Wink, Inc. Releases First Quarter, 2026 Life Sales Results
{June 10th, 2026} by Wink's Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE VARIABLE UNIVERSAL Life Sales POISED FOR GROWTH Wink, Inc. Releases First Quarter, 2026 Life Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. June 8, 2026– Wink, Inc. released the first quarter, 2026 life sales results in its 115th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s Sales & Market Report […]
First Quarter, 2026 Life Sales
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
View First Quarter 2026 Life Insurance Sales and Market Trends and visit our Data HQ for additional sales metrics!
Premium Bonuses on 10-Year FIAs Triple Over Past Four Years
{June 10th, 2026} by Cyril Tuohy
Premium bonuses on a sample of a 10-year fixed indexed annuity averaged 13.75% last year, up from 4% in 2021, according to market researcher Wink. “Benefits became more attractive across the board, for all annuity insurers and their products,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. After years of near-zero interest rates, the […]
F&G, Nationwide Nab Spots for Top-Selling Fixed Annuities
{June 10th, 2026} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink and Moore Market Intelligence, said in an email that IncomeShield 10 was repriced in the last quarter of 2025, making it less attractive. “The amount of ‘income for life’ on the older version was considerably greater than on the new product,” Moore said in an email. Read at Life Annuity Specialist
Prudential Expands IMO Channel With New FIAs
{June 10th, 2026} by Warren S. Hersch
The move gives Prudential greater access to the independent agent market served by IMOs, a distribution channel that accounts for a large share of fixed-indexed annuity sales. According to Wink‘s Sales & Market Report, independent agents generated 59.5% indexed annuity sales in the first quarter of this year. Read at Life Annuity Specialist
5 Insurers That Sold the Most MYGAs in Q1
{June 10th, 2026} by Allison Bell
Wink’s Moore on the Market: My friend Allison Bell at ThinkAdvisor has you covered, when it comes to MYGA sales for the first quarter. -sjm ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Some life insurance company executives complained about the state of competition in the market for multi-year guaranteed annuities in the first quarter. Wink has now released issuer survey data […]
Jackson Introduces Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Option, Flexible Premiums, Six-Year Rate Guarantee in Latest Registered Index-Linked Annuity Launch Share
{June 10th, 2026} by Jackson National Life Insurance Company
Wink’s Moore on the Market: You have to respect companies that are introducing indexed crediting on the good ‘ole Dow Jones Industrial Average. Speaking of innovation, the #1 seller of variable annuities (VAs) is also offering the first structured annuity (a.k.a. RILA) with an option to guarantee the caps for the term of the surrender […]
We’re engaging a talented Full Stack / Front End Developer on a contract basis
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
Wink, Inc. is hiring a Full Stack Developer for a contract position. If you are qualified and interested, please email me at sjm@intelrockstar.com. -sjm This engagement is open only to candidates residing in the United States for the full duration of the contract. All work must be performed from within the U.S. We […]
NAIC regulators continue pushing for annuity illustration updates
{June 10th, 2026} by John Hilton
Wink’s Moore on the Market: Truer words have never been spoken- “Joshua B. (Blakey) said illustrations that function as sales tools create incentives for insurers to show increasingly optimistic crediting rates.” “I feel like the more that these are used as sales tools, the more incentive there is to show higher and higher crediting, regardless […]
Greg Lindberg, Global Bankers Founder, Gets 12-Year Prison Sentence
{June 10th, 2026} by Allison Bell
Wink’s Moore on the Market: “Greg Lindberg, Global Bankers Founder, Gets 12-Year Prison Sentence” This article is chock full of extraneous, interesting information. Like- “State guaranty funds have already made large payments to the customers of the Global Bankers affiliate customers in the United States, and large portions of any restitution payments are likely to […]
While much of what was said in this post IS true, there are a couple of misunderstandings.
