Analyst: Insurers ‘Behind’ on DOL Fiduciary Prep
{April 29th, 2016} by John Hilton
Insurers are “a little behind the curve” on preparations for the forthcoming Department of Labor fiduciary rules, a leading analyst said Thursday. Fred Reish, a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath in Los Angeles, spokes during a webinar on the fiduciary regulations. The firms dealing with qualified retirement funds — broker-dealers, insurers, RIAs and others […]
Genworth surges most since 2010 as CEO calms Wall Street nerves
{April 29th, 2016} by Katherine Chiglinsky
(Bloomberg) — Genworth Financial Inc. climbed the most since 2010 after first-quarter profit beat analysts’ estimates as Chief Executive Officer Tom McInerney works to free up capital to meet debt payments. The insurer surged 21 percent to $3.45 at 9:45 a.m. in New York trading. Richmond, Virginia-based Genworth reported Thursday that operating profit was 21 cents a […]
New York Life Ranks 25th on 2014 DiversityInc “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” List
{April 28th, 2016} by New York Life
NEW YORK, April 23, 2014—New York Life has been named one of DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity,” ranking 25th nationally on this prestigious list. New York Life was recognized for its talent pipeline; equitable talent development, including commitment to mentorship and philanthropy; CEO and leadership commitment; and supplier diversity. “Earning a spot on the […]
Nationwide launches new small-business site for agents
{April 28th, 2016} by Nationwide
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Nationwide just launched a new small-business site for insurance agents in light of National Small Business Week (May 1-7). The site (best viewed in Firefox or Chrome) provides information for both current agents and those who are interested in requesting a commercial contract appointment. It continues the company’s […]
Fiduciary Q&A: Must Conflicts Be Avoided or Just Disclosed?
{April 28th, 2016} by Karen Damato
Ask the Experts: Our panel tackles this question and two more about the Labor Department’s new conflict-of-interest rule Under the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary-duty rule, will advisers working with retirement accounts have to avoid conflicts of interest or just disclose them? For answers to this question and two others, Wealth Adviser at WSJ.com […]
MetLife CEO: Adviser Network Sale, Possible US Retail Spinoff Still on Despite SIFI Victory
{April 28th, 2016} by Frank KIimko
NEW YORK – MetLife Inc. will still sell its adviser network and either spinoff, sell or seek a public offering of its U.S. retail unit as part of a strategy to increase profitability, despite earning a victory in its fight to shed its systemically important financial institution designation, Chief Executive Officer Steve Kandarian said in […]
Fiduciary Rule Casts Long Shadow Over 1Q Earnings
{April 28th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Life and annuity companies begin releasing first quarter earnings this week and analysts will be hunting for as much guidance as possible on the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule and how it will affect future company earnings. Aflac, the Columbus, Ga.-based insurer, kicked off the earnings parade Tuesday by reporting net income of $731 million, […]
American Equity posts quarterly loss despite strong sales
{April 28th, 2016} by Editorial Staff
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co., a leading issuer of fixed index annuities based in West Des Moines, today reported a first-quarter 2016 net loss of $44.8 million, or 55 cents per common share, compared with net income of $5.9 million, or 7 cents per common share, for first-quarter 2015. Operating income for the […]
Prudential Annuities names Melissa Kivett Senior Vice President and Business Strategy Officer
{April 28th, 2016} by Business Wire
NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Melissa Kivett has been named senior vice president and Business Strategy Officer for Prudential Annuities, a business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU). In this newly-created role, Kivett will lead the overall development of business strategy, reporting to Lori Fouche, president of Prudential Annuities. She will join Prudential Annuities senior leadership team. “As we […]
AG 49 Targets Fantasy Returns in IUL Illustrations, Policy Loans
{April 28th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
You can’t spell “illustration” without “illusion”. The National Associate of Insurance Commissions (NAIC) ushered in a new era in illustration of indexed universal life (IUL) products last month when Actuarial Guidelines (AG) 49 went into effects. AG 49’s latest provisions focus on policy loans and illustration disclosures used to map out the future growth of […]
Rule would force big banks to hold more cash
{April 27th, 2016} by Paul Davidson
Regulators on Thursday proposed a new rule that would require the nation’s largest banks to hold enough cash for a year to avoid the kinds of liquidity shortages that occurred during the 2008 financial crisis. Under the proposed measure, banks with at least $250 billion in assets would have to maintain certain levels of “stable funding” […]
25 wealthiest No. 1 NFL draft picks
{April 27th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
This week, the nation’s elite college football players are nervously waiting to find out if and where they will be drafted during the NFL’s 81st annual draft, which gets underway Thursday. The draft will include 253 picks over seven rounds. Quarterbacks Carson Wentz of North Dakota State and Jared Goff of California are expected to […]
NAFA Lauds Congressional Efforts to Stop DOL’s Fiduciary Rule
{April 26th, 2016} by NAFA
NAFA Supports Congressional Efforts WASHINGTON (Apr. 26, 2016) — NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, announced its support for Congressional resolutions issued in both the House and the Senate last week that stand to derail the Department of Labor’s recently finalized rule on investment advice for retirement accounts. Offered under the Congressional Review Act, […]
The Next Generation of Life Insurance
{April 26th, 2016} by Frank Chechel, FSA
Whole Life or Indexed UL… Why not ask Coke or Pepsi? Whole Life or Indexed Universal Life? That is one of the first questions that comes to mind when I think about the life insurance marketplace in 2015. Let me explain why. Whole Life continues to be the top selling life insurance product by premium, […]
Confidence high in indexed annuity products
{April 26th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
Confidence in indexed annuity products is strong and financial professionals are optimistic about continued growth in sales of indexed annuities, according to a survey conducted by Saybrus Partners Inc. The survey polled financial professionals at the 2016 Bank Insurance & Securities Association convention in March in Hollywood, Fla. Eighty-three percent of those surveyed expect indexed […]
Industry Remains Divided on Impact of DOL Fiduciary Rule, According to a Pioneer Investments Survey
{April 26th, 2016} by Pioneer Investments Survey
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Investments announced today the results of a live webinar poll designed to gauge advisor sentiment on the Fiduciary Regulation issued by the Department of Labor (DOL). The webinar was attended by 861 financial advisors and featured a panel of fiduciary experts from fi360® and Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP. In April 2015, Pioneer […]
Aging-Out Advisors Create An Experience Gap
{April 26th, 2016} by Brian O'Connell
There’s an “experience gap” brewing in the financial advisory sector, as about 33 percent of all financial advisors are expected to retire in the next decade. Meanwhile, 43 percent of all U.S.-based stockholders are 55 years old or older, according to On Wall Street. While all that should change the face of the advisory industry, […]
Dear Agents: This is Your Life Under ‘Best Interest’
{April 26th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Insurance and financial advisors will surely be relieved that “differential compensation,” or commission income, trail fees and incentives aren’t barred under the new fiduciary rule released by the Department of Labor earlier this month. But such compensation, which once came with few if any strings attached, now come with tethered by rope and heavy-gauge chains […]
NAFA Board Authorizes Action on Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule
{April 26th, 2016} by NAFA
NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, and its Board of Directors Authorizes Action WASHINGTON (Apr. 21, 2016) — NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, announced today that its Board of Directors authorized staff to consider all options for challenging the Department of Labor’s recently issued fiduciary rule, including efforts seeking legislative relief as well […]
4 reasons why your clients need IUL
{April 26th, 2016} by Mark Peterson
How many times have you heard that what you don’t know can’t hurt you? Actually, what you don’t know can hurt you – just ask any taxpayer who has tried to persuade the IRS not to hold them accountable for an error on their tax return because they didn’t realize it was an error. Clients who […]
PacLife in talks to buy Genworth term-life platform, office
{April 26th, 2016} by Katherine Chiglinsky
(Bloomberg) — Pacific Life Insurance Co. is considering an acquisition of Genworth Financial Inc.’s term-life platform for new policies as the firm seeks to gain technology that would help bolster its market position. Both companies are conducting due diligence, and a final decision on a deal hasn’t been reached, Newport Beach, California-based PacLife said Monday […]
Defining ‘best interest’: DOL fiduciary rule clarification?
