Securing your family's financial future is one of the most important goals you can achieve. We offer a wide selection of innovative financial services and products designed to help you fulfill your dreams.

Why do I need Life Insurance?
Life insurance is an essential part of financial planning. One reason most people buy life insurance is to replace income that would be lost with the death of a wage earner. The cash provided by life insurance also can help ensure that your dependents are not burdened with significant debt when you die. Life insurance proceeds could mean your dependents will not have to sell assets to pay outstanding bills or taxes. An important feature of life insurance is that no income tax is payable on proceeds paid to beneficiaries. The death benefit of a life policy owned by a C corporation may be included in the calculation of the alternative minimum tax.

How much Insurance do I need?
Before buying life insurance, you should assemble personal financial information and review your family's needs. There are a number of factors to consider when determining how much protection you should have. These include:

• Any immediate needs at the time of death, such as final illness expenses, burial costs and estate taxes.
• Funds for a readjustment period, to finance a move or to provide time for family members to find a job.
• Ongoing financial needs, such as monthly bills and expenses, day-care costs, college tuition or retirement.

Although there is no substitute for a careful evaluation of the amount of coverage needed to meet your needs, one rule of thumb used is buy life insurance that is equal to five to seven times annual gross income.

If you want to be more precise, take the time and complete the Needs Analyzer

Choosing A Plan

Buying life insurance is not like any other purchase you will make. When you pay your premiums, you're buying the future financial security of your family that only life insurance can provide. Among its many uses, life insurance helps ensure that, when you die, your dependents will have the financial resources needed to protect their home and the income needed to run a household.

Choosing a life insurance product is an important decision, but it often can be complicated. As with any other major purchase, it is important that you understand your needs and the options available to you.

The main types of life insurance available are term and permanent. Term insurance provides protection for a specified period of time. Permanent insurance provides lifelong protection. To learn more about term and permanent insurance click on the appropriate button at the top of this page..

