Common Questions and Answers

Will Security Benefit accept photos of wet-signed forms?

Yes. Images must be legible and cropped to take up the full frame before conversion to a PDF. Images can be emailed directly to:

Tips for Submitting Images

  • Before taking a photo, make sure the form is flat with folds and creases removed as much as possible.
  • Take the picture in adequate lighting so the form does not have shadows or other imperfections that would interfere with legibility.
  • Center the form so that it takes up the full frame. We want to be able to see the whole image and not just a portion of it.
  • Edit the picture and crop it to ensure you’ve achieved the best quality possible.
  • Ensure the image being submitted is a high-resolution picture or it will likely not be legible. On most phones, you are given the option to send a low-, medium-, or high-resolution picture. Always select high resolution. Although the transmission time will take longer, the image will be clearer, critical for legibility.

Converting Images to PDFs With Your Phone

iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch Using the Notes App

With Notes, you can scan documents, add a signature, or manually sign a document on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Scan a document

  1. Open a note or create a new note.
  2. Tap, camera then tap Scan Documents.
  3. Place your document in view of the camera on your device.
  4. If your device is in Auto mode, your document will be automatically scanned. If you need to manually capture a scan, tap home or one of the Volume buttons.
  5. Drag the corners to adjust the scan to fit the page, then tap to keep the scan.
  6. You can add additional scans to the document or tap Save when you’re done.

Android Devices

Scan a document

  1. Open the Google Drive app.
  2. In the bottom right, tap Add.
  3. Tap Scan.
  4. Take a photo of the document you’d like to scan.
  5. Adjust scan area: Tap Crop.    
  6.  Take photo again: Tap Re-scan current page.
  7.  Scan another page: Tap Add.
  8. To save the finished document, tap Done.

If the transferring company will accept a copy of a signature or e-signature instead of requiring an original wet signature, will Security Benefit accept a picture of the transfer form?

We will not be able to know whether the transferring company will or will not accept an e-signature. We will forward what we receive and if they accept it, then they will process the application. If the company doesn’t accept an e-signature, then the application will be deemed to be Not in Good Order. However, if the picture with the e-signature is legible, it should work the same way as a scanned copy of an application. We will accept it as a PDF.


Does Security Benefit want to receive documents with e-signatures with the certificate pages attached?

Yes. We want those documents as well as the certificate page for the signature.


Does Security Benefit want to be copied on the envelope and the other documents that are hidden or should I just upload or fax the forms?

We do not accept the envelope, which requires us to retrieve the document from the DocuSign portal. We must receive the document in a PDF format with the corresponding audit documentation to be considered In Good Order.


What documents can be sent through e-signature vendors?

Accepted insurance documents for e-signatures include an annuity application and any related point of sale or ongoing administration documents for any product sold or issued by Security Benefit. Electronic signatures are permitted on service forms for transactions pertaining to existing First Security Benefit Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York (FSBL) annuities. Electronic signatures are not permitted on FSBL annuity applications or replacement documents.


What if I do not have the ability to obtain an option for an e-signature (i.e., a transfer form for incoming funds from another company)?

Proceed with pre-populating the form as much as possible, scan it, and email or text it to your client to print and sign. Your client will then need to scan and email or text the document back to you for submission to Security Benefit.
 

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