Getting to know our Chief Storyteller
{February 27th, 2019} by Wink's RockStars
Sheryl J. Moore, Chief Storyteller, the ORIGINAL member of Wink’s analysis team has been at this for a long time. She’s obsessive compulsive to a fault and never happy if she’s not twirling 20 plates at once. Want to know MORE about Ms. Moore? She is the founder, creator, and President & CEO of Wink, […]
Lincoln National Riding on Strong Life and Annuity Business
{February 27th, 2019} by Zack's Equity Research
Lincoln National Corp. LNC holds a leading market position in Life and Annuity segments. The company has been able to insulate itself from involuntary risk forces such as equity market volatility and interest rate risk by de-risking its product portfolio through curtailing sales of longer-dated products. Moreover, the company also has a strong enterprise risk […]
9 Ideas for Making the SEC’s Annuity Summary Prospectus Shine
{February 26th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Officials at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are working on a new document template that could, possibly, make selling a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract feel a little less like wrapping a prospect’s brain in duct tape. The SEC template makers are seeking public comments on the effort to create a new variable […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited and Its Subsidiaries
{February 26th, 2019} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” of Commonwealth Annuity and Life Insurance Company (Brighton, MA), its subsidiaries, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (Brighton, MA), Forethought Life Insurance Company (Indianapolis, IN), Accordia Life and Annuity Company (Des Moines, IA), […]
Ohio National Extends Buyout Offer over Controversial Variable Annuity Trailing Commissions
{February 26th, 2019} by Alex Padalka
Amid a flurry of lawsuits over its decision to stop paying trailing commissions on some of its variable annuities, Ohio National Life Insurance Company is giving broker-dealers and registered representatives another month to consider its buyout offer, according to news reports. Late last year, the annuity insurer announced it would stop paying trailing commissionson variable annuity contracts with […]
Nationwide Insurance More Than Doubles Des Moines Job Cuts
{February 26th, 2019} by Kevin Hardy
Nationwide Insurance issued 191 layoff notices to Des Moines workers this month — more than double the number previously announced by the company. In November, Nationwide said it would cut about 80 positions at its downtown Des Moines offices as it sought to reduce its national workforce by about 1,100 positions. “As we’ve continued to implement our business plans, we […]
Seitz Promoted to Federal Insurance Office Director Post
{February 26th, 2019} by Elizabeth Festa
Steven Seitz has assumed the role of director of the Federal Insurance Office at the Treasury Department, after months of serving as acting director, according to sources. The promotion was effective this past week. The FIO director reports to the Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions, which is led by Acting Assistant Secretary Kipp Kranbuhl. According to […]
Nevada Fiduciary Plan Has DOL Rule Similarities
{February 26th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
Private fund managers, take heed: Under Nevada’s fiduciary plan, communications by fund managers with prospective and current investors regarding their interests in a fund along with the fund’s features may be fiduciary investment advice — mirroring requirements set out in the now-defunct 2016 Labor Department fiduciary rule, attorney George Michael Gerstein states. In Stradley Ronon’s […]
Deloitte Executive Tapped as Connecticut’s Next Insurance Commissioner
{February 26th, 2019} by Timothy Darragh
HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has nominated Andrew N. Mais, a member of Deloitte’s insurance industry group, to be the state’s next insurance commissioner. Mais specializes in insurance regulation at the Deloitte Center for Financial Services in Stamford, Connecticut, where he has worked since 2011, Lamont’s office said. Before that, he served in […]
Ruark Consulting Releases 2019 Fixed Indexed Annuity Study Results
{February 26th, 2019} by Ruark Consulting, LLC
SIMSBURY, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ruark Consulting, LLC today released the results of its 2019 studies of fixed indexed annuity (FIA) policyholder behavior. The studies, which examine the factors driving surrenders, guaranteed lifetime income benefit (GLIB) utilization, and free partial withdrawals, were based on experience from 3.5 million policyholders from 2007 through September 2018. A total of 15 […]
Can We Make Life Insurance More Relevant?
{February 26th, 2019} by JJ Lane Carroll
Leveraging existing technology and employing better consumer engagement — we as an industry have readily usable tools at our disposable, but can we do more to reach people who are not buying insurance today? Bottom line, there are small changes we can make that can really move the needle on life insurance. Right now the landscape […]
Consumers at High Risk for Dementia Put More Wealth in CDs: Researchers
{February 26th, 2019} by Allison Bell and Ginger Szala
People who know they are growing more forgetful may have a tendency to simplify their investments — or their children may make them do so. Three economists — Su H. Shin, Dean R. Lillard and Jay Bhattacharya — reported that conclusion in a new study distributed by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Shin and the other economists wrote […]
AIG Announces New Term Life Insurance Rates
{February 26th, 2019} by AIG
Press Release AIG 175 Water Street New York, NY 10038 www.aig.com Contact: Matt Burkhard (Media), 212-458-4253; matthew.burkhard@aig.com AIG Announces New Term Life Insurance Rates Select-a-Term policies feature some of the lowest premiums in years HOUSTON – February 21, 2019 – American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG), whose domestic life insurers are […]
Investors Don’t Want to Replace You With a Robot: MDRT Survey
{February 26th, 2019} by Emily Zulz
Americans have not outgrown human advisors, according to a study by Million Dollar Round Table. Rather, the study finds that their preference lies in combining the personal touch of an advisor alongside cutting-edge technology. The study by MDRT, an independent association of more than 66,000 life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 72 […]
This One Weird Word Could Blow Up Your Sales Standard: NAFA to NAIC
{February 26th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The general counsel of the National Association for Fixed Annuities has some advice for state insurance regulators: Keep the word “prudence” out of any new standards for sellers of annuities, Pamela Heinrich, NAFA’s top legal officer, included that thought in a letter commenting on efforts by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to update the […]
6 Ways to Get Life Insurance Cases Approved ASAP
{February 26th, 2019} by Eric Schuhmacher
Time kills deals. The life insurance business is no exception. If the formal application process takes longer than normal, the client can get frustrated and lose interest. This is why broker general agencies seek ways to improve efficiency and cut the time from formal application submission to placement. It also improves the experience for the […]
U.S. Life Insurers Could Handle Another 2009: Fitch
{February 26th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Big U.S. life insurers have deep piles of capital, and they appear to be in a good position to survive a repeat of the 2007-2009 Great Recession. A team of Fitch Ratings analysts led by Mark Rouck give that assessment in a recent review of the insurers’ finances. The analysts looked into concerns that the […]
Here’s What Life and Health Insurers Plan to Do to Their Sales and Marketing Teams
{February 26th, 2019} by Allison Bell
U.S. life and health insurers may be hungry for tech talent, but they’re starved for sales and marketing talent. Analysts from the Jacobson Group and Aon have released data supporting that conclusion in summaries of results from a 2019 U.S. insurance labor market survey. The number of insurers in the sample was not immediately available, […]