Additional Points

1. What happens if I fail to make the required payments?
   If you miss a premium payment, you typically have a 30- or 31-day grace period during which you can pay the premium. After that, the policy will lapse. You may be able to reinstate with evidence of insurability depending on your policy's provisions. If your policy has sufficient cash value, the company can, with your authorization, draw from a permanent policy's cash surrender value to keep that policy in force. This does not apply to term insurance because there is no cash value to draw from. In some flexible premium policies, premiums may be reduced or skipped as long as sufficient cash values remain in the policy. However, this will result in lower cash values.
2. What if I become disabled?
   Provisions or riders that provide additional benefits can often be added to a policy. One such rider is a waiver of premium for disability. With this rider, if you become totally disabled for a specified period of time, you do not have to pay premiums for the duration of the disability.
3. Are other riders available? (* availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state.)
   • "Accidental death benefit", provides for an additional benefit in case of death as a result of an accident.
   • "Accelerated benefits", also known as "living benefits." This rider allows you, under certain circumstances, to receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy before you die. Such circumstances include terminal or catastrophic illness, the need for long-term care or confinement to a nursing home.
   • "Child rider", provides insurance for all your children, usually from $1,000 to $20,000 of death benefit.
4. When will the policy be in effect?
   If you decide to purchase the policy, find out when the insurance becomes effective. This could be different from the date the company issues the policy.
5. How do accelerated death benefits work?
   It allows policyholders to receive all or part of the policy's proceeds prior to death under certain circumstances, including the need for long-term care and confinement to a nursing home. Because payments may affect tax status and Medicare eligibility, and will be deducted from the overall benefits paid later to beneficiaries, policyholders should thoroughly investigate options in advance.
6. By using medical tests are insurers trying to eliminate any applicant likely to develop a serious health condition?
   Medical tests can provide accurate and current information about an applicant's health, thus enabling insurers to charge premiums that reflect the level of risk an applicant represents. Because some health conditions are easily managed through proper medication, therapy or lifestyle changes, medical information sometimes makes it possible for insurers to cover applicants who might not otherwise be insurable. More serious or incurable conditions present an enormous risk that an insurer simply cannot assume.
7. What should I consider in naming life insurance beneficiaries?
   • Always name a "contingent," or secondary, beneficiary, just in case you outlive your first beneficiary.
   • Select a specific beneficiary, rather than having the proceeds of your life insurance paid to your estate. One of the great advantages of life insurance is that it can be paid to your family immediately. If it is payable to your estate, however, it will have to go through probate with the rest of your assets.
   • Be very clear in wording beneficiary designations. Naming specific children may exclude those born later. If your child dies before you, do you want the proceeds to go to that child's children? Changing the beneficiary designation is easy, but you have to remember to do it.
8. Does it make sense to replace a policy?
   Think twice before you do, because in many situations it may not be to your advantage. Before dropping any in-force policy, make sure your "new" policy is paid for and in effect and first consider:
   • If your health status has changed over the years, you may no longer be insurable at preferred or standard rates.
   • Even if both policies pay "dividends," it may be years before the new policy's dividends equal those of your present one.
   • If you replace one cash-value policy with another, the cash value of the new policy may be relatively small for several years and may never be as large as that of the original one. There may also be a period wherein a surrender charge is applicable on the first policy.
   • You should ask for a detailed listing of cost breakdowns of both policies, including premiums, cash surrender value and death benefits. Compare these as well as the features offered by both policies.
   • If you decide to surrender or reduce the value of the policy you now own and replace it with other insurance, be sure your new policy is in force before you cancel the old one.
9. As a single person, do I need insurance?
   The answer almost always is yes. You may want to consider these options:
   • Disability income insurance - especially important for self-supporting singles without sizable assets, this can replace a good part of the income you would lose if you were unable to work because of accident or illness. If you don't have long-term disability coverage at work, it would be wise to consider an individual policy designed to replace at least 60 percent of your income.
   • Health insurance - if you don't have on-the-job coverage, an individual policy is your first line of defense against ever-escalating medical and hospital costs. You can keep premium costs down by electing a large deductible, thereby "self-insuring" as much as you can afford.
   • Life insurance - even if you have no dependents now, you may later. If you buy now when you are younger and healthier, you can "lock in" lowest-cost coverage, including guaranteed insurability.

Permanent insurance provides lifelong protection and is known by a variety of names. These policies are designed and priced for you to keep over a long period of time. If you don't intend to keep the policy for the long term, it could be the wrong type of insurance for you.

Most permanent policies including whole, ordinary, universal, adjustable and variable life have a feature known as "cash value" or "cash surrender value." This feature, which is not found in most term insurance policies, provides you with some options:

• You can cancel or "surrender" the policy -- in total or in part -- and receive the cash surrender value as a lump sum of money. If you surrender your policy in the early years, there may be little or no cash value.
• If you need to stop paying premiums, you can often use the cash surrender value to continue your current insurance protection for a specific period of time or to provide a lesser amount of protection to cover you for as long as you live if there is sufficient cash value.
• Usually, you may borrow from the policy, using the cash value in your life insurance as collateral. Unlike loans from most financial institutions, the loan is not dependent on credit checks or other restrictions. You ultimately must repay any loan with interest or your beneficiaries will receive a reduced death benefit.
• The interest crediting rate and therefore cash values of many life insurance policies may be affected by your carrier's future experience, including mortality rates, expenses and investment earnings.
• Keep in mind that with all types of permanent policies, the cash value of a policy is different from the policy face amount. Cash surrender value is the amount of available cash when you surrender a policy before its maturity or your death. The face amount is the money that will be paid at death or at policy maturity.

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Term insurance provides protection for a specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die during the term. Level term products are the most popular plans purchased today. The level term can be from 5 years to 30 years. The premium and death benefit are designed to stay level during the term of the contract. The premiums can be either guaranteed or not guaranteed. When purchasing a level term life insurance policy be sure you are aware of the guaranteed premium period. Once you have been approved and placed the policy in force with the first payment, the insurance company is obligated to keep the policy in force as long as you keep paying the premiums. You are not obligated to pay, but once you stop paying, the policy will lapse after usually a 30 day grace period. Some term insurance policies can be renewed when you reach the end of a specific period which can be from one to 30 years. The premium rates increase at each renewal date. Most policies require that evidence of insurability be furnished at renewal for you to qualify for the lowest available rates.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Term Insurance

Advantages

• Initially, premiums are generally lower than those for permanent insurance, allowing you to buy higher levels of coverage at a younger age when the need for protection often is greatest.
• It's good for covering specific needs that will disappear in time, such as mortgages or car loans.
• The new 20 and 30 and year products can provide coverage as long as most people might need life insurance.

