Creating Opportunity: How to Work with National Life Group Retirement Plans

When prospecting local school districts, municipalities, or other public-sector employers, it’s essential to understand how access to their retirement plans is granted. Every employer-sponsored plan falls into one of four categories. These categories determine whether you can engage — and if so, how.

Plan Access Categories

1. NLG-Managed (Open Access) Available to all active and appointed NLG financial professionals. Once approved you’re free to engage and build your business within these accounts.
2. NLG-Protected Assigned to a specific agent or agency that has committed to minimum production levels. National Life Group protects these relationships to honor those commitments.
3. Plan Sponsor Restricted Employer restricts access — either to a specific number of financial professionals or to a designated provider or agency. Access is determined by the employer, not NLG.
4. Agency-Restricted Relationships are not owned by NLG. Instead, a financial professional or agency holds the relationship but is authorized to offer NLG products within the plan.

Follow These Steps Before You Engage

To stay compliant with NLG’s guidelines and employer requirements, take the following actions before reaching out to any employer or employee:

1. Check plan status:
   Log in to the Agent Portal and use the 403(b)/457(b) Plan Opportunities Tool to verify the plan category. If needed, refer to the step-by-step guide for navigation support.
2. Review engagement rules:
   Once you know the plan type, review NLG’s Employer Rules of Engagement and our Standards of Professional Conduct to understand how you may proceed.
3. Seek approval:
   Contact your Retirement Services Relationship Manager to review your intended approach and receive necessary approvals. Also, remember to submit any advertising for Compliance review and approval through AdTrax (found on the agent portal under Training>>Compliance) prior to use when marketing to employers or employees, even if NLG is not mentioned.
4. Get vendor approval:
   Complete all required forms to become an approved vendor within the plan.
5. Leverage the Retirement Plans Playbook:
   Use National Life Group’s Retirement Plans Playbook — your comprehensive field guide for serving educators, faith-based, and public-sector employees.

retirement plans playbook

Your Opportunity Starts with the Right Approach

Building relationships in the public-sector retirement space is a powerful way to grow your business. By following NLG’s guidelines and respecting employer access protocols, you position yourself as a trusted, professional resource. Start strong — and stay compliant — as you expand your impact in this rewarding market.

We’re Here to Help

Click here to contact your Retirement Services Relationship Manager.