Utah judge: Sentinel Security is back in business until May 12 trial start
{March 19th, 2025} by John Hilton
A Utah judge paused an emergency order banning Sentinel Security Life Insurance Co. from writing new business nationwide. Judge Donald H. Hansen paused the order after a South Carolina judge reversed a similar order last month against Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co. Both insurers are owned by Advantage Capital Partners, known as A-Cap. Read via INN
Indexed Life Sales Rise 9.2% in Q4
{March 19th, 2025} by Allison Bell
U.S. individual life insurance buyers were looking for some growth when they bought coverage. The life and annuity industry tracking firm found that sales of indexed life insurance policies increased 9.2% between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2024, to $868 million. “We anticipate that indexed life will set another record […]
I have NEVER seen an illustration that came to fruition in my 25 years in this business. Ever.
{March 19th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
I was just reading Drew Gurley’s article in InsuranceNewsNet, “When an IUL might be a sensible alternative to an FIA” It was comparing indexed life to indexed annuities for retirement income. Now, I LOVE indexed life. Do not get me wrong. It is a great product line. There is something I cannot get past, however… […]
Invesco Launches Invesco QQQ 15 Index
{March 19th, 2025} by Invesco Ltd.
ATLANTA, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Invesco Indexing LLC, an independent index provider owned by global asset manager Invesco Ltd. (IVZ), announced today the launch of Invesco QQQ 15 Index. Invesco QQQ 15 Index will incorporate equity exposure focused on the Invesco QQQ, with the goal of offering strong risk adjusted returns that seeks to maintain a target […]
Integrity’s Industry-leading Technology Enhances The Elite Agency’s Mission to Serve Diverse Communities
{March 19th, 2025} by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC
DALLAS, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Integrity Marketing Group, LLC (“Integrity”), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has partnered with The Elite Agency, an independent marketing organization based near Long Beach, California, and led by Albert Lau. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. “Integrity and […]
Offshore reinsurance: Rising popularity. Rising risk?
{March 19th, 2025} by John Hilton
Resolution Life recently announced one of the largest Bermuda reinsurance deals to date: a $9.7 billion portfolio ceded by Protective Life Corp. The transaction includes blocks of in-force structured settlement annuities and secondary guarantee universal life business, Resolution Life said in a March 7 news release. Under the agreement, Protective retains administration of the policies. […]
American National Launches Digital Experience for Do-It-Yourself Planners Seeking Guaranteed Growth through Annuities
{March 19th, 2025} by American National Insurance Company
HOUSTON, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today American National Insurance Company announced it is now offering fixed annuity products through a simple, secure online platform in addition to its extensive network of professional agents and advisors. This innovative experience allows individuals to purchase American National’s Palladium® Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity (MYG annuity) through a do-it-yourself platform, […]
Transamerica Enhances Agent Experience with NIPR/AgentSync Integration
{March 19th, 2025} by Transamerica
BALTIMORE, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Transamerica today announced a significant step forward in its commitment to supporting financial professionals. By integrating the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) through AgentSync, Transamerica now delivers daily updates to agent licensing and appointment data. This enhancement eliminates delays and enhances the overall life insurance and annuity experience for agents and […]
Best’s Special Report: Credit Rating Downgrades in U.S. Life/Health Insurance Segment Outpace Upgrades in 2024
{March 19th, 2025} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Issuer Credit Rating (rating) downgrades in the U.S. life/health insurance segments increased to 27 in 2024 from 17 in the previous year, while the number of ratings placed under review more than tripled to 37, according to a new AM Best special report. The Best’s Special Report, titled, “US Life/Health Downgrades Outnumber Upgrades in 2024,” notes […]
Guaranty Income Unveils New Digital Experience
{March 19th, 2025} by Kuvare
BATON ROUGE, La.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company (Guaranty Income), a leading provider of fixed indexed annuities, unveiled an enhanced gilico.com website to better serve its customers and financial professionals in the years ahead. Since its founding in 1926, Guaranty Income has earned a reputation for financial strength, trust, and delivering dependable retirement solutions. The new site’s […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. and Its Life/Health Subsidiaries
{March 19th, 2025} 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 of “a” (Excellent) of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (Des Moines, IA) and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). These subsidiaries of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. (FGLH) (Delaware), […]
Pan-American Life Insurance Group Reports Record Net Income for 2024 On Strong Operating Performance
{March 19th, 2025} by Pan-American Life Insurance Group
NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of life, accident, and health insurance throughout the Americas, announced today financial results for the full year ending December 31, 2024*. In 2024, PALIG delivered yet another year of outstanding revenue growth and strong operational performance, including the successful acquisition and integration of Encova Life. […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company and Its Subsidiaries
{March 19th, 2025} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa-” (Superior) of Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, Companion Life Insurance Company (Melville, NY) and United World Life Insurance Company. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. and Its Life/Health Subsidiaries
{March 19th, 2025} 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 of “a” (Excellent) of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company (Des Moines, IA) and Fidelity & Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). These subsidiaries of Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. (FGLH) (Delaware), […]
AM Best Comments on Credit Ratings of Protective Life Corporation’s Key Subsidiaries Following Announced Reinsurance Agreement with Resolution Life Group Holdings Ltd.
