FEATURED NEWS

Susan Da Sie will assume key portfolio management responsibilities for the Manulife Asset Management (MAM) Canadian Fundamental Equity Team’s income-oriented strategies. Walter McCormick, Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager with MAM (US) LLC, will be retiring. The effective date will be March 31, 2016.

Commission improvements to select living benefits products

As part of our commitment to you and our living benefits insurance business, we’re pleased to announce commission improvements for select living benefits products, effective January 23, 2016.

INTEGRATION

Change to Allocation Model for segregated funds of the former Standard Life

We are changing the frequency that we allocate income earned in segregated fund contracts of the former Standard Life. The new model of allocating the funds’ income at year-end, rather than at the end of each month, took effect January 1, 2016. By moving to an annual allocation model for these contracts we are harmonizing the way we allocate income across all our products; this method is used today for Manulife’s other segregated fund contracts.

INVESTMENTS

Helping clients make the most of their RRSP

Contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan is one of the most effective ways for Canadians to save for retirement. If an RRSP is part of your clients’ investment plan, here are some valuable suggestions you may share with your clients. To email this article or post it on your website, visit manulifesolutions.ca/advisor.

Segregated Fund changes effective March 11 & April 15, 2016

Manulife will be making changes to the fund line-up in a number of our Segregated Fund contracts. These changes align with those being made on the Manulife Mutual Fund platform and are part of Manulife’s ongoing commitment to providing you and your clients with a strong selection of investment options within our segregated fund line-up.

Segregated Fund material now offered in Simplified and Traditional Chinese

MK2966 – An overview of the MPIP Segregated Pools platform, MK2285 – InvestmentPlus Investor Brochure and MK2927 – Manulife RetirementPlus client brochure have now been translated to Simplified and Traditional Chinese. All pieces are now available on RepSource. They are also available through the DATAOnline Fulfillment Order System (DATAOnline).

Simplified Chinese:

Traditional Chinese:

The Fed raises rates, so what does that mean for clients?

The Fed will hike rates and begin on a path towards rate normalization. Read the latest Economic Note by Megan Greene, Chief Economist on her views of the rate increase and the potential implications.

How does the rate increase impact our Portfolio Manager’s views? Read the latest Investment Note on what Dan Janis, Terry Carr and others at Manulife Asset Management have to say about the rate increase.

2015 Segregated Fund allocation estimates

2015 Segregated fund allocation estimates are now posted in Repsource.

2015 Tax slip mailing schedule

Mailing schedule for tax slips from Manulife and the former Standard Life.

INSURANCE

New critical illness insurance and Lifecheque^® interactive learning series

Check out our first critical illness/Lifecheque learning series on the Manulife CE Centre, today, on Repsource https://repsource.manulife.com, under Quick Links. (You must be logged into Repsource to view.) This series will give you a thorough overview of critical illness history, and critical illness and Lifecheque product features, through a fresh interactive training concept – a first of its kind for us!

FollowMe™ Health – What’s new in 2016?

FollowMe™ Health has always been a great option for clients that are just leaving a group plan. With new plan enhancements, it’s an even better option. New rates will be available December 1, 2015, effective January 1, 2016. Here are the highlights.

Bonus Blitz is back!

Our popular Health and Dental sales program is back with bonus cheques to help you build your business! Sell Manulife individual health and dental plans between December 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016 — and you could receive up to double your standard commission!

TAX, RETIREMENT & ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES (TREPS)

Insurance

As a matter of tax: Gift of private company shares to a public foundation at death

Gift by estate of private company shares to a public foundation is a non--qualifying security, not an excepted gift.

As a matter of tax: Life interest trusts and life insurance – Why is there a problem?

Insurance owned by spousal, alter-ego or joint partner trust taints the trust from rollover of capital property.

As a Matter of Law - European Union has new succession rules

Will planning and new EU succession laws.

Did you know?

When a client acquires an RRSP loan equal to their estimated tax refund and then uses the refund to pay off the loan, they can effectively increase their RRSP contribution.

SALES SUPPORT

Are you using Solutions online?

By now, you’ve probably seen the winter edition of Solutions and maybe even sent a few copies to your clients. But did you know that’s just part of the Solutions program? Solutions online contains over 200 articles, videos and financial worksheets, all ready to email, download, or share on social media. Start the new year off by learning all the ways to connect with your clients using Solutions online – visit manulifesolutions.ca/training.

MANULIFE BANK

Updated Manulife Bank training for 2016 RRSP season

Available now in the Training Corner > Resources: Bank

With the 2016 RRSP season right around the corner, we’ve recently updated some of our Manulife Bank modules to help support you with the best practices for placing your RRSP bank business.

For a quick and easy refresh don't forget to watch Introduction to BankLink for tips on how to submit your RRSP Loan, TFSA and Registered Advantage Account applications.

Help your clients score 3.00% interest from Manulife Bank

Your clients can score a high 3.00% interest rate through May 31, 2016 on every new dollar added to their Manulife Bank Tax-Free Advantage Account or Registered Advantage Account by March 15, 2016. Get your clients’ savings off the bench and into the game today.