Suitability in Annuity Transactions Regulation: Insurance Producer Training

[LOGO] # MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT MIKE CHANEY Commissioner of Insurance State Fire Marshal MARK HAIRE Deputy Commissioner of Insurance 501 N. WEST STREET, SUITE 1001 WOOLFOLK BUILDING JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201 www.mid.state.ms.us MAILING ADDRESS Post Office Box 79 Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079 TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3569 FAX: (601) 359-2474 # BULLETIN 2014-7 # SUITABILITY IN ANNUITY TRANSACTIONS REGULATION: INSURANCE PRODUCER TRAINING # I. Purpose and Scope Effective September 1, 2013, the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) adopted the NAIC Model for Suitability in Annuity Transactions Regulation, 19 Miss. Admin. Code, Part 2, Chapter 18. This regulation requires insurers to establish a system to supervise and set standards and procedures for recommendations to consumers that result in transactions involving annuity products so consumer insurance needs and financial objectives are appropriately addressed. # II. Standards Rule 18.07: Insurance Producer Training states that “An insurance producer shall not solicit the sale of an annuity product unless the insurance producer has adequate knowledge of the product to recommend the annuity and the insurance producer is in compliance with the insurer’s standards for product training”. The following minimum training is required: a. An insurance producer who engages in the sale of annuity products shall complete a one-time four (4) credit hour training course approved by the Department and provided by the Department approved education provider. To allow time for the training process to be completed, insurance producers who held a life insurance line of authority on the effective date of this regulation (September 1, 2013) and who desired to sell annuities were given a grace period of twelve (12) months after the effective date to meet the requirements of Rule 18.07. Individuals who obtained a life insurance line of authority on or after the effective date were required to complete the annuity training course prior to engaging in the sale of annuities. ### III. Enforcement Effective September 1, 2014, the grace period expires and only agents who have completed the training requirements in accordance with this regulation may solicit the sale of an annuity product. Questions may be directed to the MID Legal Division at (601) 359-2451. Issued this the 7th day of August, 2014. MARK HAIRE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER