Where’s the Beef? Fake Indexes, Class Action Litigation, IUL, and AG 49-B
{April 25th, 2023} by Larry J. Rybka, JD, CFP
At the beginning of Easter weekend, Sheryl J. Moore posted on LinkedIn about this very subject detailing information about two class action lawsuits involving indexed annuities using volatility-control indexes. After pulling both actual filings and reading through the pleadings and court dockets, I decided to comment on Sheryl’s post. When I checked back a few days later, there were […]
Security Benefit Enhances its Foundations Annuity With New Indices for Greater Diversification
{April 25th, 2023} by Security Benefit
TOPEKA, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Security Benefit Life Insurance Company (Security Benefit) today announced the expansion of the index crediting strategies for its Foundations Annuity. Foundations now offers a total of 11 index crediting accounts across five unique indices designed to perform in a variety of market conditions. Fixed index annuities (FIAs) offer the best features of a […]
I am life insurance
{April 25th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Yesterday, I had a breakthrough with my head doctor. SOMETHING GOOD HAPPENED! **********I realized that I no longer define myself as the woman whose son, her firstborn took his own life after being relentlessly bullied, for being gay.********** (This is how I have introduced myself since July 27, 2013: the terrible, awful, no good, very […]
Whether fees or commissions, these financial services products are merely tools
{April 25th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
As long as they keep the financial services business divided on the issue of commissions vs. fees, we are distracted from the REAL story: getting Americans the help that they need. Thanks for the shout out, Marc Cadin! I appreciate your advocacy of educating financial professionals that, whether fees or commissions, these financial services products […]
Generation 401(k): Why Gen Z workers are saving more for retirement
{April 25th, 2023} by Nathan Place
Generation Z is saving for retirement at much higher rates than its predecessors. But it’s not just the kids who are all right; it’s also the settings of their 401(k)s. Over the past two decades, Americans of all ages have increased their participation in workplace retirement plans, according to a new study by the investment firm Vanguard. […]
Security Benefit Increases Lineup Of Indexes For Fixed Annuities
{April 25th, 2023} by FA Staff
Security Benefit has expanded its lineup of indexes for its Foundations Annuity by two to create additional diversification, the firm announced recently. The Topeka, Kan.-based Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Security Benefit Corp., now offers five indexes designed to perform in varied market conditions. “By employing an index as an interest crediting […]
Pacific Life Launches New Variable Universal Life Product for Wealth Transfer Market
{April 25th, 2023} by Pacific Life Insurance Company
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacific Life today announced it has added a new protection-focused variable universal life insurance (VUL) product aimed at the $68 trillion1 wealth transfer market. Pacific Protector VUL2 is designed for cost-efficient guaranteed death benefit protection3,4 to help clients financially protect their loved ones and legacy, while also providing the potential to build cash value. “Now […]
Federal Financial Watchdog Aims to Expand Its Reach
{April 25th, 2023} by Allison Bell
The Financial Stability Oversight Council — the federal agency in charge of keeping the U.S. financial system upright — wants to change a 2019 document that limits how it tries to keep problems at life insurers, money market funds, cryptocurrency firms and other nonbank financial companies from destroying the economy. FSOC announced Friday that it’s […]
SEC Issues New Reg BI Guidance
{April 25th, 2023} by Melanie Waddell
The Securities and Exchange Commission released guidance Thursday for advisors and brokers on meeting their care obligations when providing investment advice and recommendations to retail investors. In its new guidance, released in Q&A form, SEC staff focuses primarily on the Care Obligation of Regulation Best Interest for broker-dealers and the duty of care enforced under the Investment Advisers […]
Annuities and Taxes: What Advisors Need to Know
{April 25th, 2023} by Roger Wohlner
Annuities are a viable retirement planning vehicle for many clients. They offer tax deferral during the accumulation phase and the possibility of guaranteed lifetime income. They also have a tax impact when distributions start. Like most aspects of retirement planning, and with most retirement planning vehicles, tax planning is an integral part of the process […]
How 10 Life and Annuity Mutuals Fared in 2022
{April 25th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Ten large mutual life and annuity issuers took a hit along with just about every other financial services company in 2022. The issuers combined for a total of about $3 billion in net income last year on $183 billion in revenue and $1.6 trillion in assets, compared with $5 billion in net income on $170 […]
SEC May Turn Up Heat on Annuity Sellers Who Wear Two Hats
{April 25th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, who tracks the annuity market, said in an email that these alleged behaviors [of the advisor in this case] are “abominable” and added she was disappointed that state regulators didn’t do anything [about this man’s behavior] before the case arrived at the SEC. “[Though] I am left wondering if the insurance companies were […]
Security Benefit Adds New Annuity Indexes to Manage Volatility
{April 25th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
Volatility indexes are increasingly prevalent in fixed-indexed annuities. In the third quarter, contract holders allocated 41.4% of fixed-indexed annuity premiums to hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. That category includes volatility-controlled indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
What You Need to Know About Risks From Volatility Index Lawsuits
{April 25th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Q: If litigation blows up, how big of a problem might this be? A: Pretty big, potentially. In the fourth quarter, 37.9% of premiums for fixed-indexed annuities were tied to the performance of hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The hybrid category includes volatility-control indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life […]
How Life Insurance Agents Beat Back a Tech Onslaught
{April 25th, 2023} by Leslie Scism