{April 25th, 2016} by Marlene Y. Satter
Now that the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule has been issued, the Center for Financial Responsibility at Texas Tech University is seeking to define the term “best interest.” To that end, it has launched the “Best Interest Initiative,” which is focused on answering a question faced by financial advisors as they work to understand just what acting […]
Fortune picks 7 “great” insurance, finance companies to work for
{April 25th, 2016} by ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
Common threads about our contemporary work-life tend to surface each year when Fortune magazine surveys companies nationwide for its Great Place to Work® rankings. Companies that made the new 2016 list, which includes several insurance and financial service providers, have found ways to turnaround the widespread problem of disengaged, apathetic employees. These companies develop managers and policies […]
House panel moves forward with resolution to block DOL rule
{April 25th, 2016} by Nick Thornton, BenefitsPro
A resolution to block the Department of Labor from implementing its finalized fiduciary rule passed out of the House Education and the Workforce Committee on a party-line vote. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, ranking member of the Committee and one of the 14 Democrats to vote no on the resolution, said the markup session to pass the resolution […]
No, Robos Still Can’t Act as Fiduciaries, Attorney Contends
{April 25th, 2016} by Andrew Shilling
Robo advisors’ breakneck growth is being followed by a nagging question: Can they be fiduciaries? In the latest salvo in the long-running debate, Melanie L. Fein, the former senior counsel to the board of governors of the Federal Reserve, says FINRA’s March guidance on robos for B-Ds actually bolsters her argument that robos do not […]
Fischer named NY watchdog of insurers with $4 trillion of assets
{April 25th, 2016} by Katherine Chiglinsky
(Bloomberg) —New York’s financial regulator promoted Scott Fischer to be the state’s top insurance watchdog, a position that involves overseeing about 1,700 companies with more than $4 trillion of assets. Fischer, 44, a former corporate attorney, was named executive deputy superintendent for insurance, reporting to Maria Vullo, the acting superintendent of the New York State […]
Attracting millennials to insurance jobs
{April 25th, 2016} by Joe Gardyasz
Insurers are focusing more attention to attracting millennials to their workforce, and the results are paying off. Holmes Murphy & Associates, for instance, has ramped up recruitment for top insurance talent by creating The Brainery, an intensive, annual 12-week program to prepare high-potential millennials for positions within the company. “It’s a deep dive […]
Some of the Industry’s Worst Clichés: Blog
{April 25th, 2016} by Michael J. Nathanson
“From time to time,” we all “circle back,” “touch base,” go for “deeper dives” and, of course, get views “from 30,000 feet.” The financial industry has its own specific set of clichés, featuring such chestnuts as “buy low, sell high” and “don’t try to catch a falling knife.” Long gone […]
4 reasons why your clients should invest in IUL
{April 25th, 2016} by Mark Peterson
How many times have you heard that what you don’t know can’t hurt you? Actually, what you don’t know can hurt you – just ask any taxpayer who has tried to persuade the IRS not to hold them accountable for an error on their tax return because they didn’t realize it was an error. Clients who […]
Eileen McDonnell, Penn Mutual CEO, Named 2016 Business Leader of the Year
{April 25th, 2016} by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Drexel’s annual award a 62 year tradition Horsham, Pa. – April 25, 2016 – Eileen McDonnell, chairman and chief executive officer of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (Penn Mutual), was named the 2016 Business Leader of the Year by Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. A luncheon was held Apr. 5 at the Hyatt at […]
John Hancock Offers Life Insurance To Those With HIV
{April 23rd, 2016} by John Hancock Financial
Part of Manulife’s North American Effort Apr 22, 2016, 08:00 ET from John Hancock Financial BOSTON, April 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — John Hancock Insurance, in keeping with its progressive approach and commitment to its customers, now is offering term and permanent life insurance coverage to applicants living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) if they […]
Integrity Life enhances popular Indextra indexed annuity
{April 21st, 2016} by Editorial Staff
Integrity Life Insurance Co. has enhanced Indextra, a single-premium fixed indexed annuity, according to W&S Financial Group Distributors, Inc., wholesale distributor of annuities and life insurance from companies in Western & Southern Financial Group. Indextra owners can now use one- and two-year point-to-point allocation options associated with the Goldman Sachs’ GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Class (GSMAC) […]
Advisors: Get Ready for DOL-Related Technology
{April 21st, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Agents and advisors can expect life insurance carriers to begin to tweak and adjust technology systems to comply with the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule by the end of the summer or early in the fall, a consultant said. The DOL’s Conflict of Interest rule, which is designed to hold agents and advisors managing […]
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company Announces Sponsorship of The Rugby Business Network
{April 20th, 2016} by Business Wire
The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (Penn Mutual) announced its sponsorship of The Rugby Business Network (RBN), a not-for-profit organization for senior business leaders with a passion for rugby. This is Penn Mutual’s latest connection with the fastest growing sport in America, after establishing a relationship when it became the title sponsor of The Penn […]
DOL Rule Requires Securities License?: Opinion
{April 20th, 2016} by Andrew Unkefer
“Under the New Department of Labor (DOL) Rule, You Will Need a Securities License in Order to Comply…” We have seen a shocking number of scared insurance agents calling our office to verify if the above statement is true. If you are an insurance only licensed agent and you sell fixed and indexed annuities, here […]
Will the Fiduciary Rule be a Lifeline for Robos?
{April 20th, 2016} by Suleman Din
Witnessing the immediate success of digital offerings from industry giants Vanguard and Schwab in the past year, many observers had concluded that the independent robo model would be extinguished. But the pending Department of Labor fiduciary rule has spurred a reassessment among some, suggesting that even smaller platforms still have a chance to survive and […]
DOL fiduciary rule: Great for lawyers, but what about advisors?