Disadvantages

• Premiums increase as you grow older, after the term selected expires, providing it renews past that term.
• Coverage may terminate at the end of the term or may become too expensive to continue.
• Generally, the policy doesn't offer cash value or paid-up insurance.

Questions to Consider When Considering a Term Policy

• How long can I keep this policy? If you want the option to renew the policy for a specific number of years or until a certain age, what are the terms of renewal of the contract.
• When will my premiums increase? Annually? Or after a longer period of time, such as five or 10, 15, 20, 30 or even 40 years?
• Can I convert to a permanent policy? Some policies allow you to convert the policy to permanent insurance without a medical exam, regardless of your physical condition at the time of the conversion. These policies are known as "convertible term."

Purchasing Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when purchasing a life insurance policy:

• Take your time. On the other hand, don't put off an important decision that would protect your family. Make sure you fully understand any policy you are considering and that you are comfortable with the company and product.
• After you have purchased an insurance policy, keep in mind that you may have a "free-look" period usually 10 days after you receive the policy during which you can change your mind. During that period, read your policy carefully. If you decide not to keep the policy, the company will cancel the policy and give you an appropriate refund. Review the copy of your application contained in your policy. Promptly notify the agent or the company of any errors or missing information.
• Review your policy periodically or when your situation changes to be sure your coverage is adequate.

Here are some additional items to consider when you are selecting a term or permanent policy:

• What happens if I fail to make the required payments?
  If you miss a premium payment, you typically have a 30- or 31-day grace period during which you can pay the premium with no interest charged. In a term policy at the end of the grace period if you do not make a payment the policy will lapse. In a permanent policy, the company can, with your authorization, draw from a permanent policy's cash surrender value to keep that policy in force as long as there is sufficient cash surrender value. In some flexible premium policies, premiums may be reduced or skipped as long as sufficient cash values remain in the policy. However, this will result in lower cash values.
• What if I become disabled?
  Provisions or riders that provide additional benefits can be added to a policy. One such rider is a waiver of premium for disability. With this rider, if you become totally disabled for a specified period of time, you do not have to pay premiums for the duration of the disability.
• Are other riders available? (availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state)
  Another rider, called an "accidental death benefit", provides for an additional benefit in case of death by accidental means.
• A relatively new rider offered by some companies provides "accelerated benefits," also known as "living benefits." This rider allows you, under certain circumstances, to receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy before you die. Such circumstances include terminal or catastrophic illness, the need for long-term care or confinement to a nursing home.
• When will the policy be in effect?
  If you decide to purchase the policy, find out when the insurance becomes effective. This could be different from the date the company issues the policy.

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There are many different types of permanent insurance. The major ones are described below:

Whole Life or Ordinary Life

• This use to be the most common type of permanent insurance. It is sold by Mutual Life Insurance Companies. It is Life insurance that is kept in force for a person's whole life as long as the scheduled premiums are maintained. All Whole Life policies build up cash values. Most Whole Life policies are guaranteed* as long as the scheduled premiums are maintained. The variable in a whole life policy is the dividend which could vary depending on how well the investments and other business criteria of the insurance company is doing. If the company is doing well and the policies are not experiencing a higher mortality than projected, values are paid back to the policyholder in the form of dividends. Policyholders can use the cash from dividends in many ways. The three main uses are: It can be used to lower premiums, it can be used to purchase more insurance or it can be used to pay for term insurance.

