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☆ Fresh customer-fraud allegations against Globe Life
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Susan Antilla | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Read previewThe embattled insurer Globe Life and its subsidiary American Income Life face new allegations of fraud, kickbacks, and misclassifying its army of sales agents. Neither Globe, AIL, or any affiliated agencies have requested a correction on BI's series, which has been cited in all three short-seller reports. Spokespeople for Globe, AIL, and Arias did not respond to inquiries about the Viceroy report. Viceroy today published excerpts from a civil complaint alleging that Globe Life required recruits to purchase the course from Xcel for $149, $119 of which was kicked back to Globe Life, AIL, and agency executives, an allegation Globe has denied. "As you might expect, these sales tactics do not engender long-term retention of policies," the Viceroy report states.

Persons: —, AIL, Fraser Perring, Nate Koppikar, Panda, Arias, Erica Robertson, Robertson, Amy Williamson, Renee Zinsky, Fuzzy Panda, Jamie Winters, Winters, Viceroy, AIL's, Antonio – Organizations: Service, Viceroy Research, Globe, Business, Research, Orso Partners, Insurance Department, Pennsylvania, Arias Organization, Social, Organization, AIL, BI, Department, Xcel, Liberty National Life, Ohio Department of Insurance Locations: Texas, London, Globe, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arias's Wexford, California, Xcel, Ohio, Antonio

If you already have life insurance, consider adding funeral or burial insurance, also known as "final expense" insurance. Final expense insurance, also called burial or funeral expense insurance, covers end-of-life expenses like the funeral service, body preparation, cremation, the casket or urn, transportation, etc. Types of final expense policiesBesides term and permanent life insurance, final expense insurance comes in several forms. Final expense life insurance is for those who might be in poor health and can't qualify for traditional life insurance. Final expense life insurance FAQsWho should consider final expense life insurance?

Persons: you'll, It's Organizations: AARP, Consumers Alliance, Colonial Penn, Mutual, Life Insurance, Chevron Locations: Colonial, Omaha, Illinois

How to cancel your life insurance policyCanceling a term life insurance policyThere are several ways to cancel a term life insurance policy. Alternatives to life insurance cancelationcanceling your life insurance policy isn't ideal if you have dependents who rely on your income for financial support. If you have a whole life insurance policy, look into reduced paid-up life insurance. Life insurance settlementIf you don't have a terminal diagnosis and you want to sell your term life insurance policy, you can apply for a life insurance settlement with a third-party provider instead of canceling your policy. Canceling life insurance FAQsWill I get any money back if I cancel my life insurance policy?

Persons: Lucas Siegel, Siegel, wouldn't, policyholders, you've Organizations: Internal Revenue Service

☆ Kasa Living, which partners with KKR and TPG, wants to become the Amazon of hospitality. See the 33-page slideshow it used to raise $70 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Kasa Living has made a habit of raising funds at some of the hardest times for the hospitality and proptech industries. Kasa Living CEO and founder Roman Pedan points to the shares of Marriott and Hilton, which are up over the last five years, as an indication of what Kasa could be. Kasa Living is now working with some investment firms to help locate and buy buildings that Kasa Living will operate, a model known as OpCo/PropCo. Instead of having to hire someone to handle bookings and finances for each property, Kasa Living handles it all centrally, "removing that fixed cost." Some financial information has been redacted from the deck by Kasa Living.

Persons: Roman Pedan, Kasa, Pedan, Pendan Organizations: Marriott, Hilton, KKR, Sonder, TPG, Amazon Web, Citi Ventures, FirstMark, New York Life Ventures, Fireside Investments, RET, Zigg, Ribbit, EBay, Kasa Locations: Brookfield

☆ 9 ways rich real estate owners save big on taxes from putting mansions in trusts to donating rental property income
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The richest 0.1% of Americans own $1.8 trillion in real estate, according to the Federal Reserve. Currently, individuals and married couples can gift or bequeath $13.61 million and $27.22 million, respectively, before a 40% federal estate tax kicks in. Here are nine little-known techniques that wealthy real estate owners use to pay less to Uncle Sam:Qualified personal residence trusts, better known as "QPRTs," effectively freeze the value of a real estate property for tax purposes. With an FLP, an individual — often a parent or two parents — pools their business assets, commonly real estate or stocks. The heirs don't own the trust assets, but rather have lifetime rights to the trust's income and real estate.

