Solution for NAIC Annuity Suitability Requirements Available

The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) and RegEd are introducing the “Industry Wide Solution” for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) annuity suitability requirements. 

The Annuity Training Platform is now live and includes state-mandated suitability training. It will also include insurer-produced product specific training; there are currently numerous carriers in the contract writing phase.

Financial advisers can register beginning today and will be able to complete the state-mandated courses. Iowa advisers may complete their requirements by the January 1, 2011 deadline and have their completion data reported to all participating carriers. Carriers may sign up now to gain access to a comprehensive view of their advisers’ status and make carrier-specific courses available to advisers as soon as they become available.   

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According to a press release, the platform will include the following features:

  • A centralized training platform where an adviser can complete all training requirements and have completion data reported to all participating carriers and distributors;
  • A industry-wide solution where insurers can assign their product-specific training courses to specific producers and continually update those courses;
  • An e-mail notification system enabling insurers to notify advisers of new or updated product specific training requirements;
  • The most current information on new regulations and state-mandated courseware;
  • The ability to print certificates of completion online; and
  • Customized data exports and real-time search tools for insurers and broker/dealers to help meet their compliance requirements.

“This is only the beginning of our development efforts,” said Angela Pace, RegEd’s Chief Operating Officer.  “Carriers who are concerned about just-in-time training can implement our latest feature, which addresses this critical training challenge. And we have already begun work on the second major phase of our development effort, which will marry RegEd’s robust education and licensing tracking applications with the Annuities Training Platform.  The result will be an industry first–establishing a true one-stop solution for annuities carriers.”

MassMutual to Launch New Participant Web Site

MassMutual's Retirement Services Division is introducing a new Web site it says is an "engine for action" for participants striving to plan and save for retirement.

Phase 1 of the RetireSmart participant Web site will be launched in the first quarter of 2011.  The site will capitalize on significant technology investments MassMutual is making; the platform prompts participants to take appropriate steps when it makes the most sense for them and makes it easy for participants to do so in the manner they prefer, the firm announced in a press release.  

Highlights of Phase I include: 

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  • A custom “look and feel,” including the plan sponsor’s logo for consistency with other plan education materials and stronger identification with the employer; 
  • A video game designed to raise retirement awareness in a fun, engaging way; 
  • Shorter, more intuitive menus to help participants find what they need quickly and easily; 
  • “Quick Links” to Plan, Save, Allocate and Consolidate tools so participants can take immediate action while they are focused on a particular behavior; 
  • A search feature that enables enrolled and yet-to-be-enrolled employees (as well as their spouses and family members) to search MassMutual’s RetireSmart Academy by topic, age, life event, level of investment knowledge and other criteria; 
  • An area where plan sponsors can post important information for their participants; and 
  • A participant experience that extends beyond the Web site into social media. 

“These participant Web site enhancements are just the first in a series of upgrades planned to help participants, plan sponsors and advisers successfully manage resources related to their retirement plans,” said Scott Palmer, vice president, MassMutual Retirement Services Systems, in the announcement. 

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