A decade ago, technology startups were planning to steamroll the stodgy life-insurance industry. They thought the glad-handing life-insurance agent who cornered customers at Little League games and closed deals at the kitchen table was a relic. Snazzy websites and sophisticated analytics would replace the one-on-one sales pitches and tedious application process that often involved a […]
Life insurance companies would love higher-rate bonds, but accounting standard would not, Conning reports
{April 25th, 2023} by Steven A. Morelli
After a decade and a half of hoping, life insurance companies are finally seeing an increase in interest rates that improves yield on assets they can purchase, but carriers might be afraid to exchange their low-rate bonds for higher-rated ones because of an accounting standard. As rates dropped after the 2008 economic crash, insurers could […]
House Panel Challenges DOL On Independent Contractor Rule
{April 25th, 2023} by Tracey Longo
The potential economic disruption of President Biden’s independent contractor proposal came under the microscope during a House panel hearing Wednesday. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, minced few words during his hearing, which he titled “Examining Biden’s War on Independent Contractors.” Kiley said his constituents and the state of California […]
How to ease your kids into estate planning
{April 25th, 2023} by Elizabeth Ayoola
When parents talk with their kids at the dinner table, estate planning probably doesn’t come up. But considering we aren’t immortal, it should. It’s worth having age-appropriate conversations to introduce children to the idea of estate planning. As children grow older, parents can provide more specifics about their plans and eventually assist their children in […]
Boomers bite back: Don’t blame us for retirement ‘Road to Nowhere’!
{April 25th, 2023} by Gregg Greenberg
A column warning future generations not to follow baby boomers’ lead when it comes to retirement planning elicited a fiery response from boomers. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
Prudential collected life insurance premiums, later told claimants they were ineligible
{April 25th, 2023} by Emile Hallez
Prudential for years has collected life insurance premiums from customers and later denied claims on the basis that they were ineligible for coverage, according to a settlement the insurer recently signed with the Department of Labor. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
Is this a financial crisis? 4 in 10 investors say yes
{April 25th, 2023} by Nationwide
fter living through previous crises, just 36% of investors have confidence surviving the next one. Those with advisors feel more secure. COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — With signs of a recession flashing, including bank failures, persistent inflation, ongoing volatility and the possibility of a government debt ceiling crisis, many nervous investors are wondering if we […]
Best’s Special Report: U.S. Publicly Traded Life/Annuity Insurers’ Revenues Off 12% in 2022
{April 25th, 2023} by Business Wire
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Premium growth for publicly traded U.S. life/annuity (L/A) insurance companies continued to recover in 2022, but was countered by declines in investment and fee income that drove total GAAP revenue down by 12% to $291.5 billion, according to a new AM Best report. According to the Best’s Special Report, another factor contributing to the revenue decline […]
Ameriprise Financial Reports First Quarter 2023 Results, Raises Quarterly Dividend 8 Percent
{April 25th, 2023} by Ameriprise Financial
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP): Earnings Per Diluted Share Return on Equity, ex AOCI (1) Q1 2023 Q1 2023 GAAP $3.79 GAAP 45.2% Adjusted Operating $7.25 Adjusted Operating 49.5% First quarter adjusted operating earnings per diluted share was $7.25, up 25 percent from the […]
New York Life Announces $20,000 Pledge to Support Tornado Relief Efforts in Arkansas and Nearby Communities
{April 25th, 2023} by New York Life Insurance Company
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New York Life, America’s largest mutual life insurer1, today pledged $20,000 in immediate support to the Arkansas Food Bank in response to tornadoes that struck Arkansas and other nearby communities. “Our thoughts are with the people of Arkansas and the surrounding areas in the aftermath of these devastating tornadoes as they begin to rebuild. New […]
New York Life Wealth Watch Survey Finds Key Financial Differences Among American Families
{April 25th, 2023} by New York Life Insurance Company
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Against a backdrop of economic challenges, adults are beginning to feel less positive about the current state of their finances in 2023, according to the latest findings from the New York Life Wealth Watch survey. Financial confidence levels vary across generations, parental status and between men and women: Baby Boomers (30%) and Millennials […]
Clive insurance agent indicted for defrauding elderly clients
{April 25th, 2023} by Francesca Block
A Clive insurance agent is facing several federal charges for alleged fraud that caused his clients to lose close to $1 million of their retirement savings. A federal grand jury indicted Zachary James Flaherty, 46, with 17 counts of mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and two […]
Inflation forces 1 in 4 Americans to cut retirement savings
{April 25th, 2023} by TIAA
The 7th Annual Personal Finance (P-Fin) Index also shows an increase in the number of people struggling with debt, challenged to make ends meet NEW YORK, April 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As inflation hit a 40-year high in 2022, American workers of all ages cut their retirement savings, struggled with debt and found it difficult to make ends […]
Simplicity Acquires Commonwealth Capital Brokerage and Welcomes Drew Grifo and Stephen Ruggieri as Partners
{April 25th, 2023} by Simplicity Group
SUMMIT, N.J., April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Simplicity Group Holdings, Inc. (“Simplicity”) today announced that it has acquired Commonwealth Capital Brokerage, LLC (“CCB”), a Pennsylvania-based life and annuity brokerage agency led by Drew Grifo and Stephen Ruggieri. Following this transaction, both Drew Grifo and Stephen Ruggieri become partners in Simplicity Group. “Simplicity is pleased to welcome Drew and Steve to the Simplicity team,” said Bruce Donaldson, […]
Insurers optimistic about hiring, revenue
{April 25th, 2023} by Ayo Mseka
Insurers are showing hiring optimism as 67% of them have plans to increase their staff during the next 12 months, driven by the property/casualty segment at 69%. In addition, 79% of companies expect to grow revenue during the next 12 months. This is according to a study by The Jacobson Group and Ward, part of Aon plc. […]
