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Insurance Agent

An insurance agent is an individual licensed to market, solicit, negotiate and sell insurance in one or more states. Agents represent insurance companies who are the manufacturers (and risk takers) of insurance products. At the highest level, insurance agents market, sell and negotiate insurance coverage on behalf of individual and group clients. In addition to recommending and placing insurance for their clients, insurance agents also provide ongoing customer service and negotiate policy renewals. Insurance agents can be independent and represent many different insurance companies and products, or they can be captive and able to discuss and sell one insurance company’s product line. Insurance agents are typically compensated through commissions paid by insurance companies on product sales and renewals.

Annuity Criticisms Often Boil-Down to Control of Assets

Annuity criticisms are a dime-a-dozen. 

The majority of financial advisors seem to have some issue with annuities, consumer perception is generally terrible and the financial media often appears to provide a reflection and reinforcement of prevailing sentiment.

There is a case to be made for “control of assets” as the common denominator for both the consumer and financial advisor perspectives.

Control of assets basically refers to the fact that annuities involve handing over money to an insurance company. 

Top Ten Annuity Buying Tips

 

1) Take your time – an annuity purchase is a huge decision.  There is no need to rush into the decision the moment you retire.  In fact, the time of retirement is probably a bad time since there are so many other things taking place with the transition.

Types of Financial Advisors

Fee Only Advisor

The Importance of a Trusted Financial Advisor for Retirement

Understand Your Source of Information

At the most basic level, financial services sales require a couple of things:

An Interview with Retirement Planning Expert Henry Hebeler

 

Henry "Bud" Hebeler is a former Boeing executive who has been running a retirement planning company for over twenty years.

 

His company, Analyze Now (www.analyzenow.com), provides information and tools that help individuals with retirement planning.  The company has helped thousands of people and is well respected among journalists and industry observers.

Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance, a J. D. Power and Associates recipient, is a multi-line insurance company, offering auto, home, business and life insurance through a network of independent insurance agents. The company's geographic presence extends to 11 states and the District of Columbia; from New York to North Carolina and from Wisconsin to Tennessee. Some of the company's life insurance and retirement related products include: 1) Whole Life: Whole life insurance is the most common type of permanent insurance.

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