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Free Wisconsin Life: General and State Practice Questions

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  1. 1A Wisconsin resident is paid to recommend and negotiate life insurance for consumers. What licensing status is required before doing this work?

    1. A. A Wisconsin intermediary license
    2. B. An insurer certificate of authority
    3. C. A navigator entity registration
    4. D. A public adjuster license

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The guide states, "A person is an “intermediary” if the person does or assists another in any of the following:" Its following list includes soliciting, recommending, negotiating, and placing insurance or annuities, so the resident needs an intermediary license.

    Reference: Intermediarys Guide Wisconsin Insurance Law — 35th ed., ch. II, p. 13; Wis. Stat. § 628.02(1)

  2. 2A kitchen's grease buildup makes a fire more likely; the fire then destroys insured property. Which labels correctly identify the two factors?

    1. A. Grease buildup is a hazard; fire is the peril.
    2. B. Grease buildup is the peril; fire is a hazard.
    3. C. Grease buildup is an exposure; fire is a hazard.
    4. D. Grease buildup is a loss; fire is an exposure.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "Hazard - circumstance which tends to increase the probability or severity of a loss." Grease buildup raises the chance of loss. "Peril - the cause of property damage or personal injury" Fire causes the insured damage, so it is the peril. The other options reverse or misclassify these roles.

    Reference: NAIC Glossary of Insurance Terms — NAIC glossary, Hazard and Peril entries

  3. 3A Wisconsin policyowner signs a life settlement contract and receives the proceeds ten days later. What is the latest rescission deadline under the earlier-of rule?

    1. A. Ten calendar days after proceeds
    2. B. Fifteen calendar days after proceeds
    3. C. Thirty calendar days after proceeds
    4. D. Sixty calendar days after execution

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The contract must allow rescission before the earlier of "30 calendar days after the contract is executed by all parties or 15 calendar days after the life settlement proceeds have been paid."

    Reference: Intermediarys Guide Wisconsin Insurance Law — 35th ed., ch. V, pp. 103–104; Wis. Stat. § 632.69

  4. 4A borrower wants a term life death benefit that falls as a mortgage principal balance declines. Which policy design best matches that need?

    1. A. Decreasing term insurance
    2. B. Level premium term insurance
    3. C. Annual renewable term insurance
    4. D. Increasing term insurance

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "Offers a death benefit that decreases over time." Decreasing term aligns the benefit with a shrinking debt; the other listed term designs do not provide that declining benefit pattern.

    Reference: NAIC Life Insurance Topics — NAIC Life Insurance Topics, decreasing term insurance

  5. 5To obtain a lower insurance age, how far before the application date may a Wisconsin life policy generally be backdated?

    1. A. One month
    2. B. Three months
    3. C. Twelve months
    4. D. No more than six months

    Answer: D

    Explanation: An insurer "may not issue any life insurance policy with an effective date more than six months before the date of application" when backdating lowers the premium.

    Reference: Intermediarys Guide Wisconsin Insurance Law — 35th ed., ch. V, pp. 107–108; Wis. Admin. Code Ins 2.03

  6. 6A deferred annuity owner is still adding money and has not started receiving income. Which period is the contract in?

    1. A. Accumulation period
    2. B. Payout period
    3. C. Settlement period
    4. D. Surrender period

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "During the accumulation period, the value of your annuity changes based on the type of annuity." Before income starts, the contract is accumulating value. The payout period begins when the annuity makes income payments.

    Reference: NAIC Buyer's Guide for Deferred Annuities — NAIC Buyer's Guide for Deferred Annuities, accumulation and payout periods

  7. 7A beneficiary receives a life policy's death proceeds directly from the insurer. The policy was not acquired for value or in a reportable policy sale. What is the general federal income-tax treatment of the death proceeds?

    1. A. Taxed as capital gain up to the policy's cash value.
    2. B. Taxed as ordinary income when the claim is approved.
    3. C. Excluded only if paid through monthly installments.
    4. D. Generally excluded from the beneficiary's income.