{April 20th, 2016} by Caroline Marwitz
NASHVILLE – As he opened the NAPA 401(k) Summit Sunday afternoon, NAPA executive director and American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff started with a then-and-now comparison: “At the first 401(k) Summit, I said ‘Now we have to recognize that the 401(k) is America’s retirement plan.’” Now, at the 15th annual 401(k) Summit, Graff said, “We […]
Understanding PTE 84-24 and Potential Changes Under the DOL Proposed Rule
{April 19th, 2016} by NAFA Staff
NAFA’s Government Relations Committee (GRC) worked diligently to develop a document summarizing Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 84-24 and its current application. Given that the Department of Labor’s proposed fiduciary duty rule would amend and partially revoke PTE 84-24, it’s critical that NAFA members understand this exemption, how it would change under the proposed rule and […]
A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Aegon N.V.’s U.S. Subsidiaries
{April 19th, 2016} by Best's News Service
Oldwick – A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of the U.S. life/health subsidiaries of Aegon N.V. (Aegon) (Netherlands) [NYSE: AEG]. Aegon’s U.S. life/health companies are collectively referred to as Aegon USA Group (Aegon USA). Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR […]
The Tax Advantages Of Life Insurance And Annuities
{April 19th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Income tax returns need to be postmarked by Monday, April 18, unless advisors file for an extension. This year’s tax tips come courtesy of Prudential, whose website contains pages of tax-related strategies. Material relevant to life insurance and annuities has been condensed in the paragraphs that follow. Life Insurance Life insurance can provide beneficiaries with […]
New retirement savings rule ripples through Des Moines
{April 19th, 2016} by Matthew Pattane
A new federal rule aimed at saving retirement investors money is rippling through Des Moines, as investment advisers and companies work to figure out the full effect of the regulation. The Department of Labor recently approved a new rule for those who give retirement investment advice. Instead of just having to provide “suitable” advice to customers, […]
Financial Literacy Advocate Launches “Saving is Sexy” Campaign
{April 19th, 2016} by PRweb
CHICAGO, IL (PRWEB) APRIL 19, 2016 Financial literacy advocate Alice Wood, president, The Wealth Watchers Foundation, and former estate-planning attorney is on a mission to teach new generations of young women the importance of personal finance and how to achieve financial independence with the launch of her “Saving is Sexy” campaign. Derived from the title […]
Robo-advisors: The coming wave in the financial industry
{April 19th, 2016} by Caroline Marwitz
NASHVILLE — Never turn your back on the ocean, even metaphorically. At the NAPA 401(k) Summit this week, advisors are here to see what’s brewing in the choppy financial industry seas. One wave to watch is that of the robo-advisor trend. Robo-advising is not as futuristic-made-for-movies as it sounds. It’s simply an online software advisory solution that uses […]
Group: Define ‘Best Interest’ Before A Judge Does
{April 19th, 2016} by John Hilton
The financial services industry is best served defining the Department of Labor’s “best interest” standard for advisors before the courts do it, according to a financial planning expert. “No one has defined ‘best interest,’” said John Gilliam, a former life insurance agent and current professor at Texas Tech University. “The Department of Labor rule uses […]
Dear Advisors: Keep Selling FIAs Despite DOL Rule
{April 19th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Hot-selling fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) were dealt a blow when federal Labor Department regulators made it more difficult to distribute the products into retirement accounts. So where do FIAs go from here? In the near term, a “fire sale” effect could mean a rise in FIAs as insurance agents and brokers push to […]
Ameritas Life Closes on Acquisitions of Security Life and Health Companies
{April 18th, 2016} by Renée Kiriluk-Hill
LINCOLN, Neb. – Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. has closed on its acquisition of the Security Life and Security Health Insurance Cos. of America. The insurer plans to “maintain the Security Life small group focus while introducing Ameritas’ vast dental, vision, hearing care and LASIK products to this distribution,” said Karen Gustin, group division executive vice […]
Patrick Amaya Joins Partners Advantage as General Counse
{April 18th, 2016} by Partners Advantage Press Release
–For Immediate Release– Riverside, CA (April 18, 2016) – Partners Advantage President James Wong announced the appointment of Patrick Amaya as General Counsel. In this position, Amaya will serve as the company’s in-house legal counsel and will direct its compliance and suitability office. His office will also provide regulatory and compliance educational programs for […]
The 10 largest annuities markets for 2016
{April 18th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
How many annuity buyers are there in your city this year? Historical, aggregated data has generated big numbers on the billions in annuity sales nationwide as well as sales by carrier and product. It’s relatively simple to determine the number of prospects who should be in the market for annuities given their age and level of […]
Indexed annuities run afoul of DOL fiduciary rule: BLOG
{April 18th, 2016} by William H. Brynes
Co-written by Robert Bloink The final version of the recently released Department of Labor fiduciary rulescontained some changes to the rules governing fixed annuity products that may have surprised some advisors who deal in these products. Certain types of fixed annuities will now be subject to the heightened — and potentially costly — fiduciary standards that […]
5 to be inducted into Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame
{April 18th, 2016} by Business Record Staff
Five distinguished Iowa insurance professionals will be honored on May 19 as the newest members of the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame. The 20th annual induction ceremony will be held at the Prairie Meadows Convention Center. To be eligible for consideration, nominees must have an Iowa connection, serve as a role model for young people […]
LGBT companies are beating the stock market
{April 17th, 2016} by Jon Marino
Companies that have boards with more female or LGBT senior staff outperform those that do not, according to a Credit Suisse report. The stocks of companies that have women as board directors or lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender employees in senior roles outperform the ones that do not, according to a recent report. It’s the […]
Market & Competitive Intelligence Consultant
{April 17th, 2016} by Sammons Financial Group
Market & Competitive Intelligence Consultant (17161) JOB SUMMARY Serve as the competitive and product positioning expert being the liaison between the companies’ sales team, marketing and product development teams. Educate the sales team on the companies’ products with focus on product positioning and competiveness verses other carriers. Work directly with distributors to promote […]
Harnessing Women’s Strengths As Financial Professionals
{April 15th, 2016} by Andie Frazier
As a young woman starting out as a financial advisor in Northwest Georgia more than 20 years ago, I faced my fair share of challenges. I began my career in a very small town bereft of many professional women, let alone young women in financial services. This environment forced me to learn quickly. When clients […]
Symetra’s new indexed annuity offers rising lifetime payout rates
{April 15th, 2016} by Editorial Staff
Symetra Life Insurance Company has introduced Symetra Income Edge, a single premium fixed indexed annuity with a lifetime withdrawal benefit rider that offers growth potential during the accumulation and distribution periods. Instead of offering a “roll up” or increase in a notional “benefit base” each year, Income Edge increases the contract owner’s maximum withdrawal rate […]
A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company and Its Subsidiaries
{April 15th, 2016} by Best's News Service
Oldwick – A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company (AEILIC) and its subsidiaries, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company of New York (Lake Success, NY) and Eagle Life Insurance Company, collectively referred to as AEL. Concurrently, […]
Axa Files for Dismissal in COI Dispute
{April 15th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Axa Equitable Life Insurance has asked a court to dismiss a class-action claim filed in the wake of the insurance company’s move last year to increase cost-of-insurance (COI) rates on a block of universal life policies. Citing contractual language within the policy allowing the company to raise rates, and the approval from New York regulators, […]
Planners: We’ll Comply With DOL
{April 15th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Planners say their “core mission” of delivering advice to investors large and small will not be affected by the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule, key elements of which take effect in a year. Many of the new rule’s requirements will entail procedural changes. That will mean new costs for advisory practices around the country, […]
The Practical Impacts of the DOL Fiduciary Standard Rule Change
{April 15th, 2016} by Harry Stout
Industry Commentary & Opinions by Harry Stout Much has been written about the major potential impacts of the proposed fiduciary standard rule change but little has been discussed about the practical impacts on running an insurance business on a day-to-day basis. My belief is that with regard to the rule change the devil will be […]
Hall of Fame – Fall of Shame
{April 14th, 2016} by John Hilton
