Annuities and Estate Planning

October is National Estate Planning Month and although many times we think of life insurance when trying to solve estate planning concerns, annuities are just as important of a focus. Here are a couple of items to think about when dealing with Annuities and Estate Planning:

Common Annuity Mistakes:

Most of the common annuity mistakes that are made are very simple mistakes that can be corrected by doing policy reviews. Common mistakes to look out for are things like naming correct owners and annuitants, naming primary and contingent beneficiaries correctly, but more importantly updating them as time goes on. Nationwide happens to have an advanced sales team to help you with some of these questions as it relates to both life and annuity sales. Utilize the Nationwide advanced sales team and the Asset team to assist you with any unique circumstances you might have.

Wealth Transfer via Annuities:

Still, one of the best death benefit wealth transfer annuities on the market is the Athene BCA with FER MAX rider. When planning for wealth transfer for a client who may not be insurable, be sure to ask the annuity team about this product. Another very good accumulation story and death benefit FIA option is with the Nationwide New Heights using their high point death benefit rider. This rider captures the highest daily value and uses that value as a lump sum death benefit. Other options for simplified underwritten life products are things like the EquiTrust WealthMax Bonus which issues to age 80! This is a life product but works a lot like an annuity and also has a 100% ROP.

Contact the Asset annuity product team to learn more about the above products and how you can use them as part of your clients next estate plan.