Universal Life or Adjustable Life

• This variation of permanent insurance allows you, after your initial payment, to pay premiums at any time, in virtually any amount, subject to certain minimums and maximums. You also can reduce or increase the amount of the death benefit more easily than under a traditional whole life policy. (To increase your death benefit, you usually will be required to furnish the insurance company with satisfactory evidence of your continued good health.)(Decreasing does not lower premiums.)

Variable Life

• This type of permanent policy provides death benefits and cash values that vary with the performance of an underlying portfolio of investments held in a separate account. You can choose to allocate your premiums among a variety of investments which offer varying degrees of risk and reward. You will receive a prospectus in conjunction with the sale of a variable product.
• The cash value of a variable life policy is not guaranteed*, and the policyholder bears that risk. However, by choosing among the available fund options, the policyholder can create an asset allocation that meets his or her objectives and risk tolerance. Good investment performance will lead to higher cash values and death benefits. On the other hand, poor investment performance will lead to reduced cash values and death benefits.
• Some policies guarantee* that death benefits cannot fall below a minimum level. There are both universal life and whole life versions of variable life.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Permanent Insurance

Advantages

• As long as the necessary premiums are paid, protection is guaranteed* for your entire life or to a specific age / maturity.
• Premium costs can be fixed or flexible to meet personal financial needs.(Loans, withdrawals and other transactions may affect the premiums required)
• Policy accumulates a cash value that grows on a tax-deferred basis that you can borrow against. (Loans must be paid back with interest or your beneficiaries will receive a reduced death benefit.) You can borrow against the policy's cash surrender value to pay premiums or use the cash surrender value to provide paid-up insurance.
• The policy's cash surrender value can be surrendered -- in total or in part -- for cash or converted into an annuity. (An annuity is an insurance product that provides an income for a person's life-time or for a specific period of time.) A provision or "rider" only can be added to a policy that gives you the option to purchase additional insurance without taking a medical exam or having to furnish evidence of insurability.

Disadvantages

• Required premium levels may make it hard to buy enough protection.
• It may be more costly than term insurance if you don't keep it long enough.

Permanent Policy - Points to Consider

• Are the premiums within my budget? Be sure you want to spend the money for this type of long-term coverage.
• Can I commit to these premiums over the long term?
• If you don't plan to keep the product for many years, consider another type of policy.
• Cashing in a permanent policy after only a couple of years can be a costly way to get insurance protection for a short term.

What does the policy illustration show?

An illustration shows policy premiums, death benefits, cash values and information about other items that can affect your cost of obtaining insurance. Your policy may provide for dividends to be paid to you as either cash or paid-up insurance. Or it could provide for interest credits that could increase your cash value and death benefit or reduce your premium. These items are not guaranteed*. Your costs or benefits could be higher or lower than those illustrated, because they depend on the future financial results of the insurance company. With variable life, your values will depend on the results of the underlying portfolio of investments.

Some figures are guaranteed* and some are not. Remember that the insurance company will honor the guaranteed* figures, subject to its financial strength.

If your policy is a variable life policy, be sure that the interest rate or rate of return assumed is reasonable for the underlying investment accounts to which you choose to allocate your premiums. It is important to keep in mind that an illustration is not a legal document. Legal obligations are spelled out in the policy itself.

Here are additional questions to ask about the policy illustration:

• Is the illustration up to date? Is it based on current experience?
• Is the classification shown in the illustration appropriate for me (i.e., smoker/non-smoker, male/female)?
• When are premiums due annually, monthly or otherwise? Which figures are guaranteed* and which are not?
• Will I be notified if the non-guaranteed* amounts change?
• Does the policy have a guaranteed* death benefit, or could the death benefit change depending on interest rates or other factors?
• Does the policy pay dividends or provide for interest credits? Are those figures incorporated into the illustration?
• Will my premiums always be the same? Is it possible that the premium will increase significantly if future interest rates are lower than the illustration assumes?
• If the illustration shows that, after a certain period of time, I will not have to make premium payments, is there a chance I could have to begin making payments again in the future?
• Is the premium level illustrated sufficient to guarantee* protection for my entire life?

