GALVESTON, Texas, June 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American National Insurance Company, one of the leaders in Life Insurance Living Benefits announces enhanced Living Benefits for life insurance policyholders through the expansion of their Accelerated Benefit Riders (ABRs). The enriched ABRs will now give the policyholder the added option to accelerate a portion of their death benefit in the case of a qualifying event while keeping the policy in force.
American National Insurance Company announced it unveiled, on June 7, 2014, NEW Partial Accelerated Benefit Riders for Critical, Chronic and Terminal Illness to go with its Full Accelerated Benefit Riders providing more Living Benefit options for customers.
These living benefits, offered at no additional premium, cover 16 critical illnesses, chronic and terminal illness in the form of Accelerated Benefit Riders. In the event of a qualifying illness, the policy owner may choose between partial or full death benefit acceleration. When the death benefit is accelerated, it is reduced by an actuarial discount based on the insured's future expected mortality in addition to an administrative fee (up to $500). These benefits will be offered on the ANICO Indexed Universal Life, Executive Universal Life, Executive Universal Life Simplified Issue, Affinity Whole Life and ANICO Signature TermTM Life.
David A. Behrens, Executive Vice President of American National Insurance Company stated, "American National's expanded Partial and Full Accelerated Benefit Riders for Critical, Chronic and Terminal Illness provides more options for customers at a time of need while still offering protection for their family's future."
About the Company
American National Insurance Company (American National), headquartered in Galveston, Texas, was founded in 1905 and is licensed to conduct the business of insurance in all states except New York. American National is also a family of companies. The family of companies offers a broad line of products and services, which include life insurance, annuities, health insurance, credit insurance, pension products, and property and casualty insurance for personal lines, agribusiness and targeted commercial exposures. For more information, including company news and investor relations information, visit the company's web site at www.anico.com.
Financial Strength Ratings
American National Insurance Company has been evaluated and assigned the following ratings by nationally recognized, independent rating agencies. The ratings are current as of June 10, 2014.
| A.M. Best1 | A |
| Standard & Poor's2 | A |
Ratings reflect current independent opinions of the financial capacity of an insurance organization to meet the obligations of its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. They are based on comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the company and its management strategy. The rating agencies do not provide ratings as a recommendation to purchase insurance or annuities. The ratings are not a warranty of an insurer's current or future ability to meet its contractual obligations.
Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn at any time. For the most current ratings view the full rating reports on American National's Internet site at www.anico.com.
1 A.M. Best's active company rating scale is: A++ (Superior), A+ (Superior), A (Excellent), A- (Excellent), B++ (Good), B+ (Good), B (Fair), B- (Fair), C++ (Marginal), C+ (Marginal), C (Weak), C- (Weak) and D (Poor).
2Ratings from 'AA' to 'CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Additional Information
Contact our Field Support Center at 888-501-4043
For full details regarding the Accelerated Benefit Riders, please refer to Policy Form Series: ABR14-TM; ABR14-CH; ABR14-CT (Forms may vary by state)
Receipt of Accelerated Benefits may affect your eligibility for Medicaid, supplemental security income, or other government benefits or entitlements. Please consult an independent advisor to determine the impact on your eligibility before applying for accelerated benefits.
Receipt of an Accelerated Benefit may be a taxable event. You should consult a tax advisor regarding the tax status of any benefit paid to you under this Rider.
Neither American National Insurance Company nor its representatives give legal or tax advice. Agents can only discuss general benefits of conversion and must refer clients to their tax advisor or attorney for tax or legal advice.
These riders may not be available in all states or with all life insurance policies offered by American National Insurance Company. Please see your agent for more information.
The ANICO Indexed Universal Life Insurance policy is not a registered security or stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investment or index. When an individual purchases the policy, the individual is not buying an ownership interest in any stock or index.
Form Series: IUL08; IULU08; EXEC-UL; EXEC-ULU; ART12; PWL-CSO, PWLU-CSO; (Forms may vary by State)