{March 19th, 2025} 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 Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa-” (Superior) of the primary life insurance subsidiaries of Protective Life Corporation (headquartered in Birmingham, AL), collectively known as Protective, remain unchanged following an announced reinsurance arrangement under which it will cede […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
{March 19th, 2025} 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 ICRs) of “aa” (Superior) of the life insurance subsidiaries of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. (WSFG). The WSFG subsidiaries included in this rating unit are The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company (WSLIC), Western-Southern […]
Record 2024 Results Underscore New York Life’s Unparalleled Financial Strength
{March 19th, 2025} by New York Life
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New York Life, America’s largest1 mutual life insurer, today announced record financial results for 2024 that underscore the company’s unsurpassed financial strength. Top-line growth was driven by a record $1.9 billion in insurance sales and $808 billion in assets under management. The company also posted record results of $33.3 billion in surplus, $3.5 billion […]
The Troubling Case of the NAIC and Questions Concerning Transparency and Accountability
{March 19th, 2025} by Kerry Pechter
Wink’s Moore on the Market: Who is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) beholding to? Why do they not have to pay taxes? Where is the accountability? Kerry Pechter of Retirement Income Journal has a great lead, if you want to find out more. -sjm
Lincoln Financial Announces Plans to Launch Two New Private Market Funds to Expand Its Solutions Platform
{March 19th, 2025} by Lincoln Financial
RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC), a leading provider of insurance, annuities, group benefits and retirement solutions, announces its expansion into the rapidly growing private markets industry, partnering with Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, and Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, to launch two new private markets-focused funds. […]
An ‘Insurance Renaissance’ Is Fueling Private Credit Surge, Says AllianceBernstein
{March 19th, 2025} by Scott Carpenter
An “insurance renaissance” is quietly reshaping a traditionally sleepy industry as a surge in annuities sales fuels demand for investment products with shorter duration and less liquidity, according to AllianceBernstein, an $806 billion asset manager owned by insurer Equitable. Read the full story via Bloomberg
AmeriLife’s “Empowering Voices” Campaign Celebrates National Women’s History Month
{March 19th, 2025} by AmeriLife
CLEARWATER, Fla., March 18, 2025 (Newswire.com) – AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national organization that develops, markets, and distributes life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, is celebrating National Women’s History Month through the theme of “Empowering Voices” as it recognizes the remarkable women leaders driving innovation and excellence within its industry. This month-long celebration […]
Finra Wants Input on Modernization Initiative
{March 19th, 2025} by Alex Padalka
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) said it’s setting out on a “broad review” of the requirements it places on its member firms and associated persons. The review aims to come up with ways to modernize FINRA’s rules as well as its treatment of non-FINRA rules applicable to broker-dealer firms, according to a recent regulatory […]
SEC’s Uyeda Expects Slowdown in Rulemaking After ‘Ambitious’ Biden Era
{March 19th, 2025} by Nicola Whie
The interim chief of the US Securities and Exchange Commission says he expects a slowdown in the Wall Street regulator’s rulemaking after three-and-half “overly ambitious” years of pursuing market reforms. Read via Bloomberg
Market Watchers: Annuity Surrenders May Continue Their Momentum in 2025: Surrender benefits increased 19% year-over-year through the second quarter of 2024, according to a Best’s Special Report.(Annuities)
{March 19th, 2025} by INN Insider News
Annuities boomed in the United States in recent years as equity markets, higher interest rates and an aging population all contributed to record demand. The U.S. Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in March 2022 to combat rising inflation. Read via INN Insider news
United States Private Equity Market Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2024-2025 & 2030: Growing Trend Towards ESG Integration, Private Equity Firms Targeting Middle-Market Companies
{March 19th, 2025} by ResearchAndMarkets
Dublin, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “United States Private Equity Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering. The United States Private Equity Market was valued at USD 475.08 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 860.39 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 10.46% The United […]
Insurance industry faces 4 possible future scenarios
{March 19th, 2025} by Susan Rupe
The insurance industry faces four possible future scenarios. Insurance executives are optimistic about the major trends influencing their industry, but remain aware of critical risks to their organization. A panel of experts reviewed the findings of The Economist Impact research on the future of the industry during a recent webinar. Those four possible scenarios are: […]
California insurance department sued by consumer group over public records
{March 19th, 2025} by Press Release
The Life Insurance Consumer Advocacy Center (LICAC) has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for violations of the California Public Records Act. LICAC has repeatedly requested available data from CDI on complaints by California consumers concerning life insurance and annuities. The lawsuit states that CDI’s refusal to provide this data is […]