LIMRA study shows interest in life insurance at an all-time high
{April 25th, 2023} by LIMRA
WINDSOR, Conn. and Washington, D.C., April 24, 2023—While two-thirds of Americans report their lives have largely returned to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Insurance Barometer Study shows a record-high proportion of consumers (39%) who say they intend to purchase life insurance coverage within the next year. The intent to buy is even higher […]
Life Insurance Is Profitable Again, but Too Late for Many Insurers
{April 18th, 2023} by Leslie Scism
The past 15 years has been a lousy time to sell life insurance. Higher interest rates driven by the Federal Reserve’s inflation-fighting campaign have given the industry a new chance to profit. But many of the big U.S. publicly traded insurers will miss the party. A lot of these life insurers don’t sell life insurance anymore, at […]
NCOIL HIGHLIGHTS APRIL AS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH
{April 18th, 2023} by NCOIL
NCOIL HIGHLIGHTS APRIL AS FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH Supports Effort to Increase Financial Education and Literacy Across the Country Belmar, NJ – The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) is proud to highlight April as Financial Literacy Month. This month has been designated to serve as a reminder of the importance of financial literacy […]
Guaranteed Rate Creates a Digital Insurance Marketplace to Make Life Easier for Customers
{April 18th, 2023} by Guaranteed Rate Insurance
CHICAGO, April 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Guaranteed Rate Insurance LLC, one of the fastest growing national insurance brokers, backed by the nation’s second-largest retail mortgage lender, Guaranteed Rate, now offers customers a convenient way to compare and purchase home, auto, life and other insurance policies from more than 50 top-rated carriers, all at once, with a single online application. […]
Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC enhances advisory product lineup
{April 18th, 2023} by Ameritas
LINCOLN, Neb., April 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC (AAS) has broadened its investment advisory programs to include additional choices and flexibility for more than 500 financial professionals and their clients as they create financial plans. The additions include: Strategist Unified Managed Account (SUMA) is a new program offered through Envestnet | PMC allowing institutional money […]
Finseca: 4 Tips to Help You Tidy Up Your Finances this Spring
{April 18th, 2023} by Finseca
WASHINGTON, April 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — While many are focused on spring cleaning and tidying up around their homes, the same exercise should be done with your finances. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans are anxious about their financial situation, so the team at Finseca is here to help. 1. Check Your Emergency Fund Unexpected expenses can come at any […]
The Wildcards of Retirement: Midland Advisory Shares Results of New Research
{April 18th, 2023} by Midland Advisory
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Midland Advisory, part of Midland National® Life Insurance Company, a member company of Sammons® Financial Group, released new investor-focused research on a financial client’s readiness to retire. The Wild Cards of Retirement: Addressing the Retirement Worries of Clients and Prospects, was conducted with Wealth Management IQ. According to the new study, pre-retirees expect to spend […]
Aristotle Completes Acquisition of Pacific Asset Management from Pacific Life
{April 18th, 2023} by Aristotle Capital Management, LLC
LOS ANGELES & NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aristotle Capital Management, LLC (“Aristotle”) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Pacific Asset Management LLC, a leader in liquid credit investments, from Pacific Life Insurance Company (“Pacific Life”). Pacific Asset Management has officially been rebranded to Aristotle Pacific Capital, LLC (“Aristotle Pacific”) and currently manages over $20 billion […]
American Equity Schedules First Quarter 2023 Earnings Release, Conference Call and Webcast
{April 18th, 2023} by American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) announced today that it will release first quarter 2023 earnings and other financial results after the close of market on Monday, May 8. The first quarter earnings release and financial supplement will be posted on the American Equity IR website at https://ir.american-equity.com/ at that time. […]
RetireOne Partners with Pension & Wealth Management Advisors on a Program to Help Clients Protect Income in Retirement
{April 18th, 2023} by RetireOne
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–RetireOne®, the leading independent platform for fee-based insurance solutions, today announced the launch of Pension & Wealth Management Advisors’ (PWMA) Portfolio Income Insurance Program. Based in Waltham, MA, PWMA is a dedicated team of financial advisors offering comprehensive solutions to clients with an approach centered around risk management. Powered by Constance, a contingent deferred annuity (CDA) launched by […]
SURVEY: Middle-Income Americans’ Primary Concern Shifts Away From Inflation
{April 18th, 2023} by Primerica
DULUTH, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Primerica, Inc. (NYSE: PRI), a leading provider of financial services in the United States and Canada, released the Middle-Income Financial Security Monitor — a national survey that measures changes in the sentiments of middle-income families in the U.S. about their finances — for the first quarter of 2023. For the first time since 2021, health […]
Security Benefit enhances its Foundations Annuity
{April 18th, 2023} by Security Benefit
Topeka, Kan. – April 17, 2023 – Security Benefit today announced the expansion of the index crediting strategies for its Foundations Annuity. Foundations now offers a total of 11 index crediting accounts across five unique indices designed to perform in a variety of market conditions. Fixed index annuities (FIAs) offer the best features of a traditional […]
Financial Pros Often Downplay Life Policy Investment Features: Survey
{April 18th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Life insurers see their cash-value life insurance policies as powerful Swiss Army knives that can help clients do everything from saving for college bills to supplementing retirement income. But the insurance agents, securities sales representatives and financial advisors who help people buy life insurance tend to spend a lot more time talking about the death benefits. Click […]
Was Q1 Really That Bad for Life, Health and Annuity Issuers?