You know how the movie “The Hangover” revolves around a tiger that turned out to be Mike Tyson’s pet? Well, in real life the former heavyweight champion didn’t have a pet tiger. He had three. The rare, white Bengal tigers cost him $140,000 and then about $40,000 to feed them each year and $125,000 […]
For annuity compensation, finalized DOL rule may not be final
{April 14th, 2016} by Nick Thornton
Come April 2017, when advisors to 401(k) sponsors and IRA accounts recommend fixed indexed and variable annuities to retirement savers, they’ll do so under the Best Interest Contract Exemption, the provision of the Department of Labor’s finalized fiduciary rule that will make those advisors legally beholden to do what is in savers’ best interests. In subjecting FIAs […]
Fiduciary Rule Roils Sales Channels
{April 14th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Advisors still have a year before they must follow the code of fiduciary conduct for retirement accounts required by the last week’s Department of Labor’s rule. But there’s no doubt that changes in the regulations governing compensation will affect how and what distributors decide to sell. And don’t forget that the Conflict of Interest rule […]
Fitch: FIA Inclusion in DOL Ruling to Affect US Annuity Sales
{April 14th, 2016} by Fitch Credit Ratings
NEW YORK & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The US Department of Labor’s (DOL) finalized ruling, which now includes fixed index annuities (FIAs) along with variable annuities (VAs) under the new best interest standards, will mostly affect FIA writers, according to Fitch Ratings. The DOL Wednesday issued its Conflict of Interest Rule, also referred to as the fiduciary rule. […]
Industry associations respond to DOL fiduciary rule
{April 13th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
Several industry associations reacted to the official release of the Department of Labor’s final fiduciary rule. LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute said it is developing resources to help financial services companies adapt to the rule. “The Institute was established to offer relevant and insightful retirement research and education for every sector of the retirement market. We […]
Indexed Annuity Leadership Council Releases Statement on New DOL Regulations
{April 12th, 2016} by IALC
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) today reacted to the release of new regulations by the Department of Labor (DOL) that will significantly expand the reach of the pension law’s fiduciary obligations. The new rules will impose a high legal standard on almost anyone offering a financial product or advice […]
Final fiduciary rule: the benefits and burdens for indexed annuities
{April 12th, 2016} by ROBERT BLOINK, WILLIAM H. BYRNES
The final version of the recently released Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rules contained some changes to the rules governing fixed annuity products that may have surprised some advisors who deal in these products. Certain types of fixed annuities will now be subject to the heightened — and potentially costly — fiduciary standards that many expected to impact only […]
Symetra Introduces Symetra Income Edge Fixed Indexed Annuity with Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit
{April 12th, 2016} by Symetra
Latest addition to Symetra’s growing suite of market-leading fixed indexed annuities seeks to combine upside potential, transparency and flexibility April 12, 2016 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Symetra Life Insurance Company announced the introduction of Symetra Income Edge, a single premium fixed indexed annuity that includes a lifetime withdrawal benefit that offers withdrawals […]
The ABCs of the DOL fiduciary rule
{April 12th, 2016} by Janet Levaux
The Department of Labor released its final rule to amend the definition of fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The DOL first shared copies of the new rule with the Federal Register. According to Labor Secretary Tom Perez, some 300,000 comments came in on the proposed rule, and many adjustments were made to […]
CNO Names Former Allianz Executive as New President
{April 12th, 2016} by Dennis Gorski
CARMEL, Ind. – CNO Financial Group has named a former Allianz senior executive as its new president, and promoted a company veteran to the position of chief financial officer. Appointed president was Gary Bhojwani, previously a member of the board of management at Allianz SE, chairman of Allianz of America, Allianz Life Insurance Co., and […]
Attorney: No Reasoning Behind DOL Treatment Of FIAs In Fiduciary Rule
{April 12th, 2016} by John Hilton
The future of fixed indexed annuity sales is up in the air after the Department of Labor added an unexpected wrinkle to its fiduciary rule. And a Washington attorney said he believes the rule should be re-issued as a result. FIAs have always been afforded the 84-24 Prohibited Transaction Exemption, which classified them as an […]
National Association for Fixed Annuities Responds to DOL Fiduciary Rule
{April 12th, 2016} by NAFA
NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, and Executive Director Chip Anderson released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Labor’s issuance of its fiduciary duty rule WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRWEB) APRIL 08, 2016 On April 6, the U.S. Department of Labor formally released its fiduciary rule which will have wide-spread impact on […]
Individual Life Applications Rise in March, Closes ‘Strongest Quarter Yet,’ MIB Reports
{April 12th, 2016} by Dennis Gorski
BRAINTREE, Mass. – Applications for individual life insurance policies in the United States rose 4.9% in March, compared with a year ago, according to market research from MIB Group. The month also concluded the “strongest quarter yet of the current expansion,” the group said in its monthly MIB Life Index, and outshone last year’s first […]
In other news…
{April 12th, 2016} by Jamie Johnson
You’ll notice in this week’s newsletter that a majority of the articles from this past week are all about the DOL Fiduciary Rule; especially as it pertains to indexed annuities. Here are some direct links to the “other industry news” included from this past week, if you need to step away from the rule for just […]
Observers Worry DOL Rule Change Could Hurt Fixed Indexed Annuities
{April 12th, 2016} by Frank Klimko
WASHINGTON – Although the new conflict-of-interest fiduciary rule adopted a broad swath of insurance industry-friendly language, trade representatives continue to harbor misgivings that the standards on fixed indexed annuities could hurt sales, reduce commissions and disrupt the annuity marketplace. The new FIA rules are part of the final fiduciary regulation just published by U.S. Department […]
Trouble Ahead! Baby Boomers’ Retirement Outlook on the Decline
{April 12th, 2016} by IRI
Study: Few boomers are confident in attaining financial security in retirement; Many not Saving or planning WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) today released a new research report that found less than a quarter of Baby Boomers, 24 percent, are confident they will have enough savings to last throughout their retirement years. This is the […]
Sammons Retirement Solutions Inc. Announces Record Company Growth
{April 11th, 2016} by MarketWire
WEST DES MOINES, IA –(Marketwired – April 11, 2016) – Sammons Retirement Solutions® Inc., creator of the innovative LiveWell® Annuity Series and LiveWell® Mutual Fund IRA Series, announced record-breaking company growth in 2015. The company, which was created in 2011 and began actively selling in 2012, works exclusively through independent financial professionals and their broker/dealers. […]
Athene USA Launches New and Redesigned Annuity Suite of Products
{April 11th, 2016} by Athene
West Des Moines, IA (April 11, 2016) – Athene USA, a leading provider of products in the retirement savings market, today announced the launch of an ambitious initiative, centered around a dynamic suite of both new and enhanced products focused on helping customers achieve their financial goals. Athene Performance Elite®, already one of the industry’s […]
FIA sales spotlighted in DOL rule
{April 11th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
Fixed index annuities appear to be the product most affected by the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary standard regulation, according to analysts. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysts called the decision to reclassify FIAs as eligible for sale under federal regulation instead of state regulation “a notable negative” of the final rule. Standard & Poor’s estimated […]
DOL rule: Expect changes to products, distribution & compensation
{April 11th, 2016} by Warren S. Hersch
With the Department of Labor’s much anticipated conflict-of-interest or fiduciary standards now finalized, industry stakeholders are offering varying assessments on the regulatory impact. Among the prognosticators: Fitch Ratings. The international credit ratings agency stated in a comment letter issued shortly before publication of the finalized regulations that it expects changes to product offerings, distribution strategies […]
The Fiduciary Rule Impact on Compensation Explained
{April 11th, 2016} by John Hilton
Now that the Department of Labor has finally published its fiduciary rule, it is time for advisors and firms to consider how their lives will change. Take compensation, for example. Plenty of accusations and hypothetical situations were bandied about during the past year since the DOL released its tentative fiduciary rule. Now that the rule […]
New Retirement Rules: Winners and Losers
{April 9th, 2016} by Ben Levison
Last week, the Labor Department issued a new set of rules mandating that stockbrokers, insurance agents, and financial advisors must choose investments with their clients’ best interests in mind. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? It should be, and for registered investment advisors, who have long been held to a higher standard, it is. But brokers […]
Fiduciary Opponents to DOL: See You in Court?
