Real Life Stories Program

An annual program presented by Life Happens that recognizes and shares real-life stories illustrating how insurance (life, disability, long-term care) and annuities help individuals, families, and businesses navigate difficult financial times.

Purpose: Educational awareness program designed to help consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial futures by featuring compelling real-world examples.

Geographic Scope: United States

Eligible Story Categories:

1. Life Insurance – Death Benefits (individual and/or workplace): Family or business whose financial situation was aided by death benefits
2. Disability or Long-Term Care Insurance (individual and/or workplace): Individual who became disabled/ill or needed long-term care services and maintained quality of life through benefits
3. Individual Life Insurance – Cash Values or Living Benefits or Critical Illness Rider: Family or business that utilized policy's cash values, living benefits, or critical illness rider
4. Annuity: Individual currently benefiting from an annuity

Eligibility:

• Anyone can submit (financial professionals, clients, home office employees)
• Must include an insurance policy or annuity to be eligible
• Claim filed within past 5 years preferred (story should involve claim being paid and/or benefits accessed within past 10 years)
• Highly recommended to include involvement of active financial professional or team member
• Story must be original

What They Don't Fund:

• This is not a funding program; it's a recognition and storytelling program
• No monetary awards are provided

Selection & Judging:

• Stories reviewed by internal Life Happens staff knowledgeable about insurance industry
• Judged primarily on compelling nature of stories and demonstration of role/value of insurance or annuity
• Exceptional service by financial professional is important
• Life Happens reserves right to disqualify entries deemed inappropriate, offensive, or infringing third-party rights
• Decisions final and binding

Participant Requirements:

• Selected stories will be featured in public educational awareness campaigns
• May include: professionally written story with photography, exclusive videos, social-media graphics, possible public speaking presentations, other collateral
• Both financial professionals and clients may be invited to join Speaker's Bureau
• Participants must sign consent, release forms, and liability release/affidavit of eligibility within 5 business days of selection
• Participants responsible for all federal, state, local income and applicable taxes
• All submissions become property of Life Happens
• Life Happens reserves right to publicize stories in national, regional, and local media

Contact Information:

• Connor Dolby, Program Manager: cdolby@lifehappens.org
• Website: lifehappens.org/real-life-stories-application/

Application Process

Submission Format: Essay or video format

How to Apply:

1. Fill out online application form at lifehappens.org/reallife
2. Include written essay OR video submission
3. Submit directly through online portal

Required Information:
Applicants should summarize their story and, if possible, provide:

• Demographics
• How much coverage beneficiary received (figures won't be included in publication)
• Types of policies purchased
• How proceeds were used
• Real names of all participants (required for publication)

Important Notes:

• You do not need to be a great writer – the story is what counts
• Submissions accepted in essay or video format
• No cost to enter
• All entries receive written confirmation of receipt
• Incomplete, illegible, mutilated, or improperly transmitted entries deemed null and void

Alternative Submission:

• Phone submission available: Schedule time with Real Life Stories program manager Connor Dolby for assistance

Post-Selection Process (if chosen):

• 2-day video and photography production scheduled
• Life Happens works with all participants to capture story
• Participants must sign consent and release forms within 5 business days
• If forms not provided within deadline, alternate recipient selected

Content Created:

• Videos
• Flyers
• Email templates
• Social-media graphics
• Possible public speaking engagements

Contact for Questions:

• Connor Dolby: cdolby@lifehappens.org