AIG’s Growth Strategy May Make It Hard to Dislodge as No. 1 Annuity Seller
{May 31st, 2019} by Cyril Tuohy
When the dust cleared after the first quarter, AIG stood firmly atop the rankings for annuity sales. Click HERE to view the full article via Life Annuity Specialist.
Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2019 Deferred Annuity Sales Results
{May 31st, 2019} by Press Releases
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE MYGAS DOMINATE SALES GROWTH IN FIRST QUARTER Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2019 Deferred Annuity Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. June 3, 2019– Wink’s Sales & Market Report, the insurance industry’s #1 resource for indexed annuity sales data since 1997, now reports on all deferred annuities. […]
Life Guide Partners Introduce New Life Expectancy Calculator: How Long Will Your Retirement Funds Last?
{May 30th, 2019} by LifeGuide Partners
ATLANTA, May 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Over the 30 years he’s worked with people who are trying to squeeze all of the juice out of their retirement savings, Scott Page says he’s been surprised that most of them leave a key element out of the equation. His solution was to create a life expectancy calculator that makes it easy and fun to […]
Annuity sales hit record levels as boomers look for safety and lifetime income
{May 30th, 2019} by Tim Grant
Baby boomers craving financial certainty and shunning stock market risk were practically standing in line to buy annuities early this year, according to an insurance research organization which reported sales reached the highest level in a decade. “Annuity sales in the first quarter are definitely a reflection of a flight to safety,” said Teodor Panaitisor, […]
Sales of Universal Life Products Slumped 29% in First Quarter
{May 30th, 2019} by Daphne Zhang
Individual life insurance had a rocky first quarter, as insurers are preoccupied with updating mortality tables. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist.
SEC to tackle thorny topic: How much advice brokers can give without being an adviser
{May 29th, 2019} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
When it votes on a final investment advice reform package next week, the Securities and Exchange Commission will revisit an explosive issue: The extent to which brokers can provide advice without having to register as investment advisers. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
SEC sets date for Reg BI, but will it mollify critics’ concerns?
{May 29th, 2019} by Andrew Welsch
The SEC and Department of Labor are moving closer to resetting the rules governing how advisors and brokers serve their clients. The commission will vote June 5 on its proposed Regulation Best Interest, according to a regulatory notice issued by the SEC. It’ll be an opportunity to see whether the SEC, which has received a lot […]
Opinion: This one investment move can give you lifetime yearly income in retirement
{May 29th, 2019} by Michael Edesess
The investment business is full of theories and recommendations about how to accumulate wealth. But the field has very little to say about the best ways to decumulate, or spend down wealth. This is an astonishing oversight, considering that the period over which wealth decumulation occurs is often as long as that of accumulation. If […]
Why Annuities Are Popular
{May 29th, 2019} by The Alliance for Lifetime Income
To the Editor: Re “The Way to Stop Predatory Lending” (editorial, May 23): We take issue with your criticism of fixed indexed annuities. These products, and indeed all annuities, can provide a guaranteed monthly income for the rest of a policyholder’s life, acting much like a personal pension plan or Social Security In an era […]
Lincoln National (LNC) Extends Tie-Up With Valmark Advisers
{May 29th, 2019} by Zacks Equity Research
Lincoln National Corporation LNC recently expanded its collaboration with Valmark Advisers, Inc, a leading provider of Exchange-traded fund (ETF) portfolio management. With this deal, Lincoln’s Variable Universal Life (VUL) and Variable Annuity (VA) products will be accessible to TOPS ETF Portfolios, managed by Valmark Advisers. It is believed that Lincoln’s advanced range of VUL and VA […]
Valmark Financial Group Strengthens Partnership With Lincoln Financial Group to Offer a Robust ETF Portfolio Solution Within Variable Universal Life and Variable Annuity Products
{May 29th, 2019} by Valmark Financial Group
AKRON, Ohio, May 23, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Valmark Advisers, Inc, a leading provider of ETF-based portfolio management, is pleased to announce a deepened partnership with Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) to offer TOPS® ETF Portfolios, managed by Valmark Advisers, within Variable Universal Life (VUL) and Variable Annuity (VA) products offered by Lincoln. “TOPS is a leading independent manager of ETF-based […]
National Life calls 2018 its most successful year ever
{May 29th, 2019} by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine
National Life has released its 2018 Annual Report, which highlights a record-setting year on the company’s 170th anniversary, as life insurance sales have more than tripled over the last decade and its renowned foundation budget has reached $2 million. Revenues in 2018 were $1.9 billion compared to $2.3 billion in 2017. Net income was $150.1 million […]
SEC To Vote June 5 On Regulation Best Interest
{May 29th, 2019} by Cassie Miller
The Securities and Exchange Commission scheduled a June 5 vote on its Regulation Best Interest rulemaking package. The vote will include four items: Regulation Best Interest – Standard of Conduct for Broker-Dealers, Form CRS, Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers and an item not included in the three-part rulemaking package called Interpretation of “Solely Incidental.” The […]
‘Juicing’ Or ‘Innovative’? IUL Illustrations In The Crossfire
{May 29th, 2019} by John Hilton
Re-opening the contentious life insurance illustrations model regulation is on the table, state insurance regulators said today, but the group is starting with a narrow look at issues with AG 49. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ subgroup held an at-times contentious conference call to set an agenda for its work. Fred Anderson, acting deputy […]
AmeriLife Direct and One Resource Group Partner to Provide Medicare Advice and Products
{May 29th, 2019} by AmeriLife
CLEARWATER, Fla., May 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing and distributing annuity, life and health insurance solutions, today announced an expanded partnership with One Resource Group (“ORG”) that will enable ORG’s 10,000 agents and advisors to refer their clients with confidence to AmeriLife Direct’s Medicare experts and full-service platform. […]
Annuity Rates: No Reason to Get Psyched Out
{May 29th, 2019} by Sheryl J. Moore
Let me guess: you nor your agents haven’t sold fixed annuities for at least a decade. Am I right? Well, give me a minute. I am going to challenge you about why we all should probably keep that arrow in our quivers. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why fixed annuities aren’t […]
Great American Life Expands Registered Investment Advisor Support with Customer Relationship Management Integration and Electronic Delivery
{May 29th, 2019} by Great American Insurance Group
CINCINNATI — May 15, 2019 — Great American Life®’s commitment to make annuities easily accessible to registered investment advisors (RIAs) remains strong with the launch of two new technology solutions. The latest solutions include Client Relationship Management (CRM) integration and the electronic delivery of contracts. The new CRM capabilities allow advisors to import client information […]
The Power of Loss
{May 29th, 2019} by Emily Holbrook
The original version of this article ran Oct. 20, 2016. We believe the advice Myra Palmer gave is still highly relevant. (Chicago) — It’s quite possible that I’ve never heard a more touching and persuasive personal story about the importance of life insurance than the one Myra Palmer gave today at the Women in Insurance & Financial […]
Fact or Fiction? 5 RIA Business Myths, Investigated
{May 29th, 2019} by Ginger Szala
During BNY Melon Pershing’s RIA Symposium in Chicago, Gabriel Garcia, managing director, Advisor Solutions for the firm presented some of the myths floating around the business, and whether they are true or not. The implications for these myths, false or not, are that firms need to prepare in the good times, like now, for the bad […]
DOL Fiduciary Rule Release Set for December
{May 29th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
The Labor Department will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding a new fiduciary rule in December, according to the department’s spring regulatory flexibility agenda. Dates set out in reg flex agendas are traditionally placeholders, and may not reflect the actual date that a fiduciary plan would be released. An earlier unveiling of a Labor […]
Honoring Advisors Who Serve(d): Memorial Day, 2019
{May 29th, 2019} by Ronald Pechtimaldjian
This is ThinkAdvisor’s eighth version of the Advisors Who Serve(d) compilation, and this year we highlight the stories, told in their own words, of 11 veterans in the advisory world. Advisors Who Serve(d) is just that: Financial advisors who have served or are serving in the military. Each of our compilations have debuted over Memorial […]
Alliance Adds Advisor Version of Retirement Readiness Assessment Tool
