Americans turn to annuities for reliable income
{June 30th, 2016} by Tony Vaziri
Financial experts say annuities may be the better option for a dependable, long-term means of retirement savings. A closer look at annuities Annuities have long been considered one of the most secure, versatile instruments for retirement. Annuities involve far less risk than investments in the stock market, and they can help people gain potential protection […]
FMOs Have Options to Comply With DOL Rule
{June 30th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
It’s going to be a busy month of July for managers with field marketing organizations (FMOs), as they seek to chart a future direction for their companies following new federal regulations designed to protect investors in the retirement market. Under the new Department of Labor fiduciary rules issued in April, FMOs were denied the authority to certify whether […]
5 Things You Didn’t Know Life Insurance Could Do
{June 30th, 2016} by Raymond Caucci
When you think of life insurance, what usually comes to mind is the death benefit—the amount of money that is paid out to your beneficiaries when you die. And that certainly is the main reason most people get life insurance. Keep in mind, however, that there are two major types of insurance. Term life insurance […]
Competitive Market Intelligence Consultant: Life products
{June 30th, 2016} by Lincoln Financial Group
Location: Hartford, CT (Connecticut) Relocation assistance is not available for this opportunity. Requisition #7441 About the Company Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help empower Americans to take charge of their financial lives with confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to help […]
What millennials are doing right — and wrong — about retirement
{June 30th, 2016} by Suzanne Woolley
(Bloomberg) — Millennials may be overly confident about their investing skills, but many are handling their 401(k)s with savvy, a new study by Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement & Trust suggests. More than a quarter of younger workers — 28 percent — have at least 10 percent deducted from their paychecks, according to the study. It analyzed the […]
Basketball Legend Magic Johnson Hosts Picnic for His Iowa Employees
{June 30th, 2016} by MICHAEL DASILVA
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A basketball legend was in Iowa for a picnic Friday. Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is the owner of the insurance company EquiTrust, which has an office in West Des Moines. He has been part of the company for a year and a half now. Johnson said he put the […]
Pacific Life completes acquisition of Genworth term life business
{June 29th, 2016} by IFAwebnews Staff
Pacific Life Insurance Co. has completed its acquisition of the term life business platform from Genworth Financial, based in Richmond, Va. The term life business will be located in Lynchburg, Va., where Genworth ran its term life unit. The initial distribution is expected to begin operations during the fourth quarter of 2016. Financial terms of the transaction […]
Voices You already have all the tools to beat robos. Get started. : OPINION
{June 29th, 2016} by Matt Sonnen
When meeting with advisers in their offices, I often hear, “The average age of our client base is 67 years old. We know the statistics — 90% of children fire their parent’s adviser. We are scared to death that we will lose the next generation. We need to offer a robo solution because these kids […]
U.S. insurers ‘less exposed’ by Brexit than other sectors
{June 29th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
The anticipated effect of the U.K.’s surprising decision to leave the EU: Consistently low rates WASHINGTON — A sustained period of lower interest rates, with all its negative implications for insurers, is the most likely effect on the American insurance industry as a result of Britain’s unexpected decision to exit the European Union, according to a […]
MetLife slumps as Bill Gross laments life Insurers’ prospects
{June 29th, 2016} by Agnel Philip
(Bloomberg) — MetLife Inc. slumped in New York trading as the Brexit vote in the U.K. pushed down bond yields, threatening investment income from the company’s portfolio. MetLife, the largest U.S. life insurer, dropped 8.6 percent to $40.36 at 12:34 p.m., extending its loss for the year to 16 percent. Lincoln National Corp. declined 10 percent and […]
Maria Vullo confirmed as New York’s top financial services regulator
{June 29th, 2016} by Allison Bell
Members of the New York state Senate have voted to make Maria Vullo the superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Regulation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, nominated Vullo to succeed Benjamin Lawsky as the head of the department in February. The department oversees about 1,500 insurers and about 1,600 financial institutions. Click HERE […]
Dodd-Frank drafters rip MetLife ruling
{June 29th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
WASHINGTON — If sustained, a lower court ruling barring federal financial regulators from overseeing MetLife would “fundamentally undermine” Congressional intent, a liberal-leaning legal trade group said today in a friend of the court brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The brief was filed by the Constitutional Accountability Center in MetLife v. Financial […]
The rules for revoking an irrevocable trust
{June 29th, 2016} by Tom Nawrocki
Clients seeking some measure of certainty in their estate plans often put their confidence in an irrevocable trust. The very name of the vehicle would seem to ensure that the client’s wishes will be carried out, no matter what. But if the trust grantor and beneficiaries collectively decide to change the terms of the trust, […]
‘Surprising’ LGBT Growth Good News For Advisors
{June 29th, 2016} by Juliette Fairley
About 47% of millennials between the ages of 25 and 37 identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) compared to 24% of boomers and 28% of Gen Xers, according to Prudential’s 2016/2017 LGBT Financial Experience study. “The increase in the number of LGBT couples who have married in the past four years is a surprising […]
Making the case for fixed index annuities
{June 29th, 2016} by Donald Jay Korn
The annuity industry has literally had its ups and downs lately. And while the road ahead may split in different directions, advisers who know how to decipher the signposts can help clients stay on course. For the first quarter of 2016 (the latest data available), fixed indexed annuity sales jumped by 35% over the prior […]
Foresters Financial Celebrates National Insurance Awareness Day
{June 28th, 2016} by Foresters Financial
NEW YORK, NY, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – Foresters Financial is proud to participate in National Insurance Awareness Day—an annual campaign held every June 28 to remind Americans about the importance of life insurance. “We are proud to participate in this event,” said Carol Springsteen, President of Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company, a subsidiary […]
Brexit turmoil only beginning to play out for life insurers
{June 28th, 2016} by Chris Hughes
