Best’s Special Report: New NAIC Risk-Based Capital Factors Heighten Investment Risk for Life/Health Insurers
{November 2nd, 2021} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new set of risk-based capital (RBC) factors taking effect in 2021 could temper allocations to lower-rated bonds by insurers looking to capture higher yields according to an AM Best report. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) RBC factors will be changing for 2021 filings, and with the change to 20 designations from six, […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Aegon N.V.’s U.S. Subsidiaries
{November 2nd, 2021} 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+” (Excellent) of the U.S. life/health subsidiaries of Aegon N.V. (Aegon) (Netherlands) [NYSE: AEG]. Aegon’s U.S. life/health companies are referred to collectively as Aegon USA Group (Aegon USA). The outlook of these Credit […]
DPL Financial Partners Rolls out New Allianz Life RILA for Advisors
{November 2nd, 2021} by DPL Financial Partners
LOUISVILLE, Ky.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DPL Financial Partners (“DPL”), the leading turnkey insurance platform for registered investment advisors (“RIAs”), today announced the launch of a unique, commission-free registered index linked annuity (RILA) that combines various levels of protection against market risk during accumulation with guaranteed income options for investors. Currently, Allianz Index Advantage Income ADV℠ Variable Annuity is […]
Ameriprise Financial Reports Third Quarter 2021 Results
{November 2nd, 2021} by Ameriprise
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP): Earnings Per Diluted Share Return on Equity, ex AOCI (1) Q3 2021 Q3 2021 GAAP $8.65 GAAP 41.7% Adjusted Operating $5.86 Adjusted Operating 47.8% Adjusted Operating Ex. Unlocking(2) $5.91 Adjusted Operating Ex. Unlocking(2) 47.9% Third quarter adjusted operating earnings per diluted share excluding […]
Annuity Providers Become Key Drivers of Satisfaction as Customers Adopt Digital Channels, J.D. Power Finds
{November 2nd, 2021} by J.D. Power
TROY, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Despite the fact that more than three-fourths of individual annuity accounts are sold by financial advisors or insurance agents, customer satisfaction is increasingly being driven by direct engagement with providers. According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Individual Annuity Study,SM released today, customer engagement with provider websites and direct communications from their provider have […]
Ares Management Corporation Highlights Third Quarter and Last Twelve Months U.S. Direct Lending Commitments
{November 2nd, 2021} by Ares Management Corporation
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is providing details on certain new financing commitments made across its U.S. direct lending strategies. Funds managed by Ares Management Corporation’s Credit Group (collectively “Ares”) closed approximately $7.2 billion in commitments across 54 transactions during the third quarter of 2021 and approximately $27.0 billion in commitments across 244 […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
{November 2nd, 2021} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of RiverSource Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) and its wholly owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (Albany, NY). These companies represent the key life/health (L/H) insurance subsidiaries of […]
37 Ameriprise Financial Advisors Named to Working Mother Magazine’s Top Wealth Advisor List
{November 2nd, 2021} by Ameriprise
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ameriprise Financial today announced that 37 financial advisors were named to Working Mother Magazine’s 2021 list of the “Top Wealth Advisor Moms” in the country. The list recognizes successful mothers who work in the wealth management industry and care for children who are 21 years or younger. The advisors are ranked based on assets under management, […]
New Diverse Business Program From MassMutual to Impact 175 Businesses Over Next Five Years
{November 2nd, 2021} by MassMutual
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On the heels of announcing a $150 million commitment to utilizing underrepresented diverse businesses in its procurement process, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced a new diverse business program in partnership with Dartmouth College and Stanford University aimed to help diverse businesses thrive and grow. The program will impact 175 businesses over the […]
New York Life Wealth Watch Survey Finds Nearly One in Three Millennials Have Saved an Average of over $4,200.00 Since the Onset of the COVID-19 Crisis
{November 2nd, 2021} by New York Life
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The latest New York Life Wealth Watch survey found that nearly one-in-three Millennials (29%) reported having built a nest egg, saving an average of $4,241.21 due to paused costs such as deferred student loans, fewer daily expenses, and forgoing leases to move home with parents. Further, a higher number in this cohort now […]
AIG names new CFO with life and retirement unit split under way