New York Financial Superintendent Lacewell Warns of Hidden Costs in Universal Life Policies
{February 26th, 2019} by Elizabeth Festa
New York Department of Financial Services Acting Superintendent Linda Lacewell has issued a consumer alert that talks about hidden costs and risks in universal life insurance policies. It is her first public act since taking the helm of the agency earlier this month. “Beware of increasing charges,” the consumer alert warns in a message that appears on […]
Why That MYGA Rate Is So Hot
{February 26th, 2019} by Wendy Swanson
Finding the best rate on multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs) for your clients is easy. But knowing what’s behind that rate — the tradeoff — can be challenging. Now may be the perfect time to educate yourself on what to look for, as 2019 may well be the year that MYGA sales soar higher than we’ve […]
Rollovers and Annuity Sales Soar After DOL Rule’s Death
{February 26th, 2019} by Alex Padalka
With the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule out of the way, individual retirement account rollovers and annuities sales are picking up, according to a recent report. Several years ago, researchers had predicted the rollover market would reach $550 billion by 2018, but the DOL’s rule, which purported to require retirement account advisors to put clients’ interests […]
Ohio National extends variable annuity buyout offer
{February 26th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Ohio National Life Insurance Co. is extending by about a month a buyout offer it made on some of its variable annuity products. ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
Insurers create pain points for advisers and clients
{February 26th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
The insurance industry hasn’t done itself any favors when it comes to earning the trust of financial advisers and their clients. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nobody buys that policy thinking the company may raise my cost of insurance rates,” said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO […]
SEC Regulation Best Interest allows harmful broker practices, state regulators say
{February 26th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
State securities regulators are warning the Securities and Exchange Commission that the agency’s investment advice reform proposal will allow brokers to continue practices that harm investors. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
Cross-selling can be lucrative — and dangerous — for big brokerages
{February 26th, 2019} by Bruce Kelly
Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo Advisors currently stand at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to advisers selling or recommending banking products to clients. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
BofA Drops Merrill Lynch Name From Investment Bank Brand
{February 26th, 2019} by Lananh Nguyen
Bank of America Corp. will drop Merrill Lynch from its investment-bank brand, while keeping the name Merrill for wealth management. The investment bank is to be called BofA Securities and the U.S. Trust name will be dropped from the private bank, Charlotte, North Carolina-based BofA said Monday in a statement. Bank of America acquired Merrill Lynch, known […]
Middle-aged and out of work: When clients over 50 lose their jobs, advisers become a lifeline
{February 26th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Gail House was forced into retirement last year at age 58, after serving two decades as the principal safety manager for her Orlando, Fla., employer. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Positive for Principal Financial Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
{February 26th, 2019} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” of Principal Life Insurance Company and Principal National Life Insurance Company. Both are life insurance operating […]
Minnesota United’s stadium in St. Paul will be the eighth bearing Allianz’s name
{February 26th, 2019} by Patrick Kennedy
Before Minnesota United turned the first shovels for the construction of its new stadium — before the team was even officially a part of Major League Soccer — team owner William McGuire reached out to Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America to be the official stadium naming partner. McGuire recognized early that there would […]
Nick Lane Assumes Role as President of AXA Equitable Life
{February 26th, 2019} by AXA
NEW YORK – AXA Equitable Life, a leading financial services company and subsidiary of AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), today announced Nick Lane has assumed his previously announced position as President of AXA Equitable Life with responsibilities for the company’s Retirement, Wealth Management and Protection Solutions businesses as well as its Marketing and Digital functions. Nick Lane reports […]
Arizona The Latest State To Attempt An Annuity Sales Rule
{February 26th, 2019} by John Hilton
Arizona is the latest state to consider its own regulation of annuities with a Senate bill that is moving quickly through the Legislature. Senate Bill 1534 was introduced Feb. 6 and passed out of the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday by an 8-1 vote. The bill moves on to the Senate Rules Committee Monday, a Senate […]
Insurance Industry Battles Back Against Fiduciary Standard
{February 26th, 2019} by Tracey Longo
The three leading insurance and agent associations are working in tandem to support a state “standard of care” proposal for agents that rejects fiduciary responsibility for agents and advisors. At stake, they say: middle-class investors. By avoiding a fiduciary standard, more insurance companies and agents will be able to continue to offer “small and moderate […]
ACLI, AALU, NAIFA ENDORSE BEST INTEREST STANDARD OF CARE FOR ANNUITIES AND SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
{February 26th, 2019} by ACLI
Washington, D.C., (February 19, 2019) — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) today issued a statement announcing their support for rules requiring all financial professionals, when making a recommendation, to act in the consumer’s best interest. View […]
Record annuity sales display changing product mix
{February 26th, 2019} by Tobias Salinger
Record sales in fixed annuities driven by equity volatility and rising interest rates yielded the highest quarterly revenue for issuers in nearly a decade. The conditions of the past few years have also altered the mix of variable products shaping the annuity space. Fixed-rate deferred and fixed-index products helped boost total annuity sales by 22% […]
Should you opt for life insurance even if you don’t have any dependent?
{February 25th, 2019} by Adhil Shetty
Anyone in your family who needs your financial support for survival can be covered through life insurance. However, what if you don’t have dependents? Let’s explore some scenarios wherein you need to have a life insurance plan even if you don’t have dependents. Life insurance in short is a line of defence that offers your […]
DFS Warns Of Issues With Life Insurance Policies
{February 23rd, 2019} by N/A
New York’s Department of Financial Services yesterday (February 21) issued a consumer alert, warning residents to exercise caution if they own or are thinking about buying a universal life insurance policy. DFS has received a higher than average number of consumer complaints about these policies, and many consumer groups and media organizations have also reported […]
Private Equity Targets Insurance Agencies For M&A Activity
{February 22nd, 2019} by John Hilton
Insurance agencies and brokerages are hot properties and 2018 merger-and-acquisition activity was the busiest in at least a decade, OPTIS Partners reported. The OPTIS database logged a record 626 deals in the United States and Canada in 2018, including 330 transactions in the second half of the year and 148 transactions during the fourth quarter. […]
What in the wide, wild world of fiduciary is going on here?
{February 21st, 2019} by Ameritrade
Skip Schweiss, Managing Director of Advisor Advocacy at TD Ameritrade Institutional, provides a round-up of the status on regulatory issues with the potential to affect advisors. From the DOL to the newest SEC guidance on financial advice, here’s Skip’s take. Click here to read more: https://www.tdainstitutional.com/insights/articles/what-in-the-wide–wild-world-of-fiduciary-is-going-on-here-.html
Look for more changes at Cetera Financial Group
{February 21st, 2019} by Bruce Kelly
Robert Moore’s resignation from Cetera Financial Group likely signals other changes to come at the giant broker-dealer network, according to advisers and industry observers. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
M&A Market Likely To Cool Off, Survey Finds
{February 21st, 2019} by Jamie Johnson
NEW YORK (AP) — The years-long hot market for businesses may start to cool, perhaps as soon as this year. That’s the finding of a survey of brokers and advisers who help owners and buyers complete sales of small and mid-size businesses. The survey conducted by researchers at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and […]
Dropping Some Knowledge on Universal Life Products
{February 21st, 2019} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, one of the largest Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) in the country asked for Wink’s help with a big premium financing case. While preparing to run illustrations for the study, our team reviewed the list of products that the FMO wanted to include. I was shocked to see that while all of the products were […]
Nassau Re Launches Insurtech Incubator
{February 20th, 2019} by Nassau Re
Hartford, CT, Feb. 20, 2019 –Nassau Re today announced the launch of Nassau Re/Imagine, an insurtech incubator based in the company’s iconic Boat Building headquarters in Hartford, CT. Nassau Re/Imagine will support selected startups focused in the life insurance, annuity and reinsurance industries and will provide complimentary office space and business development services. “We are […]
Lincoln Financial Group Introduces a Solution for Savers Looking to Protect Retirement Income Taken from Tax-Deferred Accounts Like IRAs
{February 20th, 2019} by Lincoln Financial Group
RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today announced the introduction of Lincoln IRA Income PlusSM, a solution that is specifically designed to help savers maximize their retirement income on qualified savings — or the money they’ve saved in tax-deferred retirement accounts such as IRAs. Lincoln IRA Income PlusSM is an optional benefit available with Lincoln variable annuities […]
Speak Out: NAIC Gets Plenty Of Advice On Annuity Sales Rule
{February 20th, 2019} by John Hilton
Based on the first batch of comment letters, state insurance commissioners have a long way to go to finalize an annuity sales model law that gains approval from industry players. A National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ working group debated its annuity sales model throughout 2018 — mostly without success due to a few thorny issues. Finally, […]
Retirement: Will It Look The Way We Thought It Would?
{February 20th, 2019} by Eric Henderson
Planning for living in retirement requires balancing risks, understanding trade-offs, and choosing a path that has enough flexibility to adjust as circumstances change. There are multiple types of investment options to consider in a retirement strategy, along with their corresponding tax aspects. Ultimately, individuals and families must make decisions about how their investments can mitigate […]
Northwestern Mutual Recognizes Outstanding Company Volunteerism with Nearly $300,000 Donation
{February 20th, 2019} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — From connecting families with housing and food resources to providing valuable mentorship opportunities to local youth, Northwestern Mutual financial advisors are leading impactful change in their communities across the country. Through its Foundation, the company is recognizing these efforts through its 2019 Community Service Awards program by awarding nearly $300,000 in grants to nonprofits […]
Top 10 Safest States for Seniors
{February 20th, 2019} by Ginger Szala
Safety is a key issue, especially for seniors. To determine the safest U.S. states for seniors to live, TheSeniorList.com did a study using recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau to measure safety in five categories: fraud reported per 100,000 residents, monthly housing costs for renters, residents over 65 living in poverty, average annual rate of violent-injury death […]
Life Happens, LIMRA encouraging consumers to “Insure Your Love’ throughout February
{February 20th, 2019} by Brian Anderson
With Valentine’s Day upon us, Life Happens is once again spending the month of February reminding consumers that if they really want to give their loved ones a gift that shows how much they care, they’d get life insurance. Life Happens created and coordinates the annual “Insure Your Love” campaign because, the industry nonprofit says, […]
Comment Deadline Arrives for NAIC Annuity Sales Best-Interest Rule
{February 20th, 2019} by John Manganaro
February 25th was the deadline set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for industry comments on its proposed revisions to the current “suitability” standard governing the sale of annuity products—revisions that NAIC officials say would effectively establish a national “best interest” suitability regime. NAIC is the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory support organization created and governed […]
A New Class Action Theory for Breach of Fiduciary Duty by Brokers Recommending Variable Annuities Is Being Advanced, But Should Not Survive
{February 20th, 2019} by Alston & Bird
Our Securities Litigation Group explains how the novel theory from the plaintiffs’ bar to bring a breach of fiduciary duty class action could foreshadow an increase in financial firms’ litigation risk. The complaint’s allegations Dicta from the Georgia Supreme Court Holes in the plaintiff’s theory A class action was recently filed in the U.S. District […]
Ask Kim: Protection if your annuity insurer goes under
{February 20th, 2019} by Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Kiplinger's Money Power
What happens to a fixed annuity if the insurer fails? A. If an insurer starts to have financial troubles, the insurance regulator in the company’s home state works with the guaranty associations in every state where the insurer was licensed to find another company to take over its business. But if the company’s failure is […]
13 Misconceptions the Public Has About Advisors
{February 20th, 2019} by Bryce Sanders
Being a financial advisor is a hard job. It’s always been that way. In addition to needing to find and retain clients, you don’t know what the stock market will do next. If that isn’t enough, the general public has plenty of misconceptions about financial advisors. 1. You really can trade for free. They probably believe […]
Insurance groups tell NAIC to put ‘best interest’ back into annuity suitability rule draft
{February 20th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Insurance industry trade associations are telling state commissioners to put the words “best interest” back in a proposal to raise the advice standard for annuity sales. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
CNO Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
{February 19th, 2019} by CNO Financial Group
CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today announced fourth quarter and full year 2018 results. “CNO reported strong sales and collected premiums in the quarter, as growth initiatives implemented in our operating businesses over the past several quarters continue to yield positive results,” said Gary C. Bhojwani, chief executive officer. “Our first-year collected […]
Fourth Annual Advisor Authority Study Profiles Unique Needs of Millennials to Help RIAs and Fee-Based Advisors Engage with Expanding Market of Emerging Investors
{February 19th, 2019} by Nationwide Advisory Solutions
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — A new Special Report from the fourth annual Advisor AuthorityStudy commissioned by Nationwide Advisory Solutions, formerly known as Jefferson National, takes an in-depth look at Millennials (ages 18 to 37) with investable assets of $100,000 or more, to profile the unique needs of this expanding market of emerging investors—and how they differ from the cohorts of […]
A Best Interest Standard of Care for Annuities and Securities Transactions
{February 19th, 2019} by American Council of Life Insurers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) are committed to a uniform, harmonized best interest standard of care for annuity and securities transactions across all state and federal regulatory platforms for financial services firms and financial […]
16 Longevity Scientists Have A Valentine’s Day Message For The World
{February 19th, 2019} by The Academy for Health and Lifespan Research
– Announcing the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research – BOSTON, Feb. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — A group of leading scientists devoted to research on the mechanisms of biological aging today announced the formation of the Academy for Health and Lifespan, the first global non-profit group focused on accelerating breakthroughs in the expansion of the human health span. The timing of the […]
Finra Warns of New Phishing Scam
{February 19th, 2019} by Alex Padalka
Finra has put out an alert warning of a phishing email targeting its member firms. Several brokerage firms have told the industry’s self-regulator that they have received suspicious emails aimed at their compliance staff, Finra says. The email appears to come from a compliance officer at a legitimate credit union based in Indiana, alerting the firms about […]
P/C Broker Gallagher Widens Retirement Practice Into IMO Space
{February 19th, 2019} by John Hilton
While Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. is regularly acquiring new companies and expanding its gigantic Fortune 500 footprint, one January takeover generated particular notice. On Jan. 28, Gallagher announced the acquisition of Partners Advantage Insurance Services and AMZ Financial Insurance Services. The move marked the first substantial entry by Gallagher into the independent marketing organization channel of […]
Why Jay-Z And Kevin Durant Were Compelled To Invest In This Life Insurance Company
{February 19th, 2019} by Peter High
Life insurance does not seem like the sexiest of segments. Most of the major players in the industry were founded 150 years ago or more. They often develop such scale and recurring revenue streams that they can develop a bit of strategic laziness, as well. These were among the reasons why entrepreneur, Peter Colis, saw […]
Athene Holding Ltd. to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Financial Results on February 25, 2019
{February 19th, 2019} by Athene Holding Ltd.
PEMBROKE, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Athene Holding Ltd. (NYSE: ATH), a leading provider of retirement savings products, today announced it will release financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2018 on Monday, February 25, 2019 after the closing of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The news release, financial supplement and earnings presentation will be available […]
Allianz Life Reports Solid 2018 Financial Results
{February 19th, 2019} by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) today announced its 2018 financial results, with assets under management rising to $138 billion and total premium reaching $12.7 billion, 16 percent higher than 2017. Allianz Life’s operating profit topped $1 billion for the third year in a row, reaching slightly more than $1 billion. […]
Securian Financial Posts Solid 2018
{February 19th, 2019} by Securian Financial
ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–At its annual all-company meeting, Securian Financial announced solid preliminary 2018 financial results, including year-over-year increases in total sales, top-line revenue and earnings. “In 2018, Securian Financial achieved strong financial performance while significantly advancing our strategic priorities and increasing our community commitment,” said Chris Hilger, Securian Financial’s chairman, president and CEO. “Most […]
Regulators Bear Down On VA Sales, Commissions
{February 19th, 2019} by Tracey Longo
The environment for high-commission variable annuities sales gets a little less friendly by the day. Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are hyper-focusing their advisor examinations on variable annuities. That’s the word from securities attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland, who spoke during a press conference Thursday. The regulators are looking […]
SEC Extends Comment Period on VA Summary Prospectus Plan
{February 19th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that it is extending by one month the comment period for its proposed rulemaking on a variable annuity summary prospectus. The original comment period expired Friday but has been extended to March 15. The plan, which amends the rules and forms to help investors make informed investment decisions regarding variable […]
NY Best-Interest Reg for BDs Selling Annuities Is Coming
{February 19th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
Broker-dealers selling annuities in New York, take heed: On Aug. 1, the New York State Department of Financial Services’ best-interest Regulation 187 kicks in — imposing a best-interest standard on recommendations involving life insurance and annuity products, attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland warn. In a Thursday legal alert, the attorneys lay out the NYDFS’ final version of […]
What Millennials Want From Their Advisors: Nationwide
{February 19th, 2019} by Michael S. Fischer
Millennials with investable assets of $100,000 or more have needs that it behooves financial advisors to take note of if they want them as clients, according to a special report from the annual Advisor Authority Study commissioned by Nationwide Advisory Solutions, formerly Jefferson National. “Year over year, RIAs and fee-based advisors say that adding new clients is […]
AmeriLife® Expands Annuity Distribution with Acquisition of Dallas Financial Wholesalers
{February 19th, 2019} by AmeriLife Group, LLC
Clearwater, Fla. – AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing and distributing annuity, life and health insurance solutions, has acquired Dallas Financial Wholesalers (DFW) in a private transaction. Including DFW, AmeriLife now generates over $3 billion in annual annuity premium. DFW, a leading independent marketing organization with a 50-state distribution network, has helped […]
Please Harmonize With SEC Reg BI: Insurance Groups to NAIC
{February 19th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
Life insurance and annuity trade groups are urging the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to “strive for consistency” with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation Best Interest as the NAIC pushes ahead to revise its Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. The comment period for a draft of a proposed NAIC model rule revision expired Friday. The NAIC’s current […]
Life Policyholder Sues Over Reinstatement Amount Calculations
{February 19th, 2019} by Allison Bell
A consumer in California is suing a life insurer over how the insurer calculated variable universal life (VUL) insurance policy reinstatement charges. The plaintiff, Richard Behfarin, is seeking class-action certification for the case, Behfarin v. Pruco Life Insurance Company of America and Does 1-10, inclusive (Case Number 2:17-cv-05290-MWF-FFM), which was filed in the U.S. District Court […]
Common Mistakes in Life Insurance Designations
{February 19th, 2019} by Retirement & Financial Planning Report
Life insurance may play a vital role in an estate plan because insurance proceeds can be counted on to provide liquidity when it’s needed. With proper planning, insurance money can pay expenses such as estate tax and keep other assets intact. Suppose, for example, Bill Smith dies and leaves a large estate to his daughter […]
Broker-dealers selling annuities: preparing for the best interest standard under New York’s amended Insurance Regulation 187
{February 19th, 2019} by Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
Broker-dealers selling annuity products in New York will soon need to comply with new best interest requirements imposed by New York’s amended Insurance Regulation 187. These requirements, which will take effect for annuities on August 1, 2019, will also impose new documentation, disclosure and training requirements on broker-dealers that sell annuities. Background. In 2018, the […]
Can an annuity help sidestep Social Security taxes?
{February 19th, 2019} by Lee Conrad
Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about. Can an annuity help me sidestep Social Security taxes? Annuitizing savings in a taxable account may not be a smart move for seniors who want to avoid the tax bite on their Social Security benefits, according to this opinion article on MarketWatch. Although […]
Anatomy of an Elder Fraud: How a Woman Stole an 84-Year-Old Man’s Annuity and Home
{February 19th, 2019} by Steven A. Meyerowitz, Esq., Director, FC&S Legal
An appellate court in Texas has affirmed a woman’s conviction for theft of property from an elderly person in a case that highlights the dangers of elder fraud. The Case Wade Watkins, who was born in 1925, moved to Galveston, Texas, in 1945 and started working at Gaido’s Restaurant. He worked there for many […]
Allianz Life Named a 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Company to Work For
{February 19th, 2019} by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the eighth year in a row, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) has been named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work for List. The company is listed as number 43 on the list. Each year, the award honors companies that receive positive feedback from employees across a number of key […]
Brighthouse Launches First Life Product Since MetLife Spinoff
{February 19th, 2019} by Jamie Johnson
Brighthouse Financial today launched Brighthouse SmartCareSM, an indexed universal life product with a long-term care rider. The combination ensures that even if customers don’t use the LTC benefit, they get value through the guaranteed death benefit, Brighthouse said in a news release. SmartCare “distinguishes itself from other hybrid products by offering policyholders the ability to grow […]
Aegon reports second half 2018 results
{February 19th, 2019} by Aegon
THE HAGUE, Netherlands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Net income declines to EUR 253 million reflecting unfavorable market movements and other charges Underlying earnings decrease by 8% to EUR 1,010 million, as lower Retirement Plans earnings in the US more than offset business growth and higher margins in Europe, and expense savings Fair value losses of EUR 257 million mainly […]
Being A Victim Of Financial Fraud Not A Key Concern For Millennials, Study Says
{February 19th, 2019} by Jacqueline Sergeant
Millennials are not too worried about being victims of financial fraud, but they are most likely to say they had been victimized in the past two years, according to research by LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute. The study, dubbed Financial Fraud & Retirement Accounts – An Opportunity to Engage, Educate, and Build Trust, found that 17 […]
Recruiting For Growth, Not Just To Fill A Job
{February 19th, 2019} by Alisha Frederick
Although the burgeoning job market has been a boon for business growth, it has created unprecedented pressure on recruiting and hiring. Talented people have always been difficult to find, but the current employment landscape has only made that talent rarer and the recruiting process more competitive. For advisors, that can mean a cap in growth […]
Furloughed Workers Withdrew From Retirement Funds: Study
{February 19th, 2019} by Susan Rupe
More than one quarter of the 800,000 federal employees who were affected by the federal government shutdown withdrew money from their retirement funds to help make it through the 35 days in which they did not see a paycheck, according to a Prudential study. In addition, four in 10 of these federal workers borrowed money […]
Companies Are Also Flunking Retirement Planning
{February 19th, 2019} by NerdWallet
Plenty has been written about American workers’ failure to plan adequately for retirement. Their employers seem to be doing an even worse job. Only 1 in 10 large employers offers a formal phased-retirement program that lets workers cut back their hours or responsibilities before they quit work entirely, according to the 2018 Longer Working Careers […]
Generation Next
{February 19th, 2019} by Kate Smith
Of the 50 chief executive officer searches The Jacobson Group has done in the past four years, each was to replace a baby boomer. “Literally, all have been the result of retirement,” Greg Jacobson, co-CEO of The Jacobson Group, said. It’s a trend that’s bound to continue. And it’s also a trend that could prove […]
The Bitter Pill
{February 19th, 2019} by Jeff Roberts
The stranger on the other end of the phone would tell her almost nothing. Cheryl Canzanella just wanted to hear that her husband was all right. She wanted to hear something, anything, beyond what little the medical worker said: He was in the hospital, and she had to get there. An addiction that began with […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Lincoln National Corporation and Its Key Subsidiaries
{February 19th, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York (Syracuse, NY), which are the key life/health insurance subsidiaries of Lincoln National […]
World’s Largest Insurers
{February 19th, 2019} by A.M. Best
AM Best’s exclusive rankings of the World’s Largest Insurers ranked by non-banking assets and net premiums written. Click HERE to view.
Why the Commonwealth-MassMutual Tie-Up Is a ‘Big Deal’
{February 19th, 2019} by Janet Levaux
Broker-dealer and RIA Commonwealth Financial Network has a new client — but it’s not a financial advisor or team. The firm’s tech entity, Advisor360°, just inked a licensing deal with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., giving the insurance firm’s advisors and field partners access to Commonwealth’s platform of portfolio, workflow, customer relationship management and other […]
Cetera, other broker-dealers refuse to sign Ohio National contracts
{February 19th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
A handful of broker-dealers, including Cetera Financial Group and NEXT Financial Group, have rebuffed Ohio National Financial Services Inc. by refusing to sign new agreements with the insurer, the latest twist in an ongoing dispute over variable annuity commissions. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; subscription required.
Understanding The Benefits Of Whole Life Insurance
{February 19th, 2019} by Yolie Aleman-Rodriguez
More often than not clients and policyholders will let me know during our initial meeting that they already have their life insurance needs covered through work. They feel confident and secure that they have checked the correct box of life insurance during their initial human resources meeting. An essential practice of our discovery process is […]
Making Sense: Understanding annuities lessens risk
{February 18th, 2019} by Amanda Meiklejohn
Market uncertainty is constant. Dramatic moves in the market may cause you to question your strategy or worry about your money. When the market moves it can be a good reminder to review investments regularly. Diversification1 (having exposure to different areas of the market) can help the overall risk in your portfolio and match your […]
Lincoln Execs Are Happy, and 4 More Life & Annuity Earnings Updates
{February 16th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The fourth quarter of 2018 may have been a rollercoaster, but executives at the individual life and annuity issuers that reported earnings in the past week seem to enjoy rollercoasters. Dennis Glass, the president of Lincoln National Corp., which uses Lincoln Financial Group as its marketing name, was especially cheerful about the state of the market. LIMRA is […]
Building Fortifications
{February 15th, 2019} by Karen Demasters
A decade has passed since the second worst recession of modern times wiped out more than $10 trillion in stock and home values. People are feeling good about the sustained bull market. But nothing good lasts forever and it will all come down again at some point, but probably not with the crash that shook […]
How UBS’ Ellen Pierce Mentored Dozens of Female Advisors
{February 15th, 2019} by Ginger Szala
Lucky enough to be mentored by her grandfather who was an investment advisor, Ellen M. Pierce has paid it forward, and during her 30-year career in the advisory field, she has mentored at least 75 protegees, mainly women. “[Why] women are so critical [in the business] right now is because we still are in a […]
Will my life insurance be void after my divorce?
{February 15th, 2019} by Karin Price Mueller
Q. My husband and I are divorcing and we each have life insurance in our own names with each other as the beneficiaries. Once we divorce, do they become void? — Unsure A. A divorce doesn’t erase a life insurance policy. Click HERE to read the full story via NJ.com.
How A 172-Year-Old Company Is Innovating Life Insurance: Interview With CEO Eileen McDonnell
{February 14th, 2019} by Robert Reiss
When it comes to the life insurance industry, the word innovation may not come to mind. The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, which has been in business since 1847, is demonstrating that no matter your age, it’s never too late to think outside the box and innovate your way to the top. At Penn Mutual innovation […]
3 Cases for Annuities in a Turbulent Market
{February 14th, 2019} by Jason Allen, CFP
While there’s nothing unusual about volatility in stock markets, the big swings up and down we’ve experienced recently can amplify anxiety for those clients who are nearing retirement. Whether you are planning for the next correction or the next bear market, advisor-client conversations can focus around answering the following series of questions: What are the […]
Why Retirees Are Wary of Annuities
{February 14th, 2019} by Shlomo Benartzi and Suzanne Shu
One of the biggest challenges to a successful retirement is making sure you don’t run out of money once you begin tapping your nest egg. Many economists and financial advisers have long recommended that retirees worried about outliving their assets consider life annuities, where the lump sum used to purchase the policy is converted into […]
Fiduciary Anil Vazirani supports & promotes Annuity consumer protection bill
{February 14th, 2019} by Financial Advisor Scottsdale Az
Fiduciary Anil Vazirani supports & promotes Annuity consumer protection bill SB 1534 that was Introduced by Senators Brophy McGee: Boyer, Bradley, Gowan, Gray, Leach, Navarrete, Otondo, Quezada; Representatives Bolding, Cano, Chávez, Hernandez A, Jermaine, Meza, Terán, Thorpe SB 1534 is an ACT AMENDING SECTION 20-1242.02, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; AMENDING TITLE 20, CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 1.2, […]
Great American’s Annuity Customers Share Their Secrets to a Great Retirement
{February 13th, 2019} by Great American Insurance Group
CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Great American Insurance Group, a leading provider of fixed and fixed-indexed annuities through its member companies, recently launched “Great Retirements,” a five-part video series that explores the makings of a great retirement. The series provides a glimpse into the lives of five Great American Annuity customers, showcasing retirement experiences from modest Midwestern cities to […]
Shifting Consumer Needs and Expectations Drive New Life Insurance Product and Underwriting Enhancements from Lincoln Financial Group that Advance the Life Insurance Business Model
{February 13th, 2019} by Business Wire
RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In response to increasing consumer preference for holistic financial solutions that meet multiple planning needs, and demand for ease and speed of business, today Lincoln Financial Group introduced several new life insurance products that deliver greater value and flexibility, as well as digital underwriting enhancements that simplify and expedite the buying process. The […]
American Equity Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
{February 13th, 2019} by American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), a leading issuer of fixed index annuities (FIAs), today reported fourth quarter 2018 net income of $53.8 million, or $0.59 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $36.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted common share, for fourth quarter 2017. For the […]
Variable Annuities are Still Being Recommended — Despite Ohio National Fallout
{February 13th, 2019} by Rita Raagas De Ramos
It appears many top retirement advisors who recommend variable annuities to their plan sponsor clients haven’t soured on the product despite the wider ramifications of Ohio National Financial Services’ decision to terminate its variable annuities selling agreements with broker-dealers and stop paying trailing commissions. Surveyed in December by FA-IQ sister publication Ignites Research, most of the top retirement advisors […]
DPL Financial Partners Welcomes Jackson to RIA Insurance Network
{February 13th, 2019} by DPL Financial Partners
LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DPL Financial Partners (“DPL”), the insurance network for registered investment advisors (“RIAs”), and Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (“Jackson®”) announced that they are teaming up to bring the carrier’s popular advisory annuity products to fee-only advisors in what represents Jackson’s first distribution partnership targeting the independent RIA channel. Three of the carrier’s commission-free products are […]
Insurance & Millennials: A Coming Of Age
{February 13th, 2019} by Jamie Johnson
What really matters to Millennials? What drives their behavior and their actions? We learned that many Millennials felt that their hyper-digital lives had not only lead to burnout and digital fatigue, but also left them feeling lonely, isolated, and disconnected from their communities. They were looking for ways to feel more connected to their communities […]
Life Insurance & The New Distribution
{February 13th, 2019} by Brian Greenberg
The year 2018 laid the groundwork for big shifts in the life insurance landscape that will decidedly benefit consumers in the New Year. And it seems shifts are sorely needed with more than 40 percent of Americans not having any type of life insurance, according to Foresters Financial. While the industry is shifting at a […]
Brighthouse Prepares to Launch Life-LTC Hybrid
{February 13th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Brighthouse Financial Inc. is preparing to introduce an indexed universal life (IUL) insurance policy designed for the long-term care (LTC) planning market. The new Brighthouse SmartCare IUL policy will offer purchasers access to a rider that can provide a pool of LTC benefits with a value linked to the performance of an investment index. Eric […]
4 Reasons Selling Annuities Is a Stable Strategy
{February 13th, 2019} by Chris Conklin
Whether it’s from friends, family or co-workers, we’ve all heard the saying before: the only constant is change. This is especially true in the new year, as producers nationwide are reflecting on past results and adapting their sales strategies. As you settle into 2019, consider altering your sales approach based on the current economic climate. […]
Lincoln Execs Are Happy, and 4 More Life & Annuity Earnings Updates
{February 13th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The fourth quarter of 2018 may have been a rollercoaster, but executives at the individual life and annuity issuers that reported earnings in the past week seem to enjoy rollercoasters. Dennis Glass, the president of Lincoln National Corp., which uses Lincoln Financial Group as its marketing name, was especially cheerful about the state of the market. LIMRA is […]
5 Indexed Annuity Secrets
{February 13th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Legacy Marketing Group, an insurance marketing organization, recently brought Sheryl Moore to Phoenix to brief affiliated financial professionals on the state of the indexed market. Moore — the president of Wink Inc., an [insurance and annuity market research firm], and the head of Moore Market Intelligence, [an insurance and annuity consulting firm] — has access to broad, deep indexed annuity […]
Lincoln Financial Updates Life Products
{February 13th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Lincoln Financial Group is introducing a new indexed universal life (IUL) insurance product: he Lincoln WealthAccumulate Indexed Universal Life 2019 policy. The new IUL policy offers four different indexed account options, with all of the options based on the S&P 500 Index. Lincoln Financial is selling the policy with a nine-year surrender charge period. The […]
Start Me Up: Annuity Group To Sponsor Rolling Stones’ Tour
{February 13th, 2019} by John Hilton
The annuity focused Alliance for Lifetime Income has signed on as the sole sponsor of The Rolling Stones’ 2019 “No Filter” U.S. stadium tour. The tour kicks off April 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. According to the Alliance for Lifetime Income website, the group saw the sponsorship opportunity as too good to pass […]
NAIC Group Puts IUL Illustration ‘Multipliers’ Under Microscope
{February 13th, 2019} by John Hilton
State insurance regulators debated risk and reward and how much of the former consumers should take on in pursuit of the latter when purchasing indexed universal life products. National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ subgroup revealed the depths of members’ disagreement during its first conference call today on IUL illustrations. The IUL illustration subgroup has a […]
Maryland senators introduce fiduciary standard for brokers
{February 13th, 2019} by Ian Wenik