{April 18th, 2023} by Allison Bell
UnitedHealth Group kicked off life, health and annuity issuers’ earnings release season Friday by posting great results. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based powered through worries about inflation, interest rates, geopolitical issues and strange happenings in Washington by reporting $5.6 billion in net income for the quarter on $92 billion in revenue, up from $5 billion in net […]
What You Need to Know About Risks From Volatility Index Lawsuits
{April 18th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Q: If litigation blows up, how big of a problem might this be? A: Pretty big, potentially. In the fourth quarter, 37.9% of premiums for fixed-indexed annuities were tied to the performance of hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The hybrid category includes volatility-control indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life […]
Insurers Choking on Annuity Applications Finally Catch Their Breath
{April 18th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said the most she’s heard of is six weeks to process an annuity application. Turnaround times have become important, and she knows of agents and distributors helping to direct sales to carriers that issue policies fast. Moore said she’s even heard of at least one […]
North Dakota the 47th jurisdiction to join the interstate insurance compact
{April 18th, 2023} by John Hilton
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed legislation Thursday making the plains state the 47th member of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact. Created by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2002, the interstate insurance compact reviews and approves (or disapproves) individual and group annuity, life insurance, disability income, and long-term care insurance products. Insurers may […]
A pair of rulings go against the ‘Annuity King’ in week one of fraud trial
{April 18th, 2023} by John Hilton
The judge ruled against the self-styled “Annuity King” is a pair of evidentiary rulings during the initial days of the high-profile fraud trial in Tampa, Fla. As a result, Phillip Roy Wasserman will have to turn over text messages traded with bookkeeper Suzanne Linton and former business associate Kenneth Rossman. In an email response to […]
Read this if you are a hybrid RIA
{April 18th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
I agree with Matt Zagula‘s assessment of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission‘s position. However, I also think that this guy actually WAS NOT acting in his clients’ best interests. There are plenty of hybrid RIAs that DO. I read the entire case. It is what makes people hate annuities. SMH. Read this if you are a […]
This may be more about illustrations than performance, folks
{April 18th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Here is some more on that case we discussed earlier this week, about the insurance company and index provider, who are being sued because of hybrid index performance. Click to read Texas lawsuit: Lincoln Financial annuity fell far short of illustration promises Some things that caught my eye: “Plaintiffs say they signed a fixed indexed […]
It goes without saying that potential replacements are a serious issue.
{April 18th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Let’s talk about disintermediation for a moment. Disintermediation occurs when annuitants/policyholders cash surrender their annuities/life insurance as a result of rising interest rates. Charlie Gipple, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® of CG Financial Group, LLC just published an article on the subject in this month’s Broker World magazine titled, New Annuity Caps Better Than Renewal Caps. Do I Replace? I am […]
Should Fixed-Rate Annuities be Part of Your Managed Portfolio?