(Bloomberg) — A crisis in financial markets normally equals a crisis in the insurance industry.Insurers have done plenty to defend themselves against the Brexit storm, but they are entering an environment where having enough capital will come a distant second to having a lot more than enough. The companies’ problem is that they are big investors in […]
Brexit: 5 areas financial advisors should watch
{June 28th, 2016} by BERNICE NAPACH
Markets plummeted in the aftermath of the historic British vote, but don’t panic Just like no one really knew how the Brexit vote would turn out — and many forecasters got it wrong — it’s difficult to know now how Britain’s vote to leave the EU will affect global economies and markets in the longer […]
Federal Judge Could Hear Fiduciary Rule Arguments by Nov. 1
{June 28th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Plaintiffs have reached agreement with the Department of Labor on a schedule that will have attorneys making oral arguments on the fiduciary rule before a judge by the end of October. That is just a little more than five months before the first clauses of the regulation are scheduled to take effect. Still, the proposed agenda will serve the interests of “judiciary economy and efficiency,” the […]
Prudential 2016/2017 LGBT Financial Experience: Obergefell decision yields financial confidence, but still a long road to true financial security
{June 28th, 2016} by Prudential Financial
Click here to watch Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case that brought marriage equality to America, discuss progress for the LGBT community amid remaining barriers to true financial security. June 23, 2016 02:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In its first survey of LGBT Americans since the U.S. Supreme […]
The Phoenix Sale Complete; CEO Steps Down
{June 28th, 2016} by Mara Lee
The Phoenix Sale Complete; CEO, general counsel stepping down Nassau Re has completed its purchase of The Phoenix Cos., founded by Hartford civic, religious and business leaders in 1851 as the American Temperance Life Insurance Co. The Phoenix was a mutual insurer for most of its history, and became a publicly traded company 15 […]
Retirement readiness: Challenges advisers face now
{June 28th, 2016} by Nicholas Yeap
An amplified concern Advisers pride themselves on their specialized retirement planning services, but it’s a role that’s getting harder and harder. For one, clients are living longer, according to IMCA’s Research Quarterly. That means many retirees, even those who availed themselves of savvy planning advice, are at risk of outliving their assets. Also, even now, […]
Study: Annuities Sell Themselves if Promoted
{June 28th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Insurers, brokers, advisors and retirement plan sponsors could do more to communicate the value of annuities for employees to help the products gain broader acceptance, according to a new report. Communicating the role annuities play is also important to overcoming the gap between what many companies actually offer and the annuity options to help workers secure […]
Everybody dies. It’s time to have the talk
{June 28th, 2016} by Suzanne Woolley
(Bloomberg) — As an e-vite it’s a guaranteed loser: It’s summer! Come talk about the financial and long-term caregiving needs and eventual death of your parents! Doing that, though, could make later life a lot smoother for both parents and kids. An improved economy may be having something of a perverse effect here: The prospect of the […]
15 worst states for retirement: 2016
{June 28th, 2016} by WalletHub Report
Retirement might be the end of the line, but it doesn’t have to be the end of financial security or life satisfaction. For many of us, our primary concern with retirement is timing, which often coincides with the age at which we become eligible to receive Social Security or pension benefits. Hopefully the choice […]
Median Change in Insurer CEO Overall Pay Down 1 Percent
{June 27th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Median change in the overall CEO compensation at nine life, annuity and health insurers declined by 1 percent in 2015 year over year, according to a new report. Overall CEO compensation is made up of the base salary, long-term incentives and cash bonuses. The base salary of life and health insurance company CEOs increased 1 […]
How annuities can help underprepared retirees meet financial goals
{June 27th, 2016} by Peggy Bresnick
According to a report from Cerulli Associates, only about half of all working (non-retired) households have a formal plan for retirement income. Even more alarming is the fact that this number is lower than last year’s – that despite widespread awareness programs on retirement planning and the dangers of procrastination, fewer and fewer households are […]
Barron’s Top 50 Annuities for 2016
{June 25th, 2016} by Karen Hube
Annuities are about to get a makeover with new rules, low interest rates, and longer lives. Our annual ranking will point you to the best choices. By KAREN HUBE June 25, 2016 America’s 50 Best Annuities: Guaranteed Income for Life The $2.7 trillion annuity industry’s latest golden child is the fixed-indexed annuity—but don’t be fooled […]
Planning for the modern family: 3 life insurance scenarios
{June 25th, 2016} by Jill Perlin
The term “family” has a different, more expansive meaning today than it did in decades past. In the 1950s, one of the most popular television shows invited viewers to join the “Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” which centered around the Nelsons — Ozzie, Harriet and their two sons. They were a traditional family: Harriet stayed home and never seemed to leave the kitchen. […]
Majority Of Americans Are Not Getting Professional Financial Advice
{June 24th, 2016} by PRNewswire
MILWAUKEE, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — According to research released today by Northwestern Mutual, the majority (68%) of U.S. adults are not getting professional financial advice; and among those who are, many (43%) say their advisors don’t feel like long-term partners with a deep knowledge of their complete financial picture. “We see this as a real call to […]
DOL Moves to Consolidate Three Cases Challenging the Fiduciary Rule
{June 24th, 2016} by Frank Klimko
DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Labor filed a motion seeking to consolidate the three federal lawsuits challenging the updated fiduciary rule into one single case. The plaintiffs said they are not opposed to the move, but a final order is pending. The request was made to U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn, chief judge […]
FSOC: Regulators Making Progress Toward Financial Stability; Dangers Loom
{June 23rd, 2016} by Frank Klimko
WASHINGTON – Regulators have made significant progress in improving financial resiliency and reducing economically risky business practices that led to the U.S. financial meltdown eight years ago, according to a new report by the Financial Stability Oversight Council. “Financial regulatory reforms and a strengthening of market discipline since the global financial crisis have made the […]
Ohio Insurance Agent’s License Revoked after $800K in Client Losses
{June 23rd, 2016} by Ohio Department of Insurance
Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor has revoked the license of insurance agent Brian Willms, of Dublin, for misrepresenting life insurance policies as an investment. The misrepresentations contributed to two clients losing a combined $800,000. The Ohio Department of Insurance found Willms, from 2011 to 2013, led clients to believe that the complex Life Economic Acceleration Process […]
Indexed annuity distributors weigh launching B-Ds due to DOL fiduciary rule
{June 23rd, 2016} by Greg Iacurci
Distribution networks representing independent insurance agents are weighing, and in some cases forging ahead with, plans to launch broker-dealers to continue selling fixed-indexed annuities in retirement accounts under the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule regime. Click HERE to view the original article at InvestmentNews.com “There’s been a lot of chatter with […]
Rediscovering Whole Life
{June 23rd, 2016} by Lewis W. Merrow
There are safer ways to guide your clients through today’s financial minefields by Lewis W. Merrow, MBA, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, FLMI, CEBS Mr. Merrow, a third-generation life insurance salesman, is Regional Vice President for Mutual Trust Life insurance Company, a Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stock Company. Connect with him by telephone at 800-486-8887, or […]
Millennials: The debt-averse, insurance-buying generation
{June 23rd, 2016} by AFLAC
By 2017, millennials will have the most buying power of any generation. Still, with all that power, there are some things they won’t spring for— things such as pay television, cars and mass-market beer. One thing millennials will buy, however, is insurance products. According to the 2016 Aflac WorkForces Report, those born between 1980 and […]
FSOC 2016: Brokers and insurers show little growth
{June 23rd, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
Life insurers reported a slight decrease in premiums along with greater use of reinsurance in 2014, according to the latest report of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), citing the slow growth as a product of the current consistent low interest rate environment. But, lower reserve increases than in 2014 allowed for an increase in […]
Lincoln Financial Group Named among the Top 100 Call Centers in America for Life Insurance and Annuity Customer Service Excellence
{June 23rd, 2016} by Business Wire
Latest Recognition from BenchmarkPortal Marks the Fifth Consecutive Year for the Life Insurance Team and Third Consecutive Year for the Annuity Team June 22, 2016 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC) announced today that its life insurance and annuity Customer Contact Centers have both been named Top 100 Call Centers […]
Annuity Insurers Boost Agent Portal Experience
{June 22nd, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Agent portal improvement mean more features, fewer ordering mistakes and faster transaction capabilities in the individual annuity space, which in turn, have allowed companies to retain more agents and advisors, a new report finds. Agent portals are Internet entry points through which agents do business with annuity companies. Portals play a vital role in helping agents […]
DOL’s Fiduciary Rule: Insights From Three Top Insurance Industry Leaders
{June 22nd, 2016} by Brokers International
Panora, Iowa – June 21, 2016 – Mark Williams, Brokers International president and CEO hosted a special webinar outlining the latest details on the DOL’s Fiduciary Rule to financial service professionals. Walter White, president and CEO of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and Chip Anderson, executive director of the National Association for Fixed […]
Younger Consumers Would Like To Receive Life Insurance Benefits As Monthly Income
{June 22nd, 2016} by LIMRA
WINDSOR, Conn., June 21, 2016 — A new LIMRA study shows consumers under age 40 would prefer to receive life insurance benefits as a monthly income rather than a lump sum payment. In a study on life insurance product designs, 4 in 10 consumers under age 40 prefer a monthly income benefit while approximately 30 […]
Some Life Insurance Sales Covered by DOL Rule
{June 21st, 2016} by John Hilton
Life insurance is the forgotten transaction in ongoing debate over the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule. The impact on variable and fixed indexed annuities is dominating news coverage. The stories usually note the impact on IRAs, 401(k)s, investment education, mutual funds and many other aspects of the industry. But life insurance sales are affected as well. Some life insurance […]
Perspectives on Annuity Awareness
{June 21st, 2016} by NAFA Staff
NAFA Annuity Outlook magazine reached out to industry leaders to ask for their take on where we are and where we need to head to have an impact on the annuity awareness front lines. We posed this question: What is your view on where we stand on annuity awareness in our country? Charles R. “Chip” […]
June is National Annuity Awareness Month
{June 21st, 2016} by Wink's RockStars
National Annuity Awareness Month was created to provide much needed awareness and education on annuities. We want to have agents get some skin in the game too when it comes to National Annuity Awareness Month! The idea is to take the message viral and that’s something that agents can really help with. Follow Wink on Social […]
DOL files to consolidate 3 fiduciary suits
{June 21st, 2016} by Melanie Waddell
The Department of Labor filed a motion Friday requesting that the three lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas challenging DOL’s fiduciary rule be consolidated. The plaintiffs agreed to consolidation in a Monday response, but insisted that each of the cases be allowed to “retain their separate identities” and […]
FIDUCIARY RULE OPPONENTS TAKE THEIR FIGHT TO THE COURTS
{June 21st, 2016} by ANDREA L. BEN-YOSEF
Even though the fiduciary rule was released in April, opponents are still continuing their attack, this time through the courts. In early June, five different lawsuits were filed against the Department of Labor. They make some allegations that are similar and some that are different. The complaints pull in several federal statutes and the U.S. […]
Market Synergy Gets Support in DOL Lawsuit
{June 21st, 2016} by John Hilton
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule will damage fixed indexed annuities’ primary channel of distribution, one that is rarely cited in consumer complaints, according to one of eight affidavits filed to support a lawsuit against the rule. The affidavits were filed today to support Market Synergy, which is among five groups who have sued to stop […]
DOL’s Perez Vows to Fight Mounting Fiduciary Lawsuits
{June 21st, 2016} by ThinkAdvisor
Five lawsuits filed in federal courts in June; former DOL solicitor Scalia asks court for quick action to vacate the rule Labor Secretary Thomas Perez has vowed to “vigorously” defend the department’s rule amending the definition of fiduciary on retirement advice against the mounting lawsuits that were lobbed against the rule in June. A total […]
DOL 101: The fiduciary rule’s impact on annuity carriers
{June 21st, 2016} by KEVIN W. MECHTLEY, J.D.
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule is the most significant industry game-changing development we have seen since the tax reform to annuities in the early 1980s. As an annuity compliance expert with a leading consulting company, the biggest question I receive these days is: “How do I comply?” Even though I’d like to have a […]
The DOL Rule: As Expected – More Questions Than Answers
{June 21st, 2016} by Chip Anderson
MESSAGE FROM NAFA One year after the proposed DOL rule came out in April of 2015, the final DOL rule was officially released on April 8, 2016. This was after thousands of comment letters from different organizations and hundreds of thousands of emails. There were letters and phone calls from consumers, agents and registered representatives […]
Don’t take retirement advice from John Oliver
{June 21st, 2016} by John Oliver
Suppose you bought a travel guide to help you plan your next trip. The first chapter describes the best, low-cost option to get to your destination. But the subsequent chapters are blank, offering no ideas on what to do when you arrive. That’s essentially the quality of the retirement advice coming from several market experts […]
What John Oliver got right (and wrong) about the DOL fiduciary rule (Opinion)
{June 21st, 2016} by Carley Meiners
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule has been a battle for our industry for about six years now, and consumers rarely know about or understand the potential changes. But last week, the rule took on a new audience: the viewers of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Here’s the thing, I spend almost every day reading something […]
Iowa Insurance Companies to Host Des Moines Insurance Conference June 28
{June 21st, 2016} by Business Wire
June 20, 2016 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Agenda and webcast details for the 2016 Des Moines Insurance Conference are now available. Participating companies include Aegon (NYSE: AEG), American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), EMC Insurance Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EMCI), FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) and Principal Financial Group […]
Millennials favor income stream over lump sum life insurance benefits
{June 21st, 2016} by LifeHealthPro Editors
A new LIMRA study shows consumers under age 40 would prefer to receive life insurance benefits as a monthly income rather than a lump sum payment. In a study on life insurance product designs, 4 in 10 consumers under age 40 prefer a monthly income benefit while approximately 30 percent favor a lump sum payment. “People […]
A Brief History of Life Insurance
{June 20th, 2016} by Norton Reamer and Jesse Downing
From comical legalities and a mix of ethics & math, a bedrock industry emerged by Norton Reamer and Jesse Downing Norton Reamer and Jesse Downing are the authors of Investment: A History [www.investmentahistory.com] (Columbia Business School Publishing, February 2016). – Mr. Reamer is the former chief investment officer and CEO of Putnam Investments. He founded and […]
Cost-of-living: rising costs and available options to save life insurance
{June 20th, 2016} by Michael Krasnerman
Unexpected cost-of-living increases affect people of all walks of life. Even the best laid plans are not foolproof. There are unforeseen circumstances that cannot be avoided. Unanticipated costs can burden even the largest budget. The Wall Street Journal recently reported a number of life insurance companies are increasing the cost of insurance, which is proving […]
MassMutual Launches ValoraLife, a Simple, Quick Way to Buy Affordable Life Insurance Online
{June 19th, 2016} by MassMutual
HOUSTON, June 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — ValoraLife.com, an innovative and simple way to buy life insurance online, launched today in Houston to meet the need for an affordable financial safety net for families. Coverage is possible in about 30 minutes on the ValoraLife.com site, which is available now in English and in Spanish in mid-July. […]
Government Seeks to Reinstate SIFI Designation for MetLife
{June 17th, 2016} by Frank Klimko
WASHINGTON – Government attorneys have asked a federal appeals court to reinstate the systemically important financial institution designation for MetLife Inc., saying the company remains a possible threat to the nation’s economy and needs prudential supervision beyond what it receives by state regulators. Attorneys for the Financial Stability Oversight Council filed the appeals brief in […]
3 exciting unintended consequences of the DOL rule (Opinion)
{June 16th, 2016} by Michael Markey
In November 2015, the Obama administration eliminated and phased out Social Security claiming strategies, calling them unintended loopholes. After Mr. Obama fixed Social Security, our savior of social injustice, along with his administration, he decided to fix the financial industry. The result was the Department of Labor conflict-of-interest rule. This rule created its own unintended […]
Security Benefit offers floating-rate fixed annuity
{June 16th, 2016} by RIJ Editorial Staff
Security Benefit Life Insurance Company has launched what it calls the fixed annuity industry’s first floating-rate product, designed to fit a world where interest rates seem to have only one direction in which to go. Called RateTrack, the single premium deferred fixed annuity allows clients to participate “automatically” at the beginning of each contract […]
Texas agent nabbed in annuity scam
{June 16th, 2016} by Caitlin Bronson
Law enforcement officials have arrested a Lubbock, Texas-area insurance agent they say was involved in an annuity scam targeting elderly clients. The Texas Department of Insurance reported that Joseph Allen Gaines has been charged with defrauding customers by keeping their money, which was meant to be used toward the purchase of annuities. Instead, Gaines kept […]
The DOL fiduciary rule: heralding the end of commissions (Opinion)
{June 16th, 2016} by Warren S. Hersch
Once the Department of Laborfiduciary rule starts to take effect in April of 2017, it’s a fair bet that industry costs will go up significantly, and not just in terms of compliance: Embedded into the rule is a provision that leaves advisors and insurers vulnerable to a class action lawsuit. That legal exposure could prompt […]
Voya Financial Expands Popular Cash Value Life Insurance Offering to New York State Consumers
{June 16th, 2016} by Voya
MINNEAPOLIS, June 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that its Individual Life business will now offer a popular cash value life insurance product to New York consumers. Voya Indexed Universal Life–Global Choice NY (Voya IUL–Global Choice NY)* gives individuals and families the opportunity to protect the financial future of their […]
Life/annuity insurer stocks under pressure
{June 16th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
The stock prices of publicly traded life and annuity insurers in the United States logged a 6.4 percent decline during the first quarter after showing a moderate increase of 2 percent during the fourth quarter of 2015, according to a new report by credit-rating firm A.M. Best. The report, “Pressures Remain for Publicly Traded Life/Annuity Insurers,” […]
Insurers mark significant regulatory shift
{June 16th, 2016} by Arthur D. Postal
WASHINGTON — The reserve requirements for universal life insurance with secondary guarantees and term life insurance products will shift to a more flexible evaluation system under a recent decision made by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The new, so-called “principles-based reserving system” marks the most significant change in regulating life insurers since before World […]
Wink, Inc. Receives 2016 Best of Pleasant Hill Award
{June 16th, 2016} by Pleasant Hill Award Program
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wink, Inc. Receives 2016 Best of Pleasant Hill Award Pleasant Hill Award Program Honors the Achievement PLEASANT HILL June 9, 2016 –– Wink, Inc. has been selected for the 2016 Best of Pleasant Hill Award in the Market Researcher category by the Pleasant Hill Award Program. Each year, the Pleasant […]
AM Best Affirms Ratings of Knighthead Annuity
{June 16th, 2016} by Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AM Best Affirms Ratings of Knighthead Annuity George Town – Cayman Islands – June 15, 2016 – Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company™ announced today that A.M. Best, the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source, affirmed its financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and issuer […]
Guardian Offers Path to Affordable Whole Life Policy Ownership
{June 15th, 2016} by Guardian
NEW YORK, N.Y., June 15, 2016 — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), one of the nation’s largest mutual life insurers, today announced two new enhancements to its whole life insurance offerings. Guardian’s Lifetime Protection Builder and Enhanced Whole Life Policy Loan Options provide policyholders choice around how their protection is structured and how […]
Robert Cook, former SEC exec, named new FINRA chief
{June 15th, 2016} by Melanie Waddell
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced Monday that Robert Cook, former director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Trading & Markets, has been named by FINRA’s Board as the self-regulator’s new president and CEO, replacing Richard Ketchum. Cook, who will join FINRA next month, hails from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, where he […]
Tony Robbins joins an advisory firm, defends fiduciary standard
{June 15th, 2016} by Jane Wollman Rusoff
About 18 months ago, life coach and business strategy guru Tony Robbins insisted that he wasn’t planning to enter the retail financial services industry. Why should he? This is the man who counsels the likes of Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and Serena Williams. He already collects many millions of dollars a year in coaching fees. […]
7 technology priorities for the individual annuities market
{June 15th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in insurers’ ability to attract, retain and profitably serve clients, especially in the highly competitive individual annuity market. New research from Boston-based Novarica found that individual annuity carriers are focusing on modernization of policy administration systems as well as improving agent portal functionality, business intelligence and risk management […]
New York Life Appoints Dylan Huang as Senior Managing Director and Head of Retail Annuities
{June 15th, 2016} by New York Life
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New York Life, the largest mutual life insurance company in the U.S. and the market leader in income annuities, has named Dylan Huang senior managing director and head of its retail annuities business. With $80 billion in assets under management and sales of $12 billion in 2015, retail annuities is New York Life’s […]
Eric Taylor Joins AIG as Senior Vice President, Independent Annuity and A & H Distribution
{June 15th, 2016} by American International Group (AIG)
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) today announced that it has named Eric Taylor Senior Vice President, Independent Annuity and A & H Distribution. Mr. Taylor is responsible for providing strategic and tactical leadership for annuity sales through brokerage general agencies and independent marketing organizations for AIG Financial Distributors, the sales distribution arm for […]
The Next Big Thing? Annuitant-Driven Annuities
{June 15th, 2016} by Tax Facts Online
While annuity products are often primarily purchased with an eye toward securing retirement income, unexpected issues that can arise when a contract owner or annuitant dies can create postmortem tax problems that can now actually be addressed when the contract is purchased. In particular, issues that can arise when the contract is annuitant-driven (rather than […]
QUIZ: 10 benefits of life insurance
{June 14th, 2016} by Elana Ashanti Jefferson
You may think you already grasp all of the reasons why whole life insurance is such a clear winner when it comes to estate planning. But even longtime producers who know a lot about life insurance may sometimes have trouble communicating its benefits to clients. So go ahead: Try your hand at explaining the common benefits of life […]
5 things to know about selling annuities under the DOL fiduciary rule
{June 14th, 2016} by MARCIA S. WAGNER, J.D.
Now that the Labor Department’s final fiduciary rule has been released, what does it mean for companies selling annuities and how will they comply? Following are five questions and answers that shed light on some of the most pressings questions about how annuities sales will work under the rule, including how proprietary products will be […]
NAIC to kick-start principle-based reserving in 2017
{June 14th, 2016} by LifeHealthPro Editors
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted a recommendation today that will activate principle-based reserving (PBR) starting on Jan. 1, 2017. The NAIC recommendation from the PBR Implementation Task Force follows an extensive analysis of amended Standard Valuation Laws passed by 45 states, representing nearly 80 percent of the U.S life insurance market. “This is an […]
A.M. Best Special Report: Pressures Remain for Publicly Traded Life/Annuity Insurers
{June 14th, 2016} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–After a moderate increase of 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2015, the stock prices of publicly traded U.S. life/annuity (L/A) insurers covered in a new A.M. Best report saw their stock prices decline 6.4% in the first quarter of 2016. According to the Best Special Report, titled, “Pressures Remain for Publicly Traded […]
Dad’s ‘Salary’ Drops for the First Time in Six Years
{June 14th, 2016} by Insure.com
Insure.com’s annual survey finds Dad would earn a ‘salary’ of $24,738 for the jobs he does around the house: But Dad says he doesn’t want anything… except maybe some time to relax (Foster City, Calif.) June 14, 2016 – The value of dad’s jobs fell 3.8 percent down to $24,738, according to Insure.com’s annual Father’s […]
Life Happens Honors Insurance Agents for Outstanding Client Service
{June 14th, 2016} by Life Happens
2016 Real Life Stories Recipients Showcase Invaluable Role of Insurance Professionals in Protecting Families against Financial Hardship ARLINGTON, Va., June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Americans about the importance of life insurance, today announced the recipients of its Real Life Stories Client Recognition Program. This annual program celebrates […]
Expert: DOL Rule To Force Agents To Consider E&O Coverage
{June 14th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Sweeping changes affecting financial advice for retirement accounts will force thousands of agents and financial advisors to consider errors and omissions coverage or leave the business, a former Department of Labor investigator said Wednesday. Errors and omissions coverage wasn’t necessary for wealth managers, broker/dealers, commission-based advisors and independent agents because they were considered nonfiduciary advisors. […]
Voya Financial Adds New Series of Fixed Indexed Annuities to its Broad Suite of Retirement Solutions
{June 14th, 2016} by Voya
MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 WINDSOR, Conn., June 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) announced today it has expanded its suite of fixed index annuity products by introducing a new family of solutions aimed at helping individuals grow and protect their savings — while generating guaranteed retirement income. The new Voya Quest series […]
Insurance Marketing Organizations Feel The DOL’s Freezer Burn
{June 14th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
U.S. Department of Labor regulators earlier this spring hit life and annuity wholesalers with a double whammy. First, regulators made it harder for retail agents to sell fixed indexed annuity products, the shining star of the fixed annuity world. Then regulators froze out the wholesalers, sometimes known as insurance or independent marketing organizations (IMOs), or […]
Lawsuit Filed to Challenge New Department of Labor Rule That Restricts Americans’ Retirement Choices
{June 14th, 2016} by IALC
DES MOINES, Iowa, June 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) today filed a legal challenge to the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule. While the IALC agrees that financial professionals should act in their clients best interest when providing retirement advice to individuals, this legal challenge is necessary because the rule creates an […]
How more regulation can help the insurance industry
{June 13th, 2016} by Lynette Gil
The one thing I would change is adding more regulation to the insurance industry, specifically pertaining to the sale of index life or index annuity products,” says Brenden Barkate, senior vice president of Exclusive Insurance Brokerage. Why would anyone want more regulation? For starters, it could improve the industry’s reputation and public image. According to […]
Eric Taylor Joins AIG as Senior Vice President, Independent Annuity and A & H Distribution
{June 13th, 2016} by Business Wire
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– American International Group, Inc. (AIG) today announced that it has named Eric Taylor Senior Vice President, Independent Annuity and A & H Distribution. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160613005733/en/ Mr. Taylor is responsible for providing strategic and tactical leadership for annuity sales through brokerage general agencies and independent […]
401(K) Advisors, Check Your Anti-Annuity Bias
{June 13th, 2016} by John Sullivan
Too many 401(k) advisors, and financial advisors in general, treat annuities as a four-letter word, but they might want to rethink their stance—especially in employer-sponsored retirement plans. A new white paper from Principal Financial Group, titled The Retirement Income Dilemma: An In-Plan Solution, walks through how in-plan deferred income annuities offered within a retirement plan help […]
Million Dollar Round Table gets a multilingual makeover
{June 11th, 2016} by Warren S. Hersch
The Million Dollar Round Table, an annual meeting of top-producing life insurance and financial services professionals, regularly draws thousands of attendees from across the globe. But leaders of the now 90-year-old organization weren’t quite expecting this year’s outsize turnout. The convention and hotel spaces set aside for the event being held in Vancouver, Canada, June […]
NAIC Set to Implement Principle-Based Reserving Methodology for Life Insurers in January 2017
{June 11th, 2016} by Thomas Harman
WASHINGTON – Principle-based reserving for life insurers will be activated on Jan. 1, 2017, after the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Executive Committee adopted a recommendation to do so from a reserving task force. The vote brings to a close a decade of debate over the use of the methodology, designed to help life insurers […]
Market Synergy Group Files Fifth DOL Lawsuit
{June 10th, 2016} by John Hilton
Insurance agency Market Synergy Group filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. It seeks an injunction to stop the DOL’s controversial fiduciary rule. The complaint calls the rule “arbitrary” and “capricious,” as do previous lawsuits. As in other suits, Market Synergy claims the DOL has no authority to enact the […]
Fight over U.S. retirement investment advice rule moves to courts
{June 10th, 2016} by Lisa Lambert
The fight over a new federal regulation on advice on investing for retirement is moving from Capitol Hill to the U.S. court system, as the number of lawsuits attempting to stop the rule grows. Wall Street-affiliated groups, including the U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, last week filed a legal challenge in a U.S. District Court in […]
Expert: DOL Rule To Force Agents To Consider E&O Coverage
{June 10th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Sweeping changes affecting financial advice for retirement accounts will force thousands of agents and financial advisors to consider errors and omissions coverage or leave the business, a former Department of Labor investigator said Wednesday. Errors and omissions coverage wasn’t necessary for wealth managers, broker/dealers, commission-based advisors and independent agents because they were considered nonfiduciary advisors. […]
Details Of NAIFA, ACLI Complaint Against DOL Outlined
{June 10th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Eight groups led by the American Council of Life Insurers and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors filed suit on Wednesday to overturn the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule. ACLI and NAIFA, along with six separate NAIFA local associations based in Texas, named the DOL and Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez in […]
Annuity Providers Fight New Investment Rule
{June 9th, 2016} by David Lee
DALLAS (CN) – The Labor Department’s rule change that imposes fiduciary duties on financial advisors is arbitrary and unconstitutionally infringes on “protected commercial speech,” according to several insurance groups that sell annuities. Lead plaintiff American Council of Life Insurers sued the government in Federal Court on Wednesday, arguing the April rule change is “arbitrary and […]
Insurance groups sue Labor Department over fiduciary rule’s impact on annuities
{June 9th, 2016} by Mark Schoeff Jr
Insurance groups filed a lawsuit Wednesday against a U.S. Labor Department rule that would raise investment advice standards for retirement accounts, arguing that the regulation would stifle annuity sales. The American Council of Life Insurers, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and six NAIFA chapters in Texas brought the claim in the U.S. […]
3 in 10 Americans would likely share tracker data with insurers
{June 9th, 2016} by LifeHealthPro Editors
Thirty percent of consumers are very or extremely likely to consider sharing the data from an activity tracker (Fitbit, Jawbone, etc.) with a life insurance company if they received financial incentives in return for healthy behaviors, according to LIMRA’s 2016 Insurance Barometer. Among those who already use a device, willingness to share more than doubles to […]
DOL’s best interest standard may be tougher than it looks: BLOG
{June 9th, 2016} by Bob Clark
There were a number of excellent comments to my last blog, “For IRA Investors, a Warning on DOL’s Fiduciary Rule,” including a tome-like tutorial by Ron Rhoades on “best interest” and “sole interest” standards as they apply to the new DOL rules, which I highly recommend that you read in its entirety if you haven’t […]
7 biggest areas for insurance industry job growth
{June 8th, 2016} by ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
A few sectors within the insurance industry experienced consistent job creation in recent years, while others saw fewer people doing more work, according to a new report from the New York City-based Insurance Information Institute. The III’s presentation is based on year-over-year employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That data dates back to […]
Protective Life subsidiary acquires Pennsylvania-based brokerage agency
{June 8th, 2016} by Michael Seale
First Protective Insurance Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation, has purchased of the assets of the MacNamee Group, a West Chester, Pennsylvania-based brokerage agency. The MacNamee Group was founded in 1982 and specializes in life insurance, long term care and annuities. Steve MacNamee, president of the MacNamee Group, said the company conducted an […]
What Insurance Industry Can Learn from Amazon About Customer Satisfaction
{June 8th, 2016} by Gregory Hoeg
Amazon.com scored its sixth annual victory in the 24/7 Wall Street Customer Service Hall of Fame last year, with 59 percent of customers reporting that they received excellent customer service from the e-commerce giant. That score surpassed the number two company on the list, Chick-fil-A, by 12 percentage points. Why should that matter to the […]
Wall Street Groups Sue to Block ‘Unworkable’ Fiduciary Rule
{June 7th, 2016} by Katherine Chiglinsky and Elizabeth Dexheimer
Industry organizations file lawsuit in federal court in Dallas Groups say Labor Department encroached on SEC’s duties Wall Street and business lobbying groups have teamed up to fight the Obama administration’s new rules for U.S. brokers managing retirement accounts, saying the regulations include a “deliberately unworkable” fiduciary standard. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined […]
Will Floating Rates Become the New Indexed Annuities?