    Answer: D

    Explanation: "generally aren’t taxable unless the policy was turned over to you for a price or was acquired in a reportable policy sale." With neither stated exception present, the beneficiary generally excludes the death proceeds from income. Interest paid after death is a separate taxable item.

    Reference: IRS Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income — IRS Publication 525, Life Insurance Proceeds

  8. 8A company sponsoring a qualified retirement plan wants to use plan trust assets to pay its own operating bills. Which plan-qualification rule controls?

    1. A. Assets must be held for employees and beneficiaries, not diverted to the employer.
    2. B. Assets may pay employer bills if the plan promises to replenish them later.
    3. C. Assets may pay employer bills if current participants receive notice first.
    4. D. Assets must be divided equally between plan benefits and employer expenses.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "the assets cannot be diverted to the employer." Qualified plan assets must be for employees and beneficiaries; the employer cannot divert them to its own bills. Notice or repayment promises do not replace that rule.

    Reference: IRS 401(k) Plan Qualification Requirements — IRS 401(k) Plan Qualification Requirements, exclusive-benefit rule

  9. 9A person solicits insurance exclusively for Wisconsin town mutual insurers. How does state law treat the usual intermediary-license requirement?

    1. A. A standard intermediary license is required
    2. B. A surplus-lines license is required
    3. C. The person is not subject to the usual intermediary-license requirement
    4. D. A one-year temporary intermediary license is required

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The guide states, "A person engaged in soliciting insurance exclusively for town mutuals is not subject to the licensing requirements of s. 628.03 (1), Wis. Stat."

    Reference: Intermediarys Guide Wisconsin Insurance Law — 35th ed., ch. II, p. 21; Wis. Stat. § 628.05

  10. 10An insurer combines many independent, comparable life risks. What should happen to the predictability of total losses as this pool grows?

    1. A. Actual losses should move farther from predicted losses.
    2. B. Actual losses should move closer to predicted losses.
    3. C. Each individual's date of death becomes predictable.
    4. D. The need to estimate expected losses disappears.

    Answer: B

    Explanation: "As the size of a pool increases, its actual losses will tend to come closer to its expected or predicted losses" A larger pool makes aggregate actual losses more likely to approach expected losses. It does not predict any particular insured's death.

    Reference: NAIC Insurance Regulation: Introduction — NAIC Insurance Regulation, risk pooling section

