Wall Street’s interest in indexed annuities
{February 10th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, an article was published bringing to light the fact that some firms on Wall Street are in the process of developing indexed annuities. Many of you have contacted us in a panic, trying to validate the accuracy of this information. We have indeed been contacted by two such firms over the course of the […]
Wall Street’s Interest in Indexed Annuities
{February 9th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, an article was published at AnnuityNews.com, bringing to light the fact that some firms on Wall Street are in the process of developing indexed annuities. Many of you have contacted us, in a panic, trying to validate the accuracy of this information. We have indeed been contacted by two such firms over the course of the […]
Wall Street's Interest in Indexed Annuities
{February 9th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, an article was published at AnnuityNews.com, bringing to light the fact that some firms on Wall Street are in the process of developing indexed annuities. Many of you have contacted us, in a panic, trying to validate the accuracy of this information. We have indeed been contacted by two such firms over the course of the […]
Hundreds of Thousands of Insurance Professionals Agree with Me- Indexed Annuities ‘great solution’ for many savers
{February 4th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
It appears that I have a secret admirer. Attorney Marc S. Dobin of Dobin & Jenks, LLP in Jupiter, Florida appears to be carrying a flame for me. At least, that is how it would appear. Consider: Mr. Dobin blogged about me yesterday for the first time since my letter to him, two years ago, correcting him on some […]
Hundreds of Thousands of Insurance Professionals Agree with Me- Indexed Annuities 'great solution' for many savers
{February 4th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
It appears that I have a secret admirer. Attorney Marc S. Dobin of Dobin & Jenks, LLP in Jupiter, Florida appears to be carrying a flame for me. At least, that is how it would appear. Consider: Mr. Dobin blogged about me yesterday for the first time since my letter to him, two years ago, correcting him on some […]
What You Need to Know About the 10/10 Rule
{January 4th, 2011} by Sheryl J. Moore
We are receiving hundreds of calls since Florida enacted a variation of the 10/10 Rule effective January 1, 2011. For that reason, I thought that a little clarification about the rule was warranted. Here are some things you need to know about the 10/10 Rule: 1. The 10/10 Rule is desk-drawer legislation that was initially […]
New York Compensation Disclosure is Here
{December 3rd, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
ATTENTION AGENTS AND FMOS DOING BUSINESS IN NEW YORK! New York insurance agents need to be aware of the new compensation disclosure rules (Regulation 194) that take effect January 1, 2011. It is important to note that this regulation is not only for those who SELL IN New York. This impacts all insurance agents licensed to do business in New York, […]
Third Quarter 2010 Indexed Insurance Sales
{November 15th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
THIRD QUARTER INDEXED ANNUITY SALES BLEW ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS OUT OF THE WATER! Read on… Indexed Annuity AnnuitySpecs.com’s Indexed Sales & Market Report, 3rd Quarter 2010 shows third quarter 2010 indexed annuity sales were $8770 million compared with sales of $8379 million for the previous quarter. Third quarter sales were up nearly 5% when compared […]
THE CHALLENGE IS ON- I NEED YOUR HELP!
{October 18th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Are you sick of the misinformation about indexed annuities in the media? I am. I’ve taken the matter into my own hands by holding the media accountable for their journalistic integrity when it comes to their reporting on indexed annuities. For the past three years, I have been personally responding to every negative/inaccurate article […]
SEC Withdraws Rule 151A
{October 15th, 2010} by Securities and Exchange Commission
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Securities and Exchange Commission. ACTION: 17 CFR Part 230 [Release No. 33-9152; File No. S7-14-08] RIN 3235-AK16 INDEXED ANNUITIES AGENCY: Final rule; withdrawal; request for comment on Paperwork Reduction Act burden estimate. SUMMARY: We are withdrawing rule 151A under the Securities Act of 1933, which defines the terms “annuity […]
Speculation on 2010 Indexed Annuity Sales…
{October 14th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Fixed annuities are averaging 3.42% today (including bonus). That number was a double-digit at the turn of the century. By comparison, certificates of deposit (CDs) are currently averaging 0.75%; less than one percent! I could walk into the bank and get a rate of 7.00% in 2000. Sound attractive? I’m betting not. For that reason, […]
Clarification of the SEC's Rule 151A and FINRA's Notice to Members 05-50
{August 27th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Since the recent demise of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 151A, I have been receiving a slew of questions about the impact of this on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Notice to Members 05-50. A quick overview: The National Association of Securities Dealers (now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, FINRA) issued their […]
Clarification of the SEC’s Rule 151A and FINRA’s Notice to Members 05-50