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
My friends know that I have the The White Coat Investor on my list of insurance companies that can’t get insurance quite right. In this installment, Brandon Beaber advises on indexed universal life (IUL). While much of what was said in this post IS true, there are a couple of misunderstandings. THEY SAY: The credited […]
If you haven’t seen it yet…
{June 10th, 2026} by Jamie Johnson
If you haven’t seen the Wink, Inc. press release for first quarter annuity sales, check it out. Shout out to John Hilton for showing some annuity love! -sjm …………………………………………. Wink: Flat first-quarter annuity sales fall just short of $100B Total annuity sales for the first quarter were flat year over year, Wink, Inc. reported […]
ANNUITY SALES FLAT IN THE FIRST QUARTER
{June 10th, 2026} by Insuretech express
Wink’s Moore on the Market: In case you didn’t know- Annuity sales were flat in the first quarter. My thanks to Ken Leibow for helping us to spread the word! -sjm ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2026 Annuity Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. June 1, 2026- Wink’s Sales & Market Report, the insurance industry’s #1 […]
I am very passionate about this because so few Americans know what an annuity is, much less what it is used for.
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
It is hard to believe that it has been 11 YEARS since I worked with my former governor, to declare June “National Annuity Awareness Month.” I am very passionate about this because so few Americans know what an annuity is, much less what it is used for. We need to change the narrative around annuities. […]
LPL Sued For Allegedly Failing To Warn Clients About Troubled Annuity Provider
{June 10th, 2026} by Tracey Longo
Wink’s Moore on the Market: Does an insurance agent/registered rep. have an obligation to warn inforce clients about the deteriorating financial condition of an insurance company? Does the marketing organization or broker/dealer have the same obligation? PHL Variable Insurance Co clients are about to find out in this precedent-setting case. – sjm ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. LPL […]
VUL sales skyrocket in Q1, signaling major market shift
{June 10th, 2026} by John Hilton
Wink’s Moore on the Market: While Variable Universal Life (VUL) only accounts for just over 10% of all life insurance sales, it is a market poised for growth. The market has been on a tear, for most of the second quarter. This will translate to increasing sales of this securities-based life insurance product. For all […]
USAA Life Insurance Company Expands Portfolio to Help Families Prepare for End-of-Life Expenses
{June 10th, 2026} by USAA
SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–USAA Life Insurance Company is expanding its life insurance portfolio to better serve members at every stage of life with a new life insurance offering designed not only to help cover end-of-life expenses, but to encourage meaningful conversations that ensure families are prepared and protected. With the introduction of USAA SecureTM Final Expense Whole Life […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. and Its Subsidiary
{June 10th, 2026} 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 Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Lincoln, NE) and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York (White Plains, NY). These insurance entities comprise the life/health operations of Ameritas Mutual Holding Company (all companies are collectively […]
Senior Market Sales® Fortifies Annuity Reach With Acquisition of Retirement Planning Firm Stratton & Company
{June 10th, 2026} by Senior Market Sales
OMAHA, Neb.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Senior Market Sales® (SMS), a premier national insurance marketing organization (IMO), has acquired Nocatee, Florida-based Stratton & Company, bringing a more thoughtful, innovative approach to the retirement income market to the national stage. “Our proprietary, best-in-class planning process is designed to empower both those transitioning into retirement and those already retired to maximize their […]
Only 28% of Pre-retirees and Retirees are Comfortable Drawing Down Savings in Retirement, But Having a Plan for Decumulation Boosts Confidence
{June 10th, 2026} by Corebridge Financial
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New research from Corebridge Financial reveals a retirement paradox: Even though fulfilling retirement dreams will likely require spending, many struggle with the thought of drawing down retirement savings to fund them. However, those with a decumulation plan have a much more positive outlook about retirement spending. Only 28% of respondents are comfortable with the […]
Allianz studies why 42% of Americans retire sooner than expected
{June 10th, 2026} by Brooke Lacey
Wink’s Moore on the Market: According to the 2026 Annual Retirement Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, part of Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, more than half of Americans (54%) said they would retire immediately if they won the lottery. Well- more than half of Americans must not love […]
If you look too young to be in college, please don’t buy an IUL (not kidding- I did).