{May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The Alliance for Lifetime Income is now offering financial advisors an advisor-oriented version of its Retirement Income Security Evaluation tool, or RISE Score tool. The alliance — a group for annuity providers and other organizations with an interest in income planning arrangements — says the tool provides a quick, standardized assessment of how prepared users are for retirement. The […]
How to Sell Fixed Annuities to Skeptical Retirees
{May 29th, 2019} by Craig D. Simms
More often than not, fixed annuities make a lot of sense as a financial tool for retirees. However, they are frequently encumbered by a bad rap that causes skepticism among potential investors. How do agents overcome this resistance and create a win-win situation for all involved? The way I see it, it’s best to anticipate […]
Tony Robbins loses role with RIA amid charges of sexual misconduct
{May 29th, 2019} by Jeff Benjamin
Self-help guru Tony Robbins is quickly becoming persona non grata across the financial planning industry following recently reported accusations by nine women of sexual misconduct over several decades. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
MassMutual Closes on OppenheimerFunds Sale
{May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company has completed selling OppenheimerFunds to Invesco Ltd., a money manager, for about $5.7 billion in Invesco stock. MassMutual has emerged from the deal with a 15.7% stake in Invesco. The companies announced the deal in October. Invesco is now managing $1.2 trillion in assets. MassMutual bought OppenheimerFunds in 1990, from British […]
House Passes Secure Act Retirement Bill
{May 29th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
The full House passed Thursday morning the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (Secure) Act of 2019, which would make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans and raises the required minimum distribution age to 72 from 70 1/2. The bill, which passed by a 417-3 vote, also paves the way for […]
Fidelity Measures the CD-Annuity Literacy Gap
{May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Fidelity Investments recently conducted a consumer knowledge survey using a non-random sample of Americans that was designed to give annuities the edge. Even though Fidelity did its best to put its statistical thumb on the annuity side of the scale, the company found that the survey participants knew a lot more about bank certificates of […]
If South Park Characters Applied for Life Insurance Policies…
{May 29th, 2019} by Phil Murphy
South Park is coming to the end of its 23-season run, with the series finale scheduled for later this year. (It may come as a shocker to many, including myself, that it’s still going strong). Since 1997, we’ve watched the characters in the South Park universe reflect human nature, which means they face the same […]
Mortality Table Shift Hits Q1 Non-Variable Life Sales
{May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell
New U.S. sales of non-variable, individual life insurance coverage were soft in the first quarter, according to new insurer survey data from Wink Inc. The firm now tracks sales of three types of life insurance: indexed life insurance, universal life insurance, and whole life. Combined sales of those three types of products fell to $1.8 […]
Making Annuities Friendlier, With Insurtech
{May 29th, 2019} by Thiru Sivasubramanian
Robo advisors and chatbots can definitely provide value to advisors. Though they can’t yet replace these financial professionals and the value they bring to the table – a unique combination of relationships, trust and personalized service – today’s advisors do need to effectively engage through digital channels with their customers, whether digital natives or members […]
Life and Annuity Groups Celebrate House Passage of Secure Act Bill
{May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Life and annuity groups are celebrating the possibility that they might be able to get H.R. 1994 — a modest package of retirement savings changes — all the way through Congress, and onto the desk of President Donald Trump. Partisanship slowed progress early Thursday. Some Republicans tried to keep the current version of the Setting Every Community […]
Memories of 9/11 Still Reverberate
{May 29th, 2019} by Warren S. Hersch
The original version of this article ran Sept. 9, 2016. For those who lived through major tragic events in the nation’s history — Pearl Harbor, the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy’s assassination — the first thought that often comes to mind is where they were as the events unfolded. And so it […]
The House passed a bill that would allow more annuities in 401(k) plans — is that actually a good thing?
{May 29th, 2019} by Alessandra Malito
The SECURE Act is one step closer to becoming law, and with it, Americans would see a few tweaks to the way the retirement system works. As part of the SECURE Act, which the House of Representatives passed last week, individual retirement accounts’ age cap would be lifted, small businesses would have more avenues to […]
Wink, Inc. Releases First Quarter, 2019 Life Sales Results
{May 28th, 2019} by Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE A SLOW START TO 2019 FOR LIFE SALES Wink, Inc. Releases First Quarter, 2019 Life Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. May 24, 2019– Wink, Inc. released first quarter, 2019 life sales results in its 87th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s Sales & Market Report, […]
Unrealistic IUL Illustrations Are Unnecessary
{May 25th, 2019} by Bruce Carlton, CLU
Many agents are motivated to show IUL illustrations that have the highest cash value and income compared to other carriers. Typically, with very little in the sales funnel the agent is anxious to make a sale and is naive in thinking the numbers are real. Carriers also anxious to increase sales make it easy for […]
Securities America Recruits Three Groups with Approximately $245 Million in Total Client Assets
{May 25th, 2019} by Securities America
LA VISTA, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Securities America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS, LTSL, LTS PrA, LTSF, LTSK), announced today that it has successfully recruited three advisory practices with client assets totaling approximately $245 million. The three groups are: Miller & Hurt Wealth Advisors, a two-advisor practice in Rockledge, Fla., […]
TIAA commends House passage of SECURE Act, calls on Senate to take up retirement security
{May 25th, 2019} by TIAA
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., president and CEO of TIAA, released the following statement regarding the House of Representatives’ passage of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act: “TIAA applauds the House of Representatives for bipartisan passage of the SECURE Act, a significant step toward advancing much-needed modernization of the American retirement system. […]
8 Major Ways The SECURE Act Could Impact Your Retirement Plan
{May 25th, 2019} by Jamie Hopkins
From the outset, 2019 looked like it might be “The Year Of Retirement Reform” for Congress. Last year closed out with a number of retirement bills making real headway through DC, committees, think tanks and lobbyists, and we’ve been poised for major legislation to emerge. And now we have the first real movement of the […]
FIRST QUARTER 2019 LIFE INSURANCE SALES
{May 24th, 2019} by Sheryl J. Moore
Indexed Life Sales for the first quarter of 2019 were $491 million, compared with sales of $486 million for the first quarter of 2018. First quarter indexed life sales were down more than 20% when compared with the previous quarter, and up just over 1% when compared to the same period last year. Total […]
Empower Retirement lauds House approval of the SECURE Act of 2019
{May 24th, 2019} by Empower Retirement
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today the U.S. House of Representatives sent a message with its approval of a bill that reforms retirement policy affecting working Americans. “Congress has done a great service to American retirement savers by voting for the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019. Empower Retirement applauds lawmakers for […]
How advisors handle their most difficult conversations
{May 24th, 2019} by Graison Dangor
As both an advisor and therapist, Susan Zimmerman thinks a lot about handling tough conversations with clients — and how to dissuade their fear of the unknown. Many clients walk in the door with minimal financial literacy, says Zimmerman, co-founder of the firm Mindful Asset Planning. It’s an advisor’s job to help steer them in […]
Senate Could Vote Friday On Bill Expanding Annuity Options In Plans
{May 24th, 2019} by John Hilton
A source says Senate leaders want to quickly vote on a bill to expand access and options for retirement plans, which passed the House this morning. Under the maneuver, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act would be voted on under unanimous consent. That means that the Senate could quickly pass the bill Friday, […]
LPL expanding platform to include employee brokers
{May 23rd, 2019} by Bruce Kelly
LPL Financial, which has grown into one of the largest brokerage firms in the country by hiring advisers who act as independent contractors, is creating new a new model which would employ brokers working directly for the firm. Click HERE to read the full article.
