U.S. SEC will not get oversight of indexed annuities
{June 28th, 2010} by Kim Dixon
June 24 (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers agreed on Thursday to allow states to regulate annuities linked to equity indexes instead of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lawmakers negotiating financial overhaul legislation agreed a provision specifying U.S. State authority over the financial products be included in their final bill. Annuities are insurance products in which the […]
House, Senate clawing to Wall Street bill finish
{June 28th, 2010} by Jennifer Liberto
By Jennifer Liberto, senior writerJune 24, 2010: 11:19 PM ET WASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) — Lawmakers are closing in on melding two different versions of Wall Street reform. Late Thursday evening, lawmakers had just started to tackle one of the last and more controversial issues: Cracking down on the big banks’ investment activities and risky bets. However, […]
Lawmakers to Exempt Fixed-Indexed Annuities from SEC Oversight
{June 28th, 2010} by Sarah N. Lynch
By Sarah N. Lynch, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- In a blow to the Securities and Exchange Commission, House and Senate negotiators on Thursday agreed to include language in the financial overhaul bill that would exempt fixed index annuities from SEC oversight. In a vote of 12-4, House Financial Services members working on […]
Iowa firms uncertain of financial reform bill's potential effects
{June 28th, 2010} by Karen Mracek
By KAREN MRACEK • kmracek@dmreg.com • June 26, 2010 The financial regulation reform is a compromise, say Iowa companies and experts. “It was very important that we did something. … At some point you have to say we have passed the best thing we can get,” said John Spitzer, a professor of finance at the […]
Iowa firms uncertain of financial reform bill’s potential effects
{June 28th, 2010} by Karen Mracek
By KAREN MRACEK • kmracek@dmreg.com • June 26, 2010 The financial regulation reform is a compromise, say Iowa companies and experts. “It was very important that we did something. … At some point you have to say we have passed the best thing we can get,” said John Spitzer, a professor of finance at the […]
Insurers launch registered indexed annuities
{June 25th, 2010} by Darla Mercado
By Darla Mercado June 25, 2010 Though it appears that regulatory oversight of equity-indexed annuities will remain with states — and not shift to the Securities and Exchange Commission — some insurers are nonetheless rolling out indexed-annuities that qualify as securities. ING Life Insurance and Annuity Co. last week released its ING Select Multi-Index 5 and […]
House OKs Indexed Annuity Protection Rule
{June 25th, 2010} by Steven A. Morelli
June 24, 2010 By Steven A. Morelli, Senior Editor InsuranceNewsNet June 24, 2010 — The financial reform bill includes an amendment to keep indexed annuities under state regulation in a surprising, 11th-hour vote by the House and Senate side of the HR 4173 conference committee. The House committee members voted 12-4 today to include the […]
House, Senate lawmakers finalize deal on bank bill
{June 25th, 2010} by Jim Kuhnhenn
Obama claims victory in financial overhaul deal Obama praises deal on financial overhaul, says compromise will hold Wall Street accountable Associated Press Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press Writer, On Friday June 25, 2010, 10:07 am WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama declared victory Friday after congressional negotiators reached a dawn agreement on a sweeping overhaul of […]
EIAs To Remain State Regulated
{June 25th, 2010} by Arthur D. Postal
By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 6/24/2010 Conferees on financial services regulation today agreed to keep equity indexed annuities state-regulated. House conferees this afternoon accepted the Senate offer made late Tuesday that would classify fixed indexed annuities as insurance products—if the FIA products are sold by insurers domiciled in states that have adopted the model regulations recently […]
Harkin amendment keeps index annuity authority with states
{June 24th, 2010} by Karen Mracek
Blog post by Karen Mracek • kmracek@dmreg.com • June 23, 2010 Senators in the conference committee trying to finalize financial reform legislation voted in favor of an amendment that would keep regulation of indexed annuities with the states. The amendment, proposed by Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, was approved 8-4 and House negotiators could respond as […]
H.R. 4173: Senate Conferees Back Indexed Annuity Proposal
{June 24th, 2010} by Arthur D. Postal
By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 6/23/2010 WASHINGTON BUREAU — The lawmakers who are representing the Senate in H.R. 4173 conference committee proceedings moved Tuesday to offer the Senate an amendment that would keep most indexed annuities state-regulated. House negotiators could respond at any time today to the Senate offer. The indexed annuity jurisdiction amendment was sponsored […]
Advisor groups opposed to exempting indexed annuities from SEC oversight
{June 24th, 2010} by N/A
Investment advisor industry groups are speaking out against a proposal that would exempt equity indexed annuities from oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission. An amendment to prevent the SEC from regulating sales practices related to such annuities was recently offered by Sen. Tom Harkin, D.-Iowa. Committee members are expected to respond to the amendment […]
Senate Adds Indexed Annuity Protection Amendment
{June 24th, 2010} by Steve Morelli
Senate Adds Indexed Annuity Protection Amendment June 23, 2010 By Steven A. Morelli Senior Editor, InsuranceNewsNet June 23, 2010– In a surprise move, the U.S. Senate sent the House a financial reform amendment that would keep indexed annuities under state regulation. The amendment to the reform bill, HR 4173, is unusual because it was […]
Response: Consumer Advocates Critical of Annuity Proposal
{June 24th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
PDF for AnnuitySpecs Setting It Straight with New York Times ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Consumer Advocates Critical of Annuity Proposal Tara, 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 […]
Are index-linked CDs a sucker bet?