{April 18th, 2023} by David Lau
Editor’s Note: Recently, Retirement Daily published an article by annuities expert Ken Nuss, in which he argued that fixed-rate annuities are simple products that do not belong in a fee-based managed portfolio. He claimed that investment managers charging fees for managing these products are misleading clients. We heard from two other experts who see this differently. This […]
Yes, Fixed-Rate Annuities Should be in a Managed Portfolio
{April 18th, 2023} by David Blanchett
Editor’s Note: Recently, Retirement Daily published an article by annuities expert Ken Nuss, in which he argued that fixed-rate annuities are simple products that do not belong in a fee-based managed portfolio. He claimed that investment managers charging fees for managing these products are misleading clients. We heard from two other experts who see this differently. This […]
Successful Financial Professionals Use A Multi-Pronged Approach To Expand Client Base
{April 18th, 2023} by LIMRA and EY
A consumer’s lack of understanding about life insurance often prevents them from purchasing coverage. According to the 2022 Insurance Barometer Study, more than 1 in 5 uninsured Americans say they haven’t purchased coverage because they do not know what to buy or how much they need. Overall, just 1 in 3 Americans believe they are […]
Texas lawsuit: Lincoln Financial annuity fell far short of illustration promises
{April 11th, 2023} by John Hiton
A Texas lawsuit claims that Lincoln Financial sold nine plaintiffs a fixed indexed annuity with illustrated promises of big gains that never materialized. The group of nine plaintiffs seek class-action status and are suing both Lincoln and Fidelity Product Services, provider of the index upon which the Lincoln FIA is linked. Initially filed in Dallas […]
ECA MARKETING WELCOMES SELAX BROKERAGE AND JOHN TURNER MANAGING PARTNER TO THE GA PLATFORM
{April 11th, 2023} by SELAX BROKERAGE AGENCY LLC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2023 Indianapolis, IN – SELAX BROKERAGE AGENCY LLC is pleased to announce the strategic partnership with ECA Marketing. John Turner in his new role will lead SELAX as the Managing Partner and President of Annuity sales. “The team at ECA is delighted about our strategic partnership with John Turner […]
Millennials Ready To Listen To Advisors, Ameriprise Survey Says
{April 11th, 2023} by Karen Demasters
Millennials present advisors with the perfect clients: They are entering their peak earning years and they are seeking financial help, according to Ameriprise Financial. Millennials, those 27 to 42 years of age, are more aware of their need to budget and save for retirement than older generations were when they were the same age, and […]
Jamie Dimon on Banking Turmoil: ‘This Wasn’t the Finest Hour for Many Players’
{April 11th, 2023} by David Benoit
JPMorgan increase; green up pointing triangle Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said industry turmoil sparked by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank last month is nothing like the 2008 financial crisis, but it will nonetheless have repercussions for years. In his annual letter to shareholders released Tuesday, the head of the country’s largest […]
AmeriLife shakes up distribution leadership to grow annuity sale
{April 11th, 2023} by AmeriLife Group
AmeriLife Group, a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, today announced the next phase of changes to its Wealth organization, which are aimed at redefining the independent agent and advisor experience and breaking through traditional distribution models. Effective immediately, TruChoice Financial Group President and CEO […]
Insurance industry coalition forms non-profit to study baffling excess mortality
{April 11th, 2023} by Doug Bailey
A coalition of insurance industry and healthcare leaders have formed a non-profit organization to help global insurers screen, test, and triage members to combat the baffling rise in excess mortality. Members of the group, called The Insurance Collaboration to Save Lives, say they were increasingly concerned about excess mortality and morbidity trends that even three years […]
Life and Annuity Issuers Show Their Interest Rate Pain
{April 11th, 2023} by Allison Bell
How much have spiking interest rates squeezed life and annuity issuers in the past year? Enough to give the issuers’ rate-smoothing reserves a big, hard, painful pinch. The big U.S. life insurers that Fitch Ratings watches put about $15 billion in realized losses into their interest maintenance reserves (IMRs) in 2022, after putting $15 billion […]
New York Life Adds Fixed Annuity With Lifetime Withdrawal Guarantee
{April 11th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Many life insurers have announced plans to shift away from taking on new annuity benefits guarantee risk in recent years. New York Life is moving in a different direction with the introduction of its Clear Income Advantage annuity. The product is a fixed deferred annuity with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit rider. New York Life […]
Confessions of an Indexed Annuity Purist
{April 11th, 2023} by Scott Stolz
When I began to urge advisors to consider incorporating fixed indexed annuities into their practice back in 2006, I highlighted the importance of keeping the story simple. Specifically, I stressed the need to be able to answer the question: “How did the insurance company calculate the interest they credited to my policy?” To answer this […]
Research Points to a Better Way to Market Annuities
{April 11th, 2023} by Sudipto Banerjee
For a long time, economists have predicted that retirees will systematically spend down their savings to preserve their spending or lifestyle in retirement. But a body of recent research suggests that commonly held assumptions have oversimplified how most retirees spend their savings. In fact, when we recently asked retirees about their spending habits, nearly 70% […]
10 State-Level Annuity Bills to Track Now
{April 11th, 2023} by Allison Bell
In some states, local policymakers are devoting most of their retirement legislative energy to bailing out sinking municipal pension plans, or simply reintroducing the concept of “capitalism.” In other states, state lawmakers are considering versions of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ annuity sales standards update, looking into setting up automatic payroll deduction retirement plan […]
Life Insurance Digitization: Underwriting Predictive Modeling, Building Consumer Trust, And Keeping Policyholders Healthy
{April 11th, 2023} by Ken Leibow
I always like April’s article to include underwriting because the largest life insurance underwriting conference, AHOU, which is April 16-19 this year in Hollywood, FL. I met with Samplemed about predictive modeling for underwriting. As life insurance becomes more digitized, trust and fraud become very real, so I reached out to TransUnion. Wellness—engaging policyholders—is also […]
New Annuity Caps Better Than Renewal Caps. Do I Replace?