Ladenburg Rolling Out New Tax App for Indie Advisors
{May 23rd, 2019} by Ginger Szala
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services discovered a new tool for its independent advisors last year: a web app that basically does the “busy work” of calculating payroll taxes, withholding them for the account and providing quarterly reminders and annual tax filings. The firm decided invest in it and just announced plans to roll out Track Technologies’ […]
Americans Believe Risky Careers are Considered the Most Heroic, According to Vantis Life
{May 23rd, 2019} by Vantis Life
WINDSOR, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new study released by leading life insurance provider Vantis Life has highlighted just how valued heroic jobs are in American society. The research polled 2,000 U.S. residents, asking respondents to rank 22 common professions based on how heroic, important and trusted they are, and how they should be compensated accordingly. Vantis Life undertook the survey […]
Only 55% of AIG Shareholders OK $21 Million Compensation for CEO Duperreault
{May 23rd, 2019} by Suzanne Barlyn and Ross Kerber
American International Group Inc. said shareholders approved a $21 million pay package for Chief Executive Officer Brian Duperreault by only a narrow margin during the company’s annual meeting on Tuesday. A non-binding resolution to endorse the firm’s executive compensation received support from just 55% of votes cast, according to a securities filing by the company […]
Best’s Commentary: Life/Health Insurers Daunted by Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Long-Duration Contract Changes
{May 23rd, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Changes to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) requirements for insurance companies to report GAAP financials for long-duration contracts could become costly for companies transitioning to the new accounting standards and could create earnings and reserving volatility, according to a new AM Best commentary. The Best’s Commentary, titled, “Life/Health Insurers Daunted by FASB Long Duration Contract Changes,” […]
‘Zombie’ Fiduciary Rule Must Stay Dead, Industry Expert Says
{May 22nd, 2019} by John Hilton
While there is plenty of regulatory rumblings on several fronts, the Department of Labor is not reviving the dreaded fiduciary rule, a National Association for Fixed Annuities’ spokeswoman said today. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta testified May 1 before the House Education and Labor Committee. He described department rulemaking vis-a-vis the late fiduciary rule, which was […]
TIAA Survey Finds Level of Financial Confidence among Adult Children May Stem from Their Parents’ Approach to Retirement Planning
{May 22nd, 2019} by TIAA
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new survey from TIAA finds Americans who lack confidence in their parents’ financial security in retirement (27 percent) are twice as likely to lack confidence in their own retirement as those who are confident in their parents’ (72 percent versus 36 percent). More than half of respondents (57 percent) also indicate that […]
Allianz Life Announces New Enhancements to Fixed Index Annuity Portfolio
{May 21st, 2019} by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
MINNEAPOLIS – May 21, 2019 – Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) today announced it has added new benefit features to several of its fixed index annuities (FIAs), with the goal of helping provide clients with more flexibility, choice, and control. The new benefits are: New ADL qualifications on the Allianz Income Multiplier […]
Allianz Bolsters Its Top-Selling 222 Fixed Indexed Annuity Line
{May 21st, 2019} by Annuity News
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America added new benefit features to several of its fixed index annuities (FIAs), with “the goal of helping provide clients with more flexibility, choice, and control.” The new benefits bolster the Allianz 222 line of FIAs, which have long been top sellers. According to fourth-quarter data from Moore Market […]
New Jersey fiduciary rule: Time to speed up or slow down?
{May 21st, 2019} by Andrew Welsch
New Jersey is currently taking comment on its proposed fiduciary rule, after years of public debate over federal and state regulator’s efforts to craft a higher standard for brokers and advisors. But the state may be moving too quickly, industry insiders warn. The American Securities Association — an industry trade group representing regional broker-dealers — […]
The Impact Partnership expands its product offering for high net worth individuals through the launch of Lincoln Impact Advantage® Plus
{May 21st, 2019} by The Impact Partnership
ATLANTA, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The Impact Partnership expands its product offering for high net worth individuals through the launch of Lincoln Impact Advantage® Plus. The bonus fixed indexed annuity option developed with Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) helps savers jump-start their retirement goals through accumulation and income. “We are thrilled to unveil the latest product enhancement within our portfolio […]
Variable annuities lose more ground to fixed annuities
{May 21st, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Variable annuity sales continued their downward spiral last quarter on the back of volatile equity markets, losing yet more ground to fixed annuities. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews. Wink’s Note: 1st Quarter, 2019 will be the first quarter that Wink has tracked variable annuity sales. Wink’s Sales & Market Report, 1st […]
Annuity Product Update: Impact, AIG, Allianz Life
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
One sign that the U.S. individual annuity market is heating up is an increase in product announcement activity. Major issuers have put out at least three widely distributed press releases about new annuity products, annuity programs or annuity contract features in the last week. Here’s a look at what our nets brought in. Click HERE to […]
Let’s Talk Annuities: The Growing Fee-based Annuity Space
{May 21st, 2019} by Cassie Miller
WASHINGTON — Fee-based variable annuity accounts made up just 3.2% of all sales in 2018. That number is no doubt small compared to its commission-based counterparts, but it is growing. From 2016 to 2017, the percentage of households with fee-based accounts increased 10%. At the Insured Retirement Institute’s Action19 conference, a panel of experts shared […]
Will Fixed Annuity Sales Continue On A Roll?
