March 18, 2026
Accelerate
In this issue:
New accelerated underwriting enhancements for your clients
Banner is excited to share an important enhancement to their underwriting capabilities for OPTerm — powered by a meaningful increase in our retention limits and designed to help you place larger cases with greater speed and flexibility.
For ages 20–75, we've added capacity to support higher face amounts:
This update strengthens our ability to support more complex cases and is the foundation behind the improvements below.
What this unlocks:
Accelerated underwriting expanded to $5 million:
With higher retention in place, accelerated underwriting is now available for even larger cases. Exam-free and instant decisions are now eligible for clients ages 20–60 up to $5 million in coverage. Previously, AUW pathways were capped at $4 million.
Higher auto-bind limits across most rate classes:
The increased retention also allows for greater auto-bind flexibility:
Accumulation IUL with an “income for life” option
See how the Max Accumulator+ Income for Life rider sets our accumulation IUL apart from others. It turns IUL cash value into a lifetime income stream enabling clients to:
The 3% compound gap: See how LifeCare addresses the shortfall
Many hybrid solutions rely on a standard 3% compound inflation option—yet actual care costs have historically increased at a much faster rate. That gap can translate into higher out of pocket expenses, greater coinsurance exposure, or a shortfall in available monthly benefits later in life.
Built on an IUL chassis, LifeCare is designed to deliver meaningful growth potential. And when you compare a traditional 3% compound option with care costs potentially rising 5% annually, clients could face a significant shortfall (over $11,000 per month if a claim begins 30 years from now).
With LifeCare’s Select Capped indexed account, clients gain access to indexed interest—offering the potential for stronger benefit growth that can better keep pace with rising care costs.
Ever have a client worry that taking income means leaving less behind?
Happens all the time. There’s a quick example in this collection of case studies showing how a client uses a Lincoln annuity with Estate Lock to take protected lifetime income without shrinking what their beneficiaries will receive. Super simple, but it really clicks with people once they see it.
Temporary Underwriting Updates for Foreign Travel
Effective immediately, as a result of recent developments in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, Lincoln has reassessed their underwriting approach for foreign travel to impacted areas. Review the article.
Collateral Assignment Requirements for Lincoln Life Policies
To ensure accurate and consistent policy administration, beginning March 31, 2026, Lincoln will implement updates regarding collateral assignments on Life insurance policies. See the details.
Introducing the Lincoln OptiBlend Income FIA
On March 16th, Lincoln launched the brand new OptiBlend Income Fixed Indexed Annuity, built to deliver protected lifetime income and a death benefit that brings lasting peace of mind.
With the optional Estate Lock Death Benefit, clients can take income for life and still leave behind their full purchase amount — as long as their account value stays above $0. Smart income. Stronger legacy.
Life in Focus
In this issue:
The Closing Concept
March Madness: The "Fast Break" to Protection
While the world is captivated by brackets and buzzer-beaters this March, the most successful advisors are running the "fast break" by prioritizing speed and simplicity. In the insurance industry, efficiency is often the deciding factor between a missed opportunity and a major win, especially for clients whose high-stakes schedules leave them without a second to spare.
This month’s Closing Concept features a 26-year-old attorney who needed a protection plan that could keep pace with his demanding career, proving that with the right strategy, you can secure a victory for clients who think they don’t have time to get into the game.
Express
In this issue:
NEW! Indexed UL Accumulator III – now available
When you talk with clients who need death benefit protection and tax-advantaged growth, you can rely on Indexed UL Accumulator III for its low-cost design and these two valuable enhancements:
NAC VersaChoice 10: A history of renewal rate stability – See the flyer.
Competitive guaranteed lifetime income
Income Pay Pro now offers higher Lifetime Payment Percentages – increasing guaranteed lifetime income¹ potential for your clients. That means stronger payout potential in retirement income conversations and a compelling reason to reconnect with recent prospects.Updated Level LPPs (Individual) snapshot:
A new chapter for Annuity Chat
Tune in to meet the new host of Annuity Chat, Austin Eller, AVP, National Sales Manager-IMO, as he shares insights from his professional journey and personal passions.
Lifetime Assurance UL now accepts short pays, single pays and 1035 exchanges
As of March 9, Protective Lifetime Assurance UL accepts short pays, single pays and 1035 exchanges in addition to ongoing premiums for new policies. (Read the bulletin.) This enhanced premium flexibility adds to the solution’s strong features, which include:
March Sales Strategy: Risks to Retirement
Prudential’s’ March Trimester sales page offers resources to help you spark meaningful conversations with clients about building retirement plans that can withstand common risks. Here’s what you’ll find:
Life Essentials
In this issue:
GoodLife Rewards: Healthy Habits = Better Rates
Symetra’s GoodLife Rewards is an innovative crediting program designed to recognize and reward clients for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s simple, seamless, and automatically applied by Symetra’s underwriting team behind the scenes.
Key hightlights:
Symetra rewards positive health indicators and proactive wellness habits, including:
What really drives indexed universal life performance?
See how all the working parts of indexed universal life insurance move together in What’s Behind the “I” in IUL. With clear visuals and plain language, this guide can help make it easy to explain to clients what’s really happening under the hood of an IUL policy.
Bull or Bear, brave it all with the new Franklin Templeton index option
Symetra is excited to introduce the Franklin Large Cap Value 15% ER Index, exclusive to Symetra’s Fixed Indexed annuities.
Transitions are tough! Turn displaced workers into valued clients
Company layoffs. Plant closings. Business sales. These employer changes pose displaced employee challenges. “Transitions,” a new brochure, helps you help them. It covers the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification (WARN) process and how you can use it to find prospects who need assistance in replacing retirement and protection strategies with life and annuity solutions. View this new resource.
DIA Calculator creates income conversations
Kick start conversations with income-oriented clients using real numbers from this new deferred income calculator. Create income quotes by amount contributed or amount desired.