LIMRA launches new tools to help life insurers adopt AI
{March 19th, 2025} by Ayo Mseka
LIMRA’s AI Governance Group (AIGG) continues to lead efforts to help U.S. life insurance companies safely and effectively adopt AI, with the launch of Turnkey Templates & Strategic Guides. Whether developing AI in-house or with a vendor, these resources are designed to help companies make informed decisions regarding AI adoption, LIMRA said. These turnkey frameworks include comprehensive cost benefit […]
Empower CEO: stock market volatility ‘here to stay for a bit’
{March 19th, 2025} by John Hilton
Empower CEO Edmund Murphy III isn’t ready to sound any alarms over the tumbling stock market, which fell about 3,000 points in one month. The market self-corrects about every two years on average, Murphy said, a trend that dates to the early-1960s. “It’s going to happen, and there’s lots of different triggers, but I think […]
Group of 29 plaintiffs sue Penn Mutual over whole life tax-avoidance ‘sham’
{March 19th, 2025} by John Hilton
A group of 29 plaintiffs claim that Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co. and several co-defendants ran a tax-avoidance scam around whole life insurance policies. The amended complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleges fraud and negligence, as well as violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations […]
Special master to complete review of Lindberg finances by mid-May
{March 19th, 2025} by John Hilton
The special master assigned to untangle Greg Lindberg’s finances and arrive at a restitution number is expected to complete his work by mid-May, according to a new court filing by Lindberg. The disgraced financier filed a time extension Tuesday to respond to a presentencing report, which was filed under seal on March 6. Lindberg’s response […]
MIB Sees Strong Term Life Application Growth
{March 19th, 2025} by Allison Bell
New, high-tech marketing and underwriting programs might be getting more consumers interested in term life insurance. U.S. application activity for term life policies was 13% higher in February than in February 2024, according to MIB Group. Whole life activity fell 1%, and universal life activity dropped 18%. Read via Think Advisor
IRA Contributions Are Surging, but Not for All
{March 19th, 2025} by John Manganaro
The share of households contributing to individual retirement accounts has ticked up in recent years — a little bit for low-income workers and a lot for those younger than 40. The surge in younger contributors is most likely due to new fintech platforms that promote IRAs to millennials, according to a new analysis by the Center for […]
Crooks Are Using Life and Annuity Products to Launder Money, Fraud Tracker Says
{March 19th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Traditionally, criminals used banks to make the cash produced by illegal activities look clean. That history has helped turn life insurance and annuity products into the new frontier for money launderers. Michelle Rafeld, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, talked about life and annuity money laundering at a recent in-person session of the […]
Venerable Novates Initial Block of Variable Annuities from Equitable
{March 19th, 2025} by Vernerable
WEST CHESTER, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Venerable Holdings, Inc. (Venerable), is pleased to share the successful transfer of a legacy block of novated variable annuity contracts from Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (“Equitable”) to the Venerable administrative platform. The novated legacy block includes deferred and payout annuities from Equitable’s Accumulator® Series 06, 07, and 8.1 contracts reinsured by […]
Unkefer & Associates, DFS Marketing, and AmeriLife Insurance Marketing Unite to Form Southwest Annuities Marketing
{March 19th, 2025} by AmeriLife
PHOENIX, AZ AND CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 11, 2025 / In a significant step towards strengthening its market presence and optimizing operations, AmeriLife’s Wealth distribution division announced today that its affiliates Unkefer & Associates, DFS Marketing (DFS), and AmeriLife Insurance Marketing (AIM) will now operate under the new name, Southwest Annuities Marketing (SAM). This strategic merger is designed […]
Why it makes sense to diversify within a fixed index annuity
{March 19th, 2025} by InvestmentNews
Daniel Getler, vice president of index and fund solutions at Group 1001, sits down with InvestmentNews anchor Gregg Greenberg to explain the importance of volatility-controlled indexes, as well as diversification in fixed index annuities. Watch via YouTube Wink’s Moore on the Market: I was surprised by Daniel Getler, CFA‘s comment about the “unpopularity” […]
Annuities Banned by Utah Regulator Go Back on Sale
{March 19th, 2025} by Jacob Adelman
Annuity specialist Advantage Capital says it is resuming sales through its Utah-based insurance subsidiaries after an administrative judge paused a state regulator’s order that had halted new business by the units. Advantage Capital’s South Carolina subsidiaries have continued operations without interruption, where a separate regulatory order to cease sales was also overturned. Read via Barron’s
Crooks Are Using Life and Annuity Products to Launder Money, Fraud Tracker Says
{March 19th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Traditionally, criminals used banks to make the cash produced by illegal activities look clean. That history has helped turn life insurance and annuity products into the new frontier for money launderers. Michelle Rafeld, executive director of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, talked about life and annuity money laundering at a recent in-person session of the […]
Tony Robbins endorses annuities.
