CHICAGO - January 10, 2023 - (Newswire.com)

Fidelity Life: According to the Wall Street Journal, life insurance premium volume surged by 20% in 2021, meaning many people either got new policies or increased their existing coverage in the wake of the pandemic. However, this boom is slowing down as vaccines roll out and society returns to normal. Another Wall Street Journal article indicates that applications fell by 6.5% annually in mid-August 2022.

Society may be moving past the pandemic, but that doesn't mean life insurance should be ignored. This article will dive into several reasons people should get a life insurance policy despite the fading pandemic-era boom and cover several policies to consider.

Reasons to get life insurance despite the fading pandemic boom

Although the life insurance pandemic boom is fading, there are still plenty of reasons to consider life insurance:

It financially protects loved ones

The death benefit is the main advantage life insurance offers. If the policyholder passes away during the policy term, their beneficiaries receive a large death benefit that can replace the policyholder's income and pay off their debts. In addition, the world continues to face economic uncertainty despite moving past the pandemic, so this death benefit can provide policyholders and their families significant peace of mind.

It's more affordable when bought younger

Life insurance rates increase with age. So, the earlier someone buys it, the lower the premiums they can lock in. Plus, as life insurance demand cools off, policies may be more affordable in general.

It can help with estate planning

Life insurance death benefits are tax-free in most cases, and that can include being exempt from estate taxes. So, policyholders can use the death benefit as a way to pass more of their wealth to their heirs. When the policyholder passes away, the heir receives all of that death benefit tax-free instead of inheriting taxable cash or assets.

Policy types to consider

Here are some life insurance policies that prospective policyholders might want to consider:

Term life insurance

Term life insurance covers the policyholder for a fixed period, usually 10 to 30 years. Premiums are affordable, given the size of the death benefit. However, policyholders must renew or buy a new policy to continue coverage if their current policy expires.

Permanent life insurance

Permanent life insurance covers the policyholder for their entire life. It also comes with a cash value growth component that grows tax-deferred at a fixed interest rate. The cash value is funded by part of each premium the policyholder pays.

Policyholders can withdraw from the cash value or borrow against it with favorable terms once it gets big enough. If they surrender the policy, they can receive the full cash value minus surrender charges.

Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance is a small permanent life policy with no medical exam or health questions. This type of life insurance with no medical exam also comes with cash value.

That said, guaranteed issue life insurance policies may come with lockout periods of one to two years. If the policyholder passes away during this period, their loved ones may only receive a refund of the premiums they paid.

Final expense insurance

Final expense insurance is a small permanent life insurance policy for end-of-life costs like funeral expenses and medical bills. The death benefit is small, but premiums are affordable, and the policy can build cash value. 

The bottom line

Despite the end of the pandemic-era life insurance boom, it's never been a better time to get a policy. The death benefit provides financial peace of mind and can help policyholders with estate planning. Plus, the earlier one buys life insurance, the lower the rate they can lock in.

Life insurance shoppers on a budget can opt for term life insurance if they need a larger death benefit or final expense insurance if they just need to help loved ones cover end-of-life costs. Meanwhile, permanent life insurance can work well for people who want lifetime coverage and may have more complex financial needs. 

Keep in mind that shopping around is important, regardless of the policy type one is looking for. Getting multiple quotes helps policyholders compare and get the best rates on the coverage they need.

Contact Information:
Laura Zimmerman
Chief Marketing Officer
[email protected]
(312) 288-0068


Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Fidelity Life: The Pandemic Boom for Life Insurance is Fading

LOS ANGELES - January 10, 2023 - (Newswire.com)

Gold House and CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) debuted the third annual Gold List to guide voters ahead of the awards race by honoring the most outstanding work by Asian filmmakers and talent in the past year, as voted on by the community's top creatives and leaders.