{April 8th, 2016} by John Hilton
Opponents and analysts of the Department of Labor’s controversial fiduciary rule long predicted litigation would greet its publication. Now that the final rule is out, insiders are even more convinced that lawsuits are on the way. “While the Department of Labor addressed many of the concerns expressed during the comment period, the final regulation still […]
New DOL rule will force insurers to adapt
{April 8th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
(Washington) — The Department of Labor’s new market conduct rule will have a long-term impact on insurers and agents in the life insurance business, according to a new report by Standard & Poor’s. It specifically eyed variable and fixed index annuities, which S&P analysts project is a $190 billion annual business for insurers, because the new […]
Being a woman will cost you $430,480 over your working lifetime
{April 8th, 2016} by SARAH MCGREGOR
What’s the individual damage from gender inequality in the workplace? For the average U.S. woman it’s more than $430,000 over the course of her career, according to an analysis by the National Women’s Law Center, a non-profit advocacy group. The gender pay-gap issue has come to the fore following criticism from President Barack Obama that women […]
Annuities’ alphabet soup: choosing the best option
{April 8th, 2016} by Scott Stolz
Despite the fact that annuities are uniquely designed to provide guaranteed income for life, over the last 30 years, they have been used mostly as a means to provide tax-deferred accumulation. The commonly held belief has been that as the baby boomers continue to age, much of the $3 trillion-plus in estimated annuity assets will eventually […]
Insurance Industry Seeks Major Edits to NAIC Cybersecurity Model Draft
{April 8th, 2016} by Thomas Harman
NEW ORLEANS – Insurance groups are asking a National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ cybersecurity task force if they could meet to re-write or discuss significant portions of its draft cybersecurity model law, but North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm, the panel chairman, said he would only be willing to hold private talks. Discussions on the […]
DOL rule puts new restrictions on indexed annuities
{April 8th, 2016} by Business Record Staff
Sales of indexed annuities could be adversely affected under new rules released this week by the U.S. Department of Labor, according to a local annuity expert. Several insurers specializing in indexed annuities are based in or have operations in Greater Des Moines. Under the new rules, indexed annuities would no longer be exempt under the […]
Social Media Hot Takes on Final DOL Fiduciary Rule
{April 8th, 2016} by WealthManagement Staff
Everyone from legislators to individual financial advisors to concerned investors weighed in on the final Department of Labor fiduciary rule, which was released today. The rule, which requires advisors overseeing retirement accounts to act under a fiduciary standard to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own, took six years to formalize. It elicited more than 400,000 public […]
Lawyer: Why FIA Sellers Can Challenge the DOL on Fiduciary
{April 8th, 2016} by John Hilton
The Department of Labor did what everyone expected with its fiduciary rule: came out swinging, took in comments and criticism with a smile, then backed off in the final rule. It’s classic, tried-and-true policymaking. So how does that explain the DOL’s curious decision to take an opposite tack with fixed indexed annuities? While the department’s […]
For Broker/Dealers, a Massive Shift in Thinking
{April 8th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Broker/dealers will find themselves challenged in the wake of the Department of Labor’s “conflict of interest” rule — although perhaps not so much for the reasons that have grabbed the headlines over the past 12 months. The biggest change facing broker/dealers is that their registered representatives must start thinking more like financial planners. This is […]
MetLife judge found fault with FSOC ‘too big to fail’ review
{April 7th, 2016} by ANDREW HARRIS, KATHERINE CHIGLINSKY
(Bloomberg) — The U.S. government panel that decided MetLife Inc. was too big to fail erred by not evaluating the insurer’s vulnerability to financial distress, according to the federal judge who rescinded that designation last week. That finding was one of several underpinning U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer’s March 30 legal opinion which was unsealed […]
Post DOL Fiduciary Standard, Robo-Advisors Versus Real Advisors
{April 7th, 2016} by Charlie Gipple, CLU,®ChFC® - Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, Partners Advantage
This is an excerpt to the full whitepaper by Charlie Gipple:“What Robo-Advisors CanNOT Do That You Can An Introduction to Behavioral Finance” Whether we are talking about life insurance sales, annuity sales or investment sales, one thing is indisputable, MONEY IS EMOTIONAL. I believe financial professionals can never be replaced, because “robo-advisors” cannot adequately help […]
CHART ILLUSTRATING CHANGES FROM DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S 2015 CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROPOSAL TO FINAL
{April 7th, 2016} by United States Department of Labor
The changes in the retirement landscape over the last 40 years have increased the importance of sound investment advice for workers and their families. The Department’s conflict of interest final rule and related exemptions will protect investors by requiring all who provide retirement investment advice to plans and IRAs to abide by a “fiduciary” standard—putting […]
Iowa Insurance Division receives national education recognition
{April 7th, 2016} by Business Record
The Iowa Insurance Division was honored yesterday at the second annual Innovation in Financial Education Awards presented by Nasdaq and EverFi. The award recognizes the Iowa Insurance Division’s significant efforts to improve the financial capability of Americans through unique digital learning initiatives. Since the beginning of the 2015 school year, the Iowa Insurance Division has […]
10 compliance challenges annuity providers will face in 2016
{April 7th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
As if the finalized Department of Labor fiduciary rule is not enough of a challenge for the annuities market to tackle, several other regulatory and compliance issues are still important for carriers, producers and independent marketing organizations to focus on this year. Kevin Mechtley, consultant with First Consulting and Administration, outlined compliance issues likely to […]
Industry Mobilizes Over DOL Fiduciary Ruling
{April 7th, 2016} by Editorial Staff
WINDSOR, Conn., April 7, 2016—In response to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final fiduciary rule published today, LIMRA LOMA Secure Retirement Institute is developing a number of resources to help financial services companies adapt to the new fiduciary rule. “The Institute was established to offer relevant and insightful retirement research and education for every sector […]
Industry insiders react cautiously to DOL fiduciary rule
{April 7th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
Insurers, and their trade groups in general, appear to be adopting a wait-and-see approach to the Department of Labor’s publication of its new fiduciary standard rule. However, unlike previous comments about the potential impact of the rule, none used the word “sue” to describe their reaction. At the same time, officials of the indexed annuity […]
