What Makes NLG’s Living Benefit Suite a Game-Changer in the Field?

By Ira Gottshall, Founding Principal

As we push forward on our 2026 Journey to the Top, we had my good friend Nate Imbergamo from National Life Group (NLG) drop in for our FFP University webinar. NLG currently holds the number one spot at FFP, and after walking through their updated product lineup, it’s easy to see why.

When we’re out in the field closing cases, we constantly see two client demands: strong living benefits during working years and ironclad, predictable income in retirement. Here are the key strategic takeaways from our session on how you can leverage NLG’s latest updates to scale your practice.

How Can Life Insurance Agents Leverage NLG's Upgraded FlexLife IUL?

For most of our independent life insurance agents, NLG's FlexLife product line is the go-to workhorse for client protection. With the updated version rolled out in September 2025, NLG raised the bar on both index growth and living safety nets:

11% S&P 500 Cap: Boosts competitive potential for index accumulation performance.
Fast Processing Times: Most policies are issued in less than 10 days, keeping your cases moving smoothly.
Expanded Easy Underwriting Limits: Non-medical limits are now up to $5 million for clients up to age 50, and up to $3 million for clients ages 51–60.
Favorable ITIN Underwriting: Offers full access and simple underwriting for non-US-born clients with valid socials or ITINs.

For higher-net-worth cases ($1M+ face amounts max-funded for cash growth), NLG’s Summit Life IUL remains the top fit. Enhanced index options for Summit Life are dropping soon, making large-case accumulation designs even stronger without requiring full medical exams.

What Makes NLG’s Living Benefit Suite a Game-Changer in the Field?

I tell life insurance agents all the time: if you aren't showing living benefits to every prospect, you're leaving the door wide open for competitors. NLG paid out over $128 million in living benefit claims in 2025 alone. With an average policy face amount of $400,000, that money didn't just go to a few huge claims—it helped thousands of middle-American families navigate life's toughest moments. NLG's living benefits go well beyond standard terminal illness triggers:

Critical Illness & Critical Injury: Covers life-altering events that standard policies ignore, including coma, paralysis, severe burns, and traumatic brain injury from car accidents.
Dedicated Alzheimer’s Disease Rider: Offers a lump-sum payout up to $1.5 million upon diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy body dementia.
Premium Chronic Care Rider: Pays dollar-for-dollar up to $3 million (capped at IRS per diem limits) when a client cannot perform 2 of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Fertility Journey Rider: Provides built-in premium relief (minimum 3 months) for young families undergoing fertility treatments.
Compassionate Care Program: Included at no extra cost through HomeThrive, providing expert care-navigation services for clients managing a loved one's illness.

How to Guarantee Retirement Income Using the Income Driver Annuity

If your clients are stressed about outliving their savings, NLG's Income Driver fixed indexed annuity removes all market guesswork. Many competing income riders force you to present non-guaranteed illustrations based on fluctuating index projections. The Income Driver makes the conversation straightforward because the income numbers are completely predictable.

Strategic Options for Income vs. Legacy

Maximum Guaranteed Income (Charge Option): Includes a 1% fee, the 25% Day-1 bonus, and the 10% annual rollup. Ideal for clients starting income within 10 years who want to maximize their annual paycheck.
Legacy & Flexibility (No-Charge Option): Eliminates the 1% rider fee and bonus, deducting only the actual income taken from the contract’s cash value. Perfect for clients who want guaranteed retirement income while preserving a larger death benefit legacy for beneficiaries.

How Do Mutual Company Renewal Rates Protect Your Client Relationships?

One of the worst positions a life insurance agent can face is sitting down for an annual review only to explain why a carrier slashed their cap rates. Because National Life Group is a mutual company, they answer to policyholders rather than wall-street stock analysts.

NLG's historical data shows they have maintained average renewal rates at 87.5% of their initial starting cap rates on products over eight years old. For instance, on the Zenith Growth 10 annuity, they recently bumped the S&P 500 cap up to 9.5%. This commitment to avoiding "teaser rates" protects your long-term reputation and simplifies annual reviews.

Simplifying the Close: Technology and CPA Partnerships

To help life insurance agents close cases faster, NLG has upgraded its tech stack and agent tools:

Pin-to-Sign Application: Clients receive a unique PIN via text message, read it back to you, and complete remote application signatures instantly without lost email links.
Agent & Client Mobile Apps: Agents get immediate push notifications for underwriting questions, while clients can self-serve beneficiary updates and policy loans.
CPA Partner Program: NLG hosts CPE-credit seminars in November focusing on tax code and life insurance strategies, providing independent life insurance agents with a turnkey platform to build CPA referral networks.

If you want to walk through illustrations or learn how to position these products in your local market, give us a call at FFP. We design these cases every day and are here to support your journey to the top.