The groundbreaking Everything Everywhere All At Once leads with wins for Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Director (Daniels), Performance in a Leading Role (Michelle Yeoh), and Performance in a Supporting Role (Ke Huy Quan), with several honorable mentions. 

International hits RRR and Decision to Leave garnered five major category honors each, with RRR winning Best Original Song for "Naatu Naatu." Pixar's Turning Red earned Best Animated Film; David Siev's Bad Axe leads for Best Documentary; Dolly De Leon and Stephanie Hsu won for Breakout Performance; and Joyland won for Breakout Independent Film.

In a year where Asian-helmed films continue to reach massive commercial success — from Everything Everywhere All At Once landing as A24's highest-grossing film and Turning Red launching as Disney+'s most-watched film premiere — the Gold List urges recognition by Hollywood's biggest awards gatekeepers.    

Academy Award wins for Michelle Yeoh or Ke Huy Quan would make history — no person of East, South or Southeast Asian descent has ever won Best Actress, and the last (and only) actor of Asian descent to win Best Supporting Actor was Haing S. Ngor in 1984. 

"Since its inception just two years ago, 15 Gold List honorees have gone on to receive Academy Award wins or nominations," says Jeremy Tran, Executive Director of Gold House. "Chloé Zhao, Youn Yuh-jung, and Riz Ahmed's history-making wins, to name a few, underscore why vehicles like the Gold List that celebrate the most impactful creative achievements from and among the Asian community are essential signals that generate new creative development, production, and distribution opportunities for traditionally unrecognized communities." 

"The tides of authentic representation and storytelling are gradually and steadily turning as illustrated by this year's impressive list," said Michelle K. Sugihara, Executive Director of CAPE. "While incredible films and performances led by diverse artists have long existed, they were often overlooked by Hollywood. The Gold List was created to accelerate much-needed change during the awards season by highlighting the year's best Asian-led films across mainstream and grassroots campaigns." 

Amplifying Asian talent during the awards race builds upon the cultural consultation, talent fellowships, and #GoldOpen movement from the two organizations — collectively ensuring the authentic portrayal of Asian Pacific stories while propelling them to the top of the box office, including hits like Crazy Rich Asians and Parasite.

The Gold List spans 14 categories and, for the first time, adopted gender-neutral acting categories. Leaders from the Gold Open Advisory Council, Gold House, CAPE, and other entertainment industry heavyweights comprise the voting body.

Visit thegoldlist.org for a full list of winners.

Contact Information:
Rose Yan
VP of Marketing
[email protected]
(323)381-8898




Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Gold House and CAPE Launch 2023 Gold List to Celebrate Top Asian Film Achievements and Guide Voters During Awards Season

NEW YORK - January 10, 2023 - (Newswire.com)

iQuanti: Debt can be daunting and overwhelming, but with the right strategies in place, it doesn't have to stay that way. Paying off your debt strategically can help you become debt-free faster and more efficiently. In this article, we'll provide tips on how to pay off your debt strategically so you can reach financial freedom sooner. 

Create a payment plan:

Creating a payment plan is the first step to strategically paying off your debt. When creating your plan, make sure to prioritize repaying debts with higher interest rates since those will cost you more money in the long run. You should also consider any fees associated with each loan and determine which ones are most expensive and need to be paid down sooner. Once you've identified the debts that need to be repaid first, create a timeline for yourself that outlines how much you can afford to pay each month on each debt until they are all paid off.

Pay more than the minimum balance: 

If possible, try to pay more than the minimum balance due on each of your accounts. Paying more than the minimum balance will help you pay off your debt faster and reduce the amount of interest that accrues over time. To calculate how much extra you can afford to pay, subtract your monthly expenses from your income and use that number as a guide for how much extra you can put towards paying off your debt each month. 

Explore debt consolidation: 

Debt consolidation is another option to consider when trying to strategically manage large amounts of debt. This involves taking out one loan to cover all other debts, allowing you to pay them off in one lump sum at a lower overall interest rate. However, it's important to make sure that the loan you take out won't have any hidden fees or terms that will make it more expensive in the long run.  