{May 21st, 2019} by John Hilton
WASHINGTON — The sales shift to fixed and fixed indexed annuities might not be a temporary thing. A panel of industry experts discussed everything related to fixed annuity products during a Thursday morning session at the Insured Retirement Institute’s Action2019 conference. Whether fixed and fixed indexed annuities maintain their sales roll depends in part on […]
Federal Life Updates Variable Annuity Registration Statement
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
A Midwestern life insurer that recently raised $35 million through a stock offering has posted a new N-4 registration statement for its individual deferred variable annuity contract. The insurer, Federal Life Group Inc., filed the document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The last time the company filed a similar document was in 2008. […]
Annuity Index War May Reveal a Data Gap
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
One challenge for consumers thinking about buying indexed annuities may be the lack of well-known, accessible tools for comparing the performance of various investment indexes, or even knowing which of the indexes have been around for 10, 15 or 20 years. The Center for Economic Justice — an Austin, Texas-based group that’s skeptical of use of newer investment […]
AIG Announces Results of Its 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
{May 21st, 2019} by AIG
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Shareholders of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) today elected thirteen directors at the company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders also voted to support each of the three other proposals recommended by the AIG Board of Directors (the “Board”) and, as the Board recommended, shareholders withheld support for the shareholder proposal included in […]
Federal Life Updates Variable Annuity Registration Statement
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
A Midwestern life insurer that recently raised $35 million through a stock offering has posted a new N-4 registration statement for its individual deferred variable annuity contract. The insurer, Federal Life Group Inc., filed the document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The last time the company filed a similar document was in 2008. […]
The Plain Vanilla Fixed Annuity Was the Q1 King
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
One of the oldest types of individual annuities that the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute tracks — the book value annuity — has won the latest games of sales growth thrones. Sales of book value annuities soared to $10 billion in the first quarter, up 77% from the total for the first quarter of 2018. A […]
The annuities firms behind the new Stones tour
{May 21st, 2019} by Steve LeVine
In an announcement on Thursday, the Rolling Stones said they will begin a 17-date U.S. tour next month in Chicago, and the bulk of the expected audience is evident in its sponsor — an association of firms that sell annuities. By the numbers: Speaking with Axios, Jean Statler, executive director of the Alliance for Lifetime Income, says […]
Sen. Grassley Talks Retirement Issues With NAIFA Members
{May 21st, 2019} by Susan Rupe
The current retirement system in the U.S. has not kept pace with changes in the workforce and the economy, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee told an industry group this afternoon. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, discussed the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act during a briefing at the start of the National Association of Insurance and Financial […]
NAIC Group Aims To Finalize ‘Policy Overview’ Idea By Summer Meeting
{May 21st, 2019} by John Hilton
A state insurance commissioners’ working group is targeting the summer for completion of its long-delayed “policy overview” summary to accompany life insurance sales. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ big Summer Meeting takes place Aug. 3-6 in New York City. Its Life Insurance Illustration Issues working group is down to the fine details of its […]
Three Annuity Cures for Sequence Risk
{May 21st, 2019} by Kerry Pechter
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by about 600 points on Monday, as investors reacted to fresh tremors in the US-China trade relationship. Although the Dow regained 100 points on Tuesday, the jittery sell-off was a reminder that financial instability is never more than a presidential tweet away. Click HERE to read the full story […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Life Insurance Company
{May 21st, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa+” of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its subsidiary, Thrivent Life Insurance Company (both headquartered in Minneapolis, MN) (together known as Thrivent Financial). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Thrivent Financial’s […]
AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Positive for Athene Holding Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries
{May 21st, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” of the members of Athene Group (Athene). The outlook of the FSR remains stable. Athene, which is focused on the fixed indexed […]
Christopher Zimmerman Appointed General Counsel Effective June 1
{May 21st, 2019} by National Life Group
Montpelier, VT – (May 6, 2018) Christopher B. Zimmerman, assistant general counsel at National Life, has been promoted to Vice President and General Counsel effective June 1. Zimmerman has been at National Life for six years and has provided legal support for the company’s life insurance operations and is responsible for much of National Life’s litigation […]
National Life Releases 2018 Annual Report
{May 21st, 2019} by National Life Group
The company highlights its most successful year ever Montpelier, VT – (May 14, 2019) National Life released its 2018 Annual Report, which highlights a record-setting year and the company’s 170th anniversary. “We remain one of the fastest growing life insurance companies in America1,” said Mehran Assadi, Chairman, CEO and President. “We’re proud of this growth and […]
Guaranteed Appeal
{May 21st, 2019} by Herb Braley, Jr.
A growing concern among working individuals is whether or not they are saving enough money for retirement. Luckily, various financial products exist to mitigate the longevity risk and provide guaranteed solutions. One of the strongest options is an annuity because they are the only investments that are inherently tax-deferred and can be considered guaranteed income. […]
Finra makes its list to target hundreds of rogue individuals
{May 21st, 2019} by Bruce Kelly
As the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. undertakes closer supervision of rogue firms, it has identified hundreds of individual registered reps and financial advisers who pose the biggest risk for clients of the securities industry. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
5 wealth and estate planning lessons from Grumpy Cat: Reprint
{May 21st, 2019} by Darla Mercado
Grumpy Cat has died. Here’s a column on planning that she inspired back in December 2014. Internet star Grumpy Cat may not be quite as wealthy as everyone thought, but she does make a great case for financial and estate planning in light of a sudden windfall. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
Finra rogue broker rule would affect 61 firms
{May 21st, 2019} by Bruce Kelly
As part of its crackdown on rogue brokers, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. has identified 61 firms that would face restrictions under a newly proposed Finra rule. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
New York State Life Industry Produces More GDP Than Jamaica
{May 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell
The life insurance industry in New York state produced $20.3 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, according to a new report commissioned by The Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). The New York life industry generated 1.3% of New York state’s $1.5 trillion in 2016 GDP, according to the Ernst & Young […]
1Q Annuity Sales Up 38% Year Over Year, LIMRA Reports
{May 21st, 2019} by Staff and Wire Reports
First quarter 2019 fixed annuity sales were $38 billion, a 38% increase compared with first quarter 2018, according to LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute’s First Quarter 2019 U.S. Retail Annuity Sales Survey. Fixed sales have outperformed variable annuity (VA) sales in 11 of the last 13 quarters and they represent 63% of overall annuity sales. Overall, […]
Rumors Build of Imminent Reg BI Release, Here’s What Broker-Dealers Want
{May 21st, 2019} by Rita Raagas De Ramos
The SEC’s pending Regulation Best Interest was a hot topic at last week’s Finra annual conference, with discussions revolving around when the final rule would be released and how close to the draft proposals the final rule would look. At a compliance and legal trends session at the conference, Finra chief legal officer Robert Colby noted there are press reports […]
Fiduciaries Aren’t Free of Conflict, Warns SEC Lawyer
{May 21st, 2019} by Rita Raagas De Ramos
Investment advisors tend to emphasize to existing and prospective clients how they can be trusted because they are fiduciaries. But the SEC’s assistant chief counsel for sales practices says the fiduciary label isn’t an automatic guarantee. “The fundamental problem that we’re trying to tackle is how do you provide advice in the face of conflict,” Lourdes Gonzalez, […]
RetireUp Adds Great American to Roster of Product Partners Who are Demonstrating the Value of Annuities in Retirement Portfolios
{May 21st, 2019} by RetireUp
CHICAGO, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Leading retirement income planning software provider RetireUp announced today the addition of Great American Life®‘s fixed-indexed annuities (FIAs) to the extensive selection of modeled products available on its end-to-end client-advisor platform, RetireUp Pro. These include the American LandmarkSM 5, American Legend® 7, AssuranceSelectSM 5 Plus, AssuranceSelect 7 Plus, Premier Bonus® and Premier Income Bonus®. The […]
Bruce Pearl Says Annuities A Way To Compensate College Athletes
{May 21st, 2019} by INN Insider
May 20– May 20– The NCAA announced earlier in May that it was going to look into the possibility of college athletes having the ability to profit off of their likeness. It’s one of the most controversial current rules of NCAA athletics that student-athletes’ name can’t be of value to them in any way. Click […]
Feds: Georgia insurance commissioner used fraud to fund campaign
{May 21st, 2019} by Joshua Sharpe, James Salzer
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck was accused Tuesday by a federal grand jury of stealing more than $2 million from his former employer. The 38-count indictment charges Beck, an ex-insurance lobbyist and long-time leader of the Georgia Christian Coalition, with fraud and money laundering in an elaborate scheme to defraud the Georgia Underwriting Association. With […]
Tennessee Insurance Head McPeak Steps Down; Lawrence Tapped as Interim Chief
{May 21st, 2019} by Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
After eight years as the head of the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak is leaving Tennessee state government in order to pursue career opportunities in the private sector, according to a statement from TDCI. TDCI announced McPeak’s resignation May 13, saying her last day as commissioner will be June […]
LIMRA and The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative™ Announce New Life and Annuity Members
{May 21st, 2019} by The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative
The Institutes RiskStream Collaborative™ and LIMRA announced today that eight companies have joined the life and annuity sector of the risk management and insurance industry’s first enterprise-level blockchain consortium. Seven additional companies have also joined the property and casualty sector, bringing the total number of member companies to 39. The Institutes, a leading provider of risk […]
2019 Fixed Index Annuity Volatility Control Indices Overview Available
{May 20th, 2019} by Advantage Compendium, Ltd.
