A primer on GLWBs, Pt. I

{December 31st, 2009} by Randy Timm

Over the past several months, a number of insurance carriers have made significant changes to their income riders or have pulled income riders from their annuity lineup altogether. In light of these changes, how prepared are you to continue providing income rider options to your clients? In this section of my annuity notebook, I provide […]

Study: FIA Returns “Competitive”

{December 31st, 2009} by Linda Koco

A new study on index annuity performance is countering some negative conclusions about this performance that have been circulating. The negative conclusions have appeared in both in theoretical academic papers and in articles in the popular press, contend David F. Babbel, Geoffrey VanderPal and Jack Marrion in research findings the three have posted online at […]

Anatomy of an Annuity Buyer

{December 31st, 2009} by Howard J. Stock

By Howard J. Stock September 18, 2009 Annuities sell, but who’s buying? Middle-class Americans, according to a new Gallup Organization/Mathew Greenwald & Associates poll of 1,003 annuity owners. Eight out of 10 annuity holders have annual household incomes of less than $100,000, the poll found, and almost half of respondents (42%) brought in less than […]

CDs vs deferred fixed annuities: Which one for you?

{December 31st, 2009} by Cozey W. Baker Jr.

Money Matters By Cozey W. Baker Jr. You can’t turn on the news today without hearing fresh reminders of the turmoil in the markets and the broader economy. In this uncertain climate, many people are anxious to try to find a safe place for their savings. Two popular options are certificates of deposit (CDs) and […]

Fixed Annuities: Everything Old is New Again

{December 31st, 2009} by Jon Greenberg

By Jon Greenberg on Tuesday, September 15, 2009. When stocks tumbled at the end of 2008, it made a lot of casual investors gun shy. They discovered that their appetite for risk was lower than they had thought. The market being what it is, there were people ready to make a buck to meet the […]

Gallup Poll: Annuities Provide Greater Retirement Security for Middle-Class

{December 31st, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore

Gallup Survey Finds Annuities Provide Greater Retirement Security for Middle-Class Americans To download the 2009 Gallup Survey, go to: http://annuity-insurers.org/annuities.aspx WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Results from a Gallup survey released today demonstrate that non-qualified annuities contribute significantly to the retirement security of middle-class Americans, and that those who own annuities have great confidence in […]

It Was A Year Of Dichotomies In The Index Annuity Market

{December 31st, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore

In 2009, two big stories dominated the index annuity business: The Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed Rule 151A and capital constraints. Both had a significant impact on product development, sales, and distribution. Product development was at an all-time low for the industry. But sales are projected to set a year-end record. Meanwhile, distributors waited with […]

Despite SEC’s Two-Year Concession, Industry Determined To Fight 151A

{December 31st, 2009} by Arthur D. Postal

The decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission to concede in court documents that it will provide a full two-year implementation period for federal regulation of indexed annuities under Rule 151A is being greeted as a positive by industry officials. However, as the SEC and the industry await a determination by a federal appeals court […]

Response: Inside Secrets: How Insurance Agents Get You to Buy

{December 31st, 2009} by Kathy Kristof

PDF for Setting It Straight with Kathy Kristof ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Inside Secrets: How Insurance Agents Get You to Buy Dear Kathy: I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products […]

Response: Indexed-Annuity Crusader? Really???

{December 31st, 2009} by Lee Munson

PDF for Setting It Straight with Lee Munson ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Indexed-Annuity Crusader: Really??? Dear Mr. Munson: I guess you know that you’ve hit the big time when people start blogging about you. Although I appreciate the attention, indexed annuities are neither “high cost” nor “high load.” There are indexed annuities with first-year […]

Response: Cluttered annuities typically make for bad Investments

{December 31st, 2009} by John Henry McDonald

PDF for Setting It Straight with Austin8 ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Cluttered annuities typically make for bad Investments Mr. John Henry McDonald: I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for […]

Response: Annuities: Equity-Indexed Annuities: Putting Lipstick On A Pig

{December 31st, 2009} by Jeffrey Voudrie

PDF for Setting It Straight with PymntsAnnuity ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Annuities: Equity-Indexed Annuities: Putting Lipstick On A Pig  Web administrator, I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over […]

Response: Securities attorney tests financial professionals with Jeopardy-style game

{December 31st, 2009} by Harriet Johnson Brackey

PDF for Setting It Straight with Chicago Tribune ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Securities attorney test financial professionals with Jeopardy-style game Mr. Kern: I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for […]

Response: Annuities: Oversight Needed On Equity-Indexed Annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Jeffrey Voudrie

PDF for Setting It Straight with Jeffrey Voudrie ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Annuities: Oversight Needed on Equity-Indexed Annuities Jeffrey, As you know, I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for […]

Response: Avoiding Risk May Be Costly!

