MassMutual Division Named Retirement Leader of the Year

Threadwire Solutions, Dallas, Texas, an application developer of communication tools for the insurance industry, launched Threadwire:CONNECT.

Designed to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized independent insurance agencies, CONNECT is a customizable mobile and Web application that helps agencies connect and engage with their clients using technology.

“Mobile apps, iPads and tablets are playing an increasing role in the business world today, but not when it comes to insurance and risk management,” said Brandt Beal, co-founder, Threadwire Solutions. “We created CONNECT to bridge the technology gap and give agencies the tools they have always wanted, but never had the time or resources to develop.”

Key features and functionality include:

• Online dashboard and Web portal that gives agents and clients the ability to upload information, manage user experience and gather user data;
• News and alerts tool for the instant distribution of important news, policy documents, employee checklists and event notifications;
• Mobile claims filing feature, enabling remote, on-site uploads of photos, location data, voice memos and other important information;
• Safety and training resources available for on-demand viewing for mobile and Web users;
• My Cabinet cloud storage for centralized, secure document management and access for clients and their employees.

Lincoln Financial Group, Radnor, Pa. (NYSE: LNC), introduced Lincoln Employee Value Universal Life, issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. 

The Lincoln Employee Value enables employers to add an employee-paid life insurance option to their benefit packages, offering the protection of guaranteed lifetime coverage.

With Lincoln Employee Value, employees can select up to $300,000 in benefit amounts. The policies are individually issued, and as long as sufficient premium is paid, the coverage is guaranteed for life even if the employee retires or changes jobs. The premium amount that guarantees the policy for life can never be raised. 

Lincoln Employee Value is offered with the following riders to help employees customize their coverage to meet their future plans:

• Lincoln Automatic Assurance Rider – allows death benefit to increase annually for the first five years of policy ownership;
• Accidental Death Benefit Rider – pays a specified benefit amount in the event of an insured’s accidental death;
• Accelerated Benefits Rider – pays up to 75% of the death benefit if an insured becomes terminally ill with a life expectancy of 12 months or less;
• Children’s Term Rider – provides level term coverage for each child of the insured, from age zero to 26;
• Disability Waiver of Monthly Deductions Benefit Rider – waives monthly deductions after a six-month waiting period if the insured becomes disabled under the terms of the rider.

Wilmington Trust, Wilmington, Del., launched the Wilmington Rock Maple Alternatives Fund, which provides exposure to a diverse set of alternative strategies.

The mutual fund’s portfolio managers selected eight independent sub-advisors, which will oversee separate sub-portfolios of the fund in accordance with specific parameters, constraints and risk-return objectives. The fund also has assets invested in two independently managed mutual funds. It commenced investment operations on Jan. 12.

The mutual fund is managed by Wilmington Funds Management Corporation in partnership with Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. and Rock Maple Services, LLC, an investment advisor specializing in alternative investments.