You Are Not Out of the Woods Yet!

By Gissou Gotlieb, Field Suitability Compliance Officer

For those covering the topic of the Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rule for reporting purposes, for the people at financial firms responsible for making strategic decisions that will make or break the firm, and for those financial professionals dealing with retirees and their nest eggs, the rule and the roller coaster of developments have been a bear! Of course the rule impacts many others, but trying to stay ahead of or even keeping up with it has been a challenge for sure. While some may think we are in the clear now with the requested delay, I’d like to remind you, we are not.

Step into the Light!

What if we told you that you would never have to print out a 50-page application again? What if we told you that you would never have to walk into a client’s house and have them sign seemingly 100 times on an annuity application? They would only have to sign once. What if we told you we had a way to make sure you had the most up-to-date paperwork when you met with a client every time? What if we told you that you would not have to go back out to the client to get a piece of missing paperwork? What if we told you could get your business processed faster? Would you be interested?

Your Business Forecast: Sunny with a Strong Chance of Social, Part 4

By Brianna Regan, Marketing Development Director

Managing Your Social Media Presence Day-to-Day and Assessing Results  

High-performing financial professionals (FPs) do not hibernate when the temperatures drop, and social media doesn’t sleep. FPs with a successful marketing strategy as part of a well-rounded business plan are still seeing sunny skies on the grayest of winter days because they have effectively integrated all of their marketing initiatives and platforms – to include social media – to stay in front of their clients and help them achieve their retirement income planning goals.

Is Your Broker/Dealer Merging?

By James Morris, Questar Branch Office Designated Supervisory Principal at Ann Arbor Annuity Exchange

Recently there has been a lot of press about broker/dealers merging or being purchased by larger firms. These changes can make advisors nervous because it is rarely clear to the average person why mergers or buyouts occur. There are typically rumors or vague corporate jargon, but advisors are often left to wonder why they now have to find a new home, or accept that they are being forced to join a firm that they previously passed on or know nothing about. If you find yourself in a similar situation and are wondering what to do or where to go, please read on.

2018 Social Security COLA Is Biggest in Years

2018 Social Security COLA Is Biggest in Years
By Bernice Napach
(ThinkAdvisor)

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AAAE does not give tax, legal, or Social Security benefits advice. Please encourage your clients to consult a tax advisor, attorney, or their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. AAAE and its representatives are not affiliated with the US government or government agency.

IRS alerts tax pros to insurance form scam

IRS alerts tax pros to insurance form scam
By InvestmentNews
 
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Article may require (free) site registration to view. Contact AAAE for a copy if unable to access.

Help Wanted: DOL Needs Staff Before It Can Rework Fiduciary Rule

Help Wanted: DOL Needs Staff Before It Can Rework Fiduciary Rule
By John Hilton
(InsuranceNewsNet)

Trump Nominates New Assistant Secretary of Labor

Trump Nominates New Assistant Secretary of Labor
By Diana Britton
(Wealth Management)

House panel approves legislation to kill DOL fiduciary rule, and 2 other adviser-related bills

House panel approves legislation to kill DOL fiduciary rule, and 2 other adviser-related bills
By Mark Schoeff Jr. 
(InvestmentNews)

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Article may require (free) site registration to view. Contact AAAE for a copy if unable to access.

Insurers Get Creative With Products in Delayed Fiduciary World

Insurers Get Creative With Products in Delayed Fiduciary World
By Cyril Tuohy
(InsuranceNewsNet)

4 Basic Retirement Income Risks to Manage

4 Basic Retirement Income Risks to Manage
By Debra Repya
(ThinkAdvisor)

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Article may require (free) site registration to view. Contact AAAE for a copy if unable to access.

Your Business May Be More Vulnerable Than You Think

By Gissou Gotlieb, Field Suitability Compliance Officer

Information security is a topic that most of us are familiar with and have been hearing about for a while. The need to protect personal and non-public information is something that we all understand personally as well as professionally. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, may be a topic that feels like other people’s problem or one that belongs in movies. After all, the “bad guys” aren’t really after the independent insurance producer, right?

9 bear markets and the events that caused them

9 bear markets and the events that caused them
By John Waggoner
(InvestmentNews)

Three Takeaways from IRI’s Annual Convention

Three Takeaways from IRI’s Annual Convention
By Cyril Tuohy
(InsuranceNewsNet)

Rep. Wagner Introduces Bill to Kill DOL Fiduciary Rule

Rep. Wagner Introduces Bill to Kill DOL Fiduciary Rule
By Melanie Waddell
(ThinkAdvisor)

The Harvest Season

By James Morris, Questar Branch Office Designated Supervisory Principal at Ann Arbor Annuity Exchange

The leaves are changing, there is a chill in the air, and the kids are back in school: The fall season is upon us! As the season changes, so should your focus. After all the efforts you have made to help your clients achieve their financial goals throughout the year, now is a good time for both you and your clients to consider harvesting and protecting the progress made.