{December 31st, 2009} by Dave Patterson and Erin Preston

 PDF for Setting It Straight with CFPs ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Avoiding Risk May Be Costly  David and Erin,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. […]

Response: Why So Critical on Annuities?

{December 31st, 2009} by Allan Roth

PDF for Setting It Straight with CBS Money Watch ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Why So Critical on Annuities?  Allan,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. […]

Response: With Recent Market Conditions, are Equity Indexed Annuities a Good Option for Retirement Savings?

{December 31st, 2009} by John Houck

PDF for Setting It Straight with John Houck ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: With Recent Market Conditions, are Equity Indexed Annuities a Good Option for Retirement Savings?  John,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and […]

Response: Sales of Indexed Annuities Soar in 2nd Qtr, Says Beacon

{December 31st, 2009} by Kerry Pechter

PDF for Setting It Straight with RIJ ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Sales of Indexed Annuities Soar in 2nd Qtr, Says Beacon  Kerry,  I have just returned to the office to find your latest issue of the Retirement Income Journal. I have received a slew of emails today about your article, “Sales of Indexed Annuities […]

Response: Don't rush into equity-indexed annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Barry Dodd

PDF for Setting It Straight with Edward Jones2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities Barry,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. I […]

Response: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Barry Dodd

PDF for Setting It Straight with Edward Jones2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities Barry,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. I […]

Response: Beware the Siren Call

{December 31st, 2009} by Steve Stang

PDF for Setting It Straight with Steve Stang ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Beware the Siren Call  Steve,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. I used […]

Response: The four types of annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Stephen P. Poitevint

PDF for Setting It Straight with RJ ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  The four types of annuities  Stephen,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a decade. I […]

Response: COLUMN: Don't rush into equity-indexed annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Randy Price

PDF for Setting It Straight with Edward Jones ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  COLUMN: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities  Randy,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a […]

Response: COLUMN: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities

{December 31st, 2009} by Randy Price

PDF for Setting It Straight with Edward Jones ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  COLUMN: Don’t rush into equity-indexed annuities  Randy,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over a […]

Response: Pop quiz: What do you know about index annuities?

{December 31st, 2009} by John Sullivan

PDF for Setting It Straight with BMA ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  What do you know about index annuities?  John,  I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the indexed annuity (IA) and indexed life (IUL) markets. I have tracked the companies, products, marketing, and sales of these products for over […]

Response: To Attorney Randall S. Ford

{December 31st, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore

PDF for Setting it Straight with Lawyer Randall Ford March 2, 2009 Randall S. Ford, Attorney at Law 2330 University Blvd, Ste. 505 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35402 Advantage Group Associates, Inc. Sheryl J. Moore 215 SE Wildflower Court Pleasant Hill, Iowa  50327 Dear Mr. Ford,  I wanted to take a moment to write to you, and […]

Response: To Attorney Mark Dobin

{December 31st, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore

PDF for Setting it Straight with Lawyer Marc Dobin February 8, 2009 Dobin & Jenks, LLP Marc S. Dobin 140 Intracoastal Pointe Drive, Ste. 207 Jupiter, Florida 33477 Advantage Group Associates, Inc. Sheryl J. Moore 215 SE Wildflower Court Pleasant Hill, Iowa  50327  Dear Mr. Dobin,  I wanted to take a moment and follow-up with […]

Response: How Well Do You Know…Indexed Annuities?

{December 31st, 2009} by Leslie Schism

PDF for Setting It Straight with WSJ 2 ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:  How Well Do You Know…Indexed Annuities?  Leslie,  I know that you know who I am, but for the benefit of those copied on this email, I’ll provide a refresher. I am an independent market research analyst who specializes exclusively in the […]

Annuity Suitability Model Advances to Final NAIC Votes

{December 31st, 2009} by Sean P. Carr

WASHINGTON December 29 (BestWire) — A stricter model act for the suitability of annuity sales has advanced to a final vote by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. BN-NJ-12-29-2009 1624 ET # The NAIC’s Life Insurance and Annuities Committee approved the draft model in a conference call vote on Dec. 21. The Executive Committee and Plenary will vote on […]

Great American Settles With Minnesota

{December 31st, 2009} by Trevor Thomas

Minnesota’s Attorney General and Great American Financial Resources announced a settlement over disputed sales of deferred annuities to seniors in the state by Great American subsidiaries.  The agreement covers 2,000 policies placed by Great American Life Insurance Company and its affiliates, Annuities Investors Life and Loyal American Life, with an estimated value of about $50 million, […]

Welcome!

{December 30th, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore

If you have ever been interested in Indexed Annuities, Indexed Life, or even just me- WELCOME!