{June 22nd, 2010} by N/A
Structured products offer some market upside while protecting principal, but snares lurk; targeting ‘nervous nellies’ By Bloomberg News June 22, 2010 Investors seeking the safety of government-insured certificates of deposit and a chance to profit from market rallies may end up earning nothing and owing taxes for their efforts. Wells Fargo & Co., the fourth-largest U.S. […]
Insurer Aegon to sell Transamerica Reinsurance
{June 22nd, 2010} by N/A
Updated 9:21 am ASSOCIATED PRESS • June 22, 2010 Aegon NV, the bailed-out Dutch insurer, said Tuesday it is looking to sell the life reinsurance arm of its Cedar Rapids.-based subsidiary Transamerica and that it will restructure operations in Britain. Transamerica Reinsurance, based in Charlotte, N.C., is the third-largest life reinsurer in the U.S., and […]
H.R. 4173: The Indexed Annuity Amendment Lives
{June 22nd, 2010} by Arthur D. Postal
By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 6/21/2010 WASHINGTON BUREAU — The conference committee responsible for reconciling the House and Senate versions of H.R. 4173 plans to vote Tuesday on an amendment that would limit the ability of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate indexed annuities. Lawyers familiar with the arrangement who declined to be named […]
Adviser groups opposed to exempting indexed annuities from SEC oversight
{June 21st, 2010} by Mark Schoeff
Proposal floated by Sen. Tom Harkin would undermine goal of protecting investors, CFP Board and others argue By Mark Schoeff Jr. June 21, 2010 4:12 pm ET Investment adviser industry groups are fighting a proposal to exempt equity indexed annuities from oversight by the Securities and Exchange Commission — an idea that has emerged during […]
H.R. 4173: Harkin Moves Ball On Annuities
{June 21st, 2010} by Allison Bell
By ALLISON BELL Published 6/18/2010 Members of the conference committee responsible for reconciling the House and Senate versions of H.R. 4173 have been looking at the indexed annuity jurisdiction issue. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, asked members of the conference committee to add an amendment to Title IX of the financial services bill that would classify fixed indexed […]
Oregon Insurance Division to Close for Six Furlough Days
{June 20th, 2010} by Sean P. Carr
June 18, 2010 | BestWire Copyright 2010 A.M. Best Company, Inc.All Rights Reserved BestWire June 17, 2010 Thursday 04:49 PM EST 211 words Oregon Insurance Division to Close for Six Furlough Days Sean P Carr SALEM, Ore. The Oregon Division of Insurance will be closed June 18 and five other Fridays in the next 12 […]
Carrier stability still the fly in the annuity ointment
{June 18th, 2010} by Darla Mercado
By Darla Mercado June 17, 2010 5:12 pm ET The Labor Department will host a public hearing in the next few months to discuss concerns about including annuities in retirement plans. But addressing plan sponsors’ concerns about carrier stability continues to bedevil the regulator. “There are so many interesting and innovative developments in the marketplace, […]
Outliving Your Money Feared More Than Death
{June 18th, 2010} by N/A
June 17, 2010 | Business Wire Copyright: Business Wire Source: Business Wire Wordcount: unknown Allianz Life Study Reveals Boomers Guessing at Retirement Needs MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– More than 90 percent of Baby Boomers feel the United States is facing a retirement crisis, yet most have a limited understanding of how much money they’ll need and fear […]
Annuity Guarantee Filings Can Now Speed Up
{June 18th, 2010} by Linda Koco
