The September 2026 edition of The TWH Update from TWH Annuities & Insurance Agency, Inc. brings key updates, product spotlights, and strategic insights for independent producers. Here are the top takeaways from this month’s newsletter:
1. Annuity Spotlight: Performance Trigger Crediting Method
This month highlights the advantages of a performance trigger crediting method over traditional cap crediting:
- How It Works: As long as the underlying index is positive (even by 0.01%), the annuity earns the full performance trigger crediting rate.
- Real-World Comparison: On an initial $500,000 premium using an 8.0% performance trigger cap versus an 8.0% standard cap over a 10-year hypothetical S&P 500 performance history, the performance trigger strategy generated nearly $200,000 more ($925,465 vs. $729,960).
- Current Opportunity: TWH features an index annuity from an “A” rated carrier offering an 8.0% performance trigger cap on the S&P 500, a 5.2% fixed rate, a 5-year 90% participation rate on S&P 500 ($100K+ premiums), and a 7% commission.
2. The Power of Index Annuity Annual Reviews
President & Owner Greg Skogsberg stresses the high value of conducting regular annual reviews with clients:
- Case Study: A 13-year-old client annuity crediting only 1% per year (originally designed for lifetime income that was no longer needed) was recently identified during an anniversary review.
- Outcome: With the surrender penalty dropping below 3%, TWH transitioned the client into a higher-performing annuity offering a 5% bonus, 3.2% fixed rate, and an 8.75% S&P 500 annual cap rate.
3. Perfectly Balanced Retirement (PBR) Tool
TWH highlights the PBR Tool, which models a 60/40 allocation balancing Safety Growth (Index Annuities) and Risky Growth (Index ETFs) using historical economic data:
- Smart Withdrawal Strategy: Takes required annual income withdrawals (with a 3% inflation adjustment) from either the safe or risky bucket based on market performance.
- Impact: Protects capital during market downturns and creates approximately $300,000 more in assets compared to a non-balanced plan relying solely on a risky account.
4. The TWH 2026 Elite Producers Club (Marketing Allowance Plan)
Producers can earn monthly cash bonuses through the 2026 Marketing Allowance Plan to offset marketing and technology costs:
- Level I ($250,000 premium): $250 bonus ($250 cumulative)
- Level II ($500,000 premium): $500 bonus ($750 cumulative)
- Level III ($1,000,000 premium): $1,000 bonus ($1,750 cumulative)
- Level IV ($2,000,000 premium): $1,500 bonus ($3,250 cumulative)
- Level V ($3,000,000 premium): $3,000 bonus ($6,250 cumulative) (Valid for paid business from 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2026)
5. Contracting & Application Processing Tips
Ami Skogsberg, VP of Agency Services, notes that 85% of pre-reviewed applications contain potential improvements. Submitting pre-reviewed applications leads to faster processing and fewer client re-signatures.
Pre-solicitation Requirements: Ensure the following are complete prior to the application date:
- Contracting submitted before taking applications
- Carrier-specific product and suitability training
- Annual Anti-Money Laundering (AML) training
- Up-to-date Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage
Need More Information?
Contact the TWH team at 1-800-200-9194 or email info@twhagency.com for custom reports, illustrations, or contracting details.