{March 19th, 2025} by Jay Judas
Do you remember when Tony Robbins was pro-PPLI before he was anti-PPLI? Now he has changed his mind on annuities. Today, he likes them.🙄 Some folks should probably stay in their lane. I get my annuity education from Sheryl J. Moore.. TheStreet reports that the personal finance expert, Tony Robbins, says he used to believe […]
Athene Sets Record for Annual Annuity Sales for Second Year Running, Tops Rankings
{March 19th, 2025} by Athene
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, March 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene, the leading retirement services company and subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), ranked number one in LIMRA’s 2024 U.S. Retail Annuity Survey, with $36 billion in sales. This is the second consecutive year that Athene has sold more annuities annually than any other […]
Fourth Quarter, 2024 Life Sales Results
{March 12th, 2025} by Wink's Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE INDEXED LIFE SALES DOMINATE! Wink, Inc. Releases Fourth Quarter, 2024 Life Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. March 7, 2025– Wink, Inc. released the fourth quarter, 2024 life sales results in its 110th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s Sales & Market Report is the insurance industry’s […]
FOURTH QUARTER 2024 LIFE INSURANCE SALES
{March 12th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
All Universal Life Sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $1,329 million. Fourth quarter universal life sales were up more than 17% when compared to the previous quarter. Given that this is the fourth quarter that Wink has collected data on sales of all universal life insurance products, additional comparisons will be available in […]
Best’s Market Segment Report: US Life/Annuity Insurers to Experience Modest Growth, While Net Income Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels
{March 12th, 2025} by AM Best
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best is projecting modest growth in capital & surplus of approximately $48 billion for the U.S. life/annuity (L/A) insurance industry over the combined 2024-2025 period, according to a new Best’s Market Segment Report. The segment’s net income in 2025 is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels and reach an estimated $51.1 billion in 2025, up […]
Sammons Finishes as Top Fixed-Indexed Annuity Seller in Q4
{March 12th, 2025} by Cyril Tuohy
The company is the parent of Midland National and North American Co. for Life and Health Insurance. The last time Sammons ranked first in fixed-indexed annuity sales was in the third quarter of 2001, when the company didn’t combine sales from Midland and North American, said Sheryl Moore CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. “Sammons took the lead […]
U.S. Indexed-Annuity Promotions Boost Allianz SE’s 2024 Performance
{March 12th, 2025} by Cyril Tuohy
Allianz Life, the top seller of fixed-indexed annuities in the third quarter, had a market share during the quarter of 13%, according to Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. Allianz Benefit Control Annuity was the best-selling fixed indexed annuity in the July through September period, Wink also noted. Read via Life Annuity Specialist
More than Two-Thirds of Women Investors’ Careers Impacted by Caregiving Responsibilities
{March 12th, 2025} by Nationwide
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Women of all ages planning for retirement are grappling with an uncomfortable reality: Economic uncertainty and family caregiving responsibilities may be impacting their ability to retire with financial security. A new Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute, highlights how these attitudes and perceptions vary among different generations of […]
Inflation is Americans’ Top Financial Concern and Most Say Their Income is Not Keeping Up, According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study
{March 12th, 2025} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inflation continues to sting in America, with significant numbers of U.S. adults saying elevated prices in the grocery aisles, at the gas pump and elsewhere are having a large impact on their finances. Meanwhile, among people who don’t own a home, the majority say homeownership will never be affordable – not now, […]
Ameritas Investment Company celebrates 40 years
{March 12th, 2025} by Ameritas Investment Company, LLC (AIC)
LINCOLN, Neb., March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ameritas Investment Company, LLC (AIC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The milestone is marked by the company’s longtime commitment to being an independent advisory and brokerage firm supporting holistic wealth management professionals and their clients. Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, AIC and affiliate Ameritas Advisory Services, LLC (AAS) deliver flexibility and choice for […]
Guaranty Income Unveils New Digital Experience
{March 12th, 2025} by Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company
BATON ROUGE, La.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company (Guaranty Income), a leading provider of fixed indexed annuities, unveiled an enhanced gilico.com website to better serve its customers and financial professionals in the years ahead. Since its founding in 1926, Guaranty Income has earned a reputation for financial strength, trust, and delivering dependable retirement solutions. The new […]
Pacific Life Named One of World’s Most Ethical Companies for Eighth Consecutive Year
{March 12th, 2025} by Pacific Life Insurance Company
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacific Life has been named one of the 2025 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Pacific Life was evaluated on its culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives; ethics and compliance program; and initiatives that […]
Venerable Novates Initial Block of Variable Annuities from Equitable
{March 12th, 2025} by Venerable Holdings
WEST CHESTER, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Venerable Holdings, Inc. (Venerable), is pleased to share the successful transfer of a legacy block of novated variable annuity contracts from Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company (“Equitable”) to the Venerable administrative platform. The novated legacy block includes deferred and payout annuities from Equitable’s Accumulator® Series 06, 07, and 8.1 contracts reinsured by […]
Protective Announces $9.7B Strategic Reinsurance Agreement with Resolution Life
{March 12th, 2025} by Protective Life Corporation
