Lincoln Financial Group Offers 2013 Product Trends Impacting Life Insurance and Annuity Markets

Life Combination Products: Flex Pay Premiums, Younger Clients, ABRs

With an estimated 70 percent of people turning age 65 expected to have a long-term care need², life combination products continue to rise in popularity as alternatives to traditional standalone LTC solutions that carry a "use it or lose it" risk. As this trend continues, expect to see increasing interest in linked-benefit products with LTC riders offering premiums that can be paid over several years. Linked-benefit products with LTC riders have historically appealed to older clients with substantial savings and the ability to pay a lump sum. However, the option to spread premiums over time offers younger clients in their pre-retirement years and still accumulating assets, the opportunity to plan for and protect against the financial impact of a Long Term Care event.

As the combination space evolves, also expect to see increasing demand for life insurance solutions with Accelerated Benefit Riders (ABR). While linked-benefit products with LTC riders are designed for those clients primarily concerned with long term care, ABRs serve a growing market demand for clients who have a primary need for death benefit protection, but are also concerned about the impact that a permanent chronic or terminal illness may have on their financial well-being.

Annuities: Guaranteed Living Benefits, Risk Management Strategies, Tax Deferrals

Americans today face the strong possibility of outliving their retirement assets. This will continue to drive the popularity of Guaranteed Living Benefit (GLB) riders with annuities, as they provide clients a minimum guaranteed lifetime income stream that doesn't require them to give up control of their assets. With this trend, expect to see providers place added emphasis on risk management strategies built into the products and their benefits. These strategies are designed to reduce equity risk during volatile markets and lead to a more consistent pattern of returns. The goal is to protect clients' account values and encourage them to remain invested, which over time may increase the probability of growth for retirement income. These risk management strategies also enable companies to continue providing compelling GLBs.

With the recent changes to the tax landscape, particularly among the affluent population, also expect to see a renewed emphasis on the tax deferral aspect of annuities. Because annuity assets accumulate tax-deferred, there are no tax consequences until clients take money from their contract, often at lower tax rates occurring during retirement, making this annuity value proposition more attractive to clients in 2013.

Disclosure
Variable products are sold by prospectus, which contains the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the variable product and its underlying investment options. Investors need to read the prospectus carefully before investing.

About Lincoln Financial Group

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $178 billion as of December 31, 2012. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

1. LIMRA, Facts from LIMRA, Life Insurance Awareness Month, September 2012
2. Peter Kemper, Harriet L. Komisar, and Lisa Alecxih; "Long-Term Care Over an Uncertain Future: What Can Current Retirees Expect?" Winter 2005/2006

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group