Persons: Uncle Sam, Trump, Sam Walton, Wrigley, Jeff Bezos, Rich, Ron Wyden, PPLI, Jackie O, I've, Edward Renn, remarries Organizations: Federal, Business, Walmart, Biden, Blackstone, Lombard, Taxpayers, IRS Locations: Trump, Florida, Wyoming, Plenty

To submit a life insurance claim, however, you'll need to know which life insurance company holds the person's policy. NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator ServiceIf you don't know the insurance company your deceased loved one has a policy with, the NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator Service can help with your search. What to do once you find a life insurance policyFiling a claimOnce you've identified the insurance company and retrieved the deceased's policy information, follow these steps to claim a found life insurance policy:Contact the insurance company: The insurer will provide the claims form and instructions. The closest living relative (e.g., spouse or child)The policy's beneficiaryEstate executors and TrusteesFinding life insurance policy frequently asked questionsHow can I determine what type of life insurance policy I need? Only the beneficiaries named in the policy or their legal representatives have the right to file a claim on a life insurance policy.

Persons: you've, Policygenius Organizations: National Association of Insurance, Social, National Association, Insurance, Financial

☆ 'Chaotic era' for Asian currencies: Bank of America is not bullish on any of them
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The onshore CNY is currently trading at 7.24 per U.S. dollar. The South Korean won recently slipped to an 18-month low of 1,389.5 against the dollar. The Bank of Korea chief called the won volatility "excessive" and said the central bank would intervene if needed. Taiwan dollarBofA also remains negative on the Taiwan dollar given strong equity outflows and life insurance companies' additional unwinding of non-deliverable forward hedges. The Taiwan dollar is currently trading at 32.6 per U.S. dollar.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho Organizations: Korean, Woori, Bloomberg, Getty, U.S, South Korean, Fed, Bank of Korea, U.S ., Taiwan Locations: Seoul, South Korea

☆ US soldier at Fort Bragg sentenced for running romance scam
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A federal judge sentenced a former Army service member to prison for running a romance scam. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022. AdvertisementA US soldier will spend more than three years in federal prison for a romance scam in which police say he impersonated military officials. Before his arrest, Frimpong was an active-duty Army service member stationed at Fort Bragg, the department said. "The fact that an Army service member was involved in romance scams while serving as a soldier is appalling."

Persons: —, Sanda G, Frimpong, Kate Kleinert, Kleinart, Tom Tanner, Michael Easley Organizations: Army, Service, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Yahoo, Wired, Social Security, Justice Department, Business Locations: Fort, United States, Nigeria

But many people don't realize just how much of their insurance coverage is tied to their employment. Disability, life, health, dental, vision — all can evaporate quickly after a pink slip. Life insuranceAnother common employer-provided insurance is group life insurance, which pays out a death benefit if you die while employed. Similar to disability insurance, though, this group life insurance is contingent on your working at that company. That's why I highly recommend considering an individual life insurance policy.

Persons: it's, They're, It's, you've Organizations: Business, Healthcare

☆ Romance scammers are now building trust with AI-generated deepfakes. Here's how to spot them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

It might be because he's a romance scammer called a "Yahoo Boy" who wants to steal your life savings. Once gaining the victims' trust, the scammers use a pretense to solicit money, like the need to pay an emergency medical expense. Last year alone, the FBI's Internet Crime Report estimated that Americans lost more than $650 million to romance scams. Kate Kleinert, a 69-year-old widow, previously told BI that she lost $39,000 to an online romance scam. Over the last two years, the Yahoo Boys started experimenting with deepfake video clips and video calls, according to Wired.