CKINNEY, TX – 15 May 2019 – Over fifty volatility control indices are being offered in today’s fixed index annuities (FIAs), according to a new FIA vol-control index digest from volcontrol.com researched by Advantage Compendium, Ltd. Notable vol-control index changes include: Over the last year eleven new vol-controlled indices entered the FIA space and […]
TOTAL OVERALL INDEXED ANNUITY SALES (2018)
{May 20th, 2019} by Jamie Johnson
We have tracked indexed annuity sales by insurance carrier each year since 1998 in our quarterly Wink’s Sales & Market Report. All-Time sales for indexed annuities through 2018 are over $629.4 billion according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report! Wow! It has become an ongoing tradition to update our analysis each year, compiling the year-end sales to see which […]
TOTAL OVERALL INDEXED LIFE SALES (2018)
{May 20th, 2019} by Jamie Johnson
In 1998, Wink began tracking indexed life sales by insurance carrier each year in our quarterly Wink’s Sales & Market Report. We compiled all of the data from 1998 – 2018 to establish the top 10 indexed life carriers for the “Total Overall Indexed Life Sales.” Pacific Life Companies is the leader for Total Overall Indexed Life […]
TIAA Changes Sales Materials After In-House Probe, CEO Ferguson Says
{May 17th, 2019} by Leslie P. Norton
TIAA has concluded its in-house investigation following two November 2017 New York Times articles alleging improper sales practices at the financial services company, and has made some alterations to its sales materials, TIAA chief executive Roger Ferguson told Barron’s in an interview. While its internal probe didn’t find “any systemic support for the central allegations of those […]
Indicted Georgia Insurance Commissioner Steps Aside From Post
{May 17th, 2019} by Timothy Darragh
ATLANTA – Two days after he was charged with fraud in a federal indictment, Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck said he would step aside from office. But Beck said it was only a temporary move, even after prosecutors charged him with 38 counts of mail and wire fraud and money laundering. “I hereby authorize the […]
This CEO Thinks Traditional Life Insurance Can Be a Rip-Off — Does He Have a Better Alternative?
{May 16th, 2019} by Gabrielle Olya
Peter Colis is the CEO of Ethos, a life insurance provider that allows clients to sign up online, quickly and simply. Prior to co-founding Ethos, Colis was the co-founder of Ovid Corp., an online life insurance exchange. Under his leadership, Ethos has raised $46.5 million in funding, according to Crunchbase, and the company was named one […]
AM Best Affirms Northwestern Mutual’s Highest Possible Financial Strength Rating
{May 16th, 2019} by AM Best
MILWAUKEE, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Global rating agency AM Best has reaffirmed Northwestern Mutual’s A++ (Superior) financial strength, the highest possible rating from the agency. The recent report detailed several key drivers for Northwestern Mutual’s continued industry-leading financial strength, including its strong balance sheet and its very strong operating performance and enterprise risk management. “Our financial […]
Nationwide’s CareMatters(R) II makes long-term care coverage more accessible
{May 16th, 2019} by Nationwide
Columbus, OH – Many of us may need long-term care (LTC) at some point during our lives and hope to remain where we’re most comfortable should we ever need care. To help, Nationwide launched Nationwide CareMatters® II today – a new linked benefit product that offers more accessibility, expanded features and more opportunities for advisors to help their clients […]
AIG Life & Retirement Increases Level of Flexibility and Choice for the Power Series of Index Annuities®
{May 16th, 2019} by AIG Life & Retirement
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AIG Life & Retirement, a division of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG), today announced a number of enhancements to the Power Series of Index Annuities designed to increase the level of flexibility and choice in these retirement accumulation and income solutions. With the new Lifetime Income Plus Flex℠ and Lifetime Income Plus […]
Investments: Why you should consider annuities in your retirement planning
{May 16th, 2019} by Selena Maranjian
Annuities are contracts between you and an insurance company. In exchange for a typically large sum of money, the company promises to pay you a lump sum at some point or, more often, a monthly sum. The payments start immediately or at some point in the future and can make your retirement more secure. Annuities […]
Oconomowoc financial adviser used $1 million of clients’ money to pay off credit cards and more, document says
{May 16th, 2019} by Evan Frank
Ed Matthes, a former independent contractor for Mutual of Omaha who resided in Oconomowoc, has been permanently barred from obtaining a securities license, according to a cease and desist order from The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). According to the DFI, Matthes misappropriated at least $1.03 million from six insurance clients’ Pacific Life annuities from 2013 to […]
NAIFA Members Asking Congress To Enact SECURE Act
{May 15th, 2019} by Susan Rupe
Members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors are urging Congress to enact a package that would help workers better prepare for retirement. NAIFA members are traveling to Washington Tuesday and Wednesday for their annual political advocacy event. The 2019 NAIFA Congressional Conference kicks off Tuesday with an advocacy briefing. Members will travel […]
Congress Closes In On Retirement Security Legislation
{May 15th, 2019} by John Hilton
As a pair of retirement security bills advance through Congress, optimism is growing that a bipartisan agreement could be in the offing. The Senate Finance Committee is holding a hearing this morning on “Challenges in the Retirement System.” Last month, the committee chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and ranking member, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced […]
NJ Governor Vetoes Bill Saying Insurance Agents Are Not Fiduciaries
{May 15th, 2019} by Diana Britton