By LINDA KOCO Published 6/17/2010 The Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission says insurers now can file annuities with guaranteed benefits through the commission’s speed-to-market process. That will help bring the products to market faster, according to officials at the IIPRC, Washington. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Kansas City, Mo., created the commission and the Interstate […]
Allianz Life President and CEO Named to IRI Board of Directors
{June 17th, 2010} by N/A
June 16, 2010 MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) has named Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) President and CEO Gary C. Bhojwani to its board of directors. The IRI is a not-for-profit organization serving as the authoritative source of all things pertaining to annuities, insured retirement strategies and retirement planning. “Under […]
Registered Indexed Annuities Launch is a Non-Event
{June 16th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, an insurance company that sells indexed annuities rolled-out a registered indexed annuity. Our office is receiving alot of calls regarding this rollout. For the record: 1. This is a non-event. Registered indexed annuities (RIAs) have existed since fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) have. 2. As of today, there are precisely four registered indexed annuities in the market and […]
Insurer Debuts Two Registered Fixed Indexed Annuities
{June 16th, 2010} by Linda Koco
By LINDA KOCO Published 6/14/2010 ING is introducing two new fixed index annuities that are registered as securities products with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Called ING Select Multi-Index 5 and ING Select Multi-Index 7, both are registered FIAs that use a modified single-premium deferred annuity chassis. The issuing company is ING Life Insurance and […]
ING Launches Two New Registered Fixed-Index Annuities
{June 16th, 2010} by Staff Reporter
Published:15-June-2010 By Staff Reporter ING Financial Solutions has launched two new registered fixed-index annuities, ING Select Multi-Index 5 and ING Select Multi-Index 7. Both modified single-premium deferred annuities issued by ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, offer an alternative to traditional fixed annuities through an index strategy that can link a client’s potential for annual […]
Lincoln To Repay TARP
{June 16th, 2010} by Arthur D. Postal
By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 6/14/2010 WASHINGTON BUREAU — Lincoln National Corp. (NYSE:LNC) says it will fully repay the $950 million it owes the federal government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Lincoln, Radnor, Pa., will repay the government for the TARP financing using the proceeds from a public offering of debt and equity securities, the […]
Indexed Annuity Provision Back In Play
{June 16th, 2010} by Arthur D. Postal
By ARTHUR D. POSTAL Published 6/15/2010 WASHINGTON BUREAU — Supporters of state regulation of equity indexed annuities have renewed efforts to get a provision into H.R. 4173 that would bar the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from regulating the product. Supporters’ efforts surfaced when the Consumer Federation of America, Washington, and Fund Democracy, Oxford, Miss., wrote […]
Allianz chief wants bigger piece of indexed-life market
{June 15th, 2010} by Darla Mercado
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, already a major player in the indexed-annuity arena, is looking to grab a bigger share of the indexed-life-insurance market. Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required The carrier manufactures the top-selling indexed annuity, the MasterDex 10, according to researcher AnnuitySpecs.