{August 27th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Since the recent demise of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 151A, I have been receiving a slew of questions about the impact of this on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Notice to Members 05-50. A quick overview: The National Association of Securities Dealers (now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, FINRA) issued their […]
Second Quarter 2010 Indexed Insurance Sales
{August 14th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Indexed Annuity AnnuitySpecs.com’s Indexed Sales & Market Report, 2nd Quarter 2010 shows second quarter 2010 indexed annuity sales were $8379 million compared with sales of $6819 million for the previous quarter. Second quarter sales were up nearly 23% when compared with the previous quarter and down less than 0.20% when compared with the same period […]
Indexed Annuities’ Battle with SEC Comes to An End
{July 21st, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Indexed Annuities’ Battle with SEC Comes to An End On July 21, 2010, a long and hard-fought battle with securities regulators was finally won by the insurance industry. After being under question for 13 years, the securities status of indexed annuities was finally and indefinitely settled when President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall […]
Court Vacates SEC's Rule 151A
{July 12th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Good evening, everyone! Great news this evening on the 151A litigation front- the court has vacated the SEC’s rule 151A. Here is language from the court’s order: “Having determined that the SEC’s S. 2(b) analysis is lacking, we grant the petitions [assertion that] the SEC failed properly to consider the effect of the rule upon […]
Court Vacates SEC’s Rule 151A
{July 12th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Good evening, everyone! Great news this evening on the 151A litigation front- the court has vacated the SEC’s rule 151A. Here is language from the court’s order: “Having determined that the SEC’s S. 2(b) analysis is lacking, we grant the petitions [assertion that] the SEC failed properly to consider the effect of the rule upon […]
Registered Indexed Annuities Launch is a Non-Event
{June 16th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, an insurance company that sells indexed annuities rolled-out a registered indexed annuity. Our office is receiving alot of calls regarding this rollout. For the record: 1. This is a non-event. Registered indexed annuities (RIAs) have existed since fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) have. 2. As of today, there are precisely four registered indexed annuities in the market and […]
The 10/10 Rule is Spreading Like a Bad Rash
{June 4th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Just a big heads up for everyone- Florida will be a 10/10 state as of 1/1/11. This means that after that date, no annuities will be available to Floridians where the surrender charges exceed 10-years or the first-year surrender penalty exceeds 10%. I am happy to report that with the cooperation and assistance of all of you that […]
First Quarter Indexed Annuity Sales Drop 4%
{May 18th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
First Quarter 2010 Indexed Insurance Sales Indexed Annuity AnnuitySpecs.com’s 1st Quarter Indexed Sales & Market Report shows first quarter 2010 indexed annuity sales were $6819 million compared with sales of $7097 million for the previous quarter. First quarter sales were down nearly 4% when compared with the same period one year ago. Total 1Q2010 […]
Credible “experts”
{April 26th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Team, I want to present to you that in the years that I’ve been serving as an expert in the indexed life and indexed annuity markets, I have seen dozens of so-called “experts” come and go. (I’m not saying this in defense of my products and services, as we never have to want for business. […]
FINRA and the Securities Power Grab
{April 21st, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Ever feel like some groups just don’t have enough job security? Take the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for example. Historically, the SEC has attempted to take-over regulation of several non-securities products. Want proof? Google “SEC wants to regulate banks” or “SEC wants to regulate single premium life.” Or how about, “SEC wants to regulate […]
Why Can’t We Be A Self-Policing Industry?
{April 19th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
When I started speaking to large groups about five years ago, I would usually include slides in my presentations that talked about the top-selling products, regulatory trends, and upcoming changes to product designs. Now keep in mind, the market environment was much different then. It seemed like every other company was being sued in a […]
Unite to Fight 151A!
{March 30th, 2010} by American Equity
Unite to Fight 151A! Let’s Save Fixed Indexed Annuities March 29th – April 9th Our U.S. Senators will be back in their local state offices. Please take just a few minutes and reach out to them. If your Senator has not yet agreed to co-sponsor Senate Bill S1389 then please ask them to do so. […]
Indexed Annuity Complaints Down Again for 2009
{March 15th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
For anyone who thinks that indexed annuity complaints are a problem, I’ve got news for you…THEY ARE MINISCULE! I am very happy to report that indexed annuity complaints were down again for 2009. See data below from the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Closed Complaint Database: TOTAL INDEXED ANNUITY COMPLAINTS FOR 2006: 187 TOTAL INDEXED […]
Happy Birthday, Indexed Annuities!