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been an outspoken proponent of the state’s proposed fiduciary rule, which he called “some of the strongest investor protections in the nation.” So when a state bill was passed that would eliminate a fiduciary standard for insurance producers, he, naturally, vetoed it. Murphy announced Monday that he was sending Senate Bill […]
Cake & Arrow Partners with Coverager on New Report Exploring Millennials and Modern Insurance
{May 15th, 2019} by Cake & Arrow
NEW YORK, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Today Cake & Arrow, a customer experience design and innovation agency that works across the insurance industry, announced the publication of a new report in partnership with Coverager exploring the modern landscape of insurance and offering a deep dive analysis of Millennials. Drawing upon Coverager’s extensive proprietary industry research and a year’s worth […]
RegEd and IRI Announce Partnership to Deliver Training to Help Industry Professionals Comply With New York Regulation 187
{May 15th, 2019} by RegEd, IRI
Raleigh, NC, May 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RegEd, the leading provider of Compliance Education and Product Training solutions for the financial services industry, has announced a partnership with the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) to deliver a course to help meet New York Regulation 187 requirements. The course, NY Reg 187: Suitability and Best Interest of […]
Seniors May Face A Grim Financial Future
{May 15th, 2019} by Herald-Tribune, The (Sarasota, FL)
More than half of middle-income seniors 75 years or older won’t have enough money to cover assisted living rent and other out-of-pocket medical costs a decade from now, even if they were to sell their homes and use all other financial resources. That number will sharply rise to 81% if tomorrow’s seniors choose to keep […]
New Retirement Bill Would Boost RMD Age to 75
{May 15th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, reintroduced legislation late Monday that would raise the required minimum distribution age from 70 ½ to 75 and also help workers pay off their student loans. Cardin and Portman’s Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2019 overlaps with some provisions in the Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act (RESA) of 2019, […]
Securian Aims for the Bank Annuity Market
{May 15th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Securian Financial is building a team of six regional vice presidents to manage its entry into the bank distribution channel for individual annuities. Chris Owens is the St. Paul, Minnesota-based company’s national sales vice president for retail life and annuities. The company has already hired Kate McLees Hannon and Karl Krause to be regional sales […]
Life Insurance Sales Website Beauty Isn’t Everything
{May 15th, 2019} by Bruce Bosco
E-underwriting has transformed the life insurance new business underwriting process — and the technology continues to evolve and adapt. Yet, far too many carriers make the fatal mistake of misjudging modern e-underwriting capabilities. Automated underwriting is often considered just another form of back-end software, rather than a key means to improve the customer experience. It’s […]
AXA Equitable Holdings Reports First Quarter 2019 Results
{May 15th, 2019} by AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AXA Equitable Holdings”, or the “Company”) (NYSE: EQH) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. “AXA Equitable Holdings delivered strong first quarter 2019 results, with 14% growth in Non-GAAP Operating Earnings per share, reflecting solid operating performance and effective execution against our strategic priorities,” said […]
Foresters Financial bolsters its leadership as it refocuses on life insurance
{May 15th, 2019} by Foresters Financial
TORONTO, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ – Foresters Financial™ today announces the further bolstering of its senior leadership team with the appointment of its new Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Hodges, as the organization repositions itself to focus on its core life insurance business. Joining recent appointments Marcia Mendes d’Abreu, Chief Human Resources Officer; Alvin Sharma, Global Chief Financial Officer; and David Longfritz, Chief Marketing […]
National Western Life Group, Inc. Announces 2019 First Quarter Earnings
{May 15th, 2019} by National Western Life Group, Inc.
AUSTIN, Texas, May 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Ross R. Moody, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of National Western Life Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today first quarter 2019 consolidated net earnings of $40.2 million, or $11.37 per diluted Class A common share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $26.9 million, or $7.60 per diluted Class A common share, for the first […]
Brooke Shields Partners With Nonprofit Life Happens to Reinforce the Value of Life Insurance
{May 15th, 2019} by Life Happens
ARLINGTON, Va., May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Life Happens, a national nonprofit dedicated to educating consumers about the importance of life insurance and other related products for sound financial planning, announces today its partnership with actress, model, designer, and mother Brooke Shields to drive home the importance of life insurance as a financial priority to U.S. consumers. Serving as an […]
FINRA’s Cook: SEC Reg BI Compliance to Be a Heavy Lift
{May 15th, 2019} by Melanie Waddell
As the SEC works toward finalizing its Regulation Best Interest proposal for brokers, two issues are front and center for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: how to implement the new rule as well as potential changes to the broker-dealer self-regulator’s own rules, FINRA CEO Robert Cook said Wednesday. “Wherever the SEC lands, it may have […]
Advisors Who Serve(d) in the Military: 2019 Survey
{May 15th, 2019} by Ronald Pechtimaldjian
ThinkAdvisor: Please tell us about your military service so we can share your stories this Memorial Day weekend in our ongoing Advisors Who Serve(d) compilations. Click HERE to submit.
