Reliable and Relevant: Reprint #LIAM
{September 26th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
I will never forget the day when Grandfather came home with tears in his eyes, talking about his client who had died unexpectedly. You see, this client’s wife had just held my grandfather’s hand for hours, as people came through a funeral home, paying their last respects to her husband. She repeatedly thanked him, looking […]
DROPPING SOME KNOWLEDGE ON UNIVERSAL LIFE PRODUCTS: REPRINT #LIAM
{September 26th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Recently, one of the largest Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) in the country asked for Wink’s help with a big premium financing case. While preparing to run illustrations for the study, our team reviewed the list of products that the FMO wanted to include. I was shocked to see that while all of the products were […]
FUNDING UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE AT TARGET? YOU’RE MISSING THE POINT: REPRINT #LIAM
{September 19th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
The following article is a reprint, originally written July 15, 2013 by Sheryl J. Moore: Throughout the past [20] years of working with universal life (UL) products, one comment in particular has been overheard far too often: “…fund this UL at [X percent] over target.” This comment is especially popular in the indexed life market, […]
We Need Help Growing Life Insurance Distribution: REPRINT #LIAM
{September 19th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Originally posted February 5, 2011 by Sheryl J. Moore Most of you know that I am passionate about indexed life insurance and indexed annuities. However, I am passionate about insurance products in general. In fact, one of the things that I am MOST passionate about is growing our distribution! Not so long ago, life insurance […]
Death Benefit Claim Fail #LIAM Reprint
{September 19th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
As the nation’s top expert on life insurance and annuity products, I have spent a great deal of my time over the last couple of decades pouring-over specimen contracts and prospectuses. It’s what I do. It’s why I’m the life of the party. Given that, I am going to admit to you one […]
Life Insurers Ride Brisk Sales in Second Quarter, Wink Says
{September 13th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
In a press statement, Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink and Moore Market Intelligence, said that indexed-life sales mirrored the record-setting pace of fixed-indexed annuities. “If sales keep setting records like this, the par whole life carriers will have no choice but to develop their own indexed solution,” she said, referencing insurers of participating whole life products that […]
iCover Expands Into Annuities, With or Without Agents
{September 13th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
For example, PlanEasy announced in July that it launched Annuity Marketplace, an online platform to sell multi-year guaranteed annuities, or MYGAs. But according to Wink CEO Sheryl Moore, direct-to-consumer sales are only a tiny sliver of the annuity market, representing just 0.4% of deferred annuity sales in the fourth quarter of 2022. Click HERE to read the full story via Life […]
THE BASICS ON INDEXED UNIVERSAL LIFE: Reprint for #LIAM
{September 13th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
February 7, 2011 It has been nearly thirty years since consumers were first offered the benefits of Universal Life (UL) and with UL came flexibility in premium payments, death benefit options, coverage amounts, and all sorts of other things that they never dreamed of. UL was the beginning of a whole new world of product […]
BUY TERM AND “INVEST” THE REST WITH INDEXED UNIVERSAL LIFE: Reprint #LIAM
{September 13th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
For as long as I’ve been handling my own finances, I’ve been hearing that people should “buy term and invest the difference.” I have never really taken stock in the concept. I mean, I am a financial services professional that cut her teeth on whole life, but who would adopt this theory centered around buying […]
Indexed life sales up 28%, drives strong Q2 for life insurance, Wink says
{September 6th, 2023} by Staff Reports
“Like indexed annuities, indexed life is setting sales records,” said Sheryl J. Moore, CEO of both Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc. “If sales keep setting records like this, the par whole life carriers will have no choice but to develop their own indexed solution.” Click HERE to read the full story via INN
I Give a Damn About Life Insurance – You Should Too! #LIAM Reprint
{September 2nd, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Starting out in the insurance industry 20 years ago, there was one thing that I learned quickly and that was life insurance was a necessity. Life insurance guards against the risk of dying unexpectedly. And let’s face it – we’re all going to die. For that reason alone, I thought that I should purchase life […]
The Inconceivable Life Lesson #LIAM Reprint
{September 2nd, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
He was not yet four years old when my manager in the home office sat me down and suggested that I purchase life insurance for my oldest child, my only son, AJ. It seemed strange to me to consider his death. Why would I want to purchase life insurance on my child? I would predecease him. This […]
Insurance Company Executive Compensation: Not What You Would Expect
{August 31st, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
There are a couple of things that have put the matter of life insurance company executive compensation front and center with me over the past couple of months. First- I recently had the opportunity to read an article from Life Annuity Specialist regarding the extreme pay being collected by the head of a sleepy little […]
Once upon a time
{August 1st, 2023} by Pam Sheehan
Life insurance is intangible. Storytelling is how you make it relatable.