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
I am certain that I am going to ruffle some feathers with this one. “Who should NOT buy an IUL?” For starters- this girl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNoUTxx2m4 If you look too young to be in college, please don’t buy an IUL (not kidding- I did). “There are people in this industry that would sell IUL to ANY […]
Will rising retirement needs spark an annuity boom?
{June 10th, 2026} by Rayne Morgan
As Americans need an ever-increasing amount of savings to comfortably retire, one financial professional believes it could drive growth in the annuities market. “When you annuitize, you’re creating income for life,” said Robert Powell, vice president of wealth management sales, iPipeline. “I think, quite frankly, that’s probably what most retirees really want. They want that […]
Integrity’s AI-First Platform Leads Alfary Group’s Expansion into Life, Health and Wealth Services
{June 10th, 2026} by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC
DALLAS, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Integrity, 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 Alfary Group, an independent marketing organization based in New Jersey, and led by Robert and Estela Apolinario. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. Distinguished […]
Reframing retirement income for greater certainty
{June 10th, 2026} by Jim LaPinska
For more than a decade, the dominant retirement narrative was straightforward: Accumulate as much as possible, stay invested and let compounding do the work. That mindset served savers well during a sustained bull market. But as we mark Annuity Awareness Month, a meaningful shift is underway among Americans approaching retirement. The question is no longer […]
Continental General Acquires More Lindberg Company Policies
{June 10th, 2026} by Allison Bell
Continental General Insurance Company has acquired 60,000 life insurance policies and annuity contracts issued by Southland National Insurance Corp. Continental General said it is now responsible for all of the policies and has received all of the associated assets and liabilities. Read at Think Advisor
Athene Announces Key Leadership Appointment
{June 10th, 2026} by Athene
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, June 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene, the leading retirement solutions company and subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO), announced today that it has appointed Matthew Michelini as President of Athene Holding Ltd. (AHL), effective July 1, 2026. Michelini most recently served as Apollo’s Head of Asia-Pacific and has been […]
Prudential announces more layoffs as insurer continues to restructure
{June 10th, 2026} by John Hilton
Prudential Financial is undergoing another round of layoffs as the company continues to evolve in Year Two under CEO Andrew Sullivan. According to a filing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Prudential is laying off 53 employees on July 17. That follows previous layoff notices in March (54 employees), November (63), […]
They love it!
{June 10th, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
Here’s your public announcement… If you have indexed annuity prospects, they LOVE my book, “Why I Bought Indexed Annuities.” -sjm https://www.mooremarketintelligence.com/publications/books/
Setting the record straight on premium-financed IUL
{June 10th, 2026} by Michael J Rothman
If you sell life insurance, you already know indexed universal life. You know the flexible premiums, the downside protection, the cash value tied to an index like the S&P 500, and a death benefit that can serve a family for decades. Read at INN
Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2026 Annuity Sales Results
{June 3rd, 2026} by Wink's Press Release
— FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION — NEWS RELEASE ANNUITY SALES FLAT IN THE FIRST QUARTER Wink, Inc. Releases 1st Quarter, 2026 Annuity Sales Results Des Moines, Iowa. June 1, 2026- Wink’s Sales & Market Report, the insurance industry’s #1 resource for annuity sales data since 1998, released its 115th edition report for […]
First Quarter, 2026 Sales
{June 3rd, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
View First Quarter 2026 Annuity Sales and Market Trends and visit our Data HQ for additional sales metrics!
Prudential Retirement Expands Retail Distribution Through Independent Marketing Organizations, Launches New ‘Elevate’ Product Suite
{June 3rd, 2026} by Prudential Financial, Inc.
NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) today announced the launch of Elevate, a suite of retirement products designed for the independent marketing organization (IMO) channel, reinforcing the company’s commitment to growing its retail annuity distribution footprint to reach more financial professionals and help more customers protect their life’s work. The IMO channel represents a […]
Midland National Launches First Fee-Based MYGA with ADL Benefit Rider, Expanding Solutions Built for RIAs
{June 3rd, 2026} by Midland National
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Midland Advisory, part of Midland National® Life Insurance Company, today announced the launch of Oak ADVantage® Care, the first fee-based multi-year guarantee annuity (MYGA) in the industry to include an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) benefit rider. The solution is designed specifically for registered investment advisors (RIAs) and investment adviser representatives (IARs) […]
May 27th is the 21st anniversary of my small business
{June 3rd, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
I didn’t start this business because I dreamed of being an entrepreneur. I did it because I lost my job. I remember then- Being so scared about not knowing where my next paycheck was coming from. Having anxiety because my little boy needed his most invasive surgery (yet), like yesterday, and I had no health […]
It is 112 pages of data nerd fodder
{June 3rd, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
I just released the 1Q2026 annuity edition of “Wink’s Sales & Market Report.” It is 112 pages of data nerd fodder; over 65,000 data points as well as endless commentary. Anyhow… I am pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now. Check it out! -sjm
I owe you tremendous thanks
{June 3rd, 2026} by Sheryl J. Moore
Have I ever told you that I am a horrible fundraiser? I mean, I’ve had this unfunded non-profit- SOCIETY FOR ANNUITY FACTS & EDUCATION SAFE INC, (SAFE, but I like to say “Simplifying Annuities For Everyone”) sitting on a shelf for like 15 years. I cannot get people to donate to it! But do you […]
NAIC regulators continue pushing for annuity illustration updates
{June 3rd, 2026} by John Hilton
State insurance regulators are seeking to reopen a key annuity illustration model regulation as they consider a significant overhaul of how illustrations are used in the sales process. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Annuity Illustration Working Group held conference calls last week and this week in an attempt to forge a consensus path forward […]
Millennials are ready to bring their advisor to the family table
{June 3rd, 2026} by Ayo Mseka
Younger investors want an advisor to serve as a facilitator for cross-generational retirement and financial planning discussions, while older investors are largely declining to take that step. This is according to an Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute. Six in 10 millennials who have financial professionals said that they would welcome their advisors to facilitate […]
Wink: Flat first-quarter annuity sales fall just short of $100B
{June 3rd, 2026} by John Hilton
Total annuity sales for the first quarter were flat year over year, Wink, Inc. reported Friday, and fell just short of the $100 billion mark. Sales of $99.4 billion were up 0.8% over Q1 2025, Wink said, and down from $117 billion in the fourth quarter. Traditionally, the first quarter is the annual low-water mark […]
How Raising Children Later in Life Changes Retirement Planning
{June 3rd, 2026} by Rob Burgess
Ryan P. McGonigal said he understands the struggles of clients juggling the prospect of retirement with children still in school. McGonigal, 49, the president, founder and financial planner at RPM Financial Group in Rockville, Maryland, has been an advisor for 27 years. He and his wife began having children when he was 40 and she was 39. […]
5 Insurers That Sold the Most MYGAs in Q1
{June 3rd, 2026} by Allison Bell
Some life insurance company executives complained about the state of competition in the market for multi-year guaranteed annuities in the first quarter. Wink has now released issuer survey data showing the impact of MYGA market turmoil: Some MYGA issuers stepped back from the heat, and others pushed to get closer to the fire. For a look […]
Will Life Insurance Policies Be the New Annuities?
