New Kit from Pacific Life Helps Insurance Professionals Work with
Affluent Clients in Difficult Times

Newport Beach, Calif. (January 30, 2009) – Americans’ wealth collectively fell by a "jaw-dropping” $10 trillion by the end of the third-quarter of 2008.¹  The down cycle highlights the impact market volatility can have on affluent clients’ wealth transfer plans.  When assets are worth less, well-intended estate plans can have unintended results:

• Plans to treat heirs equally are upended when specific assets are worth less.
• Maximizing exemption amounts to children from a deceased spouse may leave a surviving spouse with insufficient income to live.
• Assets intended as the heirs’ legacy may need to be sold to pay estate expenses when other assets have lost value.

A new sales kit from Pacific Life explains how life insurance can help stabilize wealth transfer plans.  Alyce Peterson, vice president of marketing services for the company’s Life Insurance Division, explained that by including life insurance in an overall wealth transfer plan, the estate potentially has:

• More liquidity so heirs can decide when to sell or retain assets.
• Death benefit proceeds to help offset lost market value.
• More options to help preserve “legacy assets” for the heirs.

“Clients typically overlook the effect of market volatility on their estate plans.” Peterson explained.  “Die while net worth is down 20 or 30 percent and clients’ estates can be left in turmoil.  This is where an insurance professional and our new sales kit can help.”
 
The “Stabilizing Wealth in a Down Economy Using Life Insurance” kit features case studies and client profiles, a comprehensive pocket guide plus valuable marketing tips.  Insurance professionals can get a kit by contacting their Pacific Life representative or by calling 866-722-9555.

Offering insurance since 1868, Pacific Life provides a wide range of life insurance products, annuities, and mutual funds, and offers a variety of investment products and services to individuals, businesses, and pension plans. With more than half of the 100 largest U.S. companies as its clients,² Pacific Life is also a member of the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), whose membership promotes high ethical standards for the sale of individual life insurance and annuities.  For additional company information, including current financial strength ratings, visit the About Us section of this Web site.

¹ Ticker, US News.com, December 12, 2008
² Client count data compiled by Pacific Life using the FORTUNE 500® list as of April 2008.

Pacific Life refers to Pacific Life Insurance Company, and its affiliates, including Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Insurance products are issued by Pacific Life Insurance Company in all states except New York, and in New York by Pacific Life & Annuity Company. Product availability and features may vary by state. Each company is solely responsible for the financial obligations accruing under the products it issues. Product and rider guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing company and do not protect the value of the variable investment options. Variable insurance products are distributed by Pacific Select Distributors, Inc. (member FINRA & SIPC), a subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance Company, and are available through licensed third party broker-dealers.

This material is not intended to be used, nor can it be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. federal, state or local tax penalties. This material is written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed by this material.  Pacific Life, its distributors and their respective representatives do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Any taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer's particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.