Maryland is hopping on the train of states seeking to institute their own fiduciary standards for broker-dealers. Maryland is the latest state seeking to institute their own fiduciary standards for broker-dealers ahead of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Regulation Best Interest proposal. On Monday, February 4, four state senators introduced a bill, the Financial Consumer […]
Jackson National looks to expand distribution of fee-only annuities
{February 13th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Jackson National Life Insurance Co., the largest annuity seller, is broadening the distribution of its fee-only annuities to try to capitalize on the growing ranks of independent registered investment advisers. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
New CFP Board ads feature lesbian couple
{February 13th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Television ads launched Monday by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. feature a lesbian couple, a move intended to promote CFPs to the gay community. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
SEC commissioner Peirce wants to move ahead on advice reform quickly
{February 13th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Securities and Exchange Commission member Hester Peirce said Tuesday she wants the agency to complete investment advice reform soon, an indication that a rule could be coming by summer. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
Maryland bill would impose fiduciary duty on brokers, insurance reps
{February 13th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Legislation introduced this week by Maryland state lawmakers would raise investment advice standards for brokers and insurance representatives — marking an expansion of coverage compared to a Securities and Exchange Commission proposal. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
Retirement savings bill re-introduced in House with bipartisan backing
{February 13th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Legislation that would help small businesses offer retirement plans to their employees and ease the use of annuities in them was re-introduced in the House on Wednesday with bipartisan backing. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
WealthVest Announces Bradley Yoshida Assumes Regional Director Position
{February 12th, 2019} by WealthVest
BOZEMAN, Mo., Feb. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — WealthVest continues to grow their team of wholesalers by hiring Bradley Yoshida. Bradley will cover the Arkansas/Tennessee area helping advisors with retirement planning utilizing fixed and fixed index annuities. WealthVest demonstrates traditional face-to-face wholesaling as the #1 independently owned distributor of fixed and fixed index annuities in financial institutions. Brad brings 8+ years of […]
Cognizant launches tech innovation hub in Boulder, Colorado
{February 12th, 2019} by Consulting.us
New Jersey–based technology and management consultancy Cognizant opened an Accelerator global technology center and innovation hub in Boulder on February 7. The Cognizant Accelerator division’s business and tech experts spearhead new technology development and invest in emerging external startups. The new center will employ 100 professionals. Cognizant Accelerator’s opening was attended by numerous state and local […]
Ric Edelman’s List of Industries at Risk
{February 12th, 2019} by Bernice Napach
Ric Edelman is on a mission to warn financial advisors that the world they live and operate in is poised to change dramatically and exponentially within the next 20 years, if not sooner. Many of their clients will live beyond 100 years old due to advances in medicine and genomics, retirement will become obsolete and […]
What Jay-Z Wants, Finra Insists It Already Has
{February 12th, 2019} by Rita Raagas De Ramos
An ongoing dispute involving rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z and a brand management company that’s set to be heard before the American Arbitration Association has pointed the spotlight on how critical it is to have arbitrator diversity. In November Jay-Z asked the Supreme Court of the State of New York – in a filing under his legal name, Shawn Carter – to halt arbitration proceedings initiated by Iconix Brand […]
Life Activity Climbs — for Two Age Groups
{February 11th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Americans ages 60 and older pumped a torrent of applications into U.S. life insurers in January. Americans ages 45 through 59 sent in more applications. Americans ages 44 and younger continued to back away. MIB Group Inc. has given that picture of U.S. individual life application activity in a new batch of activity data. Click HERE […]
Smaller Life Insurers Continue Fight for Consumer Mindshare
{February 11th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Executives at small and midsize life insurers are still hungry for ways to stand out on social media services, and on mobile devices. Many of the presenters who spoke last week in Destin, Florida, at the Life Insurers Council’s annual meeting and marketing conference, talked about strategies smaller life insurers can use to capture consumer mindshare. The […]
Integrity Marketing Acquires Final Expense Life Distributor
{February 11th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Integrity Marketing Group LLC says it has acquired NEAT Management Group from Tim McCoy, the owner. Integrity Marketing is a privately held, Dallas-based life and health products distributor with ties to about 140,000 independent agents. NEAT is an Austin, Texas-based distributor of final expense life insurance products. NEAT Management’s History Tim McCoy’s grandfather, J.H. Mac […]
Edmund Murphy III to Lead Great-West’s US Life Unit
{February 11th, 2019} by Allison Bell
A Canadian life insurer has named a new head for its U.S. retirement business. Great-West Lifeco Inc. says Edward Murphy III will succeed Robert Reynolds as the president and chief executive officer of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. Great-West Life is the parent of Empower Retirement, Great-West’s U.S. retirement services unit. Reynolds, who is […]
Insurers Are Competition for the PBGC: GAO Chief
{February 11th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The private insurers in the group annuity market are taking paying pension guarantee customers away from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) Gene Dodaro, the comptroller general of the United States, talked, briefly, about the competition between the PBGC and the private “pension risk transfer” market Wednesday, at a hearing on financial security in retirement […]
How to Prepare to Leave a Legacy: Study
{February 10th, 2019} by Bernice Napach
Death is not taboo, but failing to prepare for it financially is looked down upon. Those are just two of the many findings of a new report from Merrill Lynch in partnership with Age Wave that may interest advisors, especially those with clients who are middle-aged and older. The study of 3,000 adults, with a […]
AM Best Downgrades Issuer Credit Rating of EquiTrust Life Insurance Company
{February 10th, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bbb” from “bbb+” and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) of EquiTrust Life Insurance Company (EquiTrust) (Chicago, IL). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect EquiTrust’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes […]
Paterson woman faces charges in $175K insurance fraud case
{February 10th, 2019} by Joe Malinconico, Paterson Press
PATERSON – A 45-year-old Paterson woman is accused of impersonating two people in an attempt to steal $175,000 from their insurance annuity policies, according to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. The suspect, Vashanta Stroud-Bennett, was charged with insurance fraud, theft by deception and impersonation in an indictment rendered by a state grand jury in […]
New York Insurers Can Evaluate Your Social Media Use—If They Can Prove Why It’s Needed
{February 10th, 2019} by Leslie Scism
New York’s top financial regulator is going to allow life insurers to use data from social media and other nontraditional sources when setting premium rates, though the insurers will have to prove the information doesn’t unfairly discriminate against certain customers. New York is the first state to set specific guidance governing how life insurers use algorithms […]
WHY THE FUTURE OF LIFE INSURANCE MAY DEPEND ON YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE
{February 10th, 2019} by Angela Chen
Don’t post photos of yourself smoking on social-media sites. Do post photos of yourself running.” These two suggestions appear in a recent Wall Street Journal article about New York state’s new rules for how life insurance companies can use public data to help set premiums. Such tips — under the heading “what you pay for life insurance could depend […]
Annuities group signs up for Rolling Stones tour
{February 10th, 2019} by InvestmentNews
The Alliance for Lifetime Income, an organization that’s trying to improve the public perception of annuity products, will be the sole sponsor of the Rolling Stones’ U.S. tour later this year. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.