{November 2nd, 2021} by Reuters
Oct 25 (Reuters) – American International Group (AIG.N) said on Monday it has appointed insider Shane Fitzsimons as its chief financial officer, replacing Mark Lyons, as the insurer prepares for the separation of its life and retirement business. Fitzsimons joined AIG in July 2019 and was most recently serving as the insurer’s chief administrative officer. Click HERE […]
Prudential Financial commits to net zero emissions by 2050
{November 2nd, 2021} by Prudential Financial
NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) today announced its commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its primary domestic and international home office operations by 2050. To accelerate the company’s longstanding commitments to mitigate the impacts of climate change, Prudential also is setting an interim goal to become carbon neutral by 2040. These actions […]
Allstate Completes Sale of Life and Annuity Businesses
{November 2nd, 2021} by The Allstate Corporation
NORTHBROOK, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today announced that it has closed the sale of Allstate Life Insurance Company (ALIC) and certain subsidiaries to entities managed by Blackstone for total proceeds of $4 billion, which is inclusive of Blackstone’s approximately $2.8 billion purchase price, as well as increases in statutory surplus since March 31, 2020. […]
Impaired Risk Life Underwriting: Past, Present and Future
{November 2nd, 2021} by Robert Goldstone
In 1987, Ronald Reagan was finishing what might be later referred to as an “impaired” presidency, the Minnesota Twins won their first World Series, and we were entering what would become the Renaissance of Impaired Risk Underwriting as a force to be reckoned with. I was practicing Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, and was looking to […]
An “Opportunity For Improvement” In Independent Distribution
{November 2nd, 2021} by Charlie Gipple
I have written before about my son, Matthew, who is the most creative kid I have ever seen. So, I will start this column with a quick story about Matthew. A couple of years ago he and his older brother were sent home from school to do a fundraising project where they would have to […]
Life Carriers, Distributors And Vendors Collaborating On Key Technology Initiatives
{November 2nd, 2021} by Ken Leibow
The life insurance industry is coming together to work on some key initiatives in 2021. The governance of these projects are spearheaded by industry associations like the Life Distribution Technology Committee (LDTC) and ACORD. This is not new as many of our associations have developed projects in the past such as LIDMA’s Process Improvement Team […]
The Technological Shift In Life Insurance Underwriting
{November 2nd, 2021} by Greg Horak
When I started working in the life insurance industry twenty-five some odd years ago the technological revolution that started in the late 90’s and took off like a rocket at the turn of the century hadn’t yet started. Email existed and some of the employees at life insurance companies had email accounts…but most didn’t. The […]
DOL Likely To Revisit A True Fiduciary Standard, Experts Say
{November 2nd, 2021} by John Hilton
The Department of Labor is certain to take another crack at establishing a true fiduciary standard, a pair of experts agreed Wednesday. Speaking during the LIMRA virtual annual conference, Fred Reish, partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, and Phyllis Borzi, former assistant secretary for Employee Benefits Security at the DOL, said the writing is […]
Member Voices: The Impact of Diversity, Part 2 – Q&A With Jim Nickens (InSource, Inc.)
{November 2nd, 2021} by BISA Staff
While October comes to a close, the importance of Global Diversity Awareness continues on by emphasizing diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the workplace and the importance of creating safe spaces for the wellbeing and productivity of all employees. We are fortunate to speak with Jim Nickens, chair-elect of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and member […]
Monthly SPIA Rate Survey
{November 2nd, 2021} by Wink's Intel Pros
Did you know that Wink distributes and compiles a monthly SPIA rate survey for insurers? Participates will receive the SPIA rates for each company, benchmarked by monthly payouts. The survey is FREE for all participants and is not distributed in any other manner. The survey is not for use in sales situations, or by sales […]
Millennials With Stockpiles of Cash Are Looking for Advice: New York Life
{November 2nd, 2021} by Michael S. Fischer
Thanks to deferred student loans during the pandemic, fewer daily expenses and forgoing leases to move in with their parents, 29% of millennials in a poll released Tuesday by New York Life report that they have built a nest egg, saving an average of $4,241.21. Moreover, more millennials now say they are open to guidance from a […]
Where Clients Go Wrong in Predicting Life Expectancy
{November 2nd, 2021} by David Blanchett