NAIC RESPONDS TO METLIFE COURT DECISION
{April 7th, 2016} by NAIC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 07, 2016) — The U.S. District Court’s opinion released today confirms what members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have long argued: the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s (FSOC) designation of Metlife as a systemically important financial institution is flawed. “State insurance regulators are directly involved in national and international efforts […]
Surprise: DOL Rule Targets Indexed Annuities
{April 7th, 2016} by Kerry Pechter
Advisors and agents who sell fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) to retirement account owners on a commission basis will have to pledge to act in the “best interest” of the purchaser under the final version of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule and its prohibited transaction exemptions, which the DOL released yesterday. Specifically, FIA sellers will […]
Royal Neighbors Stands Up for Women’s Rights… Again
{April 7th, 2016} by Royal Neighbors
Waiver of premium rider allows for focus on healing (Mesa, AZ) Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation’s largest women-led life insurers, has once again taken a stand to support women. In 2015, the 120-year-old organization made headlines when it launched the initial stage of a patent-pending process including a Cancer Waiver rider designed […]
Fiduciary rule may be long-run “negative” for life insurers: Fitch
{April 7th, 2016} by Editorial Staff
The new regulations could have a “negative impact on the sale of certain annuity products, drive changes in product offerings, distribution strategies and compensation structures and lead to increased operational costs,” a Fitch release said. The US Department of Labor (DOL) proposal promoting new “best interest” standards that provide protections primarily to individual and small […]
Variable and fixed-indexed annuities feel sting of DOL fiduciary rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Greg Iacurci
Those who thought fixed indexed annuities would be a benefactor of the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule may want to think again. Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required “Indexed annuities were variable-annuity carriers’ Plan B. Now, they’re having to come up with Plan C,” said […]
Compliance in U.S. Department of Labor world: Much ado about nothing?: Opinion
{April 6th, 2016} by John Sarich
With the Department of Labor’s finalized amendment regarding the regulations on fiduciary responsibility for retirement products — including annuities,life insurance and other life products — it’s timely to take a look at the compliance implications for carriers, distributors, agents and advisors. Over the past 18 months, the retirement industry has been attempting to gain a […]
10 changes to the finalized DOL fiduciary rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Nick Thornton
Final fiduciary rule version attempts to address industry comments and concerns Photo: Getty With what Labor Secretary Thomas Perez called a “keen ear and healthy dose of humility,” the Department of Labor has finalized a fiduciary rule after making what he called substantial changes to the proposed version. Never a fan of the suitability standard […]
How stricter rules for brokers will affect retirement savers
{April 6th, 2016} by Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — High fees. Conflicts of interest. Inappropriate investments. The Obama administration is going after a host of perceived rip-offs with the new rules it’s unveiling Wednesday for brokers who recommend investments for retirement savers. No longer will brokers who sell stocks, bonds, annuities and other products be required just to recommend investments that […]
How the final DOL fiduciary rule will impact advisors
{April 6th, 2016} by Jamie Johnson
With the ink still fresh on the Department of Labor’s finalized fiduciary standard for investment professionals who advise on retirement plan accounts, an industry-wide debate has begun as to whether the DOL made enough changes to its earlier draft to mollify industry concerns. The initial assessment: The DOL proved responsive on the margins, streamlining, clarifying […]
DOL Final Rule Change Could Hurt FIA Sales
{April 6th, 2016} by John Hilton
While the final fiduciary rule contains plenty of concessions by the Department of Labor, one significant change is expected to hurt fixed indexed annuity sales. The DOL opted to toughen the rule by adding FIAs to the Best Interest Contract Exemption, along with variable annuities. ‘While this had been discussed at various times, we most […]
John Hancock Rewards Consumers For Healthy Eating
{April 6th, 2016} by PRNewswire
BOSTON, April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — John Hancock Insurance today announced an expansion of its game-changing John Hancock Vitality solution with the addition of the HealthyFood program. Now, John Hancock Vitality policyholders can earn rewards for the healthy food choices they make every day with real-time discounts and/or cash-back up to $600 a year on […]
A look at the future of life insurance policy illustrations
{April 6th, 2016} by Emily Holbrook
(Las Vegas) The topic of illustrations for life insurance product sales and marketing purposes has become a hot button issue among consumers, regulatory groups and life insurance companies. Speaking on the topic at the 2016 LIMRA Life Insurance Conference in Las Vegas were: Michael Lovendusky, vice president and associate gerneral counsel, American Council of Life […]
A Commission Ban Is Not the Answer
{April 6th, 2016} by Marketwired
New Canadian academic research identifies a negative impact on wealth accumulation, economy We’ll look across our borders from time to time to analyze trends in the financial services industry that may have implications for our markets here. Her, the topic of compensation is always front-of-mind for advisors. TORONTO, ON–(Marketwired – April 04, 2016) – A […]
Donelon: Proposal for Two-Year Cooling-Off Period for CEO Hire Is to Prevent Appearance of Conflict of Interest
{April 6th, 2016} by Thomas Harman
NEW ORLEANS – Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said he’s making a proposal to ban any commissioner with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners from becoming chief executive officer until after leaving the group for two years. Donelon made the proposal during the NAIC’s April 4 executive committee held during the NAIC’s 2016 Spring National […]
DOL Fiduciary Rule
{April 6th, 2016} by DOL
Final Rule: Read the final rule and associated documents FAQs: Conflicts of Interest Rulemaking Fact Sheet: Final rule to protect retirement savings Chart: Compare the proposed and final rules Final Rule: Read the final rule and associated documents
Twitter reactions to the finalized DOL fiduciary rule #SaveYourSavings
{April 6th, 2016} by Carley Meiners
April 6th was the day we’ve all were waiting for: The Department of Labor released its finalized fiduciary rule. Many people voiced their opinion and followed along as the DOL shared a live announcement on the rule. Twitter blew up with reactions about the DOL’s fiduciary rule. Click HERE for a collection of Tweets on what is being discussed.