Purchasing Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when purchasing a life insurance policy:

• Take your time. On the other hand, don't put off an important decision that would protect your family. Make sure you fully understand any policy you are considering and that you are comfortable with the company and product.
• After you have purchased an insurance policy, keep in mind that you may have a "free-look" period usually 10 days after you receive the policy during which you can change your mind. During that period, read your policy carefully. If you decide not to keep the policy, the company will cancel the policy and give you an appropriate refund. Review the copy of your application contained in your policy. Promptly notify us or the company of any errors or missing information.
• Review your policy periodically or when your situation changes to be sure your coverage is adequate.

Here are some additional items to consider when you are selecting a term or permanent policy:

What happens if I fail to make the required payments?
If you miss a premium payment, you typically have a 30- or 31-day grace period during which you can pay the premium with no interest charged. After that, the company can, with your authorization, draw from a permanent policy's cash surrender value to keep that policy in force as long as there is sufficient cash surrender value. In some flexible premium policies, premiums may be reduced or skipped as long as sufficient cash surrender values remain in the policy. However, this will result in lower cash surrender values.

What if I become disabled? ** Availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state.
Provisions or riders that provide additional benefits can be added to a policy. One such rider is a waiver of premium for disability. With this rider, if you become totally disabled for a specified period of time, you do not have to pay premiums for the duration of the disability.

Are other riders available? ** Availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state.
Another rider, called an "accidental death benefit", provides for an additional benefit in case of death by accidental means.

A relatively new rider offered by some companies provides "accelerated benefits," also known as "living benefits." This rider allows you, under certain circumstances, to receive the proceeds of your life insurance policy before you die. Such circumstances include terminal or catastrophic illness, the need for long-term care or confinement to a nursing home. * Availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state.

When will the policy be in effect?
If you decide to purchase the policy, find out when the insurance becomes effective. This could be different from the date the company issues the policy.

*Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

** Availability and specifics of these riders vary by carrier and state.

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An annuity is a contract issued by an insurance company. It is a unique financial product that provides tax deferral of interest and capital gains and the option (if funds are annuitized) of a guaranteed monthly income for life. Although annuities can serve various needs, the primary purpose of an annuity is that of a retirement vehicle for the annuitant, the person who will usually receive the annuity benefits. The annuity is an attractive retirement vehicle because the money accumulating in an annuity, grows on a tax deferred basis. There are two parts to an annuity: the accumulation phase and the distribution phase.

After accumulating money in an annuity it is not mandatory that the annuitant exercise the annuitization option and relinquish control of his or her cash value and enter into the annuity distribution phase, the annuitant can simply cash out of his or her annuity.

The Accumulation Phase

Features

• During the accumulation phase, the fund grows tax deferred, it does not grow tax free. If the annuity was not purchased as part of a qualified retirement program such as an IRA, 401(k), TSA, or 457 plan, income taxes are paid on the earnings when money is ultimately paid out. If the annuity is part of a qualified plan the entire fund is subject to income taxes as it is withdrawn.
• Surrender charges for early withdrawals. Most offer partial withdrawals free of surrender charges.
• If you withdraw money from your annuity before age 59 ½ it is called a “premature distribution” and is subject to an additional 10% IRS penalty.
• If a premature death should occur, the accumulated funds within the annuity are transferred to the named beneficiary, avoiding probate costs.
• Annuities can vary by payment mode and are available as “single premium” (purchased with one-time payment) or “flexible premium” (purchased with recurring periodic payments). They also vary by timing of the annuity income and may be available as a “deferred annuity” (which means that annuity income payments are deferred until later) or as an “immediate annuity” (which means that annuity income starts immediately).
• For fixed and equity indexed annuities there is safety of principal and earnings.
• Variable products are subject to mortality and expense charges and administrative fees not typically found with other investments.

Types

• Fixed annuities
• Variable annuities
• Equity Indexed annuities

Fixed Annuities

In a fixed annuity, the insurance carrier:

• Declares a current rate of interest for a specified time period. Once the time expires the company will set a new rate which may be higher or lower than the original rate.
• Guarantees a minimum interest rate of return which is specified in the contract, and at no time may the current or renewal interest rate fall below it.
• Guarantees the principal.