{April 11th, 2023} by Charlie Gipple
Carriers have better pricing horsepower for annuities than they have had in over a decade. By “pricing horsepower” what I am referring to is interest rates. We all know that the 10-year Treasury Bond yield has increased substantially over the last couple of years. However, a better benchmark to pay attention to for what carriers […]
Annuity And Life Solutions For RIAs
{April 11th, 2023} by Charles Arnold
The number of registered investment advisors, or RIAs, in the industry continues to grow along with the percentage of overall assets they manage. As they become more relevant, so does the attractiveness of their business model for many financial professionals currently at broker-dealers and wirehouses. Advisors can join an existing RIA team or form their […]
Broker Words—April 2023
{April 11th, 2023} by Stephen Howard
Hope and I joined my awesome sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christy and Rick White, in Raleigh, NC, last October for what Chris described as a “bucket list” event—Stevie Nicks in concert. The venue was an amphitheater with maybe the best acoustics I’ve ever experienced, but traffic to, and parking for, the event was indescribably abysmal…it took […]
Silicon Valley Bank: Are Annuity Companies Next And What Does This Mean For Annuities?
{April 11th, 2023} by Charlie Gipple
What happened to Silicon Valley Bank—along with Signature Bank—that represents the two largest bank failures since the financial crisis? Silicon Valley Bank failed because of six primary reasons, among other things: 1. Deposits were drying up relative to in the past and relative to SVB’s expectations. Because SVB’s customers were largely startup companies and because […]
Insurance fintech adds long-term care products
{April 11th, 2023} by Ryan W. Neal
Modern Life is adding long-term care and hybrid long-term care products to its menu of insurance for financial advisors. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews
AIG to Report First Quarter 2023 Financial Results on May 4, 2023 and Host Conference Call on May 5
{April 11th, 2023} by AIG
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) will report financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, after the market closes on Thursday, May 4, 2023. AIG’s press release and financial supplement will be available in the Investors section of AIG’s website at https://www.aig.com. AIG will also host a conference call on Friday, […]
Best’s Special Report: Impairments in US Life/Health Insurance Industry Continued to Drop in 2021
{April 11th, 2023} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Insurance company impairments in the U.S. life/health industry continued to drop in 2021, with two new insurers identified, compared with five and 10 impairments, respectively, in the preceding two years, according to a new AM Best report. The Best’s Special Report, titled, “2021 US Life/Health Impairments Update,” states that in 2021, two life/health companies became impaired: […]
Brighthouse Financial Announces Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2023 Results
{April 11th, 2023} by Brighthouse Financial, Inc
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (Brighthouse Financial) (Nasdaq: BHF) announced today that it plans to hold a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The call will follow the issuance of the Brighthouse Financial […]
New York Life Clear Income Advantage Addresses Key Retirement Income Concerns, while Offering Flexibility and Access
{April 11th, 2023} by New York Life
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New York Life, America’s largest mutual life insurer1, today announced the launch of Clear Income Advantage, a fixed deferred annuity with a Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) rider that offers a combination of income, security, liquidity and flexibility in one retirement income solution. “In designing Clear Income Advantage, we talked to people near […]
Jackson to Report First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
{April 11th, 2023} by Jackson Financial Inc.
LANSING, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jackson Financial Inc.1 (NYSE: JXN) (Jackson®) will announce financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 after market close Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Jackson’s press release and supplemental financial materials will be available at investors.jackson.com. Jackson will host a conference call and webcast Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 9 a.m. ET to review […]
Most Americans Say They Can’t Count on Social Security for Retirement Income
{April 11th, 2023} by Allianz Life
MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The majority of Americans don’t think they can depend on Social Security for retirement income and worry about their long-term financial stability, according to the 2023 1Q Quarterly Market Perceptions Study* from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life). Nearly three in four (74%) say they can’t count on Social Security benefits […]
Northwestern Mutual Ranked as Sixth-Largest Independent Broker-Dealer by Financial Advisor Magazine
{April 11th, 2023} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, April 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Mutual’s wealth management business continued its ascension with another prominent third-party recognition announced this week. Financial Advisor magazine, a leading trade publication for the financial advice industry, ranked the company as the sixth-largest independent broker-dealer firm by gross revenue – moving up one spot from 2022. The firm has maintained a top-10 […]
Penn Mutual Introduces New Protection Whole Life
{April 11th, 2023} by The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company
Guaranteed protection product strengthens comprehensive life insurance portfolio HORSHAM, Pa., April 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company (Penn Mutual), a Fortune 1000 company, announces the introduction of Protection Whole Life (PWL), a permanent life insurance product that provides guaranteed lifetime protection at a competitive premium rate. “As a leader in the life […]
Ugh. I have been dreading this
{April 11th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Another lawsuit has been filed around the issue of a non-performing hybrid index on an indexed annuity. *wince* The proposed class action targets both the insurance company, AND the index provider. The suit is centered around the assertion that the illustrations were “too rosy” and the index didn’t perform. Apparently, nine plaintiffs claim that they […]
What is universal life insurance?