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Protective Life Corporation (Protective), a U.S. subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750), is pleased to announce it has signed a strategic reinsurance agreement with Resolution Life, through which Protective’s operating subsidiaries, Protective Life Insurance Company and West Coast Life Insurance Company, will cede in-scope blocks of structured settlement annuities and secondary guaranteed universal life policies […]
Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman Are Not Your Retirement Planning Friends, Author Says
{March 12th, 2025} by John Manganaro
Financial gurus like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman have helped many Americans eliminate debt and take their first steps toward financial freedom. But according to David McKnight, the author and financial planning expert, that doesn’t mean that their paint-by-numbers approach to retirement income planning holds water. Disciplined investors who have saved well and played by the rules, McKnight maintains, […]
Protective Life to Reinsure $9.7B in Life and Annuity Reserves
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Protective Life says a new reinsurance deal will free up capital it can use to make acquisitions. The Birmingham, Alabama-based company said Thursday that it has agreed to have Resolution Life reinsure structured settlement annuities and universal life policies backed by $9.7 billion in reserves. Protective will continue to administer the policies and contracts involved in the […]
Inflation Worries Are Back: Northwestern Mutual
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Northwestern Mutual executives are worried that U.S. consumers may have moved away from thinking that normal prices are stable prices. They see signs that consumers now see inflation as normal. “Half of Americans believe inflation will be higher a year from now,” John Roberts, the Milwaukee-based life and annuity issuer’s chief field officer, said at […]
TIAA Adds Annuity Options in IRAs
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
TIAA is using the mystique of its retirement savings products to court individual investors. The company is now offering its lifetime income annuities to all retirement savers through a new TIAA IRA program. The program will give holders of TIAA’s individual retirement accounts access to TIAA annuities through a program that’s comparable to the TIAA Secure Income […]
State Regulators Might Make Annuity Issuers’ Risk Scores Secret
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners could try to make insurance companies’ financial health summary scores confidential. The Capital Adequacy Task Force, part of the NAIC, is considering a proposal that would discourage the release of risk-based capital ratios. Ohio regulators have called for prohibiting any insurer from putting its RBC ratio in its earnings-related […]
Securian and InsLyft launch innovative Hindsight Indexed Account
{March 12th, 2025} by Doug Bailey
The development of customized or proprietary indexes by financial investment companies has been trending in recent years as more firms find traditional benchmarks like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones average, expensive, outdated, archaic, and overcomplicated. One of the latest to join the trend is InsLyft, a top financial distribution and product innovator, which […]
When an IUL might be a sensible alternative to an FIA
{March 12th, 2025} by Drew Gurley
Discussions with clients who want to jump into the weeds about indexed universal life insurance and annuities are a lot of fun. These clients are in close touch with their future. First, they likely have not turned over their financial strategy planning and management reins to a financial advisor. Read via INN
Bestow CEO explains how insurtechs must differentiate in age of AI
{March 12th, 2025} by Rayne Morgan
In an environment where technology and AI have begun proliferating even traditional insurance practices, insurtechs must find other ways to differentiate themselves and adapt, Melbourne O’Banion, CEO and co-founder, Bestow Inc., said. Bestow is one of the more recognizable names in the American insurance landscape, with CNBC naming it as one of the world’s leading […]
Indexed life insurance leads the way with strong 2024 sales, Wink finds
{March 12th, 2025} by Staff Reports
Indexed life products led the way as 2024 life sales registered gains in several categories, Wink reported. Indexed life sales for the fourth quarter were $868.3 million, up 15.9% compared with the previous quarter, and up 9.1% compared to the same period last year. Total 2024 sales for indexed life were $3 billion. Read via […]
Annuities save Social Security $100B, ACLI research reveals
{March 12th, 2025} by ACLI
WASHINGTON – New research from the American Council of Life Insurers finds that benefits from annuities enable retirees to postpone receiving Social Security payments, saving the program $100 billion over time as the greatest surge of baby boomers retire. By delaying Social Security payments until age 70, retirees can increase their benefit payments with each […]
Consumer group: NAIC wants influence without accountability
{March 12th, 2025} by John Hilton
A consumer advocacy group is asserting that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) enjoys widespread power and influence without the accompanying transparency and accountability. Building upon a previous report, the American Consumer Institute released an updated paper last week analyzing the NAIC’s tax status, lobbying activities, influences, operations and spending habits. The problem, as […]
Equitable, Allianz move into top 5 in final LIMRA 2024 annuity sales list
{March 12th, 2025} by John Hilton
Equitable Financial and Allianz Life parlayed a strong 2024 into a top-five finish in the LIMRA annual annuity sales rankings. For the first time ever, total quarterly annuity sales surpassed $100 billion in all four quarters of the year. Total annuity sales finished at $432.6 billion, up 12% yearly, according to LIMRA’s U.S. Individual Annuity […]
All Americans Gain Access to TIAA Lifetime Income Annuities
{March 12th, 2025} by TIAA
NEW YORK, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — TIAA is for the first time making its proprietary lifetime income annuities available to all Americans through the TIAA IRA. For over a century, TIAA has provided guaranteed pension-like retirement checks to millions of workers in the nonprofit, academic and medical fields. In 2022, corporate 401(k) plan sponsors and other defined […]
Could in-plan annuities head up a new asset class?
