IFC News, Events + Webinars | | We'd love your feedback on how we can make this newsletter more valuable to you and your team. Click the button below to share your feedback. Thank you! | | | | IFC OFFICES WILL CLOSE FOR LABOR DAY | |
The IFC National Marketing offices will be closed next Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
We encourage you to take this time to kick back, recharge, and celebrate with your loved ones. Have a safe and happy holiday!
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Congratulations to the
Leading Response Prize Winner!
2025 Agent Appreciation Celebration
| | And the winner is... Karen Yaeger-Horne of Integrity Plus Insurance! Enjoy your Leading Response Gift Certificate, and thank you for being part of the 2025 Agent Appreciation Celebration. | | | |
Hear How IFC Agents and Advisors Benefit from the Gold Experience
For agents and advisors looking to elevate their marketing without the hassle, the IFC Gold Experience offers a seamless solution. Hear from some of our agents who share why this program has made a real difference in their business:
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"I truly believe the Gold Experience is a no-brainer for agents who either aren’t confident in their marketing skills or simply don’t have the time to market the way they would like to. It’s the perfect solution.
Plus, it keeps current clients top-of-mind by sending out automatic mailers for birthdays and important updates, helping us stay connected without added effort."
– Meghan Bahneman & Shane Benoy
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If marketing feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. The IFC Gold Experience could be the support you need to stay top-of-mind and grow your business effortlessly. Click the button below to get started.
BONUS: Gold Experience agents also receive a one-time T-65 lead list of up to 1,000 names—giving you a powerful head start on reaching new prospects.
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IFC Gives Back
Bringing Smiles to Saint Therese Senior Living
| | Volunteering at Saint Therese Senior Living at Oxbow Lake, IFC's Luke Garthus, Terri Jantunen, Jennifer Wick, and JoAnn Holt brought smiles to seniors’ faces with a lively game of Bingo and exciting prizes. Giving back to those who paved the way for us is a true privilege! | | |
AGENT BUILDER 2.0 WEBINAR
Structuring Your Agency for Maximum Impact
There’s still time to register for tomorrow’s Agent Builder 2.0 webinar! Hear from successful agency owners and IFC experts as they share their experiences with W2, LOA, and hybrid models that drive business growth.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from those who have successfully navigated these structural choices and gain clarity on what works best for your situation.
Featured speakers:
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Mitch Anderson, Prime Time Health Advisors
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Jill Mudd, Twin Cities Health Insurance Solutions
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Kevin Rohde, Benefit Insurance Group
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John Quarles, IFC National Marketing
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Anna Metzger, IFC National Marketing
Tuesday, August 26
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CT.
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Agent Builder
on the Road
We're excited to share that Agent Builder is hitting the road and will be doing in-person training September 22-26 in Orlando, Fl.
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2025 Agent Builder Schedule
Schedule Update
We will be offering a Medicare Agent Builder for agents who are already in the industry and want to add more Medicare to their book of business.
Virtual Medicare Agent Builder
Offered Year Round
Virtual Life Agent Builder
Dates & Details to Come
Virtual Annuity Agent Builder
Dates & Details to Come
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Save on AHIP Before the AEP Rush
with IFC National Marketing
Don’t wait until the busy season to get certified! Stay ahead of the crowd and complete your annual AHIP training before the AEP rush begins.
IFC National Marketing is offering agents and agencies an exclusive discount on AHIP certification. Register through IFC and pay just $125–that’s $50 in savings compared to the standard $175 fee.
IFC also streamlines the process by tracking and securing your AHIP certificate for you, freeing up your time to focus on what matters most–serving your clients.
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If you have a National
Producer Number,
use this button to register.
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If you don't have a National
Producer Number,
use this button to register.
| | Need CE credits? Complete your AHIP certification through IFC and add 6 CE credits for just $30. Use your $50 savings to cover the cost—and still come out $20 ahead. Score big with one training and triple the benefits! | | Last Call: NAILBA Grant Applications Due August 30 | | |
Don’t miss the August 30, 2025 deadline to apply for the NAILBA Charitable Foundation grant. If you know a charity that is creating positive change and making a difference, encourage them to apply now.
IFC offers expert, personalized support throughout the entire grant application process. From crafting the proposal to submission, we help ensure your application is thorough, impactful, and well-prepared. Reach out to IFC today and get the guidance your organization needs to succeed.
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FIND A COMPLETE EVENT SCHEDULE ON OUR WEBSITE
View full details and register for upcoming webinars and in-person meetings.
| | Webinar: Get to Know GILICO | | |
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m., and join Jennifer Wick from IFC for an exclusive webinar: Get to Know GILICO.
GILICO will be spotlighted by special guest Josh Johnson. Gain insider insights, get your questions answered live, and learn about what makes GILICO a leader in the industry.
Register now to save your spot!
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Virtual Webinar
Tuesday, September 9
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. CT.