{June 3rd, 2026} by Allison Bell
Todd Buchanan affects the recommendations of about 200,000 people in the United States who help clients with life insurance and annuities, and he wants more of those financial professionals to take offering life insurance seriously. Buchanan is the president of AmeriLife’s AmeriLife Wealth independent advice and financial services distribution business and the president and chief […]
MetLife Expands Guaranteed Retirement Income Offering with Innovative Flexible Annuity Option
{June 3rd, 2026} by Metlife
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As demand for guaranteed lifetime income grows, MetLife today introduced a new liquidity feature for its immediate income annuity, the MetLife Guaranteed Income Program (MGIP). This innovative design offers defined contribution plan participants a simple way to convert savings into reliable income while maintaining greater flexibility early in retirement. The Annuity Cancellation Option […]
Lincoln Financial Announces Executive Leadership Transitions
{June 3rd, 2026} by Lincoln Financial
RADNOR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) today announced the promotion of three senior leaders to its Senior Management Committee (SMC): Darrel Tedrow as Executive Vice President, President of Life Insurance and Retail Shared Services; Curtis Chesney as Executive Vice President, President of Annuities; and Paul Spurr as Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Actuary. All three report directly to […]
Continental General Acquires Block of Life Insurance and Annuity Policies from State Guaranty Associations
{June 3rd, 2026} by Continental General Insurance Company
AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Continental General Insurance Company (together with its affiliates, “Continental General” or the “Company”) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a block of insurance and annuity policies issued by Southland National Insurance Corporation (“SNIC”) from the state life and health insurance guaranty associations in a transaction coordinated by the National Organization […]
AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Symetra Financial Corporation and Its Subsidiaries
{June 3rd, 2026} 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 […]
Nationwide Reaches Reinsurance Agreement with MassMutual on Universal Life Policy Block
{June 3rd, 2026} by Nationwide
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nationwide has reached an agreement with MassMutual to reinsure a block of fixed Universal Life insurance policies, comprising more than 30,000 policyowners. The transaction, which is expected to close in Q2, 2026, has a total face value of nearly $16 billion and will increase Nationwide Financial’s reserves by $6 billion. Nationwide expects to […]
John Hancock Announces Longer. Healthier. Better. Network for Financial Professionals
{June 3rd, 2026} by John Hancock
BOSTON, May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – John Hancock today announced the Longer. Healthier. Better. Network (LHB Network), an exclusive community of forward-thinking independent financial professionals committed to helping customers live longer, healthier, better lives. Launching with an initial 200 founding members, the LHB Network further redefines the role life insurance can play in helping to meet the evolving needs of […]
America’s Declaration of “In Dependence”: More Than Half of Millennials and One-Third of Gen X Still Feel Financially Dependent on their Parents, According to Northwestern Mutual 2026 Planning & Progress Study
{June 3rd, 2026} by Northwestern Mutual
MILWAUKEE, June 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — While the nation approaches its 250th anniversary of independence, true financial independence remains out of reach for a significant portion of Americans. Currently, 42% of adults still rely on their parents for financial support – including more than half of Millennials and a third of Gen X. Most concerning of all, […]
Transamerica, T. Rowe Price and TIAA Expand Access to Lifetime Income for Retirement Plan Investors
{June 3rd, 2026} by Transamerica
BALTIMORE, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Transamerica today announced a collaboration with T. Rowe Price, a global leader in investment management and retirement solutions, and TIAA, a market-leading retirement company with more than a century of experience delivering guaranteed income, to expand access to guaranteed lifetime income for retirement plan participants through T. Rowe Price IncomeSelect® by Transamerica. By […]
Q1 Annuity Sales Increase Only Slightly From A Year Ago, Report Says
{June 3rd, 2026} by FA Staff
First-quarter annuity sales showed only a slight increase from a year earlyer, sales goind down across the board compared with the last quarter, according to Wink, an insurance industry resource for annuity data. Total first-quarter sales for all annuities were $99.4 billion, a decrease of 14.3% from the previous quarter and an increase of less […]
Insurers urged to temper expectations with AI pilots
{June 3rd, 2026} by Rayne Morgan
While an increasingly popular narrative suggests most artificial intelligence pilots undertaken by companies fail, one insurance industry expert said failure is relative and insurers should temper their expectations accordingly. A 2025 Massachusetts Institute of Technology study found that around 95% of AI pilots fail to demonstrate measurable return on investment. That study exploded in public […]
What You Should Know As Annuity Sales Soar
{June 3rd, 2026} by Bob Carlson
Annuity sales are soaring, because retirees and pre-retirees want more guaranteed income and principal protection. Annuity sales increased to $223 billion in the first half of 2025, 3% higher than in the first half of 2024. Quarterly annuity sales hit their highest level ever in the second quarter of 2025, a total of more than […]