{March 12th, 2025} by John Hilton
Creating a new asset class could help more Americans access the in-plan guaranteed lifetime income options studies show are needed to help avert a mass retirement crisis. Cheryl Evans, director of the Lifetime Financial Security program at the Milken Institute, endorsed the idea during the Retirement Symposium: The Forces Transforming Retirement, hosted Tuesday by Milken […]
Life and Annuity Products Pay for Themselves: Insurers
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Individual annuities will save Social Security about $110 billion over the next 10 years, by helping contract owners delay when they start claiming Social Security retirement benefits, according to the American Council of Life Insurers. Private disability insurance could save Social Security $8.2 billion, and private long-term care insurance could save Medicaid $14 billion. The […]
Some free advice- choose a short web domain.
{March 12th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
Have you ever messed-up while typing in a web domain/URL/email address that is uber-long? It happens to me all of the time. For example- “https://lnkd.in/g4GunGt4.” Then, the email addresses for that domain are incredibly long as well. Like “Sheryl.Moore@MooreMarketIntelligence.com.” So many opportunities for mistakes. Some free advice- choose a short web domain. Or, if you […]
To Change Your Clients’ View of Retirement, Stop Using This Phrase
{March 12th, 2025} by John Manganaro
Financial advisors who use Monte Carlo simulations to develop retirement income plans must be careful with the language they use to present such plans, as the same financial plan can feel very different to clients based on its framing. This was among the takeaways of a mainstage presentation given by financial planning experts Michael Kitces and Michael Finke during […]
Protective Life to Reinsure $9.7B in Life and Annuity Reserves
{March 12th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Protective Life says a new reinsurance deal will free up capital it can use to make acquisitions. The Birmingham, Alabama-based company said Thursday that it has agreed to have Resolution Life reinsure structured settlement annuities and universal life policies backed by $9.7 billion in reserves. Protective will continue to administer the policies and contracts involved in the […]
This reporter is looking for a consumer who purchased an annuity from one of the following companies:
{March 12th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
One of my journalist friends is working on an educational piece about consumers of private-credit-backed annuities. This reporter is looking for a consumer who purchased an annuity from one of the following companies: – Athene, – Corebridge, – Global Atlantic, – Fidelity & Guaranty, – American National or – American Equity Life If you are […]
Retirement, Roller Coasters And Annuities
{March 12th, 2025} by Sri Reddy
Most people, kids and adults included, enjoy thrill rides and roller coasters. They offer a rush of adrenaline and excitement while also feeding an individual’s willingness – or desire – to accept risk into their life. As a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder, I believe there are several parallels between a roller coaster and a person’s […]
17 Northwestern Mutual Advisors Honored on Latest Barron’s List
{March 12th, 2025} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Mutual announced that 17 of its advisors were recognized on Barron’s prestigious list of the nation’s top 1,200 financial advisors. “I am so proud of these advisors, and their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the clients they proudly serve,” said John Roberts, Northwestern Mutual’s chief field officer. “Our trusted expert advisors and teams help […]
Integrity and The Modern Insurance Store Announce Partnership to Prioritize Holistic Life, Health and Wealth Planning for Seniors
{March 12th, 2025} by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC
DALLAS, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Integrity Marketing Group, LLC (“Integrity”), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has partnered with The Modern Insurance Store, an independent marketing organization based near Cincinnati, Ohio, and led by Daniel Farlow and Anthony Selm. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. “It […]
Inquiry for opportunity in wealth management, RIAs, Fintech, Insurtech, and Wealthtech.
