Disability Insurance For Divorcing Couples
Disability Specialists Inc. (DSI) has developed a new insurance product specifically designed for divorcing couples.

The Divorce Settlement Disability Policy ensures the divorce settlement payouts will continue if the spouse responsible becomes disabled.
The policy can cover the total costs agreed on for alimony, child support, children’s medical insurance premiums, tuition, activity fees, etc., or the couple can choose a lesser amount to be covered.

The policy can be written to cover a monthly benefit for up to 60 months. It is renewable, so it can be rewritten every five years based on the obligation of the parent making the payments.

While some people have disability income insurance through work, it typically insures only about 60% of their income. So if a parent becomes disabled, it may become impossible for him or her to continue making the divorce settlement payments in addition to paying bills, according to DSI.

Disabled parents’ only option has been to file for a reduction in divorce payments according to their current financial circumstances. This can create considerable financial problems for both parents and any children involved. This new product may help alleviate potential financial problems brought about by a disability.    

For more information and how to have this policy negotiated as part your divorce settlement, go to www.gotodsi.com/divorce.


Fidelity Launches ‘Sector Investigator’ Calculator
Fidelity’s Sector Investigator calculator gives advisors the ability to test portfolios in hypothetical market environments while taking advantage of sector investing.

The calculator helps advisors explore portfolio risk/return levels and the possible outcomes of overweighting or underweighting sectors compared with a market benchmark.

“When making decisions on equity investments, many advisors look at the market cap profile of their investment mix, as well as growth and value factors,” said Robert Litle, senior vice president, Fidelity Financial Advisor Solutions. “Many overlook their sector mix, even though it has been a large driver of equity performance.”

Hennion & Walsh Launches SRI SmartTrust
Parsippany, N.J.-based investment services provider Hennion & Walsh has launched SmartTrust Sustainable Impact Investing Trust.

The trust seeks to provide investors with total return potential by investing in the stocks of companies included in the S&P 1500 index meeting certain environmental, social and governance factors.

“Investors today are increasingly looking to align their portfolios with their personal beliefs and values,” said Kevin Mahn, chief investment officer of SmartTrust.

MetLife Introduces Variable Annuity Rider
MetLife has introduced FlexChoice, a variable annuity living benefit rider. Designed to provide clients with lifetime income, the rider also offers them an opportunity to benefit from market growth and offers flexibility should the clients’ financial needs change.

The rider lets clients start and stop withdrawals at any time without losing their ability to receive lifetime income. Clients can also cancel the rider if their needs change and receive a return of their purchase payments, adjusted for any withdrawals. In addition, an optional death benefit can be elected for those who seek added protection for their heirs.

CrowdRabbit Launches National Search Engine
CrowdRabbit has launched a national directory that pulls crowdfunding projects from multiple platforms, allowing users the ability to filter through projects by category, location, desired investment amount or number of investors.

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people—the crowd—via the Internet.
“Our goal is to become the leading directory for all who are enthusiastic about the future that crowdfunding has to offer us as entrepreneurs, investors and innovators,” said Rob Finlay, chief executive officer of CrowdRabbit.

LTCI Partners Offers Critical Illness Insurance
Lake Forest, Ill.-based LTCI Partners has added critical illness insurance to its portfolio of offerings, which can be used as a supplement to disability insurance. It pays a lump sum upon diagnosis of certain conditions, such as cancer, a heart attack or stroke, making it possible to provide benefits for non-working spouses or to protect clients from coverage gaps in their major medical plans.

“Anything an advisor can do to be proactive in helping a client make smart decisions that won’t put long-term financial goals at risk is important,” said Tom Riekse Jr., managing principal for LTCI Partners.