Those Dying From Covid-19 Are Least Likely to Own Life Insurance
{September 30th, 2020} by Leslie Scism
U.S. life insurers are paying out far fewer Covid-19 death claims than initially expected, largely because the virus is disproportionately killing people with little to no insurance. In the past few weeks, many life-insurance companies have sharply reduced estimates of their exposure, as measured by payouts per 100,000 U.S. Covid-19 fatalities. Estimates have come down […]
New and IMPROVED Online Query
{September 30th, 2020} by Jamie Johnson
Welcome to the new and improved Wink Sales Reports and Data Query! Wink’s Sales & Market Report subscribers, we revamped our query for ease, aesthetics, and quite honestly so it could help you kick some more butt. When you log into the site, choose from the “Data Level” dropdown to access the reports with […]
Press Release, September 24, 2020, Governor, Insurance Commissioner Urge Wisconsinites to Plan for the Future during Life Insurance Awareness Month
{September 30th, 2020} by Derek Spellman
Governor, Insurance Commissioner Urge Wisconsinites to Plan for the Future during Life Insurance Awareness Month Madison, Wis. — Governor Tony Evers and Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable today encouraged Wisconsinites to think about and plan for the financial future of their loved ones as part of Life Insurance Awareness Month. The Wisconsin Office of Commissioner of Insurance […]
COVID-19 Crisis Renews Attention on Systemic (Uninsurable) Risks
{September 30th, 2020} by L.S. Howard
Reinsurers and insurers for years have been worried about systemic risks – those uninsurable risks with the potential of surpassing the capital of the industry. The COVID-19 crisis has renewed attention on these risks, which could also include a global cyber event and climate change. These risks are so worrying that rating agencies, such as […]
Study Reveals Perceptions About Life Insurance Ownership Around World
{September 30th, 2020} by Staff Reports
All over the world, consumers rely on life insurance to protect their families and provide financial security. As we highlight the importance of life insurance as we wrap up Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM) in the United States, here’s a look at how consumers around the globe think about life insurance. Compared to the U.S., […]
How COVID-19 Is Rewriting How Life Insurance Is Done
{September 30th, 2020} by Steve Morelli
For all the difficulties that 2020 has dealt the life insurance industry, one positive is that this year has packed the industry into a catapult and flung it into the future. This Life Insurance Awareness Month finds carriers, distributors and producers using the technology that everybody had been slow to adopt, and building teams that […]
Obama-era fiduciary rule made variable annuities cheaper, study finds
{September 30th, 2020} by Tobias Salinger
Clients have found better-performing and less expensive products in the variable annuity marketplace, thanks in part to the Obama-era fiduciary rule, a new academic study argues. The study, written by three finance and economics professors at Harvard Business School and New York University, takes a fresh look at some of the most hotly disputed topics in […]
State regulators spell out Reg BI priorities amid enforcement surge
{September 30th, 2020} by Tobias Salinger
Advisors and brokers bracing for examinations under the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest now have tips about what’s going to show up on the test. State regulators will be checking to see how firms have adjusted their practices with respect to conflicts of interest, sales of complex products and investor profile questionnaires, among other areas, according […]
DOL ‘Best Interest’ Proposal Not Aligned With Federal, State Rules
{September 30th, 2020} by James F. Jorden
The Department of Labor’s proposed exemption to rules that would allow more latitude for financial professionals who advise plan participants about retirement account investments doesn’t align with other federal and state standards, according to James F. Jorden, partner with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. He suggests revisions to allow the marketplace to provide equal […]
New York Life’s Variable Annuity in the Pipeline Has Unusual Twist
{September 30th, 2020} by Cyril Tuohy
New York Life appears to be getting ready to roll out a new annuity that has a little of something for everyone. …………………………………………….. Variable annuities have offered individual subaccounts that perform like an indexed annuity for many years, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Moore Market Intelligence, in an email. What makes IndexFlex interesting is that New […]
American Equity Names Graham Day to lead Eagle Life
{September 30th, 2020} by American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Equity Investment Life Holding Company® (NYSE: AEL) (American Equity) announced today that Graham Day will become President of Eagle Life Insurance Company®, a subsidiary of American Equity. “We are excited to have Graham, a proven business leader in the annuity business and bank and broker dealer distribution join the team as […]
Best’s Special Report: U.S. Life/Health Credit Rating Upgrades Outnumber Downgrades in First-Half 2020
{September 30th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. life/health industry saw more credit rating upgrades than downgrades in first-half 2020, driven primarily by improved levels of risk-adjusted capitalization. However, according to a new AM Best special report, negative rating actions could increase in the second half of the year as the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts companies’ sales, operations, operating performance and […]
American Equity, Varde Partners and Agam Capital Management Announce Strategic Partnership
{September 30th, 2020} by American Equity
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa & MINNEAPOLIS & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (“American Equity”) (NYSE: AEL), a leading issuer of fixed index annuities, Värde Partners (“Värde”), a leading global alternative investment firm, and Agam Capital Management, LLC (“Agam”), an insurance solutions provider, announced they have reached agreement in principle to form a […]
Ameriprise Financial Announces Estimated Impact of Unlocking and Loss Recognition for Third Quarter 2020
{September 30th, 2020} by Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) today announced that the company estimates its third quarter 2020 adjusted operating earnings will include an unfavorable impact of approximately $350 million after-tax resulting from its annual review of insurance and annuity valuation assumptions and models. The non-cash unfavorable impact primarily reflects the low interest rate environment, as the […]
Americans Find Breathing Room Between Bouts of Market Volatility
{September 30th, 2020} by Allianz Life
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As markets settle from initial COVID-19-related health and economic crises, Americans are evaluating the damage and reassessing their market volatility threshold. According to new findings from the Q3 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) fewer people express concern over a coming recession than they did last […]
Pacific Life Joins Forces with RetireOne
{September 30th, 2020} by Pacific Life
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacific Life announced today that it has expanded access to the company’s two fee-based annuities, Pacific Odyssey® and Pacific Index Advisory®, through RetireOne®—the insurance and annuity back office for more than 900 registered investment advisers (RIAs). “We’re excited that our commission-free advisory strategies are now available to RIAs and fee-based advisers who partner with RetireOne,” said […]
AM Best Removes From Under Review With Positive Implications and Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating of Standard Life and Casualty Insurance Company
{September 30th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “bb+” from “bb” and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) of Standard Life and Casualty Insurance Company (Standard Life and Casualty) (Salt Lake City, UT). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings […]
Despite being more likely to have life insurance, Black individuals are far more underinsured than whites
{September 30th, 2020} by Haven Life
NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Important research today from Haven Life reveals that Black individuals are far more underinsured than white individuals. Haven Life, a customer-centric life insurance agency backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), conducted this national survey during Life Insurance Awareness Month to better understand how Black and white individuals view life insurance, […]
More adults consider life insurance amid pandemic
{September 30th, 2020} by Unum Group
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The coronavirus pandemic gives millions of Americans—especially younger adults, those with children at home, and minorities—an opportunity to reconsider how they manage their finances. According to a new Unum (NYSE:UNM) survey,* 41% of adults said the pandemic has changed how their family handles finances. And nearly one in four (22%) will […]
New York Life Investments Launches “One-Talk, One-Ton” Sustainable Investing Challenge for Financial Advisors