Constellation Launches AuguStar Annuity Business
{July 25th, 2023} by Allison Bell
Constellation Insurance today said its new AuguStar insurance business will sell a full line of individual annuities, not just life insurance. Constellation — the company that acquired Ohio National in 2022 and promised to invest $500 million in reviving it — said the AuguStar Retirement division will write non-variable indexed annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities, traditional variable […]
Global Atlantic Is Going Digital With Electronic Applications for Annuities
{July 18th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
But direct-to-consumer annuity sales are a small portion of the market, with just eight insurers offering annuities directly to consumers, totaling 0.4% of deferred annuity sales in the fourth quarter, according to Wink CEO Sheryl Moore. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist Wink’s Moore on the Market: I did let Aaron know […]
Security Benefit Drops Surrender Charge, Income Rider on Indexed Annuity
{July 18th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Security Benefit’s changes put them on a more even playing field with the fee-based competition, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, which tracks the annuity market. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
PlanEasy Launches Online Distribution of Annuities
{July 18th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
Wink CEO Sheryl Moore pointed out that annuities that are sold directly to consumers represent only a small sliver of the overall annuity market, representing just 0.4% of deferred annuity sales in the fourth quarter of 2022. Moore said that eight insurers offer annuities direct to the consumer — Clear Spring Life (through the agency Gainbridge,) Fidelity, MassMutual (via Blueprint Income,) Nationwide, Prudential, Puritan Life (through Canvas,) Security Benefit Life and RiverSource (through Ameriprise.) Click […]
American Equity Claims $2 Billion in Annuity Sales for Second Quarter
{July 18th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
“Rates are so attractive that you would have to be doing something wrong not to have solid sales of fixed and indexed annuities right now,” added Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, which tracks the life and annuity market. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Bringing life to the intangible sale
{July 6th, 2023} by Sheryl Moore
I have learned that the art of storytelling is essential in the life insurance business. My grandfather taught me this lesson when I was only nine years old, and yet it has continued to stand out starkly in my mind over the past twenty-four years. I had been playing hide-and-seek with my little brother when […]
‘Business as usual’ if Brookfield Reinsurance acquires American Equity
{June 28th, 2023} by John Hilton
American Equity’s board will review the proposal with advisors. In a separate statement, Brookfield said it’s aiming to negotiate terms of a definitive agreement and announce a transaction by June 30. The bid includes $38.85 per share in cash plus $16.15 per share in class A stock of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. “Business as usual,” […]
‘Fusion’ Power: New Product Combines Fixed Rate and Fixed-Indexed Annuity
{June 28th, 2023} by Arthur D. Postal
Sheryl Moore, founder and CEO of Wink and Moore Market Intelligence in Des Moines, Iowa, says that right now there is a big focus on indexed annuities which have participation rates upward of 100%. “These indexes illustrate well, which is driving sales of late,” Moore said. “Marketing organizations are eager to make indexed annuities more like MYGAs because then […]
Judge Orders Mediator in Lincoln Lawsuit Over Illustrations
{June 28th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
Implications for the Industry “I absolutely believe that this lawsuit has wider implications for the indexed annuity market,” said Sheryl Moore, chief executive officer of Moore Market Intelligence and the publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Moore said that, according to her data, 33.2% of the $22.6 billion in indexed annuity sales during the first quarter were allocated […]
Sales of Indexed Annuities with Living Benefits Rise 36% in First Quarter