Lincoln Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results
{February 10th, 2019} by Lincoln Financial Group
RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 of $399 million, or $1.80 per diluted share available to common stockholders, compared to net income in the fourth quarter of 2017 of $816 million, or $3.67 per diluted share available to common stockholders. Fourth quarter adjusted income […]
Wealth tax proposed by Elizabeth Warren could be illegal
{February 10th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Sen. Elizabeth Warren set the financial advice industry abuzz last week when the presidential hopeful proposed a “wealth tax” on ultra-rich Americans. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
Ohio National announces increased earnings
{February 10th, 2019} by Ohio National Financial Services
CINCINNATI, Feb. 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ohio National Financial Services today announced a 6 percent increase in 2018 core earnings and released positive 2018 financial results as it closes out a five-year strategy. The company also grew total revenue (excluding realized gains and losses) by 9 percent and increased sales in core product lines. […]
Symetra Donation to The Sophia Way Will Help Keep Eastside Emergency Shelter for Women Open Year-Round Again in 2019
{February 10th, 2019} by Symetra
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Symetra, a national provider of employee benefits, annuities and life insurance, has committed a second $100,000 donation to The Sophia Way, a Bellevue, Washington-based nonprofit dedicated to helping end homelessness for single adult women in King County. Like the company’s June 2018 gift, the funding will allow the Eastside Emergency Shelter for Women […]
Securian Financial Introduces Affordable, Protection-Focused IUL with No-Lapse Guarantee
{February 6th, 2019} by Securian Financial
ST. PAUL, Minn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Securian Financial has launched Value Protection Indexed Universal Life (IUL), a low-cost, protection-focused indexed universal life insurance policy with a built-in no-lapse guarantee. A leading accumulation-focused IUL carrier since it entered the market in 20061, Securian Financial is expanding its IUL portfolio and planting a flag in the protection space with the […]
Q4 Earnings Vortex Report: Great American, Ameriprise, Principal
{February 6th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The first life and annuity issuers to report their fourth-quarter earnings say the recent stock market volatility storm knocked some twigs down but left roofs intact. Those issuers are American Financial Group Inc., which is the parent of Great American Financial Group; Ameriprise Financial Inc.; and Principal Financial Group Inc. The companies faced a 14% […]
Principal Financial Group warns of more job cuts after ‘challenging’ quarter
{February 6th, 2019} by Kevin Hardy and Donnelle Eller
After laying off employees in late 2018, Principal Financial Group is warning workers to expect more job losses this year. The bleak assessment came Wednesday after Principal reported its profits dropped by more than half a billion dollars in the fourth quarter of last year, falling short of Wall Street analysts’ expectations. The Des Moines-based financial services company’s fourth-quarter earnings […]
Ohio National: We Can Legally Terminate Selling Agreements
{February 6th, 2019} by John Hilton
Ohio National is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its controversial decision to terminate trail commissions on variable annuities. The insurer bases its defense on the word “and.” In its request for summary judgment in the lawsuit filed by Veritas Independent Partners, a broker-dealer, Ohio National attorneys cite the selling agreement: Click […]
We Need a More Muscular Life Happens
{February 6th, 2019} by David F. Woods
ThinkAdvisor Life/Health recently ran an article about the decline in life insurance sales to folks under 40. There are a number of reasons for this trend. Among them, I believe, is the lack of financial support for Life Happens. I have spent 58 years in this business and am a life member of the Million Dollar […]
Four Reasons Life Insurance Should Be One Of Your 2019 Financial Resolutions
{February 6th, 2019} by Peter Colis
Life insurance is one of life’s least understood financial necessities. By design, it is intended to provide security for people in one of life’s most difficult emotional and financial situations: the passing of a loved one. Yet, too often, people view paying for life insurance as an unnecessary precaution or expense. This misconception is largely […]
American Financial Group, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results
{February 6th, 2019} by American Financial Group, Inc.
CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) today reported a 2018 fourth quarter net loss attributable to shareholders of $29 million ($0.33 per share) compared to earnings of $166 million ($1.84 per share) for the 2017 fourth quarter. Results for the fourth quarter of 2018 include $188 million ($2.08 per share) in non-core net realized […]
T. Rowe Price: Nearly 7 In 10 Retirees Say They Live As Well Or Better In Retirement Than During Their Working Years
{February 6th, 2019} by T. Rowe Price
BALTIMORE, Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — More than two-thirds of retirees say they live as well or better in retirement as they did when they were working, according to a recent study focused on retirees conducted by T. Rowe Price. Meanwhile, only 39 percent of current workers believe they will live as well or better in retirement. […]
Juvenile Life Insurance Market Is Thriving Worldwide: Key Manufactures and Statistics Analysis- Allianz, AXA, Nippon Life Insurance, American Intl. Group, Aviva
{February 6th, 2019} by HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
Edison, NJ — (SBWIRE) — 02/02/2019 — A new business intelligence report released by HTF MI with title “Global Juvenile life insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025” has abilities to raise as the most significant market worldwide as it has remained playing a remarkable role in establishing progressive impacts on the universal economy. The Global […]
MassMutual’s LifeScore Labs℠ Launches Consumer-Facing Risk Scoring Tool
{February 6th, 2019} by MassMutual
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Creating an online experience aimed at empowering consumers to better understand their individual insurance risks before applying for life insurance, LifeScore Labs℠, the risk-scoring insurtech subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), today announced the launch of MyLifeScore360℠. MyLifeScore360 is a free online risk scoring tool that provides insights to how an insurance carrier […]
An FIA Designed By RIAs
{February 6th, 2019} by Kerry Pechter
With the new “ClearLine” fixed indexed annuity (FIA), Security Benefit Life and DPL Financial Partners have built a product based on what they heard first-hand from the registered investment advisory (RIA) firms that pay an annual administrative fee to be part of DPL’s nearly year-old commission-free insurance sales platform. Click HERE to read the full […]
Life Insurers Can Use Social Media Posts To Determine Premiums, As Long As They Don’t Discriminate
{February 6th, 2019} by Jessica Baron
New York’s Department of Financial Services (NYFS) has released new guidelines that will allow life insurance companies to use data from customers’ social media posts to determine their premiums, and experts say that these rules could potentially extend beyond New York’s borders. The new guidelines suggest that companies can use data from other “non-traditional” sources as well, […]
National Western Life Group, Inc. Announces Completion of Acquisition of Ozark National Life Insurance Company
{February 6th, 2019} by National Western Life Group, Inc.
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Ross R. Moody, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of National Western Life Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, National Western Life Insurance Company (“National Western” or “NWLIC”), has completed its previously announced acquisition of Ozark National Life Insurance Company (“Ozark National”) and N.I.S. Financial Services, Inc. […]
Anita Fox Takes Over at Michigan Department
{February 6th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Anita Fox recently took over as the director of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. The Michigan department has about 350 employees, an annual insurance regulation budget of about $33 million, and about $41 million in annual insurance regulation-related revenue, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The department oversees credit unions, […]