{September 30th, 2020} by New York Life Investments
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — New York Life Investments today announced the launch of its “One-Talk, One-Ton” Challenge, designed to encourage financial advisors to discuss sustainable investing with their clients. Through the “One-Talk, One-Ton” Challenge, New York Life Investments is committing to offsetting one ton of carbon emissions for each conversation financial advisors pledge to have […]
RightCapital and Allianz Life Announce Partnership
{September 30th, 2020} by RightCapital Inc
SHELTON, Conn., Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — RightCapital, Inc. (RightCapital) and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) today announced their new partnership. RightCapital is the fastest-growing company in the financial planning software space, making wealth planning easier and more powerful for advisors and their clients. Allianz Life is a leading provider of retirement solutions, including fixed and […]
AmeriLife® Enhances Direct-to-Consumer Platform with Acquisition of Senior Healthcare Direct
{September 30th, 2020} by AmeriLife
CLEARWATER, Fla., Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), the national leader in marketing and distributing life, health and retirement solutions, has partnered with the fast-growing, direct-to-consumer brand, Senior Healthcare Direct (Bache LLC). Senior Healthcare Direct operates a consumer-facing profile under the name of Medicare Bob. “AmeriLife’s partnership with Medicare Bob provides us with the unique […]
TIAA Launches New Mobile Enrollment to Encourage Positive Savings Behaviors
{September 30th, 2020} by TIAA
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — TIAA unveiled a new mobile experience that makes it easier for participants to manage their retirement plans. The enhanced experience allows clients to quickly and securely enroll in their plans, change contributions, set investment strategy and update personal details. It streamlines the enrollment process into a few easy steps and […]
The Hartford Finds Pandemic Renews Focus On Employee Benefits That Provide Financial Protection
{September 30th, 2020} by The Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Hartford’s 2020 Future of Benefits Study found that the pandemic has placed a greater emphasis on employer-sponsored benefits that help people plan for unexpected life events and provide financial protection. According to the study, 40% of U.S. workers say they will consider purchasing life insurance during their next open enrollment as a […]
iPipeline Acquires IFS
{September 30th, 2020} by iPipeline
EXTON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–iPipeline® – a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for the life insurance and financial services industry – today announced it has acquired IFS™ (Impact Financial Systems), a leading provider of service request automation solutions for client onboarding, asset movement, maintenance and advisor transitions. The company’s low code/no code solutions are deployed at […]
RetireOne Adds Fee-Based Pacific Life Annuities: Annuity Moves
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Valmark has a new signature tool, and Wink has a new sales data portal. RetireOne will be offering two fee-based annuities from Pacific Life. RetireOne is adding Pacific Life’s Pacific Oddyssey deferred variable annuity contracts and Pacific Index Advisory non-variable indexed annuity contracts to its annuity menu. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor. […]
Ameriprise Nabs $500M LPL Team
{September 30th, 2020} by Jeff Berman
Ameriprise Financial has recruited Voyage Financial Group, a Lisle, Illinois-based wealth management practice with almost $500 million in client assets that spent the past 14 years with LPL Financial. The nine-member Voyage team — which recently joined the franchise channel of Ameriprise — is led by co-founders and private wealth advisors Tom Royce, who has […]
Save Clients From Owning an Anti-Annuity: Idea File
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Financial professionals can’t give clients much happy news these days about the stock market, about bond yields, or about how eager life insurers are to provide high minimum annuity crediting rate guarantees. But professionals can recommend that clients take care of themselves, in an effort to keep chronic health problems from turning into income-eating anti-annuities later […]
What Older Women Desperately Want to Tell Younger Women About Money
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Investigators from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently set up a wave of 14 focus group interviews, to find out what women over 70 are really thinking about retirement. Resources A copy of the GAO report is available here. An article about a GAO report about women and Social Security is available here. Session group managers got 190 women […]
Lawmaker Group Forms Panel on Race in Insurance Underwriting
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) is forming an NCOIL Special Committee on Race in Insurance Underwriting. Matt Lehman, the president of the Manasquan, New Jersey-based group, announced the creation of the panel Friday, at an in-person NCOIL meeting in Alexandria, Virginia. Resources A copy of the NCOIL committee announcement is available here. An article about California’s […]
Best Interest Standards, Change and Deferred Annuities
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Some time ago, I got a call from a relative who had bought a variable deferred annuity, with a guaranteed income rider. His accumulation fund had dropped from around $100,00 to $60,000, due to a precipitous decline in the value of the investment subaccounts. What should he do? Did he just lose $40,000? Was his […]
How Life Insurance Can Turn An IRA Into A Legacy
{September 30th, 2020} by Laura Coleman
Many high net worth clients will transfer wealth to the next generation from their individual retirement accounts. When clients learn they have overfunded their retirement accounts, they realize that all or part of those accounts will be left to their heirs. Preserving and protecting these hard-earned assets is the main goal. Click HERE to read […]
The Life and Annuity Guarantee Frog Is Boiling
{September 30th, 2020} by Harry N. Stout
We are all familiar with the fable. It’s about a frog being slowly boiled alive. For financial professionals, the way I see it is that, if the life and annuity industry were suddenly put into a pot of boiling water (diminished product guarantees), it would seek to offer consumers other product solutions or create new […]
AmeriLife Acquires a Majority Stake in TAG: Annuity Deals
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
AmeriLife Group says it has acquired a majority stake in The Achievement Group (TAG). AmeriLife is a Clearwater, Florida-based life, health and annuity distributor. TAG is a Des Moines, Iowa-based life and annuity distributor that was founded in 1994. It offers a handy AnnuityRateWatch.com dashboard on its website that shows, for example, that sample rates […]
Andrew McMahon to Lead Guardian
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
The board of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America says Andrew McMahon will take over from Deanna Mulligan as the company’s chief executive officer Oct. 1. Mulligan will be the company’s chairman until the end of the year and then retire, the company said. Guardian first announced the shift in May. Mulligan has been working for […]
Lincoln Financial Sells Consumers on Talking
{September 30th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Lincoln Financial is the latest life insurer to come out with a television advertising campaign that promotes the value of talking to an advisor. The Radnor, Pennsylvania-based based life insurer is also promoting the value of simply talking, with loved ones. “Lincoln believes every conversation with a loved one is a good one,” the company […]
Mutual of Omaha settles ERISA lawsuit for $6.7 million
{September 30th, 2020} by Emile Hallez
Mutual of Omaha has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by its own retirement plan participants for $6.7 million, court records filed this week show. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
‘Complete mess’: Wall Street fears volatility long after Election Day
{September 30th, 2020} by Katherine Greifield
Volatility markets from stocks to currencies and bonds show investors bracing for turbulence not just on election day, but for the ensuing weeks as well. The fear is that results from the Nov. 3 vote — already the most expensive event to hedge against ever — won’t be clear enough that a winner emerges without […]
LL Global Hires Head Of Insurance Research
{September 30th, 2020} by Staff Reports
LL Global, the parent company for LIMRA, LOMA and Secure Retirement Institute, today named Mark Poklar to lead its insurance research unit. He will report to Alison Salka, senior vice president and head of LIMRA Research. Over the past 30 years, Poklar has held several leadership roles in marketing and research across several different industries, […]
80% of older workers financially illiterate: Survey
{September 30th, 2020} by Emile Hallez
Only about one in five people age 50 to 75 with more than $100,000 in assets is financially literate, results of a survey published Tuesday show. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.