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for Wisconsin Life: General and State. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • 1.0 Insurance Regulation
    • 1.1 Licensing Purpose (ch. 628 ) Persons required to be licensed Ref: s. 618.41, ch. 628, s. 628.02(1), s. 628.02(3), s. 628.02(4), s. 628.02(4g), s. 628.02 (4m), s. 628.02 (4p), s. 628.02(5), s. 628.03, s. 628.04, s. 628.49, s. 632.69(1)(b) and (c), s. 632.69(2), s. Ins 6.58, s. Ins 42.01, s. Ins 42.03, s. Ins 47 License Requirements Ref: ch. 26, s. 628.03, s. 628.04, s. 628.04(2), s. 628.34, s. 628.51,632.69(1)(b) and (c), 632.69 (2), s. Ins 6.59, s. Ins 6.59(4)(a), s. Ins 6.59(4)(c) Record keeping, maintenance, and duration Renewal Continuing education requirements Reinstatement Assumed name Change of address or telephone number Reporting of actions Ref: s. 601.42, s. 628.04, s. 628.08, s. 628.09, s. 628.09(6), s. 628.11, s. Ins 6.57, s. Ins 6.61, s. Ins 6.63(3), s. Ins 28.04(1)(a), s. Ins 28.04(1)(f), s. Ins 28.04(2)(a), s. Ins 28.04(2)(b), s. Ins 28.06(6) Disciplinary actions License termination, suspension, or revocation Monetary forfeiture (fines) Ref: s. 601.31, s. 601.64, s. 628.10(1), s. 628.10(2), s. 628.10(3), s. 628.345(1)(b), s. 628.345(2), s. 628.345(3)(a), s. 628.345(3)(d), s. 628.345(3)(e), s. 628.345(3)(f), s. Ins 6.63
    • 1.2 State Regulation Commissioner's general duties and powers Duties Ref: s. 601.41, s. 601.42 Hearings Ref: ch. 227, s. 227.12, s. 601.41, s. 601.62, s. 601.64, s. 628.10, s. Ins 6.59 Penalties Ref: s. 601.64, s. 601.65 Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund Ref: ch. 227, s. 227.12, s. 601.41, s. 601.41(4), s. 601.42, s. 601.42(4), s. 601.62, s. 601.62(5), s. 601.64, s. 601.64(2), s. 601.64(3), s. 601.64(3)(d), s. 601.64(4), s. 601.65, s. 628.10, s. 628.10(2)(b), s. Ins 6.59, ch. 646 Company regulation Solvency Responsibilities of the insurer Rates Use of Policy forms Readability Producer appointments/terminations Unfair claims, methods, and practices Notice of right to file complaint Ref: s. 628.11, s. 628.40, s. 631.20, s. 631.20(3), s. 631.22, s. 631.28, s. Ins 6.07, s. Ins 6.11, s. Ins 6.11(3), s. Ins 6.55, s. Ins 6.55(4)(b), s. Ins 6.57, s. Ins 6.85 Producer regulation Fiduciary and trust account responsibilities Place of business/records maintenance Compensation of agents Ref: ch. 626 subch. IV Controlled business Ref: s. 628.51 Shared commissions Ref: s. 628.61 Proper exchange of business Ref: s. 628.32, s. 628.51, s. 628.61, s. Ins 6.66 Marketing practices Misrepresentation Ref: s. 628.34 (1) False advertising Ref: s. 628.34 (1) Rebating Ref: s. 628.34 (2) Unfair discrimination Ref: s. 628.34 (3) Boycott, coercion, or intimidation Ref: s. 628.34 (4) Illegal inducement Ref: ch. 20, s. 628.34, s. Ins 6.54, s. Ins 6.55, s. Ins 6.67, s. Ins 6.68 Examination of records Ref: s. 601.43, s. 601.43(1)(b), s. 601.43(1)(c), s. 601.43(2)(a), s. 601.45, s. 601.49, s. Ins 16.01, s. Ins 26.10, s. Ins 26.10(3), s. Ins 28.10, s. Ins 28.10(3) General statutes, rules, and regulations affecting insurance contracts Definitions Specific knowledge Misrepresentation/Warranties Ref: s. 628.34 Knowledge and acts of the agent Ref: s. 628.40 Certificates of Insurance Ref: s. 628.34, ch. 631, s. 631.08, s. 631.09, s. 631.11, s. 631.28, ch. 632 Regulation of specific clauses in insurance contracts Cancellation Ref: s. 631.36 Renewal/Nonrenewal Ref: s. 631.36 Notice of proof of loss Ref: s.631.81 Payment of claims Ref s. 628.46, s. 631.36, s. 631.43, s. 631.48, s. 631.81, s. 632.36(1 −2), s. Ins 6.11, s. Ins 6.77 Privacy of Consumer Information Ref: s. 610.70, s. Ins 25
    • 1.3 Federal Regulation Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC 1681–1681d) Fraud and false statements (18 USC 1033, 1034)