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Jennifer L. Wick
Regional Sales Director,
Annuity External
IFC National Marketing
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Josh Johnson
Internal Wholesaler,
IMO Distribution
GILICO
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10 Warnings Clients Would Give Their Younger Selves About Long-Term Care
For years, low interest rates and strict regulations discouraged discussions around long-term care (LTC) planning, but the need has never gone away. Nationwide recently surveyed 1,324 Americans ages 29+ with household incomes of $75,000+ to understand current views on retirement and LTC planning.
When asked what advice older participants (59+) would give their younger selves, many emphasized the importance of preparing early for future care needs–a reminder that time passes quickly, and planning ahead is essential.
Explore Nationwide’s full survey results to see the top LTC planning lessons today’s retirees would share with their younger selves.
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Disconnect Between Consumer And Advisor Perceptions In Social Security Planning | |
Social Security is central to retirement planning, and guidance from advisors on when and how to claim benefits can significantly boost clients’ financial security. Research shows that effective Social Security planning encourages clients to save more, seek additional income strategies, and engage in deeper retirement discussions with both advisors and family.
Protective and Greenwald Research surveyed 1,000 consumers and 500 advisors to identify the best timing and key considerations for starting these conversations.
Read the article here to learn how timely Social Security guidance can strengthen advisor-client relationships and improve retirement outcomes.
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Updated Annuity Rates
This week's updated annuity rates are in!
- MYGA rates are here.
- Fixed indexed annuities are here.
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Allianz Index Lock & Carrier Updates
Watch this webinar recording to get the latest on product and carrier updates from Allianz.
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Get the Latest on Life and Annuity News Here!
Want more insights and news about life and annuities? View the current issue of our Life, LTC and Annuity newsletter below.
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2025 UHC Med Sup Opportunities with IFC
Don’t miss this webinar with your local UHC Medicare team discussing Medicare Supplement options in Minnesota and why including them in your AEP plan is a smart move this season.
Virtual Webinar
Tuesday, September 16
10:00 a.m. CT.
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IMPORTANT UPDATE:
How to Convert MedicareCENTER to LifeCENTER
As MedicareCENTER (or sometimes LifeCENTER, as we’re about to learn) develops, so do its features. This week, we want to talk about a new feature that allows MedicareCENTER to be rebranded for our Life and Annuity agents to LifeCENTER, how you can make this change, and/or how to reverse it for your login.
Starting in August of this year, if you do not sell Medicare products, Integrity will begin removing Medicare quoting features to declutter your dashboard and rebrand to LifeCENTER. This rollout will be gradual, but if you have not sold a Medicare product in MedicareCENTER in a while, there’s a chance that this could impact you. Thankfully, this is as simple as turning the feature back on in your Agent Profile.
Click the button below for instructions on how to retain the Medicare products in your account.
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2026 Medicare Product Certification Now Available
The 2026 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) Medicare product certification is now available via Pinpoint Global, which is the Blue Cross’ training platform.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires Blue Cross and all other Medicare plan sponsors to provide annual training and knowledge testing specific to Medicare program rules, regulations, marketing, and sales practices, as well as product-specific training.
THE TRAINING REQUIREMENT INCLUDES TWO COMPONENTS:
- Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training
- Carrier-specific Medicare product training
All agents who intend to sell or service Medicare plans for the 2026 plan year must successfully complete both parts to be considered Medicare certified.
Blue Cross agents have two options available to them to fulfill both components of the 2026 Medicare certification requirements.
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Trusted Advisor Series Webinar
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) is pleased to announce another Trusted Advisor Series webinar topic: Blue Cross Medicare 2026 Product Portfolio.
Attend a session and be able to:
- Describe key changes in the 2026 Blue Cross Medicare Product Portfolio
- Discuss “extras” providing additional value with your clients
- Make suitability recommendations to your clients
- Position Blue Cross products for new sales and renewals
- Note key marketing and enrollment dates
Register now by clicking below:
General session: Tuesday, August 19, 1pm- Opens in a new window
At the conclusion of each series of live webinars, a recording of the session, along with the presentation slides, will be made available.
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Medicare Supplement Broker Incentive Program
From September 1 through March 1, 2026, WPS is offering a rewarding incentive program based on your sales effective dates.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Earn a cash bonus by reaching Tier 1 or Tier 2 sales levels — and get paid at the highest tier you achieve!
- Hit Tier 3 sales, and IFC will earn a trip qualification.
- If selected for the trip, two spots will be awarded: one for an IFC representative and one for the top-selling agent.
Click the button below for full incentive details.
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2026 Broker Forum and Allina Health Centers of Excellence Presentation
2026 Broker Forum
Real people. Real support. Right here.
Thursday, Sept. 4 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. CT
Metropolitan Ball Room | 5418 Wayzata Blvd. | Golden Valley
In-person only.
Join us to:
- Preview our 2026 plans
- Hear directly from senior leadership
- Celebrate the achievements of our top brokers and agencies
- Become ready-to-sell for 2026
We'll kickoff with a continental breakfast at 8:30 AM providing an opportunity to network and talk with vendors before the session begins at 9:30 AM. We'll wrap up the session at 11:30 AM and provide a to-go boxed lunch.
