October 5, 2023

Deadlines for Your 2023 Application Processing

Here's how you can make certain your business is processed in time.

As the fourth quarter of 2023 is underway, National Life Group wants to enable agents to be well equipped and have the best year-end experience as possible. Check out the resources below for everything you need to know to finish the year strong!

Wednesday, November 1

  • It is strongly recommended that business requiring 1035 funds or external transfers to pay initial premium be submitted, approved, and in good order by 11/1 (for both Life and Annuity). Please note, we will still accept it after the 1st; however, increased volumes and slower turnarounds from ceding carriers may make it difficult to pay the case for year-end.

Monday, November 27

  • Premium Finance applications should be approved and in good order to allow adequate time for funding

Friday, December 8

  • New Business applications must be received and in good order
  • Final Rewrite requests
  • Final Underwriting requirements must be submitted
  • Pension/Profit Sharing Plan applications must be received in good order

Friday, December 15

  • Final Requirements on any pending cases in approved status
  • Final plan designs submitted for Pension/Profit Sharing Plans

Friday, December 29

  • All annuity applications with money will be issued if received by 12/29
To view helpful tips, please view the quick reference guides we have developed for your convenience:
  • Year End Quick Reference Guide: This guide is your one-stop shop for information and tips related to New Business and Underwriting, as well as useful contact information.
  • Best Practices to Increase Auto Decisions: By following these suggestions, cases are likely to stay within the underwriting engine for Straight Through Processing (instant approval). Otherwise, when referred to an Underwriter, the case can be delayed, potentially taking up to an additional 5 – 7 days to be reviewed by an Underwriter for a decision.
  • Agent Mobile App: Save time and manage your business on-the-go, anytime!

View Important Year-end Dates

Deadline to for Term Conversion Applications to be issued and paid in 2023:

  • Term Conversions submitted via eApp:  received by noon on December 27
  • Term Conversions submitted via paper:  received by noon on December 22
  • Term Conversions requiring underwriting:  All requirements must be received by December 8.
    • Please note any addition of rider ( including Alzheimer’s ABR) , increase in face amount or change in premium class for new policy  will require underwriting.

Important Tips:

  • Term conversions can be submitted via eApp if the owner of the term policy is not an entity (such as company or trust).
  • Please include an illustration with all Term Conversions to ensure the new policy is issued correctly.
  •  We CANNOT accept DocuSign for Term Conversions. The conversion paperwork must in good order and received by the following dates to be processed and paid in 2023.
  • To issue and pay in 2023, the Term Conversion paperwork must be in good order and received by the date listed above.

Life and Annuity

  • Tuesday, November 21 cutoff for deposit on Tuesday, November 28
  • Thursday, December 21 cutoff for deposit on Wednesday, December 27 (Note – this is the last commission cutoff for tax year 2023)

* Remember to update your mailing address within the Commissions Payment Portal so tax statements (1099s, W2s, W2Ss) are sent to your desired address.

Thursday, Nov 23
Office closed for All Employees.

Friday, Nov 24
Office closed except those critical to trading and variable products.
Sentinel/ESI: the equity markets are open until 1p ET and bond markets until 2 p.m. ET. As such ESI must staff for any client trades or money movement requests that day. Reduced staff until 2p ET.
CEC and Sales Desk are closed.

Monday, Dec 25
Office closed for All Employees.

Monday, Jan 1
Office closed for All Employees.

eDelivery is the primary policy delivery method for all Life and Annuity policies issued by National Life.  Conducting policy eDelivery is fast, simple and can be incredibly convenient for both you and your client.

DocuSign provides a safe, familiar, and reliable experience for you and your client.  And you can easily review and approve policies, view status, and receive updates as your client completes eDelivery.

Using DocuSign eDelivery for the first time may require some explanation.  Please refer to the guide below for instructions and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Getting started

The following information is required to conduct policy eDelivery:

  • The primary agent’s email address
  • The policy owner or annuitant’s email address
  • The Document access code comprised of the contacts date of birth and last four digits of SSN

How it works

  • For life and annuity polices that are issued with a lump sum payment, the primary agent will be notified to review, sign and approve the policy. Upon completion, the document will be sent to the client to complete their signature and approval process.
  • For Annuity policies issued with a recurring payment (flow only), the policy will be sent directly to the client with a copy sent to the primary agent. No agent action is required.

 

Note:  All eDelivery messages are sent systematically from Policy@docs.nationallife.com  (This is a NO REPLY address)

 


Steps to complete eDelivery

Completing eDelivery is simple and convenient for you and your client as shown in the example below.

Step 1: Receive email notification with a link to the policy documents as shown below.

Note: All eDelivery messages are sent systematically from Policy@docs.nationallife.com and neither you nor your clients need to have an existing DocuSign account in order to review or sign documents.

Step 2:  Click to access the document online.  You’ll be prompted to enter your custom access code.

 Step 3: Review, sign and approve or decline.  Upon approval, the policy will be forwarded to the client.

Step 4:  Client receives notification email with link to the policy documents.  Click to review and sign.

Step 5:  Order a National Life Policy Promise to be sent directly to your client or receive it yourself and make arrangements to hand deliver the Promise in your next client meeting.

Hint:  To receive status notifications, sign-up for New Business SMS alerts via the Agent Portal or Mobile App.

 


The Policy Promise:  Helping you create Peace of Mind at delivery

eDelivery is fast, convenient and ensures that all form signatures are completed and returned quickly.  While the full policy is available to you and your clients online any time, some clients may benefit from a more tangible policy delivery experience, especially if you are delivering the policy in person.

National Life has introduced the Policy Promise to help you engage your clients through eDelivery and to create a lasting impression that will support your long term client relationship.  Unique to National Life and exclusive to eDelivery, the Policy Promise is a keepsake document for your clients to represent the value and benefits of their National Life policy.

  • Access the Policy Promise for your new clients in the Agent Portal or Mobile App
  • Download and print yourself or order the Policy Promise to be printed and mailed
  • Send directly to your client from National Life after eDelivery is completed or receive it yourself and bring the Promise to your next client meeting
  • The Policy Promise is also available to your clients online

When ordered by mail, the Promise is printed on quality stock paper and packaged in a custom folder.

Sample Life Insurance policy promise and custom Policy Promise folder.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

 We’re here to help.

Contact us at agentweb@nationallife.com

Important dates from ESI

We want to help you end the year strong and ensure your experience with National Life Group is the best possible.

Thank you for your business and continued support!