{June 28th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, which tracks the life and annuity market, said Allianz’s Allianz Benefit Control Annuity and Nationwide’s New Heights Select 9 were the No. 1 and No. 2 top-selling indexed annuities with guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits in the first quarter of the year. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity […]
Reprint: A SOURCE OF HEADACHES: “SOURCE OF FUNDS” #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 27th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
A SOURCE OF HEADACHES: “SOURCE OF FUNDS” July 16, 2013 by Sheryl J. Moore One of today’s most widely-miscommunicated issues is the fixed annuity market’s “Source of Funds” matter. The issue? It’s figuring out where the prospective purchaser of a fixed or indexed annuity is getting his or her money from, so they can use […]
Reprint: How to Change the Narrative Around Annuities, Annuity Awareness Month
{June 27th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
June is Annuity Awareness Month, which is basically like a big, nerdy party for an annuity evangelist like me. This is primarily because I get to be on stage more often, do more webinars and Zooms than is typical. Heck, a few years ago, I even had the opportunity to work with my former Governor […]
Indexed Annuity Product Illustrations Draw Fire Over Illusory Returns
{June 21st, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said indexed annuity illustrations she’s seen project annual returns upwards of 17%. Indexed annuities typically outpace the interest earnings of fixed-rate annuities by a small margin. That would seem to dictate yields well below those shown in illustrations, given that fixed annuities are currently […]
Lincoln Financial in settlement talks with ex-agent who sued over FIA returns
{June 21st, 2023} by John Hilton
The update sets out a court schedule that ends with a trial date of April 7, 2025. The discovery phase, the initial disclosure included, is delayed until Dec. 18, 2023. Sheryl Moore, CEO of both Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc., does not think those dates will be needed. “Insurance companies have a record of […]
Reprint: Americans Are Demanding Annuities #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 21st, 2023} by Sheryl Moore
I have seen the demand for annuities grow stronger and stronger over the past couple of decades. When I talk about this with colleagues in the annuity industry, they think I am being facetious. What? You haven’t seen the same? Well, let me show you about the demand for annuities from my own perspective. Click […]
REPRINT: ANNUITY ILLUSTRATIONS: LIABILITY YOUR AGENTS DON’T NEED #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 21st, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
When it comes to life insurance sales, you cannot close the deal without an illustration. Thanks to the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC’s) Life Insurance Illustration Model Regulation, there are very few instances where one need not collect an illustration to get a life policy issued. However, when it comes to the annuity side […]
REPRINT: DON’T ASSUME PROSPECTS KNOW ANNUITIES, #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 13th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
DON’T ASSUME PROSPECTS KNOW ANNUITIES April 21, 2013 by Sheryl J. Moore By Sheryl J. Moore, President and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence, an indexed product resource in Des Moines, IA. I was speaking to a health insurance agent today who was looking for information on life insurance and annuities. He was genuinely interested […]
Reprint: Wink’s Annuity Quick Reference by Sheryl J. Moore #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 13th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Originally posted on March 1, 2022 “I do not endorse any company/product. It’s not that I want people to buy annuities; I just want them to have credible information about them so that they can make a decision about if they are right for them.” Wink’s CEO, Sheryl J. Moore Click to view Wink’s […]
Regulatory Tightening on Product Illustrations May Be ‘Nothingburger’
{June 13th, 2023} by Sheryl Moore
Separately, Wink CEO Sheryl Moore soberly noted in December that “more conservativeness in illustration handling for indexed life always seems to have a negative effect on sales.” On May 1, the new illustration requirements that were approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners took effect, and insurers rolled out new versions of their policies. Click HERE to read the full […]
Global Atlantic, Dropping Indexed Life, to Lay off 38 in Des Moines
