Insurance

Out to pasture

Last week, our client management software supplier told us that as of next December, it’ll no longer support our system. The notice dealt a double whammy because the company doesn’t plan on replacing the software, and no other company has plans to step in. This abrupt severance of a 20- year relationship induced a sense […]

By David Wm. Brown |January 1, 2009

3 min read

Par for the course

On more than one occasion, I’ve exchanged views with clients and colleagues about participating (par) whole life. At issue are various nuggets of wisdom passed along by industry associates, and others who share a view that par provides a poor rate of return. While whole life providers have given advisors a plethora of marketing material […]

By Jason M. Pereira |January 1, 2009

6 min read

How to integrate RDSPs, Henson trusts and annuities

With the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) expected to launch late this year, financial advisors need to make sure all relevant aspects of planning for people with disabilities are properly coordinated. Based on the RESP model, the RDSP offers incentives to friends and families to provide higher income for people with severe disabilities and encourage […]

By Janet Freedman |December 18, 2008

10 min read

Bomb shells

For most clients and advisors the ongoing financial crisis has been measured by its impact on investment portfolios. But it has also generated questions about insurers and insurance products, among them universal life (UL) insurance and whether that product is about to drop a bomb, as the expression goes. UL has three main components funded […]

By Al Emid |December 16, 2008

7 min read