{June 7th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
A new annuity gives some of the appeal of indexed annuities to traditional annuities by linking to the LIBOR. How can an annuity offer the promise of gain from indexed products with the simplicity of a traditional annuity? Security Benefit Life is hoping it has that answer with an annuity designed to fit in between […]
Ex-DOL Head: Reasonable Compensation Not A Concern
{June 7th, 2016} by John Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former Obama appointee reassured industry observers on the fiduciary rule and the future of doing business this morning at the Insured Retirement Institute Government, Legal and Regulatory Conference. For starters, Seth Harris, former acting Secretary of Labor, said he is unconcerned about how “reasonable compensation” is defined in the rule. Harris […]
We Love (Some) Annuities, Says Treasury Deputy
{June 7th, 2016} by John Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A top Department of Treasury official told industry officials this morning that the Obama administration is working on regulation tweaks to encourage greater investment in annuities. Speaking during the IRI Government, Legal and Regulatory Conference 2016, J. Mark Iwry, deputy assistant secretary for retirement and health policy, mentioned several areas the Treasury […]
Top Selling Indexed Annuities of All Time! 2006-2015
{June 7th, 2016} by Jamie Johnson
Wink receives many inquiries about which products are the best-selling indexed annuities of all time. We began tracking individual product sales of indexed annuities in 2006; a few years ago we compiled these individual product sales to see which products were the top selling indexed annuities ” of all time” from 2006-2013. Let’s take a […]
DOL Defends Fiduciary Rulemaking
{June 7th, 2016} by John Hilton
Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez defended the DOL fiduciary rule today in a response to a lawsuit filed by opponents. The response from the Department of Labor: “People saving for retirement have a legal right and a compelling economic need to receive retirement investment advice that is in their best interest. Today, a handful of industry […]
Observers Say DOL Litigation Could Slow Regulatory Guidance
{June 7th, 2016} by Frank Klimko
WASHINGTON – Industry observers worry that recently filed litigation to vacate the U.S. Labor Department’s fiduciary rule update could have the unintended consequence of holding up agency guidance that is supposed to help companies comply with the new mandates. “There is the possibility that the litigation could slow down the guidance,” said Stephen Saxon, chairman, […]
NAIC LAUNCHES RETIREMENT SECURITY INITIATIVE
{June 7th, 2016} by NAIC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NAIC LAUNCHES RETIREMENT SECURITY INITIATIVE Insurance regulators highlight importance of planning for later years WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2016) —The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today announced a new Insure U microsite bringing attention to the importance of retirement security. The new site underscores the importance of planning for retirement, including […]
Prepare Forcefields Against DOL Lawsuits, Lawyers Say
{June 7th, 2016} by John Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawsuits will be inevitable under the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rule but the insurance and securities industries will be able to set the stage to withstand them, according to panelists at the Insured Retirement Institute’s Government, Legal and Regulatory Conference on Monday. The DOL rule places new regulatory burdens on the […]
Athene Eyes Further Expansion, Preps For IPO
{June 7th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Athene Holding, a top seller of fixed indexed annuities, has spent seven years cobbling together life insurance companies in the U.S. and abroad. Now company officials say the time is right for Athene to do some serious expansion in the retirement services marketplace The company filed for an initial public offering last month. The nation’s […]
Suit: Agents, IMOs Can’t Satisfy BIC
{June 7th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
Independent insurance agents working through independent marketing organizations, or IMOs, to sell fixed indexed annuities can’t satisfy exemptions afforded them under the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule, according to a legal challenge to the rule. Working under the exemption is seen as critical if independent agents are going to continue earning a commission on the sale […]
NAFA Seeks Preliminary Injunction against DOL Fiduciary Rule
{June 7th, 2016} by Chip Anderson, Executive Director of NAFA
Association Files Suit Alleging ‘Irreparable Harm’ to Members WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 2, 2016) — NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, announced today that it has filed a federal lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the Department of Labor’s new “fiduciary” rule. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to stay the rule, which […]
Lincoln Financial Launches Next-Generation Insurance Product with iPipeline’s Enhanced iGO Drop Ticket and DocFast e-Delivery
{June 7th, 2016} by Lincoln Financial
New Product Simplifies the Buying Experience, Offers Streamlined Underwriting Opportunities, and Leverages e-Delivery June 07, 2016 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time EXTON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–iPipeline® – a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for the life insurance industry– today announced that Lincoln Financial Group’s new fully-electronic Term insurance product, Lincoln TermAccel® Level Term, incorporates iPipeline’s enhanced […]
Fiduciary rule tops agenda at NAFA Annuity Leadership conference
{June 6th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
Members of the National Association for Fixed Annuities will gather this week in Washington, D.C., at the association’s annual Annuities Leadership Forum and Hill Walk to discuss issues and regulation affecting the fixed annuity market. Topping the list of forum topics will be the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which NAFA has publically criticized. The […]
Danica patrick to Serve as National Spokesperson for LIAM 2016
{June 6th, 2016} by Life Happens
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) Race car Driver Shares Personal Reasons to Buy Life Insurance and Helps Educate Americans on Importance of Financial Protection Arlington, Va. – June 6, 2016 – Professional race car driver Danica Patrick hopes she can motivate people to take a fresh look at their life insurance needs this […]
Fixed Indexed Annuities Will Survive, Experts Say
{June 6th, 2016} by John Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nationwide stands ready to adapt its annuity products to whatever the market demands in the post-DOL fiduciary rule world, said Mike Morrone. “We will go where the distributor want us to go from a product design perspective. I think some distributors will want it simple and we will have some products that […]
Fed proposes change to capital reserve rules for insurance companies
{June 3rd, 2016} by Kristen Beckman and Jesse Hamilton
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors today released details of a proposal that would affect insurance company regulatory capital frameworks. The proposal includes two approaches to regulatory capital requirements for supervised insurance institutions that would fulfill compliance needs under the Dodd-Frank Act. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) applies to nonbank financial companies significantly engaged […]
BLS: Insurance Industry Gained 3,300 Jobs in May
{June 3rd, 2016} by Thomas Harman
WASHINGTON – The U.S. insurance industry added 3,300 jobs in May, according to data released June 6 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The seasonally adjusted 0.12% increase for May 2016 over April 2016 shows a continuation in the trend toward industry growth. The May adjusted growth rate is even with the April adjusted growth […]
Multiparty lawsuit alleges DOL overstepped authority with rule
{June 3rd, 2016} by Warren S. Hersch
Several organizations have joined together to file a legal challenge to the Department of Labor’s conflict of interest rule, alleging that DOL overstepped its authority in crafting a uniform fiduciary standard of care for brokers and registered investment advisors. Chief executive officers of the five national association co-plaintiffs participated this morning in a media conference to […]
LIMRA: Individual life insurance premium increases in Q1 2016
{June 3rd, 2016} by LifeHealthPr editors
Individual life insurance new annualized premium increased 4 percent in first quarter 2016 compared with first quarter 2015. This marks the seventh consecutive quarter of positive growth, according to the LIMRA U.S. Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales Survey. “Individual life insurance sales had a good start to the year with growth across all major […]
Mutual of Omaha Taps Former Prudential Exec as CIO
{June 3rd, 2016} by Marie Suszynski
OMAHA, Neb. – Mutual of Omaha has tapped Richard Hrabchak to be executive vice president and chief investment officer. Hrabchak joins Mutual of Omaha from Prudential Financial, where he spent 29 years and was most recently chief investment officer for the company’s U.S. retirement business, Mutual of Omaha said in a statement. In his new […]
Plaintiffs Say DOL Lawsuit Unavoidable
{June 2nd, 2016} by John Hilton
High profile defense attorney Eugene Scalia said the Department of Labor failed on several counts in crafting its fiduciary rule. “The Labor Department erred by having over-defined fiduciary, exceeding its powers and authority in a number of other ways,” Scalia explained. “For example, the U.S. Labor Department does not have regulatory enforcement authority over IRAs. That […]
How one company is studying the brain to better market to consumers
{June 2nd, 2016} by Emily Holbrook
(Orlando) — What can the human brain tell insurance companies about what to say — and what not to say — in their marketing messages? More than you would imagine. At the LIMRA Marketing & Research Conference being held now in Orlando, representatives from Prudential Financial delved deep into the world of understanding the brain of the buying […]
The DOL Lawsuit Explained
{June 2nd, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce-led lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor seeks to overturn new rules requiring advisors to exert a fiduciary standard of care in dealing with retirement accounts. Click HERE for the eight counts that form the basis for the complaint, which asks the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to […]
Are you selling the wrong type of insurance?