Maryland High School Teacher Named National Life Group’s ‘LifeChanger of the Year’ Grand Prize Winner for the 2018-2019 School Year
{May 15th, 2019} by National Life Group
MONTPELIER, Vt.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Keishia Thorpe, an English teacher and track and field coach at International High School Langley Park in Bladensburg, MD, has been selected as the Grand Prize Winner for the 2018-2019 national LifeChanger of the Year award. Thorpe was recognized for inspiring her students – all of whom are immigrants – to follow her […]
Advisor Group CEO Opens Up About Reverence Deal, Brown’s Departure
{May 15th, 2019} by Janet Levaux
Advisor Group CEO Jamie Price had quite a week, wrapping up the sale of the 75% of the firm to private-equity group Reverence Capital Partners from Lightyear Capital, PSP Investments and others. After Thursday’s announcement, Price answered questions on Friday about the deal and shared his thoughts on what it means for the company he leads, which includes […]
How This Mother-Daughter Financial Planning Duo Found Success
{May 15th, 2019} by Emily Zulz
In honor of Mother’s Day, LPL Financial shared a story of a successful mother-daughter duo. Sally Ng, a longtime LPL Financial advisor based in Walnut Creek, Calif., works with her daughter, Jeanette Ng, as independent financial planners affiliated with The Wealth Consulting Group, supported by LPL Financial. They focus on developing individualized financial plans, with the majority […]
Advisors Miss Big Market Under Their Noses: Children Who Inherit Client’s Estate
{May 15th, 2019} by Emily Zulz
With more than $60 trillion in assets poised to pass between generations during the next 25 years, it has never been more important for advisors to connect with their clients’ heirs. And yet, new research from global research and consulting firm Cerulli Associates finds that only 13% of affluent investors report that they choose to work with the […]
Seeking Younger Talent, Advisors Can Underscore Societal Impact
{May 15th, 2019} by Rich Blake
Around the nation, financial firms continue to report difficulties finding qualified employees. Even in looser labor markets, banks and credit unions have found it hard to recruit advisors. Similar to manufacturing, the finance industry faces demographic headwinds. And there’s yet another challenge confronting advisory teams out for new blood: how to pitch the attributes of […]
Clients May Jilt You Because of This: Nationwide
{May 15th, 2019} by Allison Bell
If clients ages 50 and older are backing away from you, you could start by checking your body odor. The next thing to check might be whether you know much about strategies for collecting Social Security benefits. Nationwide recently released survey data suggesting that the ability to counsel clients about Social Security may be a major […]
BRAMCO, LifeMark Discuss Blockbuster Merger
{May 15th, 2019} by John Hilton
LifeMark Partners and BRAMCO Financial Resources are discussing a blockbuster merger that would create one of the top insurance brokerage firms in the country. The companies have signed a letter of intent and high-level executives are said to be meeting this week on the deal. Remaining issues include a decision on the new company name […]
What Boomers Need, and Aren’t Getting, From Advisors
{May 15th, 2019} by Jane Wollman Rusoff
It’s no secret: A curious thing happened to the self-involved “Me Generation” on the way to retirement: Baby boomers — big-time spenders in their Beatlemania youth and prime time — aren’t saving enough to see them through their golden years. What’s not well known is that, oddly, the financial services industry is failing to make […]
Here’s When the Government Now Thinks You’ll Die
{May 15th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Older people are looking tougher in the latest batch of federal government life data. Young adults and children are looking more fragile. The National Center for Health Statistics, an arm of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has told the story in a new set of U.S. life expectancy tables for 2016. We compared […]
Northwestern Mutual Wins Court Battle Over Agent Classification
{May 15th, 2019} by Emily Zulz
A federal judge has dismissed a putative class action against Northwestern Mutual. The suit filed by a longtime insurance agent who claimed the company improperly classified him and his counterparts as independent contractors. U.S. District Judge William J. Martini of the District of New Jersey granted Northwestern’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff Fred Walfish’s claims that […]
Earnings: AIG, Athene, AXA Equitable, Primerica, FGL, IHC, HC2, Triple-S
{May 15th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The trickle of first-quarter earnings releases has started to slow. Here’s a look at some of the announcements that have flowed out in the past week. Life and Annuity American International Group Inc. (Stock symbol: AIG) AIG is reporting $937 million in net income for the first quarter on $12 billion in revenue, compared with $949 […]
Understanding Indexed Life Illustrations
{May 15th, 2019} by Sheryl J. Moore
At what rate do we illustrate the cash value growth of indexed life insurance products? This is a question that has plagued the life insurance industry since indexed universal life (IUL) was developed in January 1997. The National Association for Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted the life insurance illustration model regulation two years before the […]
AIG Life & Retirement Names Terri Fiedler President and Chief Executive Officer, AIG Financial Distributors
{May 15th, 2019} by American International Group, Inc
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AIG Life & Retirement, a division of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG), today announced the appointment of Terri Fiedler as President and Chief Executive Officer, AIG Financial Distributors. Ms. Fiedler succeeds Steve Maginn, who will become Vice Chairman, Partner Relations for Life & Retirement, responsible for developing sponsorship concepts and sports marketing […]
Voices: Is the 4% rule still ‘safe’ for retirement planning?
{May 15th, 2019} by Allan S. Roth
CHICAGO – Think your client’s most expensive purchase is their house? Think again. It’s retirement — and none of us really knows how much it will cost them. Try as we might to forecast the expense, it’s only getting harder. Morningstar’s head of retirement research, David Blanchett, starts with the 4% rule, but even that’s […]
Advisor Group to sell for more than $2B in year’s biggest deal yet
{May 15th, 2019} by Tobias Salinger
Another private equity firm is crowding into the independent broker-dealer sector — paying more than $2 billion to buy Advisor Group. The acquisition is poised to be the largest M&A deal of the year across wealth management so far, according to data analyzed by Financial Planning. Reverence Capital Partners’ affiliated funds will purchase a 75% stake […]
‘Not in any other industry’: Hot topics at Morningstar
{May 15th, 2019} by Daniel Kuhn
From a potential emerging markets rebound to the future of AI and upcoming unicorn offerings, experts shared their insights on the industry’s biggest disruptors at this year’s Morningstar Investment Conference. Industry leaders — like Tim Buckley, CEO of Vanguard, and Richard Sneller of Baillie Gifford — didn’t just have their heads in the sky. Strategists […]
Fidelity® Survey Reveals Many Americans Leaving Money on the Table When It Comes to Fixed Income Investments
{May 15th, 2019} by Fidelity
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–What happens when a fixed income investment — such as a certificate of deposit (CD) or a deferred fixed annuity — reaches its maturity date? The answer: if left unattended, the investment will likely generate a much lower rate of return than other options available in today’s interest rate environment. Those who weren’t sure […]
NAFA Issues Support for RESA and the Retirement Security & Savings Act
{May 15th, 2019} by NAFA
Bipartisan Legislation to Include Expanded Access to Annuities for Consumers in Retirement Planning, Among Other Provisions WASHINGTON (May 14, 2019) — NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, has formally issued its support for the Retirement Security & Savings Act (S. 1431), a broad set of reforms designed to strengthen Americans’ retirement security. The proposed […]
At the Morningstar Investor Conference
{May 15th, 2019} by Kerry Pechter
David Blanchett was about mid-way into his presentation on retirement planning—”(Re) Modeling the Cost of Retirement”—when I arrived at the Morningstar Investors Conference in Chicago Wednesday morning. The breakout room at the McCormick Center was crowded with 300 or so attentive financial advisors, many braced against the walls with their wheeled carry-ons and bright red […]
AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Members of ReliaStar Life Insurance Group
{May 15th, 2019} by A.M. Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “a+” to ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (Woodbury, NY) and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) collectively known as ReliaStar Life Insurance Group (ReliaStar). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. […]
First Command Reports: Demand for Permanent Life Insurance Rising in Military Families
{May 15th, 2019} by First Command
FORT WORTH, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Demand for permanent life insurance is on the rise in America’s career military, where the majority of families either already own or are currently thinking about buying this type of coverage, according to the First Command Financial Behaviors Index®. First Command’s eighth annual life insurance survey reveals that 73 percent of middle-class […]
Follow SAFE’s LinkedIn page
{May 15th, 2019} by SAFE
Would you like to receive updates on The Society of Annuity Facts and Education’s (SAFE) responses to inaccurate media regarding annuities? Follow SAFE’s new LinkedIn page!
Getting to know our Market Maverick
{May 14th, 2019} by Wink's RockStars
THEY DON’T CALL HER THE MARKET MAVERICK FOR NOTHIN’! Emily E. Nordyke, Market Maverick, was hired (twice!!) for the job she didn’t actually apply for! Her knowledge of American Sign Language initially impressed the big boss and sealed the deal. Can’t get enough of Emily? We’ll help you out! She distributes, obtains, and manages all […]
Delivering more value…that is what we do at Wink.