{April 11th, 2023} by Lisa Knueven
Universal life insurance is permanent life insurance coverage that stays in place your entire life (or as long as you pay premiums). When you die, your beneficiaries, or those you’ve chosen to receive the funds from your policy, will receive a death benefit. Click HERE to read the full story via CNBC Wink’s Moore […]
Lincoln Slammed With Volatility-Index Suit as Litigation Threat Grows
{April 6th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
A new lawsuit alleges that agents were too aggressive in selling a Fidelity index, which underperformed expectations in 2020. ………………………………………….. Article excerpt: Volatility indexes command a large share of the market for fixed-indexed annuities. In the fourth quarter, 43.3% of premiums for the products were tied to the performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 […]
How the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 Affects Annuities
{April 4th, 2023} by Bill Broich
Signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 governs U.S. spending until the end of the fiscal year, on Sept. 30. The bill contains a little bit of everything, including provisions that affect annuities. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Nationwide Gets Closer to Fidelity — and Invesco
{April 4th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Nationwide is joining with Fidelity Investments to launch a variable annuity and expand variable annuity distribution. The Columbus, Ohio-based insurer also announced that it’s working with another asset manager, Invesco, to add investment options to the menu of flat-fee, investment-only variable annuity contracts. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Thousands of Retirees Can’t Withdraw Savings Invested in Firms Controlled by Indicted Financier Greg Lindberg
{April 4th, 2023} by Mark Maremont and Leslie Scism
Mark Zintel, a retiree who lives near Tampa, Fla., is furious that $700,000 in annuities he bought from an insurer have been frozen for almost four years. He is one of tens of thousands of people whose money was rendered unreachable as the empire of self-described billionaire Greg Lindberg slowly imploded. Click HERE to read the full […]
Too much business to care about annuity transfers?
{April 4th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
I am hearing scuttlebutt that with any annuity transfer coming into some insurers, the home office will stop following-up on the money after the first email or call. Apparently, these companies are leaving it up to the agent, client, or FMO to close out the case and follow-up on transfers. What say you? Laziness? Too […]
Finseca: Three Lessons Ordinary Americans Can Learn From SVB’s Failure
{April 4th, 2023} by Finseca
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — An individual or a family’s financial journey requires careful planning and preparation. When four in five Americans describe the state of the economy as not so good or poor, an overwhelming share of Americans aren’t confident their children’s lives will be better than their own, and we see bank failures like what […]
New York Life Named Official Life Insurance Partner of the New York Yankees
{April 4th, 2023} by New York Life
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New York Life, America’s largest mutual life insurer1, today announced that the company has become the official life insurance partner of the New York Yankees. This multi-year partnership includes brand presence for New York Life throughout Yankee Stadium and extends to digital and social properties as well as local community events. “New York […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Symetra Financial Corporation and Its Subsidiaries
{April 4th, 2023} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” (Excellent) of Symetra Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary, First Symetra National Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY), together referred to as Symetra Life Group. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed […]
RetireOne Partners with Corebridge Financial to Provide RIAs with Greater Choice for Commission-Free Retirement Income Solutions
{April 4th, 2023} by RetireOne
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–RetireOne®, the leading independent platform for fee-based insurance solutions, today announced a partnership with Corebridge Financial, formerly AIG Life & Retirement, to distribute two fee-based annuity solutions on RetireOne’s fiduciary annuity + insurance marketplace. Fee-only fiduciaries on RetireOne’s platform now have access to an even larger selection of zero-commission, simple-to-use retirement solutions designed to […]
The Standard to Acquire Life & Disability Business from Elevance Health; Companies Announce Future Distribution Partnership
{April 4th, 2023} by The Standard
PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., (The Standard) and Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV) today announced a definitive agreement under which The Standard will acquire the Life & Disability business from Elevance Health and enter into a product distribution partnership. The Standard and Elevance Health are leading benefits providers with deep expertise in group benefits administration […]
AM Best Withdraws Credit Ratings of Equitable Financial Life and Annuity Company
{April 4th, 2023} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) of Equitable Financial Life and Annuity Company (EFLA). The outlook of the Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has withdrawn the ratings at the request of the company to no longer participate […]
Jackson Revamps Efforts To Aid Women’s Retirement Saving
{April 4th, 2023} by Edward Hayes
Jackson National Life Insurance is stepping up its efforts to encourage women to start planning for their retirement and doing so by helping male financial advisors communicate better with women. Women are generally not preparing well for their retirement. According to a Fidelity Investments’ 2021 Women and Investing Study, only 42% of women have a […]
AI Regulation Faces Test on Life Insurance in Colorado
{April 4th, 2023} by Lucy Papachristou, Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) — The life insurance industry could become one of the first sectors to be subjected to strict rules around the use of algorithms and models powered by artificial intelligence as regulators seek to protect consumers from discrimination and bias. The Colorado Division of Insurance proposed new rules last month that would require state-licensed life […]
The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Advocates for the Economic Security of Women
{April 4th, 2023} by NAIFA
FALLS CHURCH, VA. (PRWEB) MARCH 30, 2023 The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has undertaken a series of events this month to raise awareness of the importance of women’s economic security in our country, as well as to highlight the importance of the voice of women financial advisors in their voting districts. The […]
2022 Was Good For Annuities; 2023 Stands To Be Better
{April 4th, 2023} by Eric Rasmussen
The annuity industry has two gusts of wind at its back going into 2023: a higher interest rate environment and the new opportunities provided by the SECURE Act. That was the takeaway of a CFRA report released in early March. Click HERE to read the full story via Financial Advisor
What Climbing Interest Rates Mean for Annuities?