{June 2nd, 2016} by Brent Kelly
The person who gives answers before understanding the problems is very foolish.” — John C. Maxwell Have you ever felt like you delivered a powerful and effective sales presentation only to realize that it did not connect with the prospect? This has happened to me on several occasions. I came into a prospect meeting ready, energetic and […]
Ash Brokerage Opens New Headquarters in Ash Skyline Plaza
{June 2nd, 2016} by Ash Brokerage
Calling Fort Wayne ‘home’ FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – Ash Brokerage made its downtown move official Wednesday, June 1, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony inside its hallmark three-story atrium. Invited guests and media were on hand for the occasion, which happened to mark the four-year anniversary of the date CEO Tim Ash originally shared his vision for […]
Man charged with $7.5 million life insurance fraud in Pennsylvania
{June 2nd, 2016} by IFAwebnews Staff
A Florida man who operated insurance brokerages in Pennsylvania was charged with crimes related to $7.5 million in life insurance policies. Samuel Mangel, 53, of Boca Raton, Fla., was charged by indictment in an insurance fraud scheme in a Philadelphia suburb, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Mangel is charged with wire fraud relating […]
Former N.J. life insurance agent sentenced for $1.1 million scam
{June 2nd, 2016} by IFAwebnews Staff
A former Essex County, N.J., insurance agent has been sentenced to six years in prison for submitting hundreds of fraudulent life insurance applications to reap more than $1 million in commission and bonuses from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). The sentence was announced by New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy and the Office […]
Lawsuit bid to overturn DOL Fiduciary Rule
{June 2nd, 2016} by Jamie Johnson
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce led nine groups in an lawsuit bid to stop the Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule on Wednesday June, 1st. John Hilton of InsuranceNewsNet reports in “Lawsuit Filed to Overturn DOL Fiduciary Rule” that the lawsuit asked for the court to immediate vacate and set aside the rule. “The Rule and PTEs […]
Is the DOL fiduciary rule yet another Dodd-Frank?
{June 1st, 2016} by Christopher Carosa
When Congress passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (aka “Dodd-Frank”) in the summer of 2010, it neither reformed Wall Street nor protected consumers. Indeed, it did worse. It institutionalized “too big to fail,” thus, removing all accountability from large Wall Street firms by protecting them, not their customers. It has since become […]
Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2016 Fixed Deferred Annuity Sales Results
{June 1st, 2016} by Wink's RockStars
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE MYGA SALES KICK BUTT, TO START OFF 2016! Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2016 Fixed Deferred Annuity Sales Results Pleasant Hill, Iowa. June 1st, 2016– Wink’s Sales & Market Report, the insurance industry’s #1 resource for indexed annuity and indexed life sales data since 1997, is in its […]
2016 Global Insurance Symposium Success
{June 1st, 2016} by Nick Gerhart
2016 Global Insurance Symposium Success The 2016 Global Insurance Symposium was a smashing success. I’m proud of this event, proud of Iowa, proud of Des Moines and I’m glad others are too! I’d like to thank all of those that had a hand in it. Everyone – the partners that helped plan the Global Insurance […]
Annuities in the Post-DOL World
{June 1st, 2016} by Steven Morelli
LIMRA’s recent Retirement Industry Conference, speculation abounded on how the fiduciary rule would restrict access to the very products that can help Americans best prepare for retirement: annuities. Frustration mounted as session after session included survey and study data predicting the negative impact on annuity sales. From manufacturers to distributors to agents on the ground, […]
Anbang withdraws application for NY review of insurance merger
{June 1st, 2016} by Kevin McCoy
The Chinese insurance firm that in April scrapped a $13.9 billion plan to buy Starwood Hotels & Resorts has now withdrawn an application for regulatory approval of its $1.57 billion merger deal with U.S. insurer Fidelity & Guaranty Life, amid requests for more financial information. The decision by Anbang Insurance Group signaled new questions about the company as the Beijing-based company seeks to expand and become one […]
14 questions (and answers) about the DOL fiduciary rule
{June 1st, 2016} by Kristen Beckman
The DOL fiduciary rule was a hot topic at LIMRA’s retirement industry conference earlier this month in Boston. The association presented a panel about the rule during one of its general sessions hosted by Bob Kerzner, LIMRA’s CEO. Kerzner opened the session by predicting the rule will create seismic change throughout the industry. “In my […]
Join Sheryl J. Moore at the 5th Annual Americas Structured Products & Derivatives Conference 2016| Exclusive discount to attend
{June 1st, 2016} by Wink RockStars
Meet Sheryl J. Moore at the 5th Annual Americas Structured Products & Derivatives Conference, which will take place on June 16-17, 2016 at the Revere Hotel, in Boston. Sheryl will be speaking at the event. The Americas Structured Products & Derivatives conference is the biggest event of the industry dedicated to the Americas region. It brings together […]
