Business Underwriters Associates, LLC

Principal: Product Discontinuation and Other Updates

01-11-2021

Principal regularly evaluates their product portfolio to ensure their offerings meet the needs of policy holders and their business objectives. With that in mind, Principal will be making the following product changes to ensure their portfolio remains well-positioned so you can offer your valued clients attractive protection options now and in the future:

  • Principal Universal Life Provider Edge II (UL Provider Edge II) will be introduced on Jan. 19, 2021.
  • Principal Universal Life Protector V (UL Protector V) and Principal Survivorship Universal Life Protector III (SUL Protector III) will be discontinued, effective Jan. 15, 2021.
  • Principal Universal Life Flex III (UL Flex III) will be repriced, effective Jan. 19, 2021.

Additionally, Principal wants to share some underwriting and new business news (get the full details below):

  • Informal applications that meet the stated guidelines will be accepted beginning Jan. 19.
  • Principal Accelerated Underwriting will be enhanced in 2021.

UL Provider Edge II

This new current assumption universal life product will feature the following:

  •  Affordable premiums with optional, extended no-lapse guarantees to age 100
  • An accelerated death benefit option for chronic illness
  • An innovative, optional rider that provides death benefit increases to keep pace with the increasing value of a business
  • Cash value accumulation

These features make it an attractive alternative to guaranteed universal life insurance for cases where lower-cost protection is the priority—or for funding business solutions. Additional details will follow soon. 

UL Protector V and SUL Protector III

With the prolonged low interest rate environment, Principal made the difficult but prudent decision to discontinue these products. Important dates for getting these products while still available are:

  • New applications must be received in the home office by Jan. 15, 2021. That date will also be the last day you’ll be able to quote the products.
  • All requirements, including premium, must be received in the home office by Feb. 15, 2021.
  • Get all the details in the UL Protector V/SUL Protector III transition guidelines.

While Principal is not introducing a replacement survivorship product, they remain committed to the legacy and estate planning market. Principal will continue to evaluate options for providing a solution designed to work well in that market in the future and will update you accordingly.

UL Flex III

Pricing for this product will be updated for new policies, beginning Jan. 19, 2021. Important dates can be found in the UL Flex III transition guidelines. The following changes from the current product version will be part of the updated product:

  • Policy charges include a combination of slight increases and decreases.
  • The guaranteed minimum interest rate for cash value is reduced from 2% to 1%.
  • The 10-year No Lapse Guarantee (NLG) provision is reduced at older issue ages to a minimum of five years.
  • The policy loan charge rate and loan crediting rate are reduced.

Informal applications

Principal is lifting the temporary suspension of informal application submissions, effective Jan. 19. Beginning on that date, Principal will start accepting informal applications that meet the requirements listed below. They will also monitor volumes and placement rates and will adjust the program’s availability as needed.

  • Minimum face amount of $5 million
  • If less than $5 million, must meet $10,000 in planned annual premium
  • Minimum issue age 50; maximum issue age 75
  • Ratings continue to be limited to Table 6 for ages up to age 59 and Table 2 for age 60 and above
  • Term or permanent product
  • Cover sheet that includes planned premium amount and offer needed to win the case

Accelerated underwriting

While 2020 posed many challenges, it also presented opportunities. Principal is working on updates to the Principal Accelerated Underwriting program to further enhance the experience of the life insurance applicant during the purchase process. Stay tuned for more details on this program.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1-800-792-6795.