In the last two posts, we explained the popularity of the equity index universal life policy, as well as the mechanics of the policy. While the policy is tied to an equity index, it is a fixed product, with the bulk of the premium going into the carrier’s general account to satisfy the floor and the balance – a much smaller amount – going [...]
In the first posting in this series on the equity index universal life (EIUL) policy, we talked about the popularity of the policy and the general characteristics of the policy. In this post, we will outline the mechanics of the policy. As we mentioned in the first post, the policy cash value is tied to an index, for example, the S&P 500. The gain [...]
A Three-Part Series for Trust-Owned Life Insurance (TOLI) Trustees As the back-office administrator of thousands of life insurance trusts for fiduciaries across the country, we deal with every type of policy. We have found the equity index universal life policy to be one of the most misunderstood policies in the TOLI space. This three-part series provides a thorough background in the policy, its mechanics, [...]
The answer is an emphatic NO. Some permanent life insurance policies, specifically guaranteed universal life (GUL) and Whole Life (WL), have required premiums, though WL out of pocket premiums can be reduced by dividends, paid-up addition cash values or policy loans. But the premium paid is not the actual cost of the policy and finding the underlying costs on the policies is a challenge. For [...]
Variable universal life (VUL) policies, whose sales took a nosedive after the 2007-09 market crash, have had a resurgence. In 2018 sales jumped, with annualized premiums from new VUL sales increasing by 14% over the prior year. (1) VUL policies provide the policy owner with the opportunity to invest in the equity market. The cash value in the policy is held in separate accounts and [...]
According to information gathered on life insurance sales, two distinct trends are clear. Overall, life insurance sales are mostly flat – up less than 0.5%. (1) However, sales are up with two product lines: variable universal life and equity index universal life. In 2018, sales of VUL policies were up 9%, while sales of EIUL policies set a record. (2). Total universal life insurance sales [...]
We have written as recently as November of last year about the issues trust-owned life insurance (TOLI) trustees encounter when dealing with policy illustration projections. If you are a fiduciary managing a policy, a sales or an in-force life insurance ledger may be one of the only tools you have to predict the outcome of a policy under your care. However, life insurance illustrations are [...]
Equity index universal life (EIUL) is the hottest product in the permanent life insurance marketplace. The “star of the life insurance show” according to one published report (1) that is touted as providing the upside of the equities market without the risk of loss. The carriers accomplish this by crediting the EIUL policy with the positive returns of an index (often the S&P 500 – [...]
In our last Blog post, we recapped the year in Trust Owned Life Insurance (TOLI) for 2015 (see: The Year in TOLI – 2015 Edition). As one of the pioneers of life insurance policy management in the United States, ITM TwentyFirst has the unique ability to participate in and track trends in the TOLI industry. Almost a decade ago, we surveyed our TOLI portfolio. In 2015, [...]
One of the highlights for us here at ITM TwentyFirst was the June 1 merger of Insurance IQ, Insurance Trust Monitor (ITM), and TwentyFirst (See Merger of Leading Life Insurance Service Firms) to create ITM TwentyFirst. Synergy is a term thrown around easily when firms join forces, but in this case, it is true. The three firms have blended seamlessly to create the nation’s pre-eminent life insurance [...]