{March 12th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
I am calling out of a need, for #TheAlmightyNetwork! I have a friend that is looking for a new opportunity. This individual is interested in an opportunity in wealth management, RIAs, Fintech, Insurtech, and Wealthtech. Their years of experience working with financial advisors, and more recently working with fintechs, led to this person’s efforts for […]
Wink, Inc. Releases 4th Quarter, 2024 Annuity Sales Results
{March 4th, 2025} by Wink's Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE Indexed and Structured Annuity Sales Smash Records! Wink, Inc. Releases 4th Quarter, 2024 Annuity Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. February 28, 2025- Wink’s Sales & Market Report, the insurance industry’s #1 resource for annuity sales data since 1998, released its 110th edition report for 4th […]
Fourth Quarter, 2024 Annuity Sales
{March 4th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
All Annuity Sales Total 4Q2024 all annuity sales were $100,224 million. Fourth quarter annuity sales were down more than 13% when compared to the previous quarter. Given that this is the fourth quarter that Wink has collected data on income annuity sales, additional comparisons will be available in future quarters. All annuity sales include sales […]
Structured annuities set record pace with $62.9B sales in 2024
{March 4th, 2025} by Leo Almazora
Sales of structured annuities surged to new highs in 2024, increasing 39.6 percent from 2023 to set a record of $62.9 billion for the year, according to a new report from Wink. Read via InvestmentNews Wink’s Moore on the Market: Awww! Leo Almazora and InvestmentNews are showing Wink, Inc. some love this afternoon! A […]
Does offshore reinsurance concern you?
{March 4th, 2025} by Sheryl J. Moore
Larry J. Rybka, JD, CFP® has something to say, when it comes to offshore reinsurance. Read via LinkedIn He is not alone. Does offshore reinsurance concern you? – sjm
Traditional Variable Annuity Sales Rise 53% in Q4
{March 4th, 2025} by Allison Bell
Some retirement savers will still tie their annuity returns to the performance of investment funds, if the market looks good and insurers will sell them variable annuities. New annuity sales figures from Wink showed that sales of traditional variable annuities were stronger than for any other class of annuities that Wink tracks. Sales of traditional variable annuities […]
Wink reports a 4Q dip in annuity sales to close a record-breaking 2024
{March 4th, 2025} by Staff Reports
Total 2024 annuity sales raced to another record, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report, even if the industry did close the year on a down note. Total fourth-quarter sales for all annuities were $100.2 billion, down 13% compared to the previous quarter. Total 2024 sales for all annuities were $427.7 billion. Read via INN
MassMutual Reports Strong 2024 Financial Results
{March 4th, 2025} by MassMutual
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MassMutual today reported strong financial results1 for 2024, maintaining its position as a leading provider of protection, accumulation, and lifetime income solutions, significantly growing its wealth management business, and making meaningful progress on its long-term strategy. Financial performance highlights for the year ended December 31, 2024 include: Growth in sales, client assets: Sales from MassMutual’s […]
Globe Life hit with a pair of lawsuits over handling of 2024 data breach
{March 4th, 2025} by John Hilton
lobe Life, Inc. faces a pair of lawsuits filed this week over a June 2024 data breach that exposed as many as 850,000 policyholders, a fact the insurer did not disclose until January of this year. It’s how Globe Life handled the data breach that most irked plaintiffs Barbara Buford and Ronald Singletary. Both are […]
Wave of Fixed-Rate Annuity Maturities Looms, Morgan Stanley Analysts Say
{March 4th, 2025} by Allison Bell
The end of surrender-charge periods for individual fixed annuities could free more than $70 billion in cash to flow just about anywhere. The new wave of maturities could hurt annuity issuers that are losing sales momentum and help the annuity issuers that are now hot, according to Bob Jiang Huang and other analysts at Morgan […]
Life, Health and Annuity Sales and Marketing Hiring May Hold Steady
{March 4th, 2025} by Allison Bell
U.S. life, health and annuity issuers are still interested in adding sales and marketing talent, but not that interested. Jacobson Group and Aon’s Ward performance benchmarking division asked insurers to rate how likely they are to expand staffing for 12 types of employees on a 7-point scale, with 7 reflecting the highest likelihood of increasing staffing. […]
This New Definition Could Hurt Some Annuity Issuers’ Safety Scores
{March 4th, 2025} by Allison Bell
State insurance regulators’ new rules for grading insurers’ investments could hurt some life and annuity issuers’ “risk-based capital ratios,” or safety scores. Helen Zhou Remeza, head of insurance investment strategies at PineBridge Investments, writes about the possibility in a new commentary on insurers’ portfolios. Overall, U.S. life insurers have a “strong liquidity profile, limited policyholder surrender risk, […]
Does your investor client know how much they pay in fees?