Response: Annuities Entice Risk-Averse Investors
{June 15th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
PDF for AnnuitySpecs Setting It Straight with The Street ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Annuities Entice Risk-Averse Investors Stan, 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. […]
Annuity Complexity Demands Standard Illustrations
{June 14th, 2010} by Robert A. Chester
A regulator sees a need for consistency in sales presentations By ROBERT A. CHESTER Published 6/7/2010 Today’s annuities have very advanced concepts and benefit characteristics—market value adjusting, separate investment accounts, indexing and guaranteed living benefits, to name a few. What the industry needs now is a standardized illustration process for those products. To see why, it […]
Hawaii Regulator Steps Down to Practice Insurance Law
{June 14th, 2010} by Sean Carr
June 10, 2010 | BestWire Services Copyright: A.M. Best Company, Inc. Source: BestWire Services Wordcount: unknown Hawaii Insurance Commissioner J.P. Schmidt will resign July 1 to return to practicing law with a focus on insurance issues. Schmidt will join the Hawaii firm of Bays Deaver Lung Rose Holma, where he will practice general business, corporate […]
Agent Sentenced in Attempted Fraud Against Prudential, Aviva USA
{June 14th, 2010} by Fran Matso Lysiak
June 09, 2010 | BestWire Services Copyright: A.M. Best Company, Inc. Source: BestWire Services Wordcount: unknown A New York City insurance agent has been sentenced to three years in state prison for attempting to defraud two insurers in a scheme involving applications for multimillion-dollar life insurance policies, New Jersey officials said. In April, Pape Michael […]
VUL Offers An Indexed Fixed Account Option
{June 14th, 2010} by NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE
By NU ONLINE NEWS SERVICE Published 6/9/2010 Pacific Life Insurance Company is rolling out a variable universal life policy that includes a 1-year indexed fixed account option. The Pacific Select Exec V VUL policy offers three types of investment options–variable, fixed and indexed—for potential cash value growth, according to Pacific Life, Newport Beach, Calif. The option credits […]
Safer havens: bonds vs. indexed annuities
{June 14th, 2010} by Joe Anzalone
By Joe Anzalone Director of Sales , Asset Marketing Systems Featured Expert: Seminars and Presentations “The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already, but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded […]
VOICES: Chris Hobart, On Hybrid Annuities
{June 14th, 2010} by Mike Miliard
By Mike Miliard Chris Hobart Chris Hobart, chief executive of Charlotte, N.C.-based Hobart Financial Group, spoke to WSJ Financial Adviser about “supercharging” retirement accounts with fixed-index annuities. Say somebody takes a million dollars and puts half in stocks and half in bonds. If the stock market goes up, you’ve got 50% of your money […]
Forethought Financial Group, Inc. Names Former Transamerica CEO Paula Nelson as President of Bank Channel Distribution
{June 9th, 2010} by N/A
Former AEGON and Transamerica Executive Will Lead Forethought Distributors, LLC Indianapolis, IN — June 8, 2010 — Forethought Financial Group, Inc. (“Forethought”), a leading provider of insurance and financial products, today announced the appointment of Paula Nelson as President of Forethought Distributors, LLC, the company’s newly formed channel for distribution of annuity and life insurance […]
Response: Consumer Alert: Equity Index Annuities
{June 7th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Jeff, 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 over a decade. I used to provide similar services for fixed and variable products, but I believe so strongly […]
Response: Are Equity-Indexed Annuities Right For You?
{June 7th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
AnnuitySpecs Setting It Straight with Investopedia ORIGINAL ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT: Are Equity-Indexed Annuities Right for You? Dear Ms. Yuille, 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 […]
The 10/10 Rule is Spreading Like a Bad Rash
{June 4th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Just a big heads up for everyone- Florida will be a 10/10 state as of 1/1/11. This means that after that date, no annuities will be available to Floridians where the surrender charges exceed 10-years or the first-year surrender penalty exceeds 10%. I am happy to report that with the cooperation and assistance of all of you that […]
Variable Annuity Buyers Opting For Living Benefits: IRI
{June 4th, 2010} by Linda Koco
By LINDA KOCO Published 6/3/2010 A large majority of United States variable annuity buyers are electing to have living benefit guarantees on their policies. More than 81% of VA purchasers chose to protect themselves with a lifetime guarantee of income in the first quarter, according to researchers who conducted a VA sales study for the Insured […]
New York Eyes Annuity Withdrawal Disclosures
{June 4th, 2010} by Allison Bell
By ALLISON BELL Published 6/3/2010 The New York State Insurance Department is drafting advice that would encourage annuity sellers to warn consumers about the dangers of taking early excess withdrawals. Insurers that are selling annuities with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit features should provide disclosure “in the sales presentation before the contract is issued and again at […]
Lincoln Financial Gets $2 Billion Bank Credit Line
{June 3rd, 2010} by John Ittner
June 03, 2010 | MarketWatch Copyright 2010 MarketWatch.com Inc.All Rights Reserved MarketWatch June 2, 2010 Wednesday 2:38 PM EST LENGTH: 92 words HEADLINE: Lincoln Financial gets $2 billion bank credit line BYLINE: John Ittner NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Lincoln Financial Group (LNC) said Wednesday that it had received commitments for a $2 billion bank […]
What You Need to Know About Annuities
{June 2nd, 2010} by Philip Moeller
Be honest. When you see the word “annuity,” does your brain quickly look for an escape route to a more enjoyable topic? That’s OK. I won’t take it personally. And annuities can be tough sledding. But properly understood and used, annuities can be a great addition to a retirement plan. So, arm yourself with your […]