Persons: —, Kate Kleinert, Kleinart, David Maimon, Trina Higgins, Higgins, haven't Organizations: Service, Yahoo, Yahoo Boys, Department of Justice, Business, Federal Trade Commission, Social Security, Wired, Georgia State University, CNN, Nigerian, Prosecutors, Justice Department Locations: Nigeria, Hong Kong, Salt Lake City, Utah

☆ Seattle gave low-income residents $500 monthly payments with no strings attached. Some got new housing and employment rates nearly doubled.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA Seattle guaranteed basic income pilot gave low-income residents $500 a month to help reduce poverty. The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County launched a 10-month guaranteed basic income pilot program with 102 participants in fall 2022. Over a quarter of participants reported acquiring disability insurance in their new jobs, which none of them had in their previous jobs. However, many of the pilot programs are funded privately by philanthropy or by federal relief funds. Republicans in several state legislatures have pushed efforts to ban basic income programs in their states.

Persons: —, Marie Kurose, Chase Bank — Organizations: Service, Workforce Development, of Seattle, King County, Business, Seattle, Employment Security Department, Chase Bank Locations: King, King County

☆ Seattle gave low-income residents $500 a month no strings attached. Employment rates nearly doubled.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA Seattle-area guaranteed basic income pilot gave low-income residents $500 a month to help reduce poverty. The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County launched a 10-month guaranteed basic income pilot program with 102 participants in fall 2022. Over a quarter of participants reported acquiring disability insurance in their new jobs, which none of them had in their previous jobs. However, many of the pilot programs are funded privately by philanthropy or by federal relief funds. Republicans in several state legislatures have pushed efforts to ban basic income programs in their states.

Persons: —, Marie Kurose, Chase Bank — Organizations: Service, Workforce Development, of Seattle, King County, Business, Employment Security Department, Chase Bank Locations: Seattle, King, King County

☆ How to manage your money in your 40s, according to CFPs: As your investments grow, 'mistakes can get bigger' too
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In your 40s, financial priorities can range from taking care of aging parents to funding the activities and futures of your kids. Here are four steps certified financial planners recommend taking with your money throughout your 40s. You generally have two options for life insurance: term or permanent. Term life insurance provides coverage for a set amount of time, often somewhere between 10 and 30 years, while permanent life insurance, also known as whole life, provides coverage for the rest of your life. Term life insurance is generally fitting for people looking for affordable, temporary coverage, while permanent life insurance is more flexible and can earn interest.

Persons: Andrew Fincher, Fincher, you've, Joe Conroy Organizations: Financial

☆ Op-ed: There's a potential tax increase coming. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Ivory Johnson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Eva-katalin | E+ | Getty ImagesIt is common folklore, a fairy tale of sorts, that middle-class Americans received perpetual relief in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. First, property taxes generate 32% of state and local income, and U.S. median single-family home property taxes have risen by more than 25% since 2019. Congress will be motivated to etch all the tax cuts in stone, but it would only add fuel to the debt bonfire. watch nowThere is also the qualified business income deduction that offers a 20% tax break for small businesses provided they are below certain income thresholds. All of this is in addition to crippling cost-of-living challenges from excessive government spending, the well our Treasury would have to revisit to make these tax cuts permanent.

Persons: Eva, katalin, he's, Peter G, Uncle Sam, Roth, depreciate — Organizations: Taxation, Economic, Peterson Foundation, Chamber, Commerce, Treasury, Hope Congress, Real, IRS Locations: U.S, United States

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Globe Life, JPMorgan, Zoetis, Wells Fargo and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Wells Fargo — Shares of the bank inched lower by less than 1% after it reported a decline in net interest income during the first quarter. Wells Fargo did beat analyst expectations for its first-quarter adjusted earnings and revenue. Globe Life — The life insurance stock bounced 10% after plummeting more than 50% during Thursday's session. The firm said shares were not worth purchasing ahead of the first quarter earnings report, given the weakness expected. Ciena — Shares slipped nearly 3% after Citi initiated coverage of the software company with a sell rating.