The Dangers of Life Insurance Policy Loans
{September 30th, 2020} by Tony Steuer and Amy Danise
One of the reasons some people buy cash value life insurance is the potential to borrow money from the policy later on. When you bought your insurance policy, the insurance agent may have touted that you would be borrowing your own money and paying yourself back. Insurance agents and companies may promote loans as an easy […]
WINK UNVEILS EXTRAORDINARY SALES DATA PORTAL
{September 23rd, 2020} by Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE WINK UNVEILS EXTRAORDINARY SALES DATA PORTAL Wink, Inc. Puts the Power of 23 Years of Insurance Sales in their Users’ Hands Des Moines, Iowa. September 18, 2020– Wink, Inc., the company behind the insurance industry’s #1 resource for annuity and life insurance sales data, since […]
Flawed Study Captures the Variable Annuity Industry’s Attention
{September 23rd, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
I wanted to provide some feedback on a recent working paper that was brought to my attention, before heading out for the weekend. One of my favorite journalists contacted me on Wednesday, September 16, 2020- asking for commentary on “Conflicting Interest and the Effect of Fiduciary Duty – Evidence from Variable Annuities.” This […]
Clarification on a misunderstood AG-49A regulation
{September 23rd, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
*Bonuses and multipliers are not necessarily “going away” on indexed UL.* Someone recently communicated to me that they were surprised by [an Unnamed Product Manufacturer]’s repricing of their [Unnamed Product], which previously had a big multiplier; now the multiplier is tiny. “Why is the multiplier still there? Didn’t AG-49A dictate that the bonuses/multipliers would disappear?” […]
In Uncertain Market, Consumers Cling to the Model T of Annuities
{September 23rd, 2020} by Warren S. Hersch
“Fixed annuities are all about the rate,” says Sheryl Moore, CEO of market research firm Wink. “If the rates are terrible, no one is going to invest in product development or innovation, because the sales just aren’t there.” Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Annuity Sellers Have Created Only 30 Products for $80T Market
{September 23rd, 2020} by Arthur D. Postal
That lack of selection can be frustrating, according to Sheryl Moore, president of Moore Marketing Intelligence, which provides data about the life insurance and annuity market. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Finseca Stands For Financial Security For All
{September 23rd, 2020} by Finseca
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Finseca, a transformative trade organization, launched today as the voice of the financial security profession. Finseca’s sole focus is to serve the leaders and financial security professionals working to protect the dreams and promote the prosperity of the American people. Finseca brings together the resources and tradition of the former AALU and […]
Lincoln Financial Group Offers a Flat Fee Option for Its Investment-Focused Variable Annuity, Lincoln Investor Advantage® Advisory Choice
{September 23rd, 2020} by Lincoln Financial Group
14 September 2020 RADNOR, Pa., September 14, 2020 – Recent events have pre-retirees reconsidering just how prepared they are for retirement – with more than half rethinking their current retirement plan and only a third feeling confident they’ll have the income they need in retirement[1]. To help investors lower the costs on their retirement portfolio while […]
CUNA Mutual Group Debuts MaxProtect™ Fixed Annuity
{September 23rd, 2020} by CUNA Mutual Group
MADISON, Wis., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — CUNA Mutual Group, a leading insurance and financial services company, announced today the launch of its new MaxProtect™ Fixed Annuity, a multi-year guaranteed annuity providing investors a guaranteed rate of return while protecting their nest egg from market volatility. MaxProtect™ joins CUNA Mutual Group’s already-robust portfolio of annuities, which had fourteen […]
#LIAM2020
{September 23rd, 2020} by Wink's RockStars
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month #LIAM! Wink supports Life Insurance Awareness and will be joining in this month’s awareness campaign! We reprinted our Chief Storyteller’s Sheryl’s most requested life insurance-focused articles all month long; they are indicated with “reprint” in the title. You’ll find these timeless articles are still relevant today. To make […]
Integrity and Insurance Administrative Solutions Unite in Transformational Partnership
{September 23rd, 2020} by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC
DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Integrity Marketing Group, LLC (“Integrity”), the nation’s largest independent distributor of life and health insurance products, today announced it has acquired Insurance Administrative Solutions (“IAS”). IAS is one of the most prominent third-party administrators for insurance carriers. With over 300 employees, they are responsible for servicing more than $500 million in premium annually and […]
iPipeline Acquires WELIS
{September 23rd, 2020} by iPipeline
EXTON, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–iPipeline® – a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for the life insurance and financial services industry – today announced it has acquired WELIS, a premier provider of life insurance illustration systems to carriers in the US. The WELIS Ascent® Illustration System is designed to help insurers sell and service customers in a […]
Study: Life Insurance supplements Social Security by $1.5 trillion over 9 years
{September 23rd, 2020} by Insurance Forums Staff
Between 2010 and 2018, the U.S. life insurance industry distributed nearly $1.5 trillion in claims and benefits to policyholders, an amount equal to 19% of all Social Security payments made over that same period, according to a study released last week. These numbers highlight the crucial role that life insurers play in relieving pressure on government programs. […]
Americans Are Hurting Financially but Optimistic About the Long Term
{September 23rd, 2020} by Michael S. Fischer
Four in five American adults in a new study said the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic downturn would affect their ability to achieve long-term financial security, and three in five said the effect would be moderate to severe. At the same time, the study released Wednesday by Northwestern Mutual found confidence in a robust recovery — both […]
MetLife May End Up Looking More Like Aflac and Unum
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
MetLife may eventually end up looking more like Aflac. The 152-year-old insurance giant announced last week that it has agreed to acquire 100% of Versant Health, the Baltimore-based parent of Davis Vision and Superior Vision, from private equity firm owners for about $1.675 billion in cash. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Whenever America Needs Us, Life Insurers Are There
{September 23rd, 2020} by Susan Neely
Last month in New York City, I saw a wonderful new sculpture of Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton honoring the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. New York Life was a major donor for the statue. That’s fitting because Anthony used the cash value of her New York Life insurance policy in […]
Annuities Are Becoming More RIA-Friendly
{September 23rd, 2020} by Ginger Szala
Insurance companies have long beat the drum of annuities, which have met resistance from advisors on several fronts, the largest being, ‘How do I get paid?” according to David Lau, founder of DPL Financial Partners, who was one three experts on the “Annuities, Past, Present and Future” panel during the Morningstar digital annual conference on […]