    • 1.4 Wisconsin statutes, rules, and regulations pertinent to life insurance and annuities Policy provisions Required provisions Variable contract Contestability Assignment Designation of beneficiary Ref: s. 632.44, s. 632.45, s. 632.46, s. 632.46(3), s. 632.47, s. 632.48, s. 632.56, s. Ins 2.13(12m) Marketing methods and practices Policy replacement Disclosure Unfair practices Life insurance and annuities Proposal Policy summary Advertising Suitability of annuity sales to consumers Ref: s. 601.42, s. 628.34, s. 628.34(1) s. 628.34(9), s. 628.347(1)(e), s. 628.347(2)(a), s. 628.347(2)(b), s. 628.347(2)(dm), s. 628.347(3m), s. 628.347(4), s. 628.347(4m), s. 628.347(5), s. 628.347(7), s. 628.347(8), s. 631.95, s. 632.41 – s. 632.695, s. 632.69(1)(j), s. Ins 2.03, s. Ins 2.07, s. Ins 2.07(3)(i), s. Ins 2.07(4), s. Ins 2.07(5), s. Ins 2.07(6), s. Ins 2.07(7), s. Ins 2.09, s. Ins 2.09(6), s. Ins 2.13(12m), s. Ins 2.14, s. Ins 2.15, s. Ins 2.16, s. Ins 2.17, s. Ins 6.54, s. Ins 6.55, s. Ins 6.60(2), s. Ins 6.61, s. Ins 6.67, s. Ins 6.68, s. Ins 6.90, ch. 20 Life insurance illustration Ref: s. Ins 2.14, s. Ins 2.17 Interstate insurance product regulation compact Ref: s. 601.58
  • 2.0 General Insurance
    • 2.1 Concepts Risk management key terms Risk Exposure Hazard Peril Loss Methods of handling risk Avoidance Retention Sharing Reduction Transfer Elements of insurable risks Adverse selection Law of large numbers Reinsurance
    • 2.2 Insurers Types of insurers Stock companies Mutual companies Fraternal benefit societies Reciprocals Lloyd's associations Risk retention groups Private versus government insurers Admitted versus nonadmitted insurers Domestic, foreign and alien insurers Financial status (independent rating services) Marketing (distribution) systems
    • 2.3 Producers and general rules of the agency Insurer as principal Producer/insurer relationship Authority and powers of producer Express Implied Apparent The law of agency Responsibilities to the applicant/insured
    • 2.4 Contracts Elements of a legal contract Offer and acceptance Consideration Competent parties Legal purpose Distinct characteristics of an insurance contract Contract of adhesion Aleatory contract Personal contract Unilateral contract Conditional contract Legal interpretations affecting contracts Ambiguities in a contract of adhesion Reasonable expectations Indemnity Utmost good faith Representations/misrepresentations Warranties Concealment Fraud Waiver and estoppel
  • 3.0 Life Insurance Basics
    • 3.1 Insurable Interest
    • 3.2 Personal uses of life insurance Survivor protection Estate creation Cash accumulation Liquidity Estate conservation
    • 3.3 Life settlements (including stranger originated life insurance) Ref: s. 632.69
    • 3.4 Determining amount of personal life insurance Human life value approach Needs approach Types of information gathered Determining lump-sum needs Planning for income needs
    • 3.5 Business uses of life insurance Buy-sell funding Key person Executive bonuses Deferred compensation funding Split dollar plans Change of insured provision
    • 3.6 Classes of life insurance policies Group versus individual Ordinary versus industrial (home service) Permanent versus term Participating versus nonparticipating Ref: s. 632.62(1), 632.62(2), 632.62(4) Fixed versus variable life insurance and annuities including regulation of variable products
    • 3.7 Premiums Factors in premium determination Mortality Interest Expense Premium concepts Net single premium Gross annual premium Premium payment mode
    • 3.8 Licensee responsibilities Solicitation and sales presentations Advertising Wisconsin Insurance Security Fund Illustrations Policy summary Buyer's guide Need for variable license to recommend termination Suitability Life insurance policy cost comparison methods Replacement Use and disclosure of insurance information Field underwriting Notice of information practices Application procedures Warranties and Representatons Policy Delivery Policy review Effective date of coverage Premium collection Statement of good health
    • 3.9 Individual underwriting by the insurer Information sources and regulation Application Licensee report Attending physician statement Investigative consumer (inspection) report Medical Information Bureau (MIB) Medical examinations and lab tests (including HIV consent) Ref: s. 631.90, s. Ins 3.53 Selection criteria and unfair discrimination Classification of risks Preferred Standard Substandard Declined
  • 4.0 Life Insurance Policies
    • 4.1 Term life insurance Level term Annual renewable term Level premium term Decreasing term Increasing term
    • 4.2 Whole life insurance Continuous premium (straight life) Limited payment Single premium
    • 4.3 Flexible premium policies Adjustable life Universal life
    • 4.4 Specialized policies Joint life (first-to-die) Juvenile life