Persons: Jamie Dimon, Wells, LSEG, Corteva, Librela, — CNBC's Michelle Fox, Alex Harring, Tanaya Macheel, Pia Singh Organizations: JPMorgan, Street, Wells Fargo, BlackRock —, BlackRock, Fuzzy Panda Research, Paramount, Skydance Media, Citi, Wall Street, Solensia, Arista Networks, Rosenblatt

If you choose to forgo life insurance, it might still make sense to include an unmarried partner in a will. Compare life insurance rates online with Ethos Life. If so, then you may need life insurance. Term life insurance is a better choice for most individuals since they don't need coverage for their entire lives. Get Life Insurance Quotes Compare the best life insurance companies with a quote from Ethos Life.

Persons: —, Justin Pritchard, doesn't, Pritchard, Jay Zigmont Organizations: Service, CFP, Childfree

☆ Winners and losers now that the reflation trade is back. Who does well and who struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

To see the impact of higher inflation and higher interest rates on companies, just look at the earnings release for CarMax this morning. For example, higher rates are generally bad for REITs beause REITs rely on debt financing. Higher rates also mean increased borrowing costs for utilities, which carry a lot of debt because they use a lot of capital. The problem is, energy and material stocks have already been rising due to higher oil and a still strong economy. Other potential beneficiaries of higher rates with a strong economy are defensive stocks, which tend to be less interest rate sensitive, like Kroger or Walmart .

Organizations: Energy, Communication, Kroger, Walmart Locations: Meta

Health insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, disability insurance, homeowners insurance, and renters insurance all require the policyholder to pay a premium to continue receiving coverage. The types of insurance policy premiums include car, life, health, homeowners, renters, and disability insurance. Life insurance premiumsAs previously mentioned, term life insurance premiums are locked in when the policy is signed. Another factor that goes into homeowners insurance premiums is your insurance score, which you do have some control over. Insurance premiums frequently asked questionsHow often do I have to pay insurance premiums?

Persons: policyholders, you'll, they're, Policygenius Organizations: Health Locations: New York, California

The biggest monthly bills Americans pay each month are mortgage, rent, and auto loans. AdvertisementThe biggest monthly bills Americans pay each month are mortgage, rent, and auto loans, according to the report. The other most common bills include utilities, auto insurance, cable and internet, mobile phones, health insurance, life insurance, and home security. Of those monthly bills, utilities, mobile phones, and health insurance have jumped the most in the last five years. AdvertisementThe most common monthly bills are just part of the picture for manyThese bills are just one piece of the picture showing the current cost of living.

Persons: Lynnette, Cox Organizations: Census Bureau, Resilience, Business Locations: Doxo

☆ Fox News threatened legal retaliation against a family suing the network over the death of their daughter in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewDays before a Ukrainian family filed a lawsuit against Fox News over the death of their daughter, they received a letter from the network threatening retaliation. Kuvshynova's family now says that Fox took unacceptable risks, including continuing the trip despite one of the company's security consultants vetoing it. Compensation with a catchIn the aftermath of Kuvshynova's death, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott contacted her father, Andriy, offering her condolences, the lawsuit says. The family's lawsuit claims that Fox attempted to impose non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreements on all surviving family members. In correspondence with Fox, seen by BI, Humphreys also argued that objectively sharing the details of Fox's actions around the time of Kuvshynova's death doesn't constitute disparagement.

Persons: —, Oleksandra, Kuvshynova, Pierre Zakrzewski, Ben Hall, Kuvshynova's, Fox, Sasha Kuvshynova, Suzanne Scott, Andriy, Stephen Humphreys, Humphreys Organizations: Service, Fox News, Business, Fox, BI Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Ukraine

☆ Car insurance rates are at a 50-year high. Here's 3 ways you can keep your costs low, according to an expert
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Allie Kelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

American car insurance rates have reached a 50-year high, outpacing inflation. "All of these work together to create a situation where car insurance is a lot more expensive," she said. Additionally, the state drivers live in — and the local impact of the climate crisis — has a significant effect on car insurance rates. According to personal finance company NerdWallet, full coverage car insurance premiums nearly double if a driver is at fault for a crash. Car insurance rates are higher for families with teenagers, with rates going up 70% to 150% once someone under 18 is added to a family car insurance policy.