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Allina Health Centers of Excellence Presentation
Thursday, Sept. 18 | 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT.
MacMillian Education Center | 2839 Chicago Ave. S | Minneapolis
In-person only.
Join us to learn more about Allina's Heart, Cancer & Courage Kenny Institutes, Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the care management initiatives with our Allina Health | Aetna members.
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2026 Medicare Certification for
MA/MAPD & PDP
The Allina Health | Aetna 2026 Medicare Certification for MA/MAPD & PDP will launch on Wednesday, June 25. Again this year, Allina Health | Aetna will offer two options:
Aetna Medicare Training (AHIP alternative) and Exam
Certifies producers to sell Aetna-only products.
- $0 registration fee
- Aetna's AHIP alternative
AHIP Medicare Training and Exam
Certifies producers to sell multiple carriers, including Aetna.
- $125 registration fee (Offered at a discounted rate if taken through the Aetna certification portal)
- Offers three attempts
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Critical Illness Incentive
From July 18 through September 30, 2025, earn $50 and triple points toward the 2026 Wellabe Agent Experience with every qualifying Critical Illness application you submit. Here’s how it works:
- Receive $50 for each Critical Illness policy sold, starting with your very first application.
- Earn 3x the points on every Critical Illness Insurance application — accelerating your path to the 2026 Wellabe Agent Experience trip.
- Ensure policies are issued by November 1, 2025, to qualify.
- Please note, this offer cannot be combined with other Wellabe incentives.
Make the most of this opportunity and increase your rewards today!
| | Wellabe’s Critical Illness coverage lets people personalize their protection, making it easier to focus on life’s priorities. Find out more about Wellabe’s Critical Illness plans below. | | |
Medica Medicare Certification,
Broker Forums and Pre-Orders
It is Medicare certification season as you prepare for this fall. Medica’s Medicare certification will launch on July 15th. You will still have the ability to upload your completed AHIP or Pinpoint certification and complete the Medica certification courses as in years past. We will also be starting pre-orders for 2026 sales materials the last week of June. Make sure to pre-order to guarantee that you have the appropriate brochures for the upcoming AEP season.
Medica will also continue to be offering our in person broker forums throughout our service area. Please see the attached schedule for the location nearest you. We look forward to seeing you there.
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August Integrity Webinars
Register for the remaining webinars in the August series from Integrity Marketing Group, IFC National Marketing’s parent company, and gain access to exclusive training and resources.
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CSG APP – Feature Focus Training, Monday at 10:30 a.m. CT.
Tech Tip Tuesday, Tuesday at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. CT.
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LeadCENTER | New User Training
Wednesday, August 27, 1:00 p.m. CT.
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Be Sure to Stay Compliant With Disclosures
As a reminder to all agents: as you are marketing to your book of business, please make sure you are CMS compliant with your disclosures (on print and digital materials, websites, and email signatures), and remember that IFC does not monitor your materials for compliance. If you have questions or want us to review, email compliance@ifcnationalmarketing.com or
health@ifcnationalmarketing.com.
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2026 Broker Bonus Program
We’re excited to introduce an excellent opportunity to boost your earnings with our broker bonus program for Balance level-funded plans. Eligible plans must have an effective date between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Please reach out to your sales executive if you have any questions.
The program pays a bonus per group based on group size:
5-10 enrolled = $500 per group
11-30 enrolled = $750 per group*
31-50 enrolled = $1,500 per group
*There was a typo on a level-funded webinar listing the amount as $1k. The correct amount is $750.
Have questions? Email grouphealth@ifcnationalmarketing.com.
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HR Question of the Week:
Setting Professional Goals
Q: How can we help our employees write professional goals that are meaningful and motivating to them? Some of our employees don’t know where to begin.
A: Getting started can be the hardest part of setting professional goals, especially for employees who haven’t thought about it before or don’t see any value in it.
Here are a few ways you can help your employees create and feel connected to their professional goals:
- Share upcoming projects, team priorities, or company goals with employees. Ask them to envision how they could contribute to these efforts in specific, measurable ways.
- Encourage employees to think in terms of the results they’d like to achieve or where they have room to improve. Goal completion can be measured by improved accuracy, faster response times, reduced rework, or higher customer satisfaction scores.
- Ask employees what skills they’d like to develop or what kind of work they’d like to try. Then look for ways to tie that interest back to their current role. For example, if an employee expressed interest in improving their communication skills, you might look at ways to incorporate that learning in their current job duties (e.g., provide additional opportunities to present at meetings).
- Tell employees that you will reward success (if you can follow through). Ultimately, professional goals will only be meaningful and motivating if they result in a good outcome for the employee. Many companies tie bonuses and promotions to successful goal completion.
- Remind employees that while professional goals are a tool to help them contribute effectively and ultimately grow in their career, working towards these goals can have immediate benefits. They can reduce day-to-day frustrations, make routine tasks easier, improve both individual and team performance, and result in other benefits.
This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.
| | Catching up With Contracting | | | | |