Annuitization Options Are Not, Actually, New: TIAA Exec
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) has used group annuities to give millions of teachers a comfortable retirement, by offering them annuity-based versions of the 403(b) plan — the ancestor of the 401(k) defined contribution plan. Since TIAA popularized the 403(b) plan, it has turned into such a big, diversified retirement services provider that even some […]
Women’s Retirement Outlook Is Becoming Even Riskier Amid COVID-19
{September 23rd, 2020} by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — One in four women workers (24 percent) who are employed or recently unemployed say their confidence in their ability to retire comfortably has declined amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19, a study released today by nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS). However, only 17 percent of […]
Families with Special Needs Member Aren’t Prepared
{September 23rd, 2020} by Rob Wrubel CFP
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The importance of estate planning for families with a special-needs member cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, many people are confused anxious and fearful of getting their estate planning work in place. With that in mind, Rob Wrubel, CFP recently published 30 Days to Your Special-Needs Trust. The compact but informative and easy-to-read […]
Life Insurance Industry Invests In Cognitive Health To Tackle The Future Of Aging
{September 23rd, 2020} by Neurotrack
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — World Alzheimer’s Day – As populations continue to age globally, life insurance companies and their customers have been increasingly affected by the rising numbers of Alzheimer’s disease. To prepare for future aging populations and how to best serve them, insurers are investing for the first time in digital assessment technologies that […]
Asset Location Is as Important as Asset Allocation
{September 23rd, 2020} by Andrew Bucklee
Traditional variable universal life (VUL) products involve risk when subaccounts are invested in market-driven options. Your clients likely know that life insurance provides valuable death benefit protection. However, have you helped them understand the ways cash value life insurance can be advantageous in addressing financial planning challenges such as taxes and market volatility? Click HERE […]
Private-equity firms will keep buying life insurers: Cerulli
{September 23rd, 2020} by Editorial Staff
‘A takeover of general account assets by a PE firm gives the insurer, in effect, an affiliated PE manager and the fee advantages typically seen in co-investing scenarios,’ a Cerulli Associates analyst reports. As insurance firms remain challenged by a return to historically low interest rates, private-equity (PE)-driven mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become an […]
Nearly 2/3 Of Investors Interested In Guaranteed Income In Retirement Plans
{September 23rd, 2020} by Advisor Authority
Columbus, OH —September 14, 2020— As the pandemic’s impact collides with powerful systemic pressures putting more responsibility on individuals to save for retirement, Americans’ plans for retirement have been hit by the perfect storm. Roughly-three fourths of investors (72%) say the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on how long they are able to […]
Advisors Insurance Brokers Adds Ensight Sales Acceleration Platform to Simplify Life Insurance Selling
{September 23rd, 2020} by Ensight
SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Ensight, the leading life and annuity digital sales acceleration platform for insurance carriers, distributors and financial professionals, today announced Advisors Insurance Brokers, (a New York Long Term Care Brokers, Ltd. Company), will now offer Ensight’s intelligent quote and presentations platforms to its broad group of agents as part of their […]
Obama-era fiduciary rule cut sales of expensive annuities: Study
{September 23rd, 2020} by Mark Schoeff Jr.
Just the threat of the Obama administration’s fiduciary rule caused a decline in sales of high-expense variable annuities that continues today, according to a new academic study. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
Life insurance awareness month: What employers need to know
{September 23rd, 2020} by Greg Poulakos
The very real human and economic toll brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to examine many facets of our lives and society. The current environment has people thinking about their financial future and their family should something happen to their wage-earning ability. Part of this calculation should certainly include life insurance for employees and […]
September 11 and Life Insurance Awareness Month
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
The following is an updated version of an article that ran Sept. 11, 2018. September 11, 2020 is the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, and on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. One way to observe the day is to reflect solemnly on what happened during the attacks, […]
Minorities Who Succeed in the Industry Should Pay It Forward: Execs
{September 23rd, 2020} by Stephanie Forshee
Most business professionals are familiar with return on investment, but Ron Parker, president and CEO of the National Association of Securities Professionals, believes there’s a more important metric — return on relationships. “If someone ever tells you that relationships aren’t important on this journey of life, don’t believe them,” Parker said. Click HERE to read the full […]
Life Industry Class Action Trends in the First Half of 2020
{September 23rd, 2020} by Stephanie Fichera
The first half of 2020 saw an uptick in the filing of class action lawsuits against life insurance companies. Life insurance companies have continued to be the target of putative class actions in California challenging the lapse or termination of policies for nonpayment of premium. Click HERE to read the full story via JD Supra
5 Tips When Buying Life Insurance for the First Time
{September 23rd, 2020} by Erie Insurance Group
ERIE, Pa., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Major life changes like getting married, starting a family or buying a house are often when people start thinking about buying life insurance. It can be a process that may sound intimidating or confusing – but it’s also very important. During this Life Insurance Awareness Month, Erie Insurance shares five points to […]
IRS Updates Life Insurance Company Reserve Regulations
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
The Internal Revenue Service — an arm of the U.S. Treasury Department — has completed work on two documents that might, or might not, increase U.S. life insurance companies’ federal income taxes. One document is a set of final regulations, “Computation and Reporting of Reserves for Life Insurance Companies.” The IRS is in the process of putting […]
Voices: A skeptic takes a second look at SPIAs
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allan S. Roth
I’m on record as being a skeptic when it comes to single premium immediate annuities. Just two years ago, I wrote that although an “SPIA is the least ugly of annuities, guaranteed returns from variable annuities are far worse since the return comes in the form of an annuitization later on, at below-market rates rather […]
Life Insurers Equal About 19% of Social Security: MetLife to Policymakers
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
The U.S. government is on track to report a $3.3 trillion deficit for federal fiscal year 2020, and to end the fiscal year with about $20 trillion in debt, on $3.5 trillion in 2020 revenue. MetLife is trying to keep Congress from thinking of the life insurance industry as a great source of cash to fill […]
