18 Del. Admin. Code § 1214-4.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 1214-4.0 - Duties of Insurers and Producers

4.1 Best Interest Obligations. A producer, when making a recommendation of an annuity, shall act in the best interest of the consumer under the circumstances known at the time the recommendation is made, without placing the producer's or the insurer's financial interest ahead of the consumer's interest. A producer has acted in the best interest of the consumer if they have satisfied the obligations regarding care, disclosure, conflict of interest and documentation set forth in subsections 4.2 through 4.5 of this regulation.

4.2 Care Obligation.

4.2.1 The producer, in making a recommendation, shall exercise reasonable diligence, care and skill to:

4.2.1.1 Know the consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives;

4.2.1.2 Understand the available recommendation options after making a reasonable inquiry into options available to the producer;

4.2.1.3 Have a reasonable basis to believe the recommended option effectively addresses the consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives over the life of the product, as evaluated in light of the consumer profile information; and

4.2.1.4 Communicate the basis or bases of the recommendation.

4.2.2 The requirements under subsection 4.2 .1 of this regulation:

4.2.2.1 Include making reasonable efforts to obtain consumer profile information from the consumer prior to the recommendation of an annuity;

4.2.2.2 Require a producer to consider the types of products the producer is authorized and licensed to recommend or sell that address the consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives. This does not require analysis or consideration of any products outside the authority and license of the producer or other possible alternative products or strategies available in the market at the time of the recommendation. Producers shall be held to standards applicable to producers with similar authority and licensure;

4.2.2.3 Do not create a fiduciary obligation or relationship and only create a regulatory obligation as established in this regulation;

4.2.2.4 Include having a reasonable basis to believe the consumer would benefit from certain features of the annuity, such as annuitization, death or living benefit or other insurance-related features;

4.2.2.5 Apply to the particular annuity as a whole and the underlying subaccounts to which funds are allocated at the time of purchase or exchange of an annuity, and riders and similar producer enhancements, if any;

4.2.2.6 Do not mean the annuity with the lowest one-time or multiple occurrence compensation structure shall necessarily be recommended;

4.2.2.7 Do not mean the producer has ongoing monitoring obligations under the care obligation under this paragraph, although such an obligation may be separately owed under the terms of a fiduciary, consulting, investment advising or financial planning agreement between the consumer and the producer.

4.2.3 The consumer profile information, characteristics of the insurer, and product costs, rates, benefits and features are those factors generally relevant in making a determination whether an annuity effectively addresses the consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives, but the level of importance of each factor under the care obligation of subsection 4.2 of this regulation may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of a particular case. However, each factor may not be considered in isolation.

4.2.4 In the case of an exchange or replacement of an annuity, the producer shall consider the whole transaction, which includes taking into consideration whether:

4.2.4.1 The consumer will incur a surrender charge, be subject to the commencement of a new surrender period, lose existing benefits, such as death, living or other contractual benefits, or be subject to increased fees, investment advisory fees or charges for riders and similar product enhancements;

4.2.4.2 The replacing product would substantially benefit the consumer in comparison to the replaced product over the life of the product; and

4.2.4.3 The consumer has had another annuity exchange or replacement and, in particular, an exchange or replacement within the preceding 60 months.

4.2.5 Nothing in this regulation should be construed to require a producer to obtain any license other than a producer license with the appropriate line of authority to sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in this state, including but not limited to any securities license, in order to fulfill the duties and obligations contained in this regulation; provided the producer does not give advice or provide services that are otherwise subject to securities laws or engage in any other activity requiring other professional licenses.

4.3 Disclosure obligation.

4.3.1 Prior to the recommendation or sale of an annuity, the producer shall prominently disclose to the consumer on a form substantially similar to Appendix A:

4.3.1.1 A description of the scope and terms of the relationship with the consumer and the role of the producer in the transaction;

4.3.1.2 An affirmative statement on whether the producer is licensed and authorized to sell the following products:

4.3.1.2.1 Fixed annuities;

4.3.1.2.2 Fixed indexed annuities;

4.3.1.2.3 Variable annuities;

4.3.1.2.4 Life insurance;

4.3.1.2.5 Mutual funds;

4.3.1.2.6 Stocks and bonds; and

4.3.1.2.7 Certificates of deposit.

4.3.1.3 An affirmative statement describing the insurers for whom the producer is authorized, contracted (or appointed), or otherwise able to sell insurance products, using the following descriptions:

4.3.1.3.1 From one insurer;

4.3.1.3.2 From two or more insurers; or

4.3.1.3.3 From two or more insurers although primarily contracted with one insurer.

4.3.1.4 A description of the sources and types of cash compensation and non-cash compensation to be received by the producer, including whether the producer is to be compensated for the sale of a recommended annuity by commission as part of premium or other remuneration received from the insurer, intermediary or other producer or by fee as a result of a contract for advice or consulting services; and

4.3.1.5 A notice of the consumer's right to request additional information regarding cash compensation described in subsection 4.3 .2 of this regulation.