Create a budget: 

Creating and adhering to a budget is essential when trying to manage debt strategically. When making your budget, factor in all expenses, including rent, groceries, utilities, and loan payments. Set aside money for entertainment and other activities as well so you won't be tempted to use it on unnecessary items. It's important to remember that creating a budget isn't just about tracking expenses—it's about understanding where your money goes and making changes if necessary so you can stay within the limits of what you can afford each month. 

Track your progress: 

Finally, make sure to track your progress as you pay off your debt. This can help keep you motivated and accountable for reaching financial freedom. When tracking your progress, consider recording how much money you've saved by paying off each loan earlier than expected or how much interest has been avoided along the way. This will help you stay on top of your debt repayment goals and keep you motivated in the long run. 

Paying off your debt strategically can be a challenge, but it's an important step to achieving financial freedom. With the right strategies in place, such as creating a payment plan, paying more than the minimum balance, exploring debt consolidation options, and creating a budget, you'll be on your way to financial freedom in no time.

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Tips to Pay Off Your Debt Strategically

LAS VEGAS - January 10, 2023 - (Newswire.com)

Passport Technology Inc. (Passport), the fastest-growing provider of payment technology to the global gaming industry, has appointed Diallo Gordon as Chief Marketing and Product Officer. Gordon takes on his expanded role immediately and reports to Passport's CEO Cleve Tzung. 

Gordon brings Passport a proven track record of over 25 years of domestic and international product and technical leadership and has previously held CEO, CRO, EVP and GM positions in public and private organizations in defense, regulatory compliance, gaming and payments. Most recently, Gordon served as the founder and CEO of Phi Gaming, LLC (Phi), where his team built several innovative loyalty products for the B2B systems industry, leading to the acquisition of Phi by Passport.  

"Diallo is a highly talented technologist with a proven track record of driving growth through innovation with breadth and depth of industry knowledge across both payments and loyalty," said Cleve Tzung, Passport CEO. "Diallo has proven himself to be a tremendous leader, industry visionary and is an invaluable asset to the Passport team." 

Gordon's vision for a technology-forward, customer-centric loyalty and fintech combination came about as a result of his leadership roles at gaming industry giants where he noticed unfulfilled opportunities for casinos. Gordon founded Phi after spending five years with EVERI in various leadership roles as a Section 16 Officer and six years with Aristocrat Technologies Inc. as Director Oasis Regional Support. Gordon started his career in gaming as a Lab Engineer for the Mississippi Gaming Commission, where he was responsible for the evaluation, test, and approval for both gaming systems and slot products. Prior to gaming, Gordon worked for the United States Department of Defense as part of the advanced weapons research, test and evaluation team developing the F/A-22 Raptor and also worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in communications and flight safety.   

"The bridge between loyalty and fintech, cemented by service, is the absolute right formula for success in this vertical. Passport's solutions are industry-leading and the commitment to service, innovation and collaborative relationships won me over from day one," states Gordon. "Committed to servant leadership, I am here to serve Passport's employees, customers and shareholders in building useful and relevant products to the gaming industry and telling our story through each customer journey."  

Gordon is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force (USAF), where he served honorably as an Airborne Instrumentation and Telemetry Antenna PMEE on the EC-18 and EC-135 Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA), amassing numerous flight hours and mission deployments as an aircrew member supporting weapons, communications and space research serving NASA, various U.S. government agencies, NATO and private industry. Gordon holds multiple undergraduate degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology, Business Management and Business Administration. He attended the University of Georgia and earned a Masters of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland.  

Tzung summarizes, "Diallo's industry experience, reputation, commitment to country and educational achievements are sure to raise the bar for everyone at Passport as we accelerate growth and drive long-term value for all stakeholders."  