The length of retirement is one of the most important assumptions in a financial plan. Despite its uncertainty, care must be taken to ensure mortality assumptions are reasonable because errors in estimates can significantly impact the plan. Recently, I explored the efficacy of subjective mortality estimates, or in less fancy terms, how accurate people are […]
JoAnn Martin, Former Ameritas CEO and ACLI Chair, Dies
{November 2nd, 2021} by Allison Bell
JoAnn Martin, 67 — the vice-chair of Ameritas, a former Ameritas CEO and the 2018-2019 American Council of Life Insurers’ chair — died Oct. 20, from what her obituary described as a rare degenerative neurological disease. In addition to serving as the CEO of Ameritas from 2009 through 2020, Martin was a member of the […]
New Fee-Based RILA Has a Living Benefit Rider: Annuity Moves
{November 2nd, 2021} by Allison Bell
DPL Financial Partners and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America have introduced what they believe to be a unique annuity. The new Allianz Index Advantage Income ADV Variable Annuity contract appears to be the only fee-based registered index-linked annuity with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit, according to DPL. Click HERE to read the full […]
Society of Insurance Research Names Vice Presidents
{November 2nd, 2021} by Allison Bell
Members of the Society of Insurance Research named four new vice presidents at the group’s recent annual meeting. The society was going to hold the meeting partly in person, in Cincinnati, but the COVID-19 delta variant surge forced the society to shift to holding an online event. Click HERE to read the full story via […]
Immediate Annuity Buyers Changed: Cannex
{November 2nd, 2021} by Allison Bell
Cannex Financial Exchanges Ltd. says the clients shopping for immediate annuities in the third quarter spent more and wanted more income than the clients shopping for immediate annuities a year earlier. Consumers use immediate annuities to generate streams of income that start within a year after the contracts were purchased. Click HERE to read […]
Pandemic side effect: Rampant burnout
{November 2nd, 2021} by Emile Hallez
If you find yourself mentally checked out at 2 p.m. on a weekday, you’re not alone. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
The 4 Best Annuity Providers, According to Consumers
{November 2nd, 2021} by Chris Kissell
Millions of retirees looking for a safe and certain income stream turn to annuities. According to these consumers, four annuity plans stand at the front of the pack, a new J.D. Power survey says. Consumers say New York Life does the best job with annuities, followed closely by Nationwide. Fidelity & Guaranty Life and Equitable […]
The Best & Worst Annuity Providers for Customer Satisfaction: J.D. Power
{November 2nd, 2021} by Michael S. Fischer
Even though financial advisors or insurance agents currently sell more than three-fourths of individual annuity accounts, customer satisfaction is increasingly being driven by direct engagement with providers, according to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Individual Annuity Study. The study measures the experiences of customers of the largest annuity companies in the U.S. Overall customer satisfaction is […]
Life insurance for skydivers
{November 2nd, 2021} by Grace Kim
Despite the risks involved, skydiving is a popular sport. According to the United States Parachuting Association (USPA), nearly 3 million jumps were completed in 2020, down from 3.3 million in 2019. Due to skydiving’s popularity and risks, life insurance coverage for skydivers can be hard to find. But does life insurance cover skydiving? Just like auto insurance and […]
Life insurance for special needs children
{November 2nd, 2021} by Cynthia Widmayer
Parents of special needs children are not only vulnerable to emotional hardships but also financial challenges. The functional needs of these children can warrant lifelong support and assistance, making sufficient funds a necessity. While no one wants to think about losing a child, having a life insurance policy on your special needs child could be […]
Allstate to sell Northbrook headquarters after 54 years
{November 2nd, 2021} by Evanston Review (IL)
With 95% of its employees working remotely during the pandemic, insurance giant Allstate is selling its longtime Northbrook headquarters. Allstate told employees Friday that it is putting the sprawling north suburban campus on the market after 54 years. The company did not disclose plans for a future headquarters, or a potential asking price for its current one. […]
U.S. Q3 Individual Annuity Sales Rise 12%
{November 2nd, 2021} by Allison Bell
Sales of U.S. individual annuities continued to increase in the third quarter, in spite of the effects of a major surge in COVID-19 cases. Total sales rose 12% between the third quarter of 2020 and the latest quarter, to $62 billion, according to the Secure Retirement Institute’s latest issuer survey data. Click HERE to read […]
2021 Women in Asset Management Awards
{November 2nd, 2021} by InvestmentNews
Bonhill Group’s third annual Women in Asset Management Awards in the U.S. recognized 13 winners in categories such as Advocate of the Year, Outstanding Leader of the Year and ESG Investment Manager of the Year. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