{April 4th, 2023} by Deanna Ritchie for Due.com
Careful scrutiny of your retirement plans requires you to factor in annuities to balance your investment portfolio. Annuities remain reliable investment vehicles to generate a guaranteed income post-retirement. Meticulously planned annuities often replicate monthly paychecks that reflect in the form of salary amidst rising interest rates. Click HERE to read the full story via Nasdaq
States maintain iron grip on insurance regulation
{April 4th, 2023} by John Hilton
As summer 2020 wound down, then-Ohio Insurance Director Jillian Froment steered a sensitive rewrite of Actuarial Guideline 49 to a successful vote. The much-debated new AG 49 made changes designed to tighten up indexed universal life illustrations. Froment chaired the Life Insurance and Annuities Committee, her assignment as a member of the National Association of […]
Cross Out More Ink Signature Requirements: IRI to NAIC
{April 4th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Aretirement services group says states should minimize the amount of “wet signature” requirements they impose on consumers who prefer to do business online. The Insured Retirement Institute has sent the National Association of Insurance Commissioners a letter asking regulators to make use of electronic signatures the default whenever possible, except when statutes still require use […]
Volatility Indexes May Go on Trial After Security Benefit Legal Setback
{April 4th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Volatility indexes command a large share of the market for the products. In the third quarter, 44% of the premiums for fixed-indexed annuities went toward the S&P 500 Index, with hybrid indexes a close second, at 41.4%, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. This category includes volatility-controlled indexes. The annuities mentioned in the suit are […]
Citizens Financial Unit Investigated for Sales of Savings Product Controlled by Troubled Financier Greg Lindberg
{April 4th, 2023} by Mark Maremont and Leslie Scism
Massachusetts securities regulators said they are investigating a unit of Citizens Financial Group Inc. over its sales of a savings product offered by an insurer controlled by now-indicted financier Greg Lindberg. News of the probe follows an article published this week in The Wall Street Journal, which reported that tens of thousands of people, many […]
Regulators Approve Guideline for Index-Linked Variable Annuities
{April 4th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have approved two measures that could change how agents and advisors talk about indexed life and annuity products. NAIC members voted Saturday, at an in-person meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, to approve new rules for registered index-linked annuities (RILAs), or variable annuities with credit rates tied to the […]
‘Annuity King’ calls Ponzi scheme charges ‘a joke;’ Trial starts today in Tampa
{April 4th, 2023} by John Hilton
The criminal trial of the Florida-based, self-styled “Annuity King,” Phillip Roy Wasserman, charged with annuity fraud and running a Ponzi scheme, is set to start today in a Tampa, Fla. courtroom. When it will end is the big unknown. Wasserman told InsuranceNewsNet that his defense team submitted a witness list of 104 names and they […]
States maintain iron grip on insurance regulation
{April 4th, 2023} by John Hilton
As summer 2020 wound down, then-Ohio Insurance Director Jillian Froment steered a sensitive rewrite of Actuarial Guideline 49 to a successful vote. The much-debated new AG 49 made changes designed to tighten up indexed universal life illustrations. Froment chaired the Life Insurance and Annuities Committee, her assignment as a member of the National Association of […]
AM Best will be ‘all over’ life insurers if high-risk assets escalate
{April 4th, 2023} by InsuranceNewsNet
Life insurers are increasingly compiling high-risk assets and AM Best is watching closely, two directors assured a federal Department of the Treasury committee Wednesday. The exposure to high risk assets “is something that could be problematic for these companies and the first signs that we see, we’re going to be all over these companies. Absolutely,” […]
Life insurance industry sales focus change cited in falling policy counts
{April 4th, 2023} by John Hilton
Anyone connected to the life insurance industry knows that the number are Americans covered by life insurance has steadily declined for decades. The reasons behind that decline generated some sharp insights recently during a presentation at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ spring meeting in Louisville. The number of families reporting any life insurance coverage […]
Life insurance illustration rules on the clock as full rework looms
{April 4th, 2023} by John Hilton
Updated guidance for indexed universal life illustrations takes effect May 1, but a major overhaul of life insurance illustration regulation is coming, a Symetra executive said Monday. But it won’t be too long before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reopens the overall life insurance illustration regulation, added Gregory Rohtstein, assistant vice president, life product […]
BGA Life Insurance Services, Inc. Joins LIBRA Insurance Partners
{April 4th, 2023} by LIBRA Insurance Partners
BALTIMORE, March 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — BGA Life Insurance Services, Inc. (BGA Insurance), a wholesaling Brokerage General Agency (BGA) with offices in Southern California and licensed insurance agents throughout the U.S., announces its partnership with LIBRA Insurance Partners, the largest independently owned life insurance marketing organization (IMO) in the United States. Specializing in life insurance, long-term care, disability and annuity […]