DOL Did Some Scaling Back On Final Rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Julie Anderson
As expected by some people close to the process, DOL scaled back its final fiduciary rule based on extensive consultation with financial services industry groups, consumer advocates and the public. Under the new regulation, a fiduciary is defined as any person who receives compensation for providing investment recommendations that are “individualized or specifically directed” to […]
Annuity Industry Caught Off-Guard By DOL Rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
They didn’t make it, and the annuity industry was caught off-guard. Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs), which had originally been left out of a draft proposal of the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule, were added to variable annuities as the two classes of annuity products requiring an exemption. For advisors to proceed with a sale […]
Frequently asked questions about the DOL fiduciary rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Elizabeth MacBride
Answers to common sources of confusion or misunderstanding about the new regulation Q:What are the significant changes under the new rule? A:Under current rules, some advisers in the retirement industry operate under a standard that requires advice to be suitable for a client, but not necessarily in the client’s best interests. Some retirement investment advice […]
Rules for Indexed Annuities Face an Unexpected Tightening
{April 6th, 2016} by ANNA PRIOR and LESLIE SCISM
Move comes as indexed-annuity sales jumped to $54.5 billion last year Just days ago, it appeared that new U.S. rules on retirement-savings advice might inadvertently boost sales of an insurance-company product that has drawn criticism for its complexity and high compensation to sellers. Instead, the final rule issued by the Labor Department on Wednesday toughens standards for […]
Critics say DOL fiduciary rule makes too many industry concessions
{April 6th, 2016} by Jeff Benjamin and Liz Skinner
The rule the Department of Labor published Wednesday raising investment advice standards for retirement accounts is so watered down in response to industry concerns that investors may not be any better off, critics say. Even though the new regulation would boost the advice bar for brokers, the final rule clarifies that there is no bias […]
Inside the Pros and Cons of a New Fiduciary Rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Bloomberg
SIFMA President and CEO Ken Bentsen discusses the pros and cons of a new fiduciary rule. He speaks on “Bloomberg Markets.” Click HERE for video “We just think the way the department went about it, at least in their proposal, was very problematic and has negative, unintended consequences” – Bentsen, SIFMA President and CEO
How SEC Lost the Race to Regulate Retirement Advice
{April 6th, 2016} by YUKA HAYASHI, DAVE MICHAELS
A partisan divide among commissioners slowed SEC down WASHINGTON—If there is one big mystery about the tough new rule for stockbrokers who give retirement advice, it is this: Why on earth is it coming out of the Labor Department? That sort of financial service is typically regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. But […]
How much time will be needed to comply with DOL fiduciary rule?
{April 6th, 2016} by Emily Zulz
The Department of Labor is on the verge of implementing its rule redefining fiduciary on retirement accounts — are advisors and firms prepared for this new ERISA rule? While there are many outstanding questions about what the final rule will actually say, a big concern seems to be the amount of time given for advisors […]
Large Banks and Small Banks Are Allies, Not Enemies: Opinion
{April 6th, 2016} by Jamie Dimon
The financial-services industry relies on the healthy interdependence of banks of all sizes. Not long ago, I read a commentary written by the CEO of a regional bank that excoriated big banks. The grievances weren’t new or surprising, but I recognized the bank as a client of J.P. Morgan Chase, the company I lead. […]
Fiduciary Rule Expected to Spur Industry Upheaval
{April 6th, 2016} by Ann Marsh
WASHINGTON – The newly announced fiduciary rule could remake the planning industry, ushering in the most successful, ambitious regulatory effort in more than 40 years. “These new rules will level the playing field so that retirement advisors will compete based on the quality of advice they give,” Jeff Zients, director of the National Economic Council, […]
Biggest banks to face tougher debt limits to end too-big-to fail
{April 6th, 2016} by John Glover
Global regulators are considering how to raise capital requirements for the world’s biggest banks as they implement tougher debt-financing limits designed to rein in too-big-to fail lenders. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision already imposes higher capital ratios on the 30 largest global banks, led by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and HSBC Holdings Plc, based […]
Study Shows Positive Climate For Life Insurance
{April 6th, 2016} by PRNewswire
ARLINGTON, Va. and WINDSOR, Conn., April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — An increase in consumers willing to recommend life insurance to others contributes to a more positive climate for the product, according to the 2016 Insurance Barometer Study. The study, conducted jointly by not-for-profit research industry trade association LIMRA and the non-profit educational organization Life Happens, finds 66 percent of […]
Survey Finds Vast Majority of Financial Professionals Expect Continued Indexed Annuities Sales Growth in the Next Year
{April 6th, 2016} by Saybrus Partners
April 06, 2016 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to a recent survey conducted by Saybrus Partners, Inc., a vast majority of financial professionals (83%) expect an increase in indexed annuities sales in the next 12 months. Also, of those polled, more than half (52%) expect sales growth of more than 10% in […]
Half of Insurance Shoppers Giving Inaccurate Information
{April 6th, 2016} by Don Jergler
Half of Insurance Shoppers Giving Inaccurate Information It seems there’s no shortage of financial dishonesty. Two recent surveys seem to indicate that many of us are perfectly willing to lie to save a few bucks. A survey of 2,115 American adults from NerdWallet released last month shows a surprising number of people will tell a […]
Final DOL fiduciary rule issued
{April 6th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
Insurers will be given greater latitude than initially forecast in selling proprietary products, such as annuities, into investment accounts under the final fiduciary standard, or Best Interest Contract (BIC) regulation published by the Department of Labor today. However, an expert on retirement income legal issues is reacting with great caution to the revised rule. C. […]
DOL Releases Final Fiduciary Rule
{April 6th, 2016} by Diana Britton and David Armstrong
The Department of Labor today released its final rule requiring advisors overseeing retirement accounts to act under a fiduciary standard to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. While the broad strokes of the rule have been known for some time, the Dept. of Labor tweaked the final version to “minimize” the compliance burden on […]
New ‘Fiduciary’ Rule on Financial Advisers to Be Unveiled April 6
{April 5th, 2016} by DAVE MICHAELS
Labor Department rule to set new limits on brokers’ financial advice for people saving for retirement WASHINGTON—The Obama administration is set to unveil a final rule next Wednesday that will impose new limits on how brokers offer financial advice to people saving for retirement, according to people familiar with the matter. Supporters of the “fiduciary rule,” including […]
American Equity: Dave Noble Retirement
{April 5th, 2016} by American Equity
In 1995, American Equity’s Executive Chairman Dave Noble retired for three days. In 2016, it is with mixed emotions that Mr. Noble announces his retirement, once again, effective July 1st. Noble will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and remain as Chairman. Click HERE to read more about American Equity
IndexedGirl’s May speaking event
{April 5th, 2016} by WInk's RockStars
Wink’s CEO, Sheryl J. Moore will be speaking at the upcoming Collabrix DOL Strategy Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa on May 23rd. Speakers at the event include: Where is the Indexed RockStar off to next? […]
Impact of DOL fiduciary rule: small investors will lose access
{April 5th, 2016} by LifeHealthPro Editors