{March 4th, 2025} by Ayo Mseka
In a recent survey on investor fees by Hearts & Wallets, customers reported that they are paying for nearly half of their primary and secondary saving and investing relationships, but four out of ten don’t know how they pay in at least some of their paid relationships. In addition, about one in five mistakenly said […]
Judge sides with SEC in allowing disputed witnesses in Cutter case
{March 4th, 2025} by John Hilton
A Massachusetts judge will allow the Securities and Exchange Commission to call five disputed witnesses in an upcoming trial over annuity sales by advisor Jeffrey Cutter. Cutter had accused the SEC of trying to ambush his defense by adding five surprise witnesses and “entirely new theories of liability” just weeks before the April 14 trial date. In March […]
‘The biggest risk you face is …’ He wants to retire in 10 years with a $6K monthly income, annuities and $650K in retirement. Can he?
{March 4th, 2025} by Alisa Wolfson
MarketWatch Picks highlights items we think you’ll find useful; we are independent of the MarketWatch newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more Question: “I am 53 years old and still working. I am planning to retire at 62 and when I retire, my estimated monthly income will be $6,000 per […]
Honorable Mention
{March 4th, 2025} by Editorial Staff
In sales, deferred annuities finish ‘up’ year with a ‘down’ quarter: WinkIntel; AM Best upgrades Lincoln’s credit outlook; Axonic and Hexure collaborate on Waypoint MYGA; Invst launches pooled employer plan; Ratings of Nassau companies are upgraded. Read via RIJ
Open Letter to NAIC’s Life Actuarial Task Force
{March 4th, 2025} by Peter Gould
‘You encourage and abet the whack-a-mole behavior of insurers that regulators have tolerated in the industry—to the detriment of consumers… I don’t want to be left holding the (empty) bag, like the 92,000 PHL Variable Life policy owners,’ writes Gould, a variable annuity contract owner. Read via RIJ
‘Rated Note Feeders’ Attract NAIC Attention
{March 4th, 2025} by Kerry Pechter
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has formed a Risk-Based Capital Model Governance Task Force to reassess and modernize capital requirements for insurance companies, according to the NAIC. Read via RIJ
Open Letter to Scott O’Neal, Actuary, NAIC
{March 4th, 2025} by Larry J. Rybka, JD, CFP
In the 12 years since [the problem of financial reinsurance was identified], insurance regulators have done little other than allow this situation to now mushroom,’ writes Rybka, a prominent figure in annuities and insurance, in his open letter to the NAIC actuary. (See related open letter by Peter Gould.) Read via RIJ
Ensight and Luma Financial Technologies Partner to Transform the Life & Annuity Sales Experience for Financial Professionals
{March 4th, 2025} by Ensight
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ensight (San Diego), the leading sales enablement platform for annuity, life and long-term care (LTC) insurance carriers and distributors, has announced a strategic platform integration partnership with Luma Financial Technologies ( LUMA), a global provider of structured products and insurance solutions. Through this technology partnership, Ensight and Luma have developed a seamless integration, introducing the […]
US life insurance Q4 2024 earnings recap: Revenues rise for most top insurers
{March 4th, 2025} by Hailey Ross and Noor Ul Ain Adeel
The 10 largest US life insurers fared well in the fourth quarter of 2024, with most reporting higher year-over-year revenues and only one reporting a net loss. For six of the top 10 life insurers, revenue rose year over year in the fourth quarter. Eight of the top 10 saw fourth-quarter expenses decline year over […]
Morningstar: U.S. life insurers maintaining cash liquidity levels
{March 4th, 2025} by John Hilton
Despite extended low interest rates, private equity takeovers, and a trend toward riskier investments, U.S. life insurers are maintaining solid cash liquidity reserves, Morningstar reports. New Morningstar research finds that life insurance company cash reserves trended higher during the COVID-19-influenced 2020, then settled back to where they were in 2015 – just under 3%. That is higher […]
Why annuities are popular!
{March 4th, 2025} by MassMutual Strategic Distributors
Uncertainty in economic markets drives investors to safe bets, especially during retirement. Annuities deliver the guaranteed retirement income many Americans crave. To learn what’s driving sales, who’s buying them and what types are available, SmartBrief discussed the market with Alex Samoila, National Sales Manager for MassMutual Strategic Distributors. SmartBrief: Last year was another banner year for annuity sales […]
Retirement Savers Achieve Positive Momentum Through 2024
{March 4th, 2025} by Fidelity Investments
BOSTON, February 27, 2025 – According to Fidelity Investments®’ latest Q4 2024 retirement analysis, retirement savers experienced a year of positive growth in 2024. While average balances across the board dipped slightly from Q3, the end-of-year 401(k) balance ranks as the second-highest average on record and an 11% increase from the start of 2024. Additionally, both long-term Gen X[1] 401(k) savers […]