{June 13th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Global Atlantic had a 1.22% share of the $2.73 billion indexed life market at the end of last year, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. National Life Group and Transamerica dominate sales. Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, which is also based in Des Moines, expressed regret at the news of the layoffs. “No doubt some of my old coworkers and […]
Lincoln Financial in settlement talks with ex-agent who sued over FIA returns
{June 13th, 2023} by John Hilton
Sheryl Moore, CEO of both Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc., does not think those dates will be needed. “Insurance companies have a record of settling disputes, whenever possible,” she said. “No one likes to see their name in lights with a class action lawsuit. No doubt the Lincoln case will not make it to […]
Global Atlantic to stop selling new fixed indexed universal life policies
{June 7th, 2023} by John Hilton
Global Atlantic’s fixed IUL sales dropped sharply in the first quarter, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc. “Frequent feedback from the field left me feeling unsurprised about their exit of the indexed life market,” she added. “The word on the street is that they plan to re-enter the indexed life […]
Pacific Life Slips Down Indexed Life Ranks as National Life Reigns
{June 6th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
Sales of indexed life products rose marginally, 0.4% to $632.6 million. Wink CEO Sheryl Moore expected volume for the second quarter to be hurt by the implementation of a revised NAIC actuarial guideline, 49-B, which is expected to reduce illustrated payouts on the products. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Consumers Make a Big Move Into Longer Fixed-Rate Annuities
{June 6th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
“There was a flip-flop between the five-year and the three-year,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “Rates on the three-year are closer to the five-year products.” Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist
New Buffered Annuity’s Bold Bet: Direct Sales, No Suitability Review
{June 6th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, counts herself a skeptic about prospects for an indexed-linked variable annuity sold directly to consumers. Selling in the nascent market segment, which earlier was limited to simpler product designs like fixed-rate and single premium immediate annuities, is challenging, she said in an email. “It […]
Reprint: How to Change the Narrative Around Annuities: #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 6th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
June is Annuity Awareness Month, which is basically like a big, nerdy party for an annuity evangelist like me. This is primarily because I get to be on stage more often, do more webinars and Zooms than is typical. Heck, a few years ago, I even had the opportunity to work with my former Governor […]
I GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANNUITIES – YOU SHOULD TOO! Reprint #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 6th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
I GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANNUITIES – YOU SHOULD TOO May 19, 2015 by Sheryl J. Moore WHY PEOPLE NEED ANNUITIES I recall well my entrance into the life insurance market. Nearly 20 years ago, I was a single mother with three babies in diapers; wondering what career I could hold in Des Moines, Iowa […]
Reprint: Record Annuity Sales #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 6th, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Americans’ biggest fear is running out of money in retirement. You’d think that fact alone would set annuity sales to record heights. After all, this financial product is the only instrument which can guarantee the purchaser an income they cannot outlive…even if they live to be 150 years old! Click HERE to read the […]
MYGA Frenzy Pushes Annuity Sales Higher in Q1: Wink
{June 1st, 2023} by Allison Bell
Moore’s View: Sheryl Moore, Wink’s CEO, said non-variable annuities are paying higher rates than bank certificates of deposit can offer. “As long as CD rates remain so low relative to annuity rates, you can count on indexed and MYGA annuity sales being high,” Moore said. . Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
We Asked ChatGPT-Type Model About Life Insurance, Annuities. Yikes!