Life Application Activity Acceleration Slows: MIB
{September 23rd, 2020} by Allison Bell
U.S. life insurance application activity continued to increase in August, but the rate of growth slowed. MIB’s overall life application activity index was 9.1% higher in August than in August 2019. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Accelerated Overwriting
{September 23rd, 2020} by Steve Morelli
For all the difficulties that 2020 has dealt the life insurance industry, one positive is that this year has packed the industry into a catapult and flung it into the future. This Life Insurance Awareness Month finds carriers, distributors and producers using the technology that everybody had been slow to adopt, and building teams that […]
Advisors Who Embrace Technology May Have The Best Pandemic Growth Prognosis
{September 23rd, 2020} by Jane Meacham
COVID-19 has upended advisors’ professional lives with many disruptions, including the abrupt halt to in-person meetings with clients. The power of persuasion across a conference table or through a warm handshake has been replaced with long-distance video calls and e-signatures. But financial advisers who spot in this upheaval the opportunities to use digital marketing to […]
The 6 Retirement Planning Myths
{September 23rd, 2020} by Brian Haney
Ever had this happen to you? You were called in to meet an affluent couple in their mid-40s who have a healthy amount of investable assets and need advice on what to do with them. The get-to-know-you part of the meeting was going well, and you felt the good rapport building as you navigated through […]
5 Trends To Watch In The Insurance Industry
{September 23rd, 2020} by Mark Williams
These days, ‘“business as usual” seems to be anything but. Across different industries, people are having to adapt quickly. While much may seem up in the air right now, many of the recent changes faced by the insurance industry are moving it forward into a better future. Here are five of the biggest trends I’ve […]
Back to School for Annuity and Life Disclosures and Illustrations
{September 23rd, 2020} by Ann Young Black, Stephen Choi
The NAIC Virtual Summer National Meeting marked that it is time to get back to school for a number of annuity and life disclosure and illustration initiatives. Both regulators and insurers will need to sharpen their pencils to complete their assignments. Click HERE to read the full story via JD Supra
Broker Words—September 2020
{September 23rd, 2020} by Stephen Howard
It probably won’t make the AP wire that the role of a monthly trade publication isn’t #breakingnews. There are a number of industry eZines that fill that role. Over almost 38 years I’ve been blessed that God has placed in my path a true wealth of friends and industry experts to help achieve this publication’s […]
Understanding The Role Of Whole Life Insurance As A Hedge
{September 23rd, 2020} by Denis Clifford
One of the biggest threats to financial security in retirement is market volatility. This is true for individuals and businesses alike. Even if your clients—retail or institutional—have saved and invested diligently, a poorly timed downturn in the market can have a tremendous impact on their retirement plans. It’s a risk that became evident for people […]
Selling IUL In A Pandemic World
{September 23rd, 2020} by Ben Nevejans
We’ve all heard the story. If you’ve spent any time in sales at all it’s a tough one to avoid, but it’s still a great story… Based on the recommendation of a high-level executive, ACME Shoe Co. agrees to expand into a new market in the South Pacific. Wanting to impress the C-Suite and shareholders alike […]
…indexed life insurance: An investment with protection
{September 23rd, 2020} by Sanjeev Bhatia, MD, David B. Mandell, JD, MBA
With stock market volatility likely until the COVID-19 crisis ends, investors have become more risk averse. Click HERE to read the full story via Healio. Wink’s Note: PLEASE do not call it “EQUITY” indexed universal life/”EIUL.” Regulators do not like us to use the word “equity” with these products because they are not investments, […]
Exclusive: New Celent Executive Research on Life Insurance Core Modernization
{September 23rd, 2020} by Equisoft
Underwritten by Equisoft, this new research focuses on a specific window in the implementation of a modern policy administration system to understand the tipping point for project approval and how intangible costs and benefits are weighed in the decision-making process. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – In a new report underwritten by Equisoft, global research firm Celent […]
Utah Insurer Changes Name, Ending Branding Dispute with Equitable Holdings
{September 22nd, 2020} by Arthur D. Postal
An issuer of fixed and fixed indexed annuities currently known as Equitable Life & Casualty Insurance Co. is changing its name to SILAC Insurance Co. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Moore Commentary. Annuity Compensation: Commission vs. Fees
{September 20th, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
“Social influencer creates social unrest with controversial article!” That could be the story of my life. Many read my article in the previous issue on the different possibilities for interest earnings and total compensation on annuities. It definitely got people talking! The earlier article assumed any fees to cover Assets Under Management (AUM) for the […]
Survey Reveals Confusion About How Much Life Insurance Costs
{September 16th, 2020} by Staff Reports
Life insurance can pay for final expenses and provide financial security for loved ones left behind, but a new national survey from Erie Insurance shows many people are confused about it. Large percentages of respondents were unsure how various occupations and health conditions might affect who can or can’t get life insurance, and many significantly […]
Distributor Group Mobilizes Anti-DOL Fiduciary Rule Campaign
{September 16th, 2020} by Allison Bell
A group for life, annuity and long-term care insurance distributors is asking independent insurance agents to help it fight the U.S. Department of Labor’s new sales standards regulation draft. The Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice (FACC) has sent out an email asking FACC members and supporters to write to the White House, U.S. senators […]
Are your Clients Eligible to Access Life Insurance for LTC Expense but Don’t even Know it?
{September 16th, 2020} by Ramona Neal, CLU, CHFC, CLTC, REBC
Rider Trend: Life Insurance has grown up to be more than life insurance offering Living Benefit Riders to be used while the insured is still alive. Click HERE to read the full story via Living Benefit Review, LLC
In Your 30s? 14 Strategies To Reach Savings Goals Faster
{September 16th, 2020} by Expert Panel, Forbes Finance Council
Your 30s are often considered your prime earning years. At this age, you’re in a great position to start capitalizing on life experiences and building your nest egg. Starting to save earlier in life gives you more options later on and puts you in a great position when it’s time to retire. We asked a […]
Not enough supply for the fee-based community
{September 16th, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
There isn’t enough supply of annuities for the fee-based community. Let me give you a sneak peek (total fee-based offerings/total annuities): Indexed- 30/516 Multi-year guaranteed- 1/535 Structured- 8/51 Fixed- 0/67 Variable- 44/246 Do YOU think that there are enough choices if you are working through a fiduciary? Wink’s Note: Fixed annuities are classified as […]
Fixed Annuity vs Index Annuity: Which Do You Need?