{May 8th, 2019} by Wink's RockStars
Wink’s AnnuitySpecs users, effective immediately, you can now choose to include products that are “no longer actively marketed” (a.k.a. no longer available for new sales) in your Product Searches! In other words, have you ever have difficulty trying to identify some old product with a bailout, a ROP or [insert any other feature […]
Brooke Shields to Promote Need for Life Insurance
{May 8th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Life Happens has signed Brooke Shields to be the spokesperson for the 2019 Life Insurance Awareness Month campaigns. Life Happens has been holding the awareness month campaign every year since 2004. Shields, an actor, will succeed Danica Patrick, a racecar driver, as the awareness month spokesperson. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor.
Raymond James CEO Opposes State Fiduciary Standards
{May 8th, 2019} by Emily Zulz
Raymond James Chairman & CEO Paul Reilly is very critical of states’ plans to issue their own fiduciary rules. In a media briefing via phone following his town hall at Raymond James’ annual conference for independent advisors, Reilly explained how regulatory pressures – and state fiduciary laws in particular – are advisors biggest concerns. “If […]
Life Insurers Are Sending More Cash to Corporate Parents: Rating Agency
{May 8th, 2019} by Allison Bell
The U.S. life insurance and life reinsurance operating companies that Moody’s Investors Service rates produced just $27 billion in statutory net income in 2018, but they sent $30 billion in dividends upstream to their parent companies. The life companies’ total dividend payments exceeded their total statutory net income for the first time since 2011, according to […]
Allianz Life Adds Automatic Performance Lock Feature and New Index to its Index Variable Annuities
{May 8th, 2019} by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
MINNEAPOLIS – April 29, 2019 – To help clients lock in gains and limit losses on their Allianz Life index variable annuities (IVAs), Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life®) today announced a new automatic performance lock feature. The new feature locks in the current value on any selected index option with a daily valuation, and […]
New fiduciary rules, more lawsuits coming?
{May 8th, 2019} by Andrew Welsch
Beaten back at the federal level, fiduciary rules are set to make a comeback in some states — but not without a fight there, too. Nevada and New Jersey are moving forward with their regulatory proposals, though a legislative effort in Maryland stalled. New Jersey’s Bureau of Securities is holding a comment period before finalizing its proposed […]
Edward Jones doesn’t sell indexed annuities, bucking broker-dealer trend
{May 8th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci
Edward Jones has taken a contrarian stance on indexed annuities, declining to allow its brokers to sell the annuity products even though its peers are doing so and the products are increasingly popular industrywide. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews. ………………………………………………………………………………………. Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of consulting firm Moore […]
AIG Posts Drop in First-Quarter Net Income
{May 8th, 2019} by David Pilla
NEW YORK – American International Group Inc. posted a drop in first-quarter net income while the general insurance unit improved its performance with a combined ratio below 100. First-quarter net income fell to $654 million from $938 million a year ago. General insurance gross premiums written rose 11% to $10.20 billion. The general insurance combined […]
Conning–Rising Life Insurance Expenses Impact on Profitability
{May 8th, 2019} by Conning
HARTFORD, Conn., May 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Life insurers have been facing a challenging environment of low interest rates, higher reserve requirements, poorer claims experience, and sluggish organic premium growth. In order to achieve profitability, insurers may be looking to lowering expenses, but that may not drive long-term success, according to a new study by Conning. “Expense ratios […]
Brighthouse Posts $1.3 Billion Q1 Net Derivatives Loss
{May 8th, 2019} by Allison Bell
Brighthouse Financial Inc. is reporting that its operations did well in the first quarter, and that its derivatives lost $1.3 billion in value. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company is reporting a net loss of $735 million for the quarter on $691 million in revenue, compared with a net loss of $65 million on $1.8 billion in […]
How Annuities Can Drain Seniors’ Savings
{May 8th, 2019} by Mark Fazlollah / Staff Writer, mfazlollah@phillynews.com, Erin Arvedlund / Staff Writer, earvedlund@phillynews.com
Sales of the lightly regulated, fixed-index insurance product can bring high commissions for agents and opaque fees that confuse consumers. Pennsylvania insurance regulators have had the highest complaint caseloads in the country. During the years that Montgomery County insurance agent Richard Piccinini Jr. was looting the savings of two sisters in their mid-eighties, he portrayed himself as only looking out […]
FBL Financial Group Reports First Quarter 2019 Results
{May 7th, 2019} by FBL Financial Group, Inc.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG): “FBL Financial Group delivered solid first quarter 2019 earnings with net income of $1.37 per share and adjusted operating income of $1.04 per share” Tweet this Financial Highlights (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net income attributable […]
AXA Advisors Ordered to Pay $3.2 Million Over Ex-FA’s Alleged VA and Life Insurance Scheme
{May 7th, 2019} by Alex Padalka
AXA Advisors is on the hook for close to $4 million over alleged failures in supervising the variable annuity and insurance sales by one of its brokers and, in a separate case, alleged misrepresentations to 401(k) plan participants. A Finra arbitration panel has ordered the firm to pay $3.2 million to a New York egg-farming family over an […]
Opinion: This one “investment” move can give you lifetime yearly income in retirement
{May 7th, 2019} by Michael Edesess
The investment business is full of theories and recommendations about how to accumulate wealth. But the field has very little to say about the best ways to decumulate, or spend down wealth. This is an astonishing oversight, considering that the period over which wealth decumulation occurs is often as long as that of accumulation. If […]
New York Life and Fidelity Join to Offer Variable Annuity
{May 7th, 2019} by Allison Bell
New York Life Insurance Company and Fidelity Investments are teaming up to offer a new variable annuity contract, the New York Life Premier Variable Annuity — P Series, with Investment Preservation Rider contract. The deferred annuity contract comes with a guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (GMAB) rider. The GMAB rider can protect an annuity holder’s principal […]
Income Annuities Are Gaining Popularity as a Way to Make Your Money Last in Retirement. Here Are all the Pros and Cons About This Controversial Product
{May 7th, 2019} by Alix Langone
While retirees often worry about making their money last, many don’t take advantage of an insurance product that helps them do just that. A new study shows how income annuities can help bridge the financial uncertainty gap in retirement by providing consumers with guaranteed income in the form of monthly “paychecks.” Specifically, researchers found that adding an […]
South Carolina Regulator Blasts Unfair Life Policy Cancellations
{May 7th, 2019} by Allison Bell
South Carolina insurance regulators are hearing stories about life insurers canceling life insurance policies without going through proper policy rescission procedures. The department has sent all life insurers writing life insurance in South Carolina a bulletin about compliance with South Carolina policy rescission rules. When a life insurer rescinds a policy, it returns the consumer’s premiums […]
Raymond James Plans ‘Match.com’ for Retiring Advisors and Successors
{May 7th, 2019} by Mrinalini Krishna
Raymond James is working on a new way to connect advisors and their potential successors, Scott Curtis, president of the firm’s Private Clients Group, told reporters on Thursday. The firm aims to roll out the platform by the end of the 2019. “I call it kind of an eHarmony or a Match.combecause the sellers and the buyers are going to […]