{June 1st, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Questionable Accuracy: We asked Bard about the average commission paid to an insurance agent on the sale of an immediate annuity and an indexed annuity. It told us commissions for immediate annuities are higher than those for indexed products. “This is absolutely inaccurate,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Income annuities […]
Reprint: Annuity Quick Reference Guide #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 1st, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Many have never heard of annuities. Perhaps the easiest way to grasp the concept of annuities is to first discuss life insurance products. Life insurance is a contract that pays a benefit in the event you die unexpectedly. In turn, annuities are a contract that pay a benefit in the event you live too long. […]
REPRINT: 100 facts your clients need to know about annuities: #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 1st, 2023} by Sheryl J. Moore
Did you know that that the top fear of Americans is outliving their retirement income? Death comes in as the second top fear. It’s easy to see that annuities are still the black box of the insurance industry … what a shame. Did you know that the top fear of Americans is outliving their retirement income? (Death […]
Why Sales Tumbled at a Texas Insurer That Now May Be Up for Sale
{May 25th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
Wink Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Moore, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said in an interview that executives at National Western Life had been trying to improve the company and worked on its infrastructure last year. “A couple years ago they brought in new management to increase annuity share of the annuity market,” she said. “That management […]
American Equity CEO Sees ‘Irrational’ Behavior Among Annuity Sellers
{May 24th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, which tracks the indexed annuity market, said the firm has seen more rate reductions so far in the second quarter than in the first quarter. She said in an email that a review of indexed annuities using an S&P 500 annual strategy found that the […]
Ex-Lincoln Financial agent is lead plaintiff in Texas lawsuit over insurer’s FIA sales
{May 15th, 2023} by John Hilton
Having an agent sue his carrier for products he sold is not a good look for the annuity industry, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink Inc. and Moore Market Intelligence. “This has huge implications,” she said. “Other agents appointed with just about any insurance company in the indexed annuity market could make the same move.” […]
Will AG 49-B be a May Day or meh day for IUL illustrations?
{May 2nd, 2023} by Steven A. Morelli
May Day has special significance for indexed universal life illustration rates as a new guideline goes into effect, which is expected to reduce illustrated rate and perhaps suppress sales. Click HERE to read the full story via INN ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink Inc., said the lower illustrated rates are likely to suppress […]
How an Annuity Issuer Found Bliss in Tiny Market for Direct Sales
{May 2nd, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch
Direct-to-consumer annuity sales have always been relatively small, according to Wink CEO Sheryl Moore. She noted that just eight insurers offered 18 annuities direct to consumers, and that this channel accounted for only 0.4% of $79.3 billion in deferred annuity sales in the fourth quarter. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist Thus far, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Insurers Rush to Sweeten Income Options on Annuities as Rates Climb
{March 29th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Since the beginning of the year, it’s been a better time to buy fixed-indexed annuities with guaranteed lifetime income, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of market researcher Wink. She added that 49.8% of fixed-indexed annuity buyers elect a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit. Moore, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, counts at least 13 insurers that have raised the […]
MassMutual’s Stable Voyage Was Quarter’s Top Fixed-Rate Annuity
{March 21st, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
The product helped make the Springfield, Mass.-based carrier the top fixed-rate annuity seller over the period with a market share of 16%, Wink’s Sales & Market Report said. Athene was second, followed by New York Life, Corebridge Financial and Brighthouse Financial, Wink reported in its quarterly survey of the industry… Click HERE to read Wink’s news release. Quarterly and yearly sales of […]
How Good Are Top 10 Lists of Insurers? We Took a Hard Look at One.
