Spring is finally here, hope you are all ready for a great 2017 Spring. Read on for some helpful little reminders you need to keep in mind this month.

Your friends at the Minot Service Center

Important Updates

There are no Important Updates at this time. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Hints to Hassle-Free Processing

Don’t Forget About the Loan, Quarter End Rule

If on the last day of a quarter (March, June, September and December), if there are 3 missed payments and the loan is waiting for the quarter end months payment, the loan will default if no payment received for crediting by 1:45 pm central.

The 27 day grace period does not apply if there are 3 missed payments for a quarter end month.

***Reminder – We are able to do an ACH over the phone, to ensure the payment is credited before the 1:45 pm central time cut off.

Important Reminder on IRA Contribution Handling and Tax Reporting

Traditional IRA and Roth IRA contributions

Traditional IRA and Roth IRA contributionsto an existing contract will be applied to the contract in the year in which the contributions are received unless specified for a prior tax year.

Contributions can only be applied for a previous year if the contribution submission is postmarked prior to or on April 15th (or IRS filing deadline) and the contract owner indicates it is for the previous tax year.

The tax year must be indicated on the contract owner’s check and/or backup information.

Whether the payment is sent to Company directly or to the agent/broker dealer, the payment must be postmarked prior to or on April 15th (or IRS filing deadline). If the contribution check was first sent to the agent, and forwarded to the Company, proof of postmark date must be included with the check.

SEP IRA contributions

SEP IRA contributionscan be made by employers, employees or self-employed persons. Contributions generally must be reported and applied as of the current tax year in which the contribution is received, even if the supporting documentation indicates the contribution is for the previous year. The only exception is if the backup specifically indicates the verbiage “Personal IRA Contribution” and must be postmarked prior to the IRS deadline, as highlighted above. If this verbiage is not present the contribution will be applied for the current tax year in which it is received.

Important Annual ACD and RMD Mailing with a Time Sensitive Response Required

In February, 2017, contract owners with a qualified contract under a Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA), Individual

Retirement Account (IRA) or other tax-favored plan who have a 4/1/2017 Annuity Commencement Date (ACD)

will receive a letter with a required minimum distribution (RMD) and ACD form reflecting the options available

to them. If any of your clients are affected, ReliaStar Life Insurance Company will mail you a letter indicating

their names and contract numbers. Your assistance is needed to ensure your clients respond in a timely

manner.

Impact of Not Responding: If a contract owner fails to respond by 4/1/2017, their contract’s default annuity

payout or settlement option will be processed. In general, default annuity payments will be made in equal

periodic payments to the contract owner for the life of the annuitant or ten years, whichever is longer, or in

a lump sum payout (e.g., for smaller accumulation values) unless their contract provides for a different

default payment option. Therefore, your client’s failure to respond by 4/1/2017 could result in an

unintended commencement of annuity payments under their contract without any action on their part.

New Business Not In Good Order for February 2017 was 41.01%

Repeated NIGO items when submitting new business include the following:

  • Type of transfer, exchange or rollover section 3a on the transfer/rollover/exchange request form #141983.
  • Transfer, exchange or rollover form missing employer/TPA sign off and also missing form #141983
  • Suitability form is either missing or incorrect information is on the form.
  • New businessapplication replacement questions

Form Updates and Changes

There are no Form Updates or Changes at this time. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Coming Attractions

There are no Coming Attractions at this time. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

For agent/registered representative use only. Not for public distribution.

Annuities are issued by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN). Variable annuities are distributed by Voya Financial Partners LLC, (Member SIPC). Both are members of the Voya® family of companies.

CN0403-33132-0518