the Forms and Materials page beginning December 14, 2023. Be sure to use up-to-date materials when offering Athene annuities. You may experience slight processing delays on any print orders in the days before or after a rate change effective date.

New York

Application deadlines

In order to receive current rates:

  • The application must be signed on or before December 13, 2023.
    • For electronic applications submitted on AnnuityNet or Affirm, the application signed date is determined by the final date you submit the electronic order to your back office. Please note, physical signature dates will not be utilized.
  • The application must be received at Athene* by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023.
    • If your back office requires the use of an order entry platform, Athene must receive the electronic order by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023. Copies of the paper application without the electronic order will not hold the current rates.
    • If the application is being funded from a firm brokerage account, your firm must be able to submit both the funds and electronic application by market close (3 p.m. CT) on December 27, 2023.
  • The contract must be in good order, suitability review complete (if applicable) and all funds received at Athene* by market close (3 p.m. CT) on February 12, 2024.

* Please Note: Athene’s rate lock period begins on the rate change effective date. If you submit applications through your firm’s back office, please allow for additional processing time in order to meet the deadlines listed above.

Revised materials will be available on the Forms and Materials page beginning December 14, 2023. Be sure to use up-to-date materials when offering Athene annuities. You may experience slight processing delays on any print orders in the days before or after a rate change effective date.

For more information, contact a Pinnacle Financial Services representative today

1 (800) 772-6881 x7731 | sales@pfsinsurance.com

Contact a Pinnacle Representative if you have any questions.

1 (800) 772-6881
support@pfsinsurance.com

Contact Us

Contact a Pinnacle Financial Service representative today for assistance.

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