4.3.2 Upon request of the consumer or the consumer's designated representative, the producer shall disclose:

4.3.2.1 A reasonable estimate of the amount of cash compensation to be received by the producer, which may be stated as a range of amounts or percentages; and

4.3.2.2 Whether the cash compensation is a one-time or multiple occurrence amount, and if a multiple occurrence amount, the frequency and amount of the occurrence, which may be stated as a range of amounts or percentages; and

4.3.3 Prior to or at the time of the recommendation or sale of an annuity, the producer shall have a reasonable basis to believe the consumer has been informed of various features of the annuity, such as the potential surrender period and surrender charge, potential tax penalty if the consumer sells, exchanges, surrenders or annuitizes the annuity, mortality and expense fees, investment advisory fees, any annual fees, potential charges for and features of riders or other options of the annuity, limitations on interest returns, potential changes in non-guaranteed elements of the annuity, insurance and investment components and market risk.

4.4 Conflict of interest obligation. A producer shall identify and avoid or reasonably manage and disclose material conflicts of interest, including material conflicts of interest related to an ownership interest.

4.5 Documentation obligation. A producer shall, at the time of recommendation or sale:

4.5.1 Make a written record of any recommendation and the basis for the recommendation subject to this regulation;

4.5.2 Obtain a consumer signed statement on a form substantially similar to Appendix B documenting:

4.5.2.1 A customer's refusal to provide the consumer profile information, if any; and

4.5.2.2 A customer's understanding of the ramifications of not providing the customer's consumer profile information or providing insufficient consumer profile information; and

4.5.3 Obtain a consumer signed statement on a form substantially similar to Appendix C acknowledging the annuity transaction is not recommended if a customer decides to enter into an annuity transaction that is not based on the producer's recommendation.

4.6 Application of the best interest obligation. Any requirement applicable to a producer under subsections 4.1 through 4.5 of this regulation shall apply to every producer who has exercised material control or influence in the making of a recommendation and has received direct compensation as a result of the recommendation or sale, regardless of whether the producer has had any direct contact with the consumer. Activities such as providing or delivering marketing or educational materials, product wholesaling or other back office product support, and general supervision of a producer do not, in and of themselves, constitute material control or influence.

4.7 Transactions not based on a recommendation.

4.7.1 Except as provided under subsection 4.7 .2 of this regulation, a producer shall have no obligation to a consumer under subsection 4.2 of this regulation related to any annuity transaction if:

4.7.1.1 No recommendation is made;

4.7.1.2 A recommendation was made and was later found to have been prepared based on materially inaccurate information provided by the consumer;

4.7.1.3 A consumer refuses to provide relevant consumer profile information and the annuity transaction is not recommended; or

4.7.1.4 A consumer decides to enter into an annuity transaction that is not based on a recommendation of the producer.

4.7.2 An insurer's issuance of an annuity subject to subsection 4.7 .1 of this regulation shall be reasonable under all the circumstances actually known to the insurer at the time the annuity is issued.

4.8 Supervision system.

4.8.1 Except as permitted under subsection 4.7 of this regulation, an insurer may not issue an annuity recommended to a consumer unless there is a reasonable basis to believe the annuity would effectively address the particular consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives based on the consumer's consumer profile information.

4.8.2 An insurer shall establish and maintain a supervision system that is reasonably designed to achieve the insurer's and its producers' compliance with this regulation, including, but not limited to, the following:

4.8.2.1 The insurer shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to inform its producers of the requirements of this regulation and shall incorporate the requirements of this regulation into relevant producer training manuals;

4.8.2.2 The insurer shall establish and maintain standards for producer product training and shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to require its producers to comply with the requirements of Section 5.0 of this regulation;

4.8.2.3 The insurer shall provide product-specific training and training materials which explain all material features of its annuity products to its producers;

4.8.2.4 The insurer shall establish and maintain procedures for the review of each recommendation prior to issuance of an annuity that are designed to ensure that there is a reasonable basis to determine that the recommended annuity would effectively address the particular consumer's financial situation, insurance needs and financial objectives. The review procedures may apply a screening system for the purpose of identifying selected transactions for additional review and may be accomplished electronically or through other means including, but not limited to, physical review. The electronic or other system may be designed to require additional review only of those transactions identified for additional review by the selection criteria;

4.8.2.5 The insurer shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to detect recommendations that are not in compliance with subsections 4.2, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.6 of this regulation. This may include, but is not limited to, confirmation of the consumer's consumer profile information, systematic customer surveys, producer and consumer interviews, confirmation letters, producer statements or attestations and programs of internal monitoring. Nothing in this subsection prevents an insurer from complying with this subsection by applying sampling procedures, or by confirming the consumer profile information or other required information under Section 4.0 of this regulation after issuance or delivery of the annuity;

4.8.2.6 The insurer shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to assess, prior to or upon issuance or delivery of an annuity, whether a producer has provided to the consumer the information required to be provided under Section 4.0 of this regulation;