This website is designed to lead you to the answers that you are seeking out on indexed insurance products and the work that our firm does in the insurance market. At www.sheryljmoore.com, you will find articles relevant to the Indexed Annuity and Indexed Life markets, my rebuttals to inaccurate or misleading media, my blogs, articles I have authored, and links to all of the resources you need if you are interested in products that provide downside guarantees and limited upside indexed interest.

Welcome to MY beautiful life of Indexed Annuities and Indexed Life!

SEC Presses for 151A But Offers 2-Year Stay

{December 29th, 2009} by Steven Morelli

SEC Presses for 151A But Offers 2-Year Stay

By Steven A. Morelli
Senior Editor, InsuranceNewsNet

Published: Dec. 9, 2009

The Securities & Exchange Commission plans to reissue Rule 151A but it has offered a two-year stay from the time the rule would be published, according to a court filing.

US Indexed Annuity Writers See Small Victory in SEC Delay of 'Securities' Rule

{December 29th, 2009} by Fran Lysiak

US Indexed Annuity Writers See Small Victory in SEC Delay of ‘Securities’ Rule

WASHINGTON December 10 (BestWire) — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has told a federal appeals court it will delay the effective date of its proposed rule that would reclassify equity-indexed annuities as securities.

“This is a victory for the indexed annuity industry, albeit a minor victory,” said Sheryl J. Moore, president and chief executive officer of annuityspecs.com, a firm that tracks industry sales data.

US Indexed Annuity Writers See Small Victory in SEC Delay of ‘Securities’ Rule

{December 29th, 2009} by Fran Lysiak

US Indexed Annuity Writers See Small Victory in SEC Delay of ‘Securities’ Rule

WASHINGTON December 10 (BestWire) — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has told a federal appeals court it will delay the effective date of its proposed rule that would reclassify equity-indexed annuities as securities.

“This is a victory for the indexed annuity industry, albeit a minor victory,” said Sheryl J. Moore, president and chief executive officer of annuityspecs.com, a firm that tracks industry sales data.

Aviva USA success ascends through economic mayhem

{December 29th, 2009} by Karen Mracek

Aviva USA has had a busy year – starting a new CEO, listing its stock on the New York Stock Exchange and building a 360,000-square-foot headquarters in West Des Moines. All of this comes as insurers, along with almost every other industry, face unprecedented financial and economic pressures. “Aviva has been able to manage through […]

NAIC Committee OKs Annuity Suitability Model

{December 29th, 2009} by Steven Morelli

NAIC Committee OKs Annuity Suitability Model

InsuranceNewsNet Staff Report

December 22, 2009

An NAIC committee on Monday adopted a final version of the Suitability in Annuities Transactions model regulation.

The model is expected to be voted on by the full National Association of Insurance Commissioners at its spring meeting on March 25-28 in Denver.

Iowa Approves Farm Bureau Mutual's Plan to Reorganize as a Mutual Holding Co.

{December 29th, 2009} by Fran Lysiak

Iowa Approves Farm Bureau Mutual’s Plan to Reorganize as a Mutual Holding Co. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa December 22 (BestWire) — Iowa insurance regulators and policyholders of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. have approved plans for the company to reorganize into a mutual holding company structure. The change takes effect Jan. 1, 2010. In September, Farm Bureau Mutual said […]

Iowa Approves Farm Bureau Mutual’s Plan to Reorganize as a Mutual Holding Co.

{December 29th, 2009} by Fran Lysiak

Iowa Approves Farm Bureau Mutual’s Plan to Reorganize as a Mutual Holding Co. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa December 22 (BestWire) — Iowa insurance regulators and policyholders of Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. have approved plans for the company to reorganize into a mutual holding company structure. The change takes effect Jan. 1, 2010. In September, Farm Bureau Mutual said […]

Great American Financial Resources Settles With Minnesota A.G. Over Annuity Sales

{December 29th, 2009} by Chad Hemenway

December 24, 2009 Copyright 2009 A.M. Best Company, Inc.All Rights Reserved BestWire December 23, 2009 Wednesday 03:08 PM EST 507 words Great American Financial Resources Settles With Minnesota A.G. Over Annuity Sales Chad Hemenway ST. PAUL, Minn.  Great American Financial Resources has become the fifth insurer to settle with Minnesota’s attorney general over the alleged […]

Conseco, Inc. Announces Completion of Public Offering of Common Stock

{December 29th, 2009} by N/A

CARMEL, Ind., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Conseco, Inc. (the “Company”) (NYSE: CNO) announced today that it has completed its previously announced public offering. In the public offering Conseco issued and sold 49,500,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $4.75 per share, including 4,500,000 shares issued and sold to the underwriters […]