{September 16th, 2020} by E. Napoletano
Securing steady, reliable income payments in retirement can be a big challenge. Fixed annuities and index annuities are two types of annuity contracts that can help provide reliable retirement income. While their names are suspiciously similar, these two annuity products work very differently. A fixed annuity offers a guaranteed rate of return on your initial […]
Crediting Interest With An Annual Reset One-Year Term Point-To-Point Crediting Method
{September 16th, 2020} by Wade Pfau
We start with considering how interest is credited to fixed index annuities, since this is the area that differs the most from variable annuities. Since FIAs are fixed annuities, crediting interest is the technical term for the returns generated by the contract value. As with variable annuities, it can be difficult to provide a standard explanation for […]
NexPhase Capital Announces Sale of Insurance Technologies to Thomas H. Lee Partners
{September 16th, 2020} by NexPhase Capital
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — NexPhase Capital, LP (“NexPhase” or the “Firm”), an operationally focused private equity firm and sub-advisor to the Moelis Capital Partners (“MCP”) Opportunity Funds, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Insurance Technologies, LLC (“Insurance Technologies” or “InsTech” or the “Company”), a provider of sales and regulatory […]
Nest Egg Depleted? 12 Expert Tips For Rebuilding
{September 16th, 2020} by Expert Panel
The pandemic has brought uncertainty to the national economy and has impacted household budgets. In addition to a volatile market, many have faced reduced work hours and work stoppages—forcing individuals and families to dip into their savings to stay afloat. Households need to rebuild their emergency savings if they’re to be ready for potential future […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Ohio National Financial Services, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
{September 16th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” of The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation (together referred to as the Ohio National Life Group). These companies are the principal insurance […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Sagicor Financial Company Ltd. and Its Subsidiaries
{September 16th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Ratings (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” of Sagicor Life Inc. (St. Michael, Barbados) and Sagicor Life Insurance Company (Austin, TX). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” of Sagicor […]
AM Best to Lead Life/Annuity-Focused Session at The Insurance Summit
{September 16th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best will lead a session at The Insurance Summit, titled “Life Product and Risks,” on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. The Insurance Summit, which is themed as “Where Innovation Meets Regulation,” runs through Sept. 17, and is hosted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the National Insurance Producer Registry. The event brings […]
Hannover Re US and Somerset Re Announce CEO Transition, Further Expanding Reinsurers’ Collaboration in the Life and Annuity Market
{September 16th, 2020} by Hannover Re
PEMBROKE, Bermuda & ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Somerset Reinsurance Ltd. (Somerset Re) today reports that Patrick Kelleher, the firm’s founding CEO, has announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2020. Jeff Burt, currently President of Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America (Hannover Re US), a member of Hannover Re Group, and Chairman of Somerset Re, will assume the […]
The Des Moines Register Names American Equity a Winner of the Iowa Top Workplaces 2020 Award
{September 16th, 2020} by American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company®, a leading underwriter of fixed index annuities, has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Des Moines Register. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely […]
Sagicor Life Insurance Company and Vida Life Announce Partnership
{September 16th, 2020} by Sagicor
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sagicor® Life Insurance Company (Sagicor) and Vida Life™ (Vida) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a strategic partnership. Sagicor’s products and industry-leading Accelewriting® underwriting process combined with Vida’s insights in creating a quality bi-lingual experience will allow both companies to provide a new, innovative life insurance purchasing experience. Together, they will […]
TIAA Named One of the Top 100 Companies for Working Mothers for 10th Year in Row
{September 16th, 2020} by TIAA
NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — TIAA, a leading financial services provider, has been named one of the 100 Best Companies for working mothers by Working Mother magazine. This year marks the 10th consecutive recognition for TIAA and the company’s 14th time receiving the award. The list recognizes employers for outstanding leadership in establishing policies, programs and a corporate culture […]
As Pandemic and Systemic Pressures Impact Retirement Savings, Advisors and Financial Professionals Favor Key Provision of SECURE Act: Nearly Two-Thirds Likely to Adopt In-Plan Guarantees
{September 16th, 2020} by Nationwide
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As the pandemic’s impact collides with powerful systemic pressures putting more responsibility on individuals to save for retirement, Americans’ plans for retirement have been hit by the perfect storm. Roughly-three fourths of investors (72%) say the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on how long they are able to live off […]
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Matches More Than $1 Billion in Life Insurance Benefits and Annuities to Beneficiaries
{September 16th, 2020} by National Association of Insurance Commissioners
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator continues to connect consumers with life insurance benefits. Each year, millions of dollars in life insurance benefits go unclaimed by beneficiaries who can’t find their deceased loved ones’ policies or, in some cases, may not even know the policies exist. That’s where […]
New Annuity Promises Protection Against Social Security Shortfall
{September 16th, 2020} by Jacqueline Sergeant
The Social Security Administration continues to warn that its retirement program’s trust fund reserves will be depleted by 2035, resulting in an annual benefit reduction of about 24%. That is without factoring in the pandemic and a proposed payroll tax cut that could move the date even closer. The possibility of broken promises with Social […]
JPMorgan Top Brass Tell Trading-Floor Staff to Come Back to the Office
{September 16th, 2020} by Julia-Ambra Verlaine
ne of Wall Street’s biggest employers is calling its trading staff back to the office. JPMorgan Chase JPM -3.11% & Co. executives told senior employees of the bank’s giant sales and trading operation that they and their teams must return to the office by Sept. 21, according to people familiar with the matter. Click […]
DOL Says Advice Proposal is Good for Americans; Many Explain Why It’s Not
{September 16th, 2020} by Stephanie Forshee
Industry insiders and watchdogs are finding flaws to varying degrees in the Department of Labor’s proposed exemption for investment advice fiduciaries. The proposal, entitled “Improving Investment Advice for Workers & Retirees,” offers a new prohibited transaction class exemption for investment advice fiduciaries. The exemption would be available to RIAs, broker-dealers, insurance companies, banks, and individual investment professionals […]
Why Annuity Demand Fell During the COVID Crash
{September 16th, 2020} by David Blanchett, Michael Finke and Timi Jorgensen,
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives. Market crashes, such as we experienced in March at the onset of the pandemic, drive assets to the safe haven of government bonds. But our research shows this flight to safety mindset did not translate to an increase in demand […]
5 New Things a Top Analyst Is Seeing in the Annuity Market Now
{September 16th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Keefe, Bruette & Woods recently tried to pull insurance investors out of the COVID-19 work-at-home fog by holding a virtual insurance conference. The investment bank — which has its headquarters in the old Equitable Building in Midtown Manhattan — brought executives from 14 big, publicly traded life insurers in to talk about what they’re doing and […]
Nationwide Partners with SS&C to Transform Advisor-Sold Retirement Plan Business
{September 16th, 2020} by SS&C