4.8.2.7 The insurer shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to identify and address suspicious consumer refusals to provide consumer profile information;

4.8.2.8 The insurer shall establish and maintain reasonable procedures to identify and eliminate any sales contests, sales quotas, bonuses, and non-cash compensation that are based on the sales of specific annuities within a limited period of time. The requirements of this subparagraph are not intended to prohibit the receipt of health insurance, office rent, office support, retirement benefits or other employee benefits by employees as long as those benefits are not based upon the volume of sales of a specific annuity within a limited period of time; and

4.8.2.9 The insurer shall annually provide a written report to senior management, including to the senior manager responsible for audit functions, which details a review, with appropriate testing, reasonably designed to determine the effectiveness of the supervision system, the exceptions found, and corrective action taken or recommended, if any.

4.8.3 Nothing in subsection 4.8 of this regulation restricts an insurer from contracting for performance of a function (including maintenance of procedures) required under subsection 4.8 of this regulation. An insurer is responsible for taking appropriate corrective action and may be subject to sanctions and penalties pursuant to Section 6.0 of this regulation regardless of whether the insurer contracts for performance of a function and regardless of the insurer's compliance with subsection 4.8 .4 of this regulation.

4.8.4 An insurer's supervision system under subsection 4.8 of this regulation shall include supervision of contractual performance, including but not limited to the following:

4.8.4.1 Monitoring and, as appropriate, conducting audits to assure that the contracted function is properly performed; and

4.8.4.2 Annually obtaining a certification from a senior manager who has responsibility for the contracted function that the manager has a reasonable basis to represent, and does represent, that the function is properly performed.

4.8.5 An insurer is not required to include in its system of supervision:

4.8.5.1 A producer's recommendation to consumers of products other than the annuities offered by the insurer; or

4.8.5.2 Consideration of or comparison to options available to the producer or compensation relating to those options other than annuities or other products offered by the insurer.

4.9 Prohibited Practices. Neither a producer nor an insurer shall dissuade, or attempt to dissuade, a consumer from:

4.9.1 Truthfully responding to an insurer's request for confirmation of the consumer profile information;

4.9.2 Filing a complaint; or

4.9.3 Cooperating with the investigation of a complaint.

4.10 Safe harbor.

4.10.1 Recommendations and sales of annuities made in compliance with comparable standards as defined in subsection 4.10 .5 of this regulation shall satisfy the requirements under this regulation. This subsection applies to all recommendations and sales of annuities made by financial professionals in compliance with business rules, controls and procedures that satisfy a comparable standard even if such standard would not otherwise apply to the product or recommendation at issue. However, nothing in this subsection shall limit the Insurance Commissioner's ability to investigate and enforce the provisions of this regulation.

4.10.2 Nothing in subsection 4.10 .1. of this regulation shall limit the insurer's obligation to comply with subsection 4.8 .1 of this regulation, although the insurer may base its analysis on information received from either the financial professional or the entity supervising the financial professional.

4.10.3 For subsection 4.10 .1 of this regulation to apply, an insurer shall:

4.10.3.1 Monitor the relevant conduct of the financial professional seeking to rely on subsection 4.10 .1 of this regulation or the entity responsible for supervising the financial professional, such as the financial professional's broker-dealer or an investment adviser registered under federal or state securities laws, using information collected in the normal course of an insurer's business; and

4.10.3.2 Provide to entity responsible for supervising the financial professional seeking to rely on subsection 4.10 .1 of this regulation, such as the financial professional's broker-dealer or investment adviser registered under federal or state securities laws, information and reports that are reasonably appropriate to assist the entity to maintain its supervision system.

4.10.4 For purposes of subsection 4.10 of this regulation, "financial professional" means a producer that is regulated and acting as:

4.10.4.1 A broker-dealer registered under federal or state securities laws or a registered representative of a broker-dealer;

4.10.4.2 An investment adviser registered under federal or state securities laws or an investment adviser representative associated with the federal or state registered investment adviser; or

4.10.4.3 A plan fiduciary under Section 3(21) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) or fiduciary under Section 4975(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) or any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

4.10.5 For purposes of subsection 4.10 of this regulation, "comparable standards" means:

4.10.5.1 With respect to broker-dealers and registered representatives of broker-dealers, applicable SEC and FINRA rules pertaining to best interest obligations and supervision of annuity recommendations and sales, including, but not limited to, Regulation Best Interest and any amendments or successor regulations thereto;

4.10.5.2 With respect to investment advisers registered under federal or state securities laws or investment adviser representatives, the fiduciary duties and all other requirements imposed on such investment advisers or investment adviser representatives by contract or under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or applicable state securities laws including but not limited to, the Form ADV and interpretations; and

4.10.5.3 With respect to plan fiduciaries or fiduciaries, the duties, obligations, prohibitions and all other requirements attendant to such status under ERISA or the IRC and any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

18 Del. Admin. Code § 1214-4.0

24 DE Reg. 798 (2/1/2021) (final)