{March 12th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Indexed annuities were developed 15 years ago as of February 2010. These products are still a “baby” in terms of the product life cycle, considering that fixed annuities have been around since the 1600’s. As of 4Q2009, indexed annuities account for 12.82% of all annuity sales (fixed, indexed, and variable). Interestingly, indexed life is two […]
The 10/10s are coming! The 10/10s are coming!
{February 27th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Hey there team, 10/10 is getting to be a big issue. This desk drawer legislation is used by insurance divisions to limit the surrender charges on all annuities to 10-years and10%. The bigger issue here is that limiting surrender charges on annuities is anti-competitive and results in a reduction of benefits on the product. For example, […]
Fair-Weather Friends of the Indexed Annuity
{February 21st, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
You know who you are. Companies that are not loyal to the business or the agents that sell the product. Consultants who claim to be third-party and unbiased, but spout the latest “research” to strategically advance the sales of marketing organizations that pay you to promote their services on your websites. WHEN ARE YOU GOING […]
Do you ever get tired of the sleaze in our business?
{February 5th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
That’s right- I asked it. Do you ever get tired of the sleaze in our business? You know what I am talking about- the guys advertising 12% commissions on annuities? You know who you are… Well, I am sick of it. I hope that you are too. I spend more than 70% of my time […]
"Now Do We Have Your Attention?"
{January 25th, 2010} by Raymond J. Ohlson
READ BELOW FOR A SPECIAL MESSAGE BY RAY OHLSON OF THE OHLSON GROUP: Well it was quite a week. The senate seat once held by the late Senator Ted Kennedy was taken from the Democrats when the newly elected Senator Brown scored an upset victory in Massachusetts. Both sides of the aisle are now explaining […]
“Now Do We Have Your Attention?”
{January 25th, 2010} by Raymond J. Ohlson
READ BELOW FOR A SPECIAL MESSAGE BY RAY OHLSON OF THE OHLSON GROUP: Well it was quite a week. The senate seat once held by the late Senator Ted Kennedy was taken from the Democrats when the newly elected Senator Brown scored an upset victory in Massachusetts. Both sides of the aisle are now explaining […]
GREAT statistics to help you with your sales of indexed life and indexed annuities….
{January 22nd, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
According to a recent Gallup, Inc. poll: 55% of American shareholders believe that the stock market will be higher a year from now. Only 11% believe that it will be lower in a year. How does that translate to IA and IUL? The power of the annual reset is magnificent! Although the market may be […]
Get Your Butt Out of Your Chair and Contact Your Legislators!
{January 8th, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
I am happy to report that we have 69 co-sponsors in the House now and 12 in the Senate. But, do you know how many Congress persons it takes to get a bill passed? There are 535 people in Congress. THAT MEANS WE ONLY HAVE 15% OF CONGRESS CO-SPONSORING THE BILLS THAT WILL SAVE THE […]
The Economic Impact of Rule 151A
{January 3rd, 2010} by Sheryl J. Moore
Even if you HATE indexed annuities, Rule 151A is something you need to be concerned about.
This rule, which effectively redefines indexed annuities as securities, is how the SEC is opening the door to federal regulation of life insurance. The Securities and Exchange Commission has a mission to be the preeminent financial services regulator; regulating insurance, banks, securities, and more. If you don’t believe me, just do a Yahoo! search on any of the following:
- SEC wants to regulate hedge funds
- SEC wants to regulate insurance
- SEC wants to regulate financial markets
- SEC wants to regulate [you fill in the blank]
Welcome!
{December 30th, 2009} by Sheryl J. Moore
If you have ever been interested in Indexed Annuities, Indexed Life, or even just me- WELCOME!
This website is designed to lead you to the answers that you are seeking out on indexed insurance products and the work that our firm does in the insurance market. At www.sheryljmoore.com, you will find articles relevant to the Indexed Annuity and Indexed Life markets, my rebuttals to inaccurate or misleading media, my blogs, articles I have authored, and links to all of the resources you need if you are interested in products that provide downside guarantees and limited upside indexed interest.
Welcome to MY beautiful life of Indexed Annuities and Indexed Life!
