Fiduciary Responsibilities for Employer Health Plans: What Employers Should Know Now

March 10, 2026
Agent7

When employers think about fiduciary responsibility, retirement plans often come to mind first. But recent developments make it clear that fiduciary duties also matter—sometimes significantly—when it comes to employer-sponsored health and welfare plans. Federal law requires employers that sponsor ERISA-covered benefit plans to act in the best interests of plan participants and beneficiaries. While many […]

The Case for Guaranteed Retirement Income • The Insurance Pro Blog

When Does IUL Underperform Whole Life?

March 9, 2026
Agent7

Other Crediting Methods Participation Rates and Spreads: Where Are the Breaking Points? Not every indexed universal life insurance policy uses a simple cap rate on the S&P 500. Some use uncapped index accounts where the participation rate or a spread becomes the controlling variable instead. We analyzed both. Participation rates A participation rate determines what […]

Why Your Account Balance Isn’t the Number That Matters • The Insurance Pro Blog

March 8, 2026
Agent7

Consider two people, both 65, both retiring this year, both needing roughly $6,000 a month to live comfortably. On paper, one looks far more “successful” than the other. In practice, the picture is more interesting than that. Hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only. Individual results vary based on specific products, timing, and personal circumstances. Person […]

What is an Annuity?

March 7, 2026
Agent7

Decision Framework How to Think About Whether an Annuity Belongs in Your Plan An annuity isn’t a universal solution. It’s not the right product for every person or every dollar. But for certain problems, it’s the most efficient tool available — and the conversation deserves more nuance than the blanket opinions you’ll find in most […]

An Honest Look at Who It Works For • The Insurance Pro Blog

March 6, 2026
Agent7

Long-Term Success What Makes Whole Life Insurance Work Over Time The people who get the most value from whole life insurance share a set of behavioral traits that matter just as much as their financial profile. They’re patient Evaluating a whole life policy after one, two, or even three years will consistently lead to disappointment. […]

The Case for Guaranteed Retirement Income • The Insurance Pro Blog

March 5, 2026
Agent7

None of this means everyone should rush out and annuitize half their retirement savings. Individual circumstances vary. Your health, your other income sources, your legacy goals, and your comfort level all factor into whether a single premium immediate annuity makes sense — and if so, how much to allocate. But the default assumption is worth […]

An insurance broker reviews a policy document with a couple at their home, explaining the terms on a clipboard while the man and woman look on thoughtfully over coffee.

What Do Insurance Brokers Do?

March 4, 2026
Agent7

While brokers do not control claim decisions, they act as advocates for clarity and fairness. Brokers communicate with adjusters, ask the right questions, and help interpret responses so clients understand what is happening at each stage. If something seems unclear or inconsistent, brokers help address those concerns and seek clarification on the client’s behalf.Most importantly, […]

A professional broker discussing how to build coverage with the future in mind.

How to Choose Insurance Coverage

March 3, 2026
Agent7

Choosing insurance coverage can feel like walking a tightrope. On one side is the risk of overpaying for coverage you don’t really need. On the other is underinsuring and discovering gaps only when something goes wrong. Many people fall into one of these extremes because insurance decisions are often made quickly, based on price, or […]

Closing the Cottage: Fall Insurance Tips for Seasonal Properties

Fall Insurance Tips for Closing Your Cottage

March 2, 2026
Agent7

As summer fades and the crisp air of fall rolls in, many cottage owners across Ontario start preparing to close up their seasonal properties for the year. While it’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to the lake, taking the right precautions before you leave can save you from expensive surprises come spring. Beyond the usual […]

Rising Healthcare Costs: What Higher Premiums Mean for Employers

How Rising Health Costs Impact Employer Premiums

March 1, 2026
Agent7

Why Premiums Are SoaringEmployers are seeing group health plan costs climb faster than almost any other business expense. Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed, particularly for biologics and specialty drugs that can cost tens of thousands of dollars per patient each year. Hospitals and outpatient treatments are charging more as they face staffing shortages and higher […]