Persons: Laura Longero, Longero, What's Organizations: Service, Insurance, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, . Insurance, US Department of Transportation Locations: —

Estate planning may not be a topic you want to think about, but it's essential for small-business owners. Estate planning is a very sensitive, emotional topic, but as a financial planner, I believe it's essential to discuss. Estate planning should be a top priority — especially for Black business owners seeking to build generational wealth and preserve their legacies. Digital estate planning documentA common blind spot in estate planning is the digital asset space. Digital estate planning will make it easier for your heirs to access your digital assets as needed.

Persons: —, doesn't Organizations: Service

☆ A student persuaded by his friend to get his legs amputated for a $1.3 million insurance scam wound up getting only $7,200 that he now has to return: prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A 23-year-old man in Taiwan had his legs amputated to receive a $1.3 million insurance payout, prosecutors said. Just days before, Zhang bought several expensive life insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance policies, prosecutors said. Local media, citing prosecutors, reported that Zhang had claimed $7,200 from one insurer, but this money would be seized. The department's chief inspector, Tom Hill, said an increasing cost of living may push people to consider insurance fraud. AdvertisementThe FBI estimates that an annual $400 to $700 from the average US family's insurance premiums goes to covering insurance fraud costs.

Persons: —, Zhang, Liao, Tom Hill Organizations: Service, Taiwan Criminal Investigation, Local, London Police's, Department, FBI Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, City, London, South Korea

☆ Here's why Social Security cost-of-living adjustments may be smaller in 2025 and beyond
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Peopleimages | Istock | Getty ImagesEarly estimates for the 2025 Social Security COLANew government data points to a 2.4% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2025, The Senior Citizens League estimates, based on new government inflation data released this week. The Social Security Administration typically announces the cost-of-living adjustment for the following year in October. In the meantime, experts say there are steps retirees can take to help compensate for the prospect of lower benefit increases. Annuities, which provide fixed income in retirement in exchange for a lump-sum investment, can be one way to supplement a retiree's income, LaVigne said. Consult with a financial advisorBefore purchasing an annuity or other retirement income strategy, it helps to consult with a professional.

Persons: " Johnson, Johnson, Lisa Featherngill, Featherngill, Kelly LaVigne, You've, LaVigne Organizations: Istock, Getty, Security COLA, Social Security, Senior Citizens League, Urban, Clerical Workers, CPI, Comerica Wealth Management, Social, Allianz Life Locations: Winston, Salem , North Carolina

☆ 25-year-old earns $11,000 a month while training for the Olympic trials: With a 'non-revenue generating sport, you have to get creative'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Annie Probert Zachary Green | Annie Probert | Zachary Green | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Add to that the sponsorships funding his pole vaulting season and a growing online personal training business, and Spotswood anticipates earning around $11,000 a month. "I just went home to my parents and was like, 'Where can I do pole vaulting?'" Spotswood first fell in love with pole vaulting in seventh grade and has since embarked on a 12-year career in the sport. Olympic hopefulAfter graduating from Virginia Tech, Spotswood decided to focus exclusively on professional pole vaulting and hopes to qualify for the Olympic trials in June. Looking aheadAfter 12 years of pole vaulting, 2024 is likely Spotswood's last dance.

Persons: Jake Spotswood, Spotswood, Enrique Huaiquil Spotswood, redshirting, Enrique Huaiquil, he's, George Mason, Jake Spotswood Spotswood, He's, George Mason's, I'm, I've Organizations: CNBC, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, University of Alabama, SEC, Alabama, ACC Championships, George, NCAA, Insurance Locations: Fairfax , Virginia, Fairhope , Alabama, U.S, Paris, Fairfax

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