Contact Information:
Tayla Polia
Director, Communication
[email protected]
747-273-7469


Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Diallo Gordon Named Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Passport Technology

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - January 10, 2023 - (Newswire.com)

Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), the entertainment and media subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL), has extended their historic relationship with ESPN for two additional years beginning Jan. 1, 2023. USPAGL manages U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body for the sport of polo in the United States.

The original agreement, signed in 2022, was a landmark deal between the two entities that brought the sport of polo to a large global audience, extending to many parts of the world and the United States, with exposure to millions of households and multi-digital channels.

"The USPA views the ESPN relationship with great optimism for attracting an entirely new generation of young men and women to the greatest game on four legs," said Stewart Armstrong, Chairman of the USPA. "The talent of the human athletes will only serve to demonstrate the incredible partnership of two superior athletes, human and equine, competing in an all-out battle of the best, all on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field at the new USPA National Polo Center (NPC) - Wellington. It's going to be a phenomenal season."

After airing several of the top polo tournaments in the world in 2022, including the heart-stopping XII Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Polo Championship Opening Ceremony featuring the USA Team, it's anticipated that year two of the relationship will bring even more exposure to the "best kept secret" in sports. The multi-faceted agreement will again bring the finals of the top U.S. polo events to ESPN platforms. Games will be distributed on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and available on-demand on the ESPN App.

In 2023, games will include the most prestigious tournament in North America, the U.S. Open Polo Championship® as well as the U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship®, the Women's and Men's National Intercollegiate Championship (NIC) games, and the oldest rivalry in all of polo, the Westchester Cup between the United States and England.

In addition to the games, ESPN will again stream multiple 25-minute made-for-television shows produced by GPE. The shows, called "Global Polo presented by U.S. Polo Assn.," serve as a behind-the-scenes look into the lives and careers of polo players and horses from around the world. Included in extended media distribution, these shows will air on beIN Sports, Horse & Country, Clip My Horse and Times of India.

"We are honored to collaborate with ESPN, the world's most influential sports platform, on an historic relationship," said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPAGL, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. "We have set our goal of bringing the sport of polo to millions of sports fans around the world."

"By delivering exciting sport and lifestyle content in new and innovative ways alongside ESPN, we look forward to jointly broadening access to the sport of polo in ways that will grow both our sport and the U.S. Polo Assn. brand fanbase today and for years to come," Prince added. "Now fans can watch polo on ESPN platforms, as well as in person at the amazing new NPC facility, in the heart of Wellington, considered the winter equestrian capital of the world."

For the most up-to-date information and breaking news, sign up for the Polo Insider newsletter at globalpolo.com.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world's leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

About U.S. Polo Assn. and USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL)

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through some 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores as well as sporting goods channels, independent retailers and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. Today, U.S. Polo Assn. is ranked the 28^th largest licensor in the world and within the top five sports licensors in 2022, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.

USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and its exclusive worldwide licensor. USPAGL manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand and is the steward of the USPA's intellectual properties, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPAGL also manages Global Polo TV, which provides polo sport, and lifestyle content. In addition, USPAGL collaborates with ESPN and beIN Sports globally to share the sport of polo on television and on-demand to millions of viewers around the world. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.

About the United States Polo Association® (USPA)

The United States Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. Founded in 1890, the USPA is the national governing body for the sport of polo. The USPA is currently comprised of almost 200 member clubs with thousands of individual members and oversees 40 national tournaments. For more information, please visit uspolo.org.

Contact Information:
Shannon Stilson
VP, Sports Marketing & Media
[email protected]
+001.561.227.6994

Stacey Kovalsky
Senior Director, Global Communications
[email protected]
+001.561.790.8036


Press Release Service by Newswire.com

Original Source: Global Polo Entertainment Extends Historic Agreement With ESPN Through 2024 to Broaden Access to the Action-Packed Sport of Polo, Presented by U.S. Polo Assn.