Description: News Direct chairperson's column discussing recent activities, future plans, and the new officers of the Marketing and Distribution Section of the Society of Actuaries.

Description: Read the September 2017 issue of NewsDirect published by the Marketing & Distribution Section.

Description: The article analyzes Private Letter Ruling 202031008, which considers how Internal Revenue Code sections 72(q) and (u) apply to an annuity contract issued to a trust. In particular, the Ruling interprets the terms “taxpayer,” “holder” and “held by” in those Code sections in situations where a non-qualified deferred annuity contract is issued to a grantor trust or a non-grantor trust. The Ruling’s analysis and conclusions differ in some respects depending on which of these types of trusts is involved. In addition, although the Ruling does not address sections 72(s) or 72(e)(4)(C), the Ruling has potential implications under those provisions because they also use the term “holder” and “holds,” respectively.

Description: This article gives a comprehensive overview of how a bank can establish a broader financial services program. Areas reviewed included the types of insurance products, the people, training and compensation, and the management structures.

Description: This article discusses the changes in the marketing and distribution of lindividual life and annuity products. It highlights new distribution channels including banks, broker dealers, wirehouses and the Internet as well as fee-for-service financial planning.

Description: This article looks at the question, Should the direct mail marketer sell products until the point at which the cost of the NEXT sale exceeds the marketing allowance for the product or until the point at which the AVERAGE cost of all sales exceeds the marketing allowance for the product?

Description: This document contains material excerpted from a speech given on June 17, 1997 by Tom Kelly, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of LIMRA International, at a LOMA/LIMRA Strategic Issues Conference in Singapore. It focuses on the life insurance industry around the world and some of the forces driving change and their implications.

Description: A discussion of how patents can be used to recover the cost of innovation in product development and operations

Description: Discussion of combination long-term care insurance and annuity products.

Description: This article defines "elevator pitch" and why one is needed. A great elevator pitch is an indispensable competitive advantage that will accelerate your career progress. A poor one can leave you toiling in anonymity.