More than half (55 percent) of retail advisors believe they will have to drop or turn away small investors and half will stop handling small rollover business when the Department of Labor’s proposed fiduciary rule is implemented, according to a new LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute survey. What is considered a small investor varies from advisor to advisor, […]
Fitch: DOL Proposal Could Affect US Individual Annuity Sales
{April 5th, 2016} by Fitch Credit Ratings
NEW YORK & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A US Department of Labor (DOL) proposal promoting new best interest standards that provide protections primarily to individual and small business investors related to retirement accounts and annuities could affect US individual annuity sales, according to Fitch Ratings. The proposal, expected to be finalized imminently, is viewed as credit neutral to […]
Third-Party BDs Angle for Position as Fiduciary Rule Draws Near
{April 5th, 2016} by Margarida Correia
LPL Financial isn’t the only third-party broker-dealer hustling to get ahead of the Labor Department’s anticipated fiduciary rule. At least two other firms are also busy implementing plans to position themselves favorably against their competitors once the rule is released. CUSO Financial Services and Infinex Financial Group are planning to not only lower minimums and […]
A Dodd-Frank Watchdog Still Growls, on a Slightly Tighter Leash
{April 5th, 2016} by Peter Eavis
At first glance, two events this week suggest that federal regulators are losing ground against “too big to fail” financial institutions. The 2008 financial crisis revealed that both banks and financial firms that were not banks — like the American International Group — could pose a devastating risk to the financial system and the wider […]
AIG CEO says MetLife ‘too big to fail’ ruling an opportunity
{April 5th, 2016} by Sudarshan Varadhan
A judge’s ruling that MetLife Inc (MET.N) is not “too big to fail” opens up an opportunity for insurer American International Group Inc (AIG.N) to seek an exemption from the tag, AIG Chief Executive Peter Hancock said on CNBC on Thursday. However, Hancock said AIG was “reserving judgment” for now. AIG’s near collapse in […]
AIG CEO Sees 29% Cut in 2015 Short-term Incentive Pay
{April 5th, 2016} by David Pilla
NEW YORK – American International Group Inc. said its chief executive officer saw his short-term incentive pay shrink by 29% based on the insurer’s performance in 2015. AIG said in a proxy statement for its May 11 annual meeting, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that early in 2016, President and CEO Peter […]
Former Insurance Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Clients Out of More Than $500,000
{April 5th, 2016} by Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Oklahoma
TULSA, Okla.–A former insurance agent and owner of Grand Lake Investments and Insurance in Grove, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to implementing a fraudulent scheme that caused his clients to lose $505,126.43, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Special Agent in Charge R. Damon Rowe of the Internal Revenue […]
American National Life Insurance Company of New York is Proud to Announce an Indexed Universal Life Policy with Multiple Indexed Strategies- the Signature Indexed Universal Life Policy is Now Available in New York
{April 5th, 2016} by American National
GLENMONT, N.Y., April 04, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American National Life Insurance Company of New York (American National) announces the Signature Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) policy is available in New York [April 4, 2016]. These life insurance policies provide a combination of death benefit and accumulation value to provide for protection and growth potential. […]
Just call us Principal.
{April 5th, 2016} by Principal
Same name. Same company. Now with an exciting new global look to better represent who we are and where we’re headed in the future. We’ve always been about helping people but our business has changed substantially during the past decades. Our new logo is designed to reflect that. It balances our global expertise with an […]
NAIC Group Capital Calculation Will Not Become Model Law
{April 5th, 2016} by Thomas Harman
NEW ORLEANS – The new capital standard calculation to be developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners will be just that – and not a model law – according to the chairman of the panel responsible for its development. The issue was one of concern to industry officials watching to determine what the ultimate […]
Insurance Industry Pushes IAIS for Early Access During Policy Development
{April 5th, 2016} by Thomas Harman
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. insurance industry officials made their push for greater involvement in earlier stages of international insurance regulatory development, while the International Association of Insurance Supervisors appears to make moves to address the situation. Andrew Stolfi, a former Illinois regulator who is now the IAIS’ senior policy advisor and chief counsel, sought out […]
The Future of Robo-Advice
{April 5th, 2016} by Joe Mansueto
‘I’d love to see several of the start-up robo-advisors thrive in the coming years. But most face serious economic headwinds,’ writes the founder and CEO of Morningstar, Inc. Many people often ask me what I think of robo-advisors—the many automated investment management sites that have emerged over the past few years. On the investment side, […]
Voya Financial to Announce First Quarter 2016 Results on May 4
{April 5th, 2016} by Voya
NEW YORK, April 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that it will host an audio webcast of its first quarter 2016 earnings conference call on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ET). The webcast will follow the issuance of the company’s first quarter 2016 earnings press release […]
Insurance M&A may continue amid some ‘patchy’ results, S&P says
{April 4th, 2016} by Katherine Chiglinsky
(Bloomberg) — The flurry of insurance mergers and acquisitions that yielded about $150 billion of transactions globally in 2015 may endure even after years of “patchy” results for some companies making deals, according to ratings firm Standard & Poor’s. “We believe the deal flow for M&A in the insurance industry will continue in 2016, albeit more […]
Will Floating Rate Annuities Shake Up the Market?
{April 4th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Here’s a dilemma that many annuity investors haven’t had to face in many years: as rates rise, the price of their fixed annuity investments fall. Who wants to buy their old annuities if new annuities coming into the market are paying more interest? Good question, and one that Security Benefit Life in Topeka, Kan., have […]
NAIC launches retirement security initiative
{April 4th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners launched a retirement security initiative focused on education, consumer protection and product innovation. NAIC President and Missouri Insurance Director John M. Huff announced the initiative during opening remarks at the association’s spring national meeting in New Orleans. “Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of 10,000 per day, and the […]
What insurers expect in 2016, according to A.M. Best survey
{April 4th, 2016} by Phil Gusman
Insurers across all sectors — Property & Casualty, Life/Annuity and Health — shared their views on a range of topics from the economy to competition in the industry in A.M. Best’s Winter 2015/2016 Insurance Industry Survey. The survey comes as Oldwick, N.J.-based ratings agency A.M. Best maintains negative outlooks on the Commercial Lines, Reinsurance and Health […]
Voya Launches Orange House Sweepstakes™ — One Winner to Take Home $300,000
{April 4th, 2016} by Jamie Johnson
Survey finds more than one-third of Americans would use the $300,000 to pay off their mortgage or purchase their dream house in retirement WINDSOR, Conn., April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today the launch of its Orange House Sweepstakes™. The campaign will offer one winner1 the chance to take home $300,000 […]
North American Company for Life and Health Insurance(R) Releases e-App for Annuities
{April 4th, 2016} by North American
WEST DES MOINES, IA–(Marketwired – April 04, 2016) – North American Company announced today the release of a new electronic application (e-App) system for fixed annuity products. The new system allows financial professionals to fill out and submit annuity applications online, effectively improving turnaround time for processing applications. “We’re thrilled to offer this technology to […]
