DOL Fiduciary Ruling

Insurance Agency Marketing Services has been following the Department of Labor fiduciary ruling very closely. We are monitoring how it will affect fixed annuities and other retirement strategies. The Department of Labor dealt a bit of a surprise blow to fixed indexed annuities in the final iteration of its rule, issued Wednesday, by lumping the…

You Need a CRM!

What can a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system do for your company? Several recent surveys of small business owners in the U.S. revealed that their top priorities for 2015 were to increase revenue; implement systems to drive profits, and to expand their customer base. Following closely as second their business goals were: to improve promotional…

Best Annuities for 2016

Thirty years of experience providing product intelligence to the best producers in our industry has taught us that you want the best solution for each client. While we go the extra mile to make sure you have a custom fit, we have also learned that you like to have some idea of product leaders in…

Social Media Marketing

The annuity and life industry revolves around building relationships and sharing experiences. Social media revolves around these same networking concepts and should not be viewed as advertising. Building relationships with clients is the best place to start when growing your agency and social media can help. The Nielson Company indicated that “Nine in every ten…

Control Volatility!

Many of you remember the uncapped crediting strategies of the mid 1990’s with 80-95% participation on the S&P- the results were phenomenal-and unsupportable. As always, our industry learned as it went along and began to offer 6-7% caps with 100% participation; the rate and option costs at the time supported it and clients loved it-sales…

Performance Pays

For much of the past 6 years, we have enjoyed the guaranteed nature of income riders. The ability to know exactly the income that could be accessed, without question, was the core benefit of income riders. That we have been able to couple guaranteed income for life with 6 and 7% guaranteed “roll up rates”…

AIG Rate Changes

AIG, the #1 provider of fixed-rate deferred annuities, have updated their rates on the IAMS proprietary suite of products. AIG has a strategy focused on enhancing the value and competitive position of their annuity products and continues to earn their A rating from AM Best. Call us today at (800) 255-5055 to learn why top…

Annuity Sales Growth

First quarter indexed annuity sales were down nearly 5.0 percent when compared to the previous quarter, but up nearly 5.0 percent when compared with the same time period last year. Total first quarter sales topped $11.3 billion. “Indexed annuity sales began the year with sales greater than any other first quarter has in the history…

Asset Protection 101

If you have prospects up to age 99 who are looking for a crediting rate that is often higher than today’s CD rates, offers tax-deferred growth and passes income tax-free to heirs, while featuring comprehensive protection from creditors, then IAMS has two products that deserve your attention. Many of your clients understand the value of…

Reposition Lazy Assets

Picture this if you would, you get up and start your day just like you would any other day. You make calls to schedule new annuity appointments, you have your initial fact finding appointments, you have your closing appointment, complete paperwork, deposit commission checks in the bank etc, etc. Life is good! All of a…