Our Position
We have a strong commitment to adhere to the suitability guidelines set forth in the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation and applicable state laws. We have developed guidelines and forms for you to use to ensure that every sale and replacement of an annuity product is suitable. We rely on your insight and personal knowledge of your client and their financial situation to identify facts and information that may not be obvious to the individual reviewing the forms or application. We expect you to know and understand our products and our suitability standards and apply this knowledge in your every day practice of soliciting our products.
Producer Responsibilities
You must have reasonable grounds for believing that the recommendation to purchase or replace an annuity is suitable for the client based on the information provided by the client.
Training
- Review and fully understand the features of the products you are selling.
- Review and complete all product training materials available on the LIMRA PinPoint website prior to solicitation
- Complete the State Continuing Education Annuity Training, where required, on the LIMRA PinPoint website.
- Review the Suitability Frequently Asked Questions document to ensure you understand our expectations of your participation in the suitability process.
Maintaining Records
- We require that written records of discussions held with your client be maintained for future reference. This includes written records of any disclosures provided to your client, including written summaries of oral disclosures.
- Your records should include any information that may have been used in making or justifying a recommendation, including information collected from your client pertaining to their current financial circumstances and objectives.
- Your records should include how the annuity you recommended meets your client’s needs and objectives based on the information gathered during your meeting(s) and disclosed on the Annuity Suitability Questionnaire.
- It is recommended that these records be maintained for as long as the contract remains in force, plus seven years (or longer if required by state law).
Solicitation
- Make a reasonable effort to obtain your client’s suitability information and ensure the information is accurate.
- Do not solicit an individual who resides in a nursing home, has any form of cognitive impairment, or has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Assess the various features of our annuities to make a reasonable determination if any product is suitable for your client based on the suitability information provided.
- Fully explain to your client the various features, risks, benefits and charges of the annuity and any rider(s) you are recommending.
- Fully document your rationale for recommending the purchase of the product and any rider(s) in your records as well as on the Annuity Suitability Questionnaire. Be specific.
- Review the applicable Buyer’s Guide, Product Disclosure, Rider Disclosure and Privacy Commitment Policy and any other disclosures required by law with your client throughout the application process.
- Accurately complete all required application forms, disclosures and supplemental materials.
- Ensure that both you and your client sign the signature pages of the Product Disclosure and Rider Disclosure and provide copies of each to Nassau with the completed application.
- Leave copies of the Buyer's Guide, Privacy Commitment and applicable disclosure documents with your client.
2020 NAIC SUITABILITY IN ANNUITY TRANSACTIONS MODEL REGULATION
In Spring of 2020, the NAIC approved revisions to the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation #275 requiring producers to use "reasonable diligence, care and skill" in making recommendations and to act in the "best interest" of consumers. In states which have adopted the new NAIC model regulation or similar regulations, all recommendations or sales must be in the best interest of the client. Under this new model regulation, in addition to existing suitability requirements:
- The client's interest must be prioritized.
- Recommendations and sales must effectively address the client's unique financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives.
- Producers must meet specific "best interest" obligations regarding care, disclosure, conflict of interest and documentation.
The following is a summary of new producer responsibilities under the 2020 NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions model regulation:*
- Complete new training credits prior to any state deadline.
- Obtain a signed "Insurance Agent (Producer) Disclosure for Annuities" form at the time of recommendation or sale.
- Obtain additional signed forms if a consumer refuses to provide certain information or is making a purchasing decision against a producer's recommendation.**
- Avoid and disclose any material conflict of interest
- If requested by the client, disclose any cash and non-cash compensation in the form of a range or percentage.
- Communicate the basis or bases of any recommendation to the client and make a written record of any recommendation, the basis for the recommendation and any disclosures provided (including oral disclosures).
*This is only a summary. You are required to comply with all the regulations that are applicable in the state in which you are selling or recommending the purchase of an annuity.
**Nassau will not issue a contract if the Annuity Suitability Questionnaire is not completed or if the sale was not recommended by the producer.
Our Responsibilities
We will:
- Provide you with the required training, forms and certifications.
- Closely review your signed applications, Annuity Suitability Questionnaire, Client Identification Form and any other forms or information you submit with an application for completeness and to ensure the sale meets our suitability standards.
- Contact clients to validate certain information provided on the Annuity Suitability Questionnaire.
- Periodically contact clients to verify they received their contracts, are aware of relevant product information and are satisfied with their purchase.
- We may conduct random reviews of your sales to verify the appropriateness of sales and/or sales practices.
- Periodically review and revise our policies and procedures and keep you apprised of these revisions.
We will not:
- Provide legal or tax advice to you or your client.
- Issue a contract if you have not completed the required product and state training.
- Issue a contract with an incomplete Annuity Suitability Questionnaire.
- Issue a contract where the source of premium is from a mortgage, reverse mortgage or home equity line of credit, or personal loan.
- Issue a contract that you have not recommended.
- Issue a replacement contract unless it complies with the Nassau Replacement Policy and applicable laws or regulations.
- Accept any application for a deferred annuity if the purchase is intended to qualify an individual for Medicaid, VA benefits, or any other similar state or federal aid program.
- Permit the sale of our products in connection with a Personal Service Contract.
- Issue a contract to a client who resides in a nursing home, has any form of cognitive impairment or has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Nassau position on sales of fixed indexed annuities to consumers age 81 and over
- Nassau recognizes that consumers in their 80s, or later stages of retirement are confronted with unique financial circumstances, needs and objectives. Age is one of many important considerations when exploring financial options for seniors and is a critical component of a comprehensive evaluation of financial objectives for your senior clients.
- Along with regulatory bodies, Nassau has a heightened sensitivity for consumers over age 80. Any applications received must meet additional suitability criteria. A pre-issue call out from a Suitability Analyst to the client is required for all Fixed Indexed Annuity cases. Please refer to Nassau’s Suitability FAQ by going to Start -> Suitability & Compliance on salesnet.nfg.com for more information regarding these types of sales.