Variable Annuities

A variable annuity has two types of accounts:

Fixed Accounts

In a fixed account, principal and interest are guaranteed by the insurance company. Interest rates are usually guaranteed for one year but can be longer.

Variable Accounts

• In a variable account, the annuity owner bears the investment risk. Policy values vary directly with market performance and may result in a loss of principal and prior earnings. Earnings are tied directly to the performance of various underlying investment vehicles which are available within the variable annuity and are selected by the owner.
• Variable annuities offer a guarantee that in the event of death the beneficiary will receive at least all the premiums paid less any withdrawals made no matter what the value of the account.

  This means if the account fund is valued less than the original investment, the beneficiary will receive the original investment.

* Equity Indexed Annuities

An Equity-Indexed Annuity (EIA) has interest rates that are linked to growth in the equity market as measured by an index such as the S&P 500. The EIA owner enjoys the upside potential of equities but is not exposed to downside risk. Subject to fixed minimum guarantees, the value of an EIA can only increase due to market growth – it will never decline due to market movement. There are many variations in product design. No two of the EIAs are exactly alike, and some are very different from each other. However, all the various types fall into three general categories: annual high-water mark with look-back. The following is a simple definition of each. Please call us if you would like to know more.

Annual Reset – Also known as the annual ratchet design, the annual reset design resets the starting index point annually. It also credits index increases (interest) annually and compounds annually.

Point-to-Point – The point-to-point design measures the change in the index from the start of the term to the end of the term.

Annual High-Water Mark with Look-Back – The annual high-water mark with look-back can be viewed as a variation on the point-to-point design, except that it measures the index from the start of the term to the highest anniversary value over the term.

* Some annuities allow the insurance company to change participation rates, cap rates or spead/asset/margin fees either annual or at the start of the next contract term. If an insurance company subsequently lowers the participation rate or cap rate or increases the fees, this could adversely affect an investor's return. Therefore, a prospective investor must carefully review his or her contract in order to examine these issues.

Withdrawal

• Withdrawals may be made at any time. However, the withdrawal may be subject surrender charges and if done before age 59 ½ there will be a 10% IRS penalty. Some contracts allow an annual 10% withdrawal free of surrender charges.
• The owner may pre-authorize a systematic periodic withdrawal plan. The owner of the contract instructs the company to withdraw a percentage or a level dollar amount from the contract on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis.

The Distribution Phase

As part of the distribution phase, the owner has two options, he or she can withdraw money (either in a lump sum or elect a systematic withdrawal plan) or annuitize (purchase an annuity pay out plan).

Annuitization

When the owner annuitizes the funds he or she purchases an annuity pay out plan. In a Fixed and in an Equity Indexed Annuity the owner purchases a monthly income that will be paid to him or her until death. It is a guaranteed income that will not change. In a variable annuity, the owner has an option to do the same or transfer all or part of the contract to one or more of the sub-accounts that are available, and annuitize those funds. The funds that are annuitized in the separate accounts produce an income that will change from month to month based on the performance of the sub-account that the funds are placed in.

Annuity Pay Out Plans

Life Only - Periodic monthly payments to an annuitant for the duration of his or her lifetime and then ceases. It is for a lifetime, the annuitant cannot outlive the payments. The payments are determined at the time of purchase and are based on age and sex.

Life with 10 years certain – Payments will be made for at least ten years, regardless if the annuitant lives for the entire ten years. If the annuitant dies during the ten-year period the remainder of the ten-year payments will be made to a beneficiary. If the annuitant lives longer than ten years he or she will continue to receive payments for his or her lifetime. The guaranteed monthly payments will be less than “life only.”

Life with 20 years certain – Payments will be made for at least twenty years, regardless if the annuitant lives for the entire twenty years. If the annuitant dies during the twenty-year period the remainder of the twenty-year payments will be made to a beneficiary. If the annuitant lives longer than twenty years he or she will continue to receive payments for his or her lifetime. The guaranteed monthly payments will be less than “life only”, and “Life with 10 years certain.”

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