WINDSOR, Conn., Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSNC) today announced that Nationwide, a leading insurance and financial services company, has partnered with SS&C to support and enhance its advisor-sold retirement plan platform. The strategic partnership will enable Nationwide to expand its advisor-sold retirement plan business and enter new markets. “Partnering with SS&C will allow Nationwide […]
TOTAL OVERALL INDEXED LIFE SALES (2019)
{September 16th, 2020} 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 – 2019 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 […]
Citi’s Next CEO Is Jane Fraser
{September 16th, 2020} by Janet Levaux
Citi has named Jane Fraser as its next CEO, making her the first woman to lead a large Wall Street bank. Fraser, 53, will take the reins from current Chief Executive Michael Corbat, 60, in February 2021, when he plans to retire after leading the bank for the past eight years. Click HERE to read the […]
The 4 Profiles In The Annuity Sweet Spot
{September 16th, 2020} by John hilton
The COVID-19 pandemic, economic turmoil and market fluctuations are testing the messages that annuity sellers use to market products. Those factors are also creating opportunities, a panel agreed Wednesday during the Supply Chain Summit hosted by the Insured Retirement Institute. Click HERE to read the full story via INN
There’s No Easy Fix to the DOL Fiduciary Rule
{September 16th, 2020} by Kim O'Brien
“It’s like déjà vu all over again.” Yogi Berra said a lot of things decades ago that seem apt today concerning the Department of Labor fiduciary rule. He also said “you can observe a lot by watching.” Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor. Wink’s Note: A fiduciary rule is […]
No-Commission Annuities as a Substitute for Low-Yielding, Investment-Grade Bonds
{September 16th, 2020} by Rajiv Rebello
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives. In a low-yield environment, advisors need to use financial planning tools like no-commission annuities to improve after-tax, after-advisory fee bond returns. A large bond allocation has long been the staple diversification tool for advisors to hedge market risk in their […]
INDEXED LIFE AS A REPLACEMENT FOR INDEXED ANNUITIES?: REPRINT #LIAM2020
{September 15th, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
IUL SHOULD ONLY BE SOLD TO FULFILL A LIFE INSURANCE NEED. If you asked me four years ago what the average cap was on an indexed annuity’s annual point-to-point crediting method, my response would have been, “a decent 6.86 percent.” Today, my response is, “a lousy 3.13 percent.” How are you, the independent insurance agent, supposed […]
WHY ARE INDEXED LIFE CAPS SO MUCH HIGHER THAN INDEXED ANNUITIES’? REPRINT #LIAM2020
{September 15th, 2020} by Sheryl J. Moore
Number one question asked since historical-low interest rates have depressed indexed annuity caps: “WHY ARE THE CAPS ON INDEXED LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS SO MUCH HIGHER THAN THOSE ON INDEXED ANNUITIES?” Good question. Simple answer. Let us explore how insurance companies are able to make a profit on each of these products. On annuities, insurance companies only […]
Eagle Life Announces New Fixed Annuity Product Series
{September 9th, 2020} by Eagle Life Insurance Company
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Eagle Life Insurance Company®, a leading annuity provider that specializes in safe, innovative retirement options, announces the addition of three- and five-year fixed annuity products. The all-new Eagle Guarantee Focus® Series is a stable-money alternative designed for clients who desire both safety of principal and growth potential, especially during times of market […]
AM Best Comments on Sale of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company’s Retirement Services Business to Empower Retirement
{September 9th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has commented that the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “aa+” of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) (Springfield, MA) remain unchanged following today’s announcement that it has entered into an agreement to sell its retirement plan business to Empower Retirement. The […]
Empower Retirement to Acquire Retirement Plan Business of MassMutual
{September 9th, 2020} by -Empower Retirement and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. & SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Empower Retirement and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Empower to acquire the MassMutual retirement plan business. The acquisition will capitalize on both firms’ expertise, provide technological excellence and deep product capabilities, and create scale to the benefit […]
Regulators Hope FAQs Will Push States To Adopt Annuity Sales Rules
{September 9th, 2020} by John Hilton
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has finished a series of frequently asked questions designed to help states adopt new annuity sales rules. The four-page document lists 13 questions and related answers on a variety of topics. Regulators are looking for comments on the FAQs by Oct. 2. Comments should be sent only by email to Jolie […]
Northwestern Mutual’s Latest Ad Campaign Celebrates American Resilience
{September 9th, 2020} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, unveiled new ads today featuring poignant and powerful stories of real client experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ads showcase the challenges Americans are facing, and how partnering with a Northwestern Mutual advisor and having a financial plan in place can make a meaningful difference […]
5 Ideas About the Great-West-MassMutual Deal, for Annuity Sellers
{September 9th, 2020} by Allison Bell
Empower Retirement shook up the retirement plan market today by agreeing to provide a total of $3.35 billion in ceding commissions and extra capital for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company retirement plan business. Empower — a Greenwood Village, Colorado-based arm of Great-West Lifeco of Winnipeg, Manitoba — is on track to acquire $167 billion in […]
AmeriLife Links New Annuity to Credit Suisse Index
{September 9th, 2020} by Allison Bell
AmeriLife has turned to two life insurance subsidiaries of A-CAP to stock its non-variable annuity shelves. The Clearwater, Florida-based life, health and annuity distributor is introducing the Accumulation Protector Plus Annuity contract, which it’s also calling the APP contract. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Annuities in coronavirus slump as VAs draw regulatory and academic scrutiny
{September 9th, 2020} by Tobias Salinger
In a signal of the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic, annuity sales are tumbling and shifting toward protection-based products. Click HERE to read the full story via Financial Planning ……………………………………………………………………………………………. The changing conditions coincided with a new issuer reaping with the most sales of fixed-index annuities, Wink CEO Sheryl Moore says. After more […]
New Voya Survey Finds Half of Employed Americans Plan to Work in Retirement as a Result of COVID-19
{September 9th, 2020} by Voya
WINDSOR, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced new findings today from a consumer survey revealing that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half (54%) of employed Americans are now planning to work in retirement — with many (40%) noting an interest to have a “safety net” to cover unexpected costs and […]
Putting Families First During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
{September 9th, 2020} by Wendy Herndon
Each year in the U.S., about 16,000 children face a cancer diagnosis.1 During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic holding the country’s attention, this immunocompromised community deserves our support more than ever. No parent wants to think about the possibility of his or her child getting cancer, especially considering the physical […]
Millennials and Gen Z Want to Retire Earlier: Vanguard
{September 9th, 2020} by Alex Padalka
Financial advisors are likely to have a far more receptive audience among millennials in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the generation’s idea of retirement is very different from that of their older counterparts, according to a recent report. Almost half of millennials surveyed said the pandemic has increased their interest in obtaining professional […]
Young, Black Morgan Stanley FAs on Wirehouse Success: Be Persistent, Ask Questions
{September 9th, 2020} by Alex Padalka
Black financial advisors face obstacles in succeeding in the business, but two young Black advisors at Morgan Stanley say the challenges are certainly surmountable, according to news reports. Isaac Richard III and Dominique Jordan say they want to change perceptions investors may have when looking for an advisor, Black Enterprise writes. “The wealth inequality gap between Black and white […]
Fixed Index Annuities: What Are They? How Are They Different?