    • 4.5 Group life insurance Characteristics of group plans Types of plan sponsors Group underwriting requirements Conversion to individual policy
  • 5.0 Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options and Riders
    • 5.1 Standard provisions Ownership Assignment Entire contract Modifications Right to examine (free look) Payment of premiums Grace period Reinstatement Incontestability Misstatement of age and gender Policy Exclusions Suicide exclusion Medical examination; autopsy Prohibited provisions including backdating
    • 5.2 Beneficiaries Designation options Individuals Classes Estates Minors Trusts Primary Contingent Beneficiary-Related Clauses Revocation at Divorce 30-3-5 Succession Revocable versus irrevocable Common disaster clause Spendthrift clause
    • 5.3 Settlement options Cash payment Interest only Fixed-period installments Fixed-amount installments Life income Single life Joint and survivor
    • 5.4 Nonforfeiture options Cash surrender value Extended term Reduced paid-up insurance
    • 5.5 Policy loan and withdrawal options Cash loans Automatic premium loans Withdrawals or partial surrenders
    • 5.6 Dividend options Cash payment Reduction of premium payments Accumulation at interest One-year term option Paid-up additions
    • 5.7 Disability riders Waiver of premium Waiver of cost of insurance Disability income benefit Payor benefit life/disability (juvenile insurance)
    • 5.8 Accelerated (living) benefit provision/rider Qualifying events Disclosure Effect of benefit payment Long-Term Care Rider
    • 5.9 Riders covering additional insureds Spouse/other-insured term rider Children's term rider Family term rider
    • 5.10 Riders affecting the death benefit amount Accidental death Guaranteed insurability Cost of living Return of premium
  • 6.0 Annuities
    • 6.1 Annuity principles and concepts Accumulation period versus annuity period Owner, annuitant and beneficiary Insurance aspects of annuities
    • 6.2 Immediate versus deferred annuities Single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs) Deferred annuities Premium payment options Nonforfeiture Surrender charges Death benefits
    • 6.3 Annuity (benefit) payment options Ref: s.632.435(1)(a) Life contingency options Pure life versus life with guaranteed minimum Single life versus multiple life Annuities certain (types)
    • 6.4 Annuity products Fixed annuities General account assets Interest rate guarantees (minimum versus current) Level benefit payment amount Indexed annuities Market value adjusted annuities Guaranteed living benefit riders Variable annuities
    • 6.5 Uses of annuities Lump-sum settlements Qualified retirement plans including group versus individual annuities Personal uses Individual retirement annuities (IRAs) Tax-deferred growth Retirement income Education funds Long-Term Care Rider
  • 7.0 Federal Tax Considerations for Life Insurance and Annuities
    • 7.1 Taxation of personal life insurance Amounts available to policyowner Cash value increases Premiums Dividends Policy loans Surrenders Amounts received by beneficiary General rule and exceptions Settlement options Values included in insured's estate
    • 7.2 Modified endowment contracts (MECs) Modified endowment versus life insurance Seven-pay test Distributions
    • 7.3 Taxation of non-qualified annuities Individually-owned Accumulation phase (tax issues related to withdrawals) Annuity phase and the exclusion ratio Distributions at death Values included in the annuitant's estate Amounts received by beneficiary Corporate-owned
    • 7.6 Section 1035 exchanges
    • 7.4 Taxation of individual retirement accounts (IRAs) Traditional IRAs Contributions and deductible amounts Premature distributions (including taxation issues) Roth IRAs Contributions and limits Distributions
    • 7.5 Rollovers and transfers (IRAs and qualified plans)
  • 8.0 Qualified Plans
    • 8.1 General requirements
    • 8.2 Federal tax considerations Tax advantages for employers and employees Taxation of distributions (age-related)
    • 8.3 Plan types, characteristics and purchasers Simplified employee pensions (SEPs) Self-employed plans (HR 10 or Keogh plans) Profit-sharing and 401(k) plans SIMPLE plans 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities (TSAs)

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