{September 9th, 2020} by Wade Pfau
In this discussion of fixed index annuities, which use to be called equity indexed annuities, I am mostly making an implicit assumption that the annuity is competitively priced. Internal costs reflect was is needed to support the guarantees provided by the insurance company and to keep the company reasonably profitable. But costs are not excessive […]
Wink Sees Sharp Drop in Q2 Individual Life Sales
{September 9th, 2020} by Allison Bell
COVID-19 may have pushed more consumers to apply for life insurance, but the increase in awareness may not yet be doing much for the dollar value of new sales. Wink Inc. says the dollar value of sales of all of the types of non-variable individual life products it tracks fell at least 6% between the […]
Brooke Shields Partners With Life Happens For Life Insurance Awareness Month: “2020 Is A Wake-Up Call For Everyone”
{September 9th, 2020} by Liz Frazier
2020 has been a year of uncertainties. The global pandemic has brought about anxiety and a feeling of powerlessness for most of us. We worry about our jobs, finances, health, loved ones and our own mortality. But there is something we still have control over, and it is more important now than ever before: protecting […]
FINRA Sanctions Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC More Than $2 Million for Supervisory Violations Related to Variable Annuity Switches
{September 9th, 2020} by FINRA
Firms to Pay $1.4 Million in Restitution to Approximately 100 Affected Customers WASHINGTON—FINRA announced today that Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (Wells Fargo) have agreed to pay more than $1.4 million in restitution, plus interest, to approximately 100 customers and fines totaling $675,000 for failing to supervise recommendations […]
John Hancock Integrates Amazon Halo with Vitality Program
{September 9th, 2020} by Anthony R. O'Donnell
John Hancock (Boston), the U.S. division of Toronto-based Manulife, has partnered with Amazon to integrate Amazon Halo with the John Hancock Vitality Program. Starting this fall, all John Hancock Vitality customers will be able to link the Amazon Halo Band to the program to earn Vitality Points for the everyday efforts they make to live a healthier, […]
The Financial Vulnerabilities of Retirees Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
{September 9th, 2020} by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Despite the ongoing pandemic, three in four retirees (75 percent) say their confidence in their ability to maintain a comfortable lifestyle through retirement has stayed the same, according to a study released today by nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS). While this stability in retirement confidence seems to be good news, it […]
Pandemic’s Impact on the Market and Economy Has Rattled Retirement Confidence
{September 9th, 2020} by Kiplinger
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Americans are less optimistic about their ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new nationwide retirement survey released today by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine and the Alliance for Lifetime Income. Survey findings are available on Kiplinger.com and in the October Issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance on newsstands today. Half of […]
Canvas Introduces Direct-to-Consumer Annuity Options Online
{September 9th, 2020} by Canvas
PHOENIX, Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Canvas, a Phoenix-based insurance agency owned by Puritan Life Insurance Company of America (Puritan), is one of the first companies in the United States to launch fixed annuity options sold completely online, without commissioned sales agents. The Signature Future Fund and Flex Fund annuities from Canvas are sold directly to consumers and guarantee locked-in […]
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Announces Virtual Participation at Barclays Global Financial Services Conference
{September 9th, 2020} by Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF) (the “Company”) today announced that the Company’s President, Mike Nolan, Chief Financial Officer, Tony Park, and FGL Holdings’ CEO, Chris Blunt will participate in a fireside chat at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. A live webcast and replay of the presentation […]
FBL Financial Group Announces Receipt of Proposal to Acquire Public Minority Stake
{September 9th, 2020} by FBL Financial Group, Inc.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) (the “Company”) announces today that it has received a non-binding proposal dated September 4, 2020 (the “Proposal”) from Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“FBPCIC”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of the Company […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Genworth Financial, Inc. and Its U.S. Life Subsidiaries
{September 9th, 2020} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bb+” of Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (GLAIC) (Richmond, VA). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of C++ (Marginal) and the Long-Term ICRs of “b” of Genworth Life Insurance Company (GLIC) […]
Athene to Participate in 2020 Barclays Global Financial Services Virtual Conference; Live Webcast Available
{September 9th, 2020} by Athene Holding, Ltd.
PEMBROKE, Bermuda–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) (NYSE: ATH) will participate in the 2020 Barclays Global Financial Services Virtual Conference on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. On that day at 10:30am ET, Jim Belardi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in an analyst-led fireside chat. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the […]
Amazon and John Hancock Announce Strategic Collaboration Aimed at Helping Customers Improve Their Health and Wellness
{September 9th, 2020} by John Hancock
John Hancock Integrates Amazon Halo to Empower Life Insurance Customers to Live Longer, Healthier Lives SEATTLE and BOSTON, Aug. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Today, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and John Hancock, the US division of Toronto-based Manulife (NYSE: MFC), announced a strategic collaboration to provide engaging tools and resources to help John Hancock life insurance customers improve their individual health. This effort builds on John Hancock’s longstanding […]
Lincoln Vaults to No. 1 for Structured Annuity Sales, Wink Says
{September 9th, 2020} by Richard Bedard, Warren S. Hersch
Lincoln National has stormed to the front of the pack for sales of structured variable annuities, pushing aside Equitable Holdings. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist, subscription required.
Indexed, Whole Life Insurance Sales Fall in Second Quarter, Wink Reports
{September 9th, 2020} by Arthur D. Postal
Sales of indexed life insurance products fell by double digits in the second quarter and the downward trend will likely continue, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist, subscription required.
An open letter to Corporate America: I can’t feel my pain
{September 9th, 2020} by Shundrawn Thomes
“My questions speak to matters of the heart, which supersede racial classification, political affiliation and religious denomination. What has contributed to our current state of affairs? Why are others acting or reacting in a particular manner? How can I personally make a difference?” Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
A Midwestern Life and Annuity Issuer May Go Private
{September 9th, 2020} by Allison Bell
A property and casualty insurer that’s closely related to FBL Financial Group wants to help buy out the other shareholders and take FBL Financial private. The P&C carrier, Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company, said Friday that its board has offered to pay a total of $440 million, or $47 per share, for the […]
Understanding Indexed Life Illustrations: Reprint #LIAM2020
{September 8th, 2020} 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 […]
Weighing Pandemic Risks When Donating to Colleges
{September 8th, 2020} by Paul Sullivan
Many colleges and universities are struggling to reopen safely and offer in-person classes during the pandemic. At risk is not just the health and safety of their students, faculty and staff, but in many cases the financial viability of the institutions themselves if they have to go to remote learning, which could prompt students and […]
Envestnet | MoneyGuide Teams With FIDx on Annuities: Tech Roundup
{September 8th, 2020} by Jeff Berman
Envestnet | MoneyGuide e8ntered into a strategic partnership with Fiduciary Exchange that provides insurance-licensed financial professionals the capability to plan, research, propose and manage annuity products from within MoneyGuide. Financial advisors who use MoneyGuide software will now be able to seamlessly implement annuity strategies modeled in a client’s financial plan via the FIDx platform, the […]