{March 14th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Using only the A.M. Best and interest rate criteria on which Insider Monkey relies, there are 68 companies that should make the list, according to Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
As Rates Rise, Innovation and Changes Sweep Through Annuities
{March 8th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
Higher rates aren’t the whole picture though, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. They do generally mean better yields on general accounts from which carriers earn a profit. But she noted that you also have to consider the cost of options, such as on the S&P 500, that are used […]
Why Consumers Resist Annuity Swaps Even as Old Rates Worsen
{March 8th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
The case to turn in their old products seems compelling: Investment yields have jumped a lot over the past year. Also, rates on their existing products have sunk to the near-minimum levels allowed, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist […]
Simplicity in it for the long haul
{March 7th, 2023} by John Hilton
Marketing firms are changing the business of distribution, said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink Inc. Small- to mid-sized insurance marketing organizations and field marketing organizations are being gobbled up so quickly, it is forcing many to reconsider their plan, she added. “It is hard to compete against an Integrity, […]
No surprise here
{March 1st, 2023} by Sheryl Moore
With deferred annuities projected to hit $300 billion in sales for 2022, this will mark a nearly 20% increase from the record hit in 2008. And while final figures won’t be available until after the publication of this article, it’s clear principal protection was a theme in 2022. Click HERE to read the full story […]
13 Finance Experts Recommend Tech Tools For Managing Business And Personal Finances
{March 1st, 2023} by Forbes Finance Council
7. LivePlan LivePlan software “helps entrepreneurs and small businesses organize relevant strategy and projection information more concisely.” I use the software for all of my financial projections and cash flow assumptions. The standard system comes at a cost of $20 per month, and it is worth every penny. – Sheryl J. Moore, Wink, Inc. Click HERE to view […]
Amid Plethora of Indexes, Annuity Buyers Return to the Familiar
{February 22nd, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
In the third quarter of 2022, for every $100,000 sunk into a fixed-indexed annuity, $44,000, or 44%, went to the S&P 500 Index, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. That was up from 32.8% in the third quarter of the previous year. Hybrid indexes, which include volatility-controlled indexes, scooped up 41.4% of premiums, down from 60.1% […]
AmeriLife focuses on ‘organic growth’ in next step
{February 6th, 2023} by John Hilton
With a key December hire in a newly created position, AmeriLife took the next step in its plan to grow annuity sales organically. Matthew Coleman brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to AmeriLife, where he is the company’s first vice president of annuity and life product innovation. Click HERE to read the full […]
Under New Incentive Plan, American Equity CEO Could Reap $72M
{February 6th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy
“I still remember when the CEO of American Equity barely earned $100,000 annually in salary,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, in a LinkedIn post. “My, how things have changed over the past 17 years.” Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Producers stew as insurers slow to process life and annuity applications
{January 31st, 2023} by John Hilton
Sheryl Moore is president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc. She also has an influential social network and posted about the delay issue last week on LinkedIn. The responses flooded in from irritated producers. Speculation on the source of the delays ranged from staffing shortages to technology deficiencies to insurers just caught […]
In 2005, 40% of Indexed Annuities Sold Had This. Today? 1.6%.
{January 10th, 2023} by Aaron Smith
Sheryl Moore, CEO of market research firm Wink, thinks the monthly summing method appeared in about 2004. The following year, two-fifths of fixed-indexed annuities sold had this feature. Last year, through the first three quarters, only 1.6% did, a stunning decline. MassMutual Ascend, the former Great American, is phasing out the monthly summing option on certain annuities, according to Moore, who […]
After record year, indexed universal life likely to stumble in 2023
{January 9th, 2023} by Steven A. Morelli
Although the fourth quarter is not expected to be a record-breaker on its own, it caps a banner year. Sheryl Moore, CEO of Moore Market Intelligence, projected that it will supersede last year’s blazing performance. Click HERE to read the full story via INN
Banner sales a theme in year’s top 10 annuity articles
{January 4th, 2023} by Steven A. Morelli
‘Crazy’ evolution of life, annuity indexes draws scrutiny, says expert In a July 1 article, expert Sheryl Moore was featured as she raised the warning flag on insurance companies pushing boundaries with proprietary indexes. As the CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink Inc., Moore has been on the front line for decades as the industry […]
The growth of Integrity
{January 3rd, 2023} by John Hilton
The Big Three’s relentless growth is altering the distribution landscape, said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink Inc. Small to midsized IMOs and FMOs are being gobbled up so quickly, it is forcing many to reconsider their plan, she said. “It is hard to compete against an Integrity, Simplicity or […]
Indexed Life Sales May Tumble After Revision to NAIC Guideline
{December 27th, 2022} by Warren S. Hersch
“The results could be much more conservative” than adjusting the actuarial guideline that is intended just for indexed universal life, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, which publishes Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “More conservativeness in illustration handling for indexed life always seems to have a negative effect on sales.” Click HERE to read the full story via […]
Top life insurance stories of 2022 focused on COVD-19, business case for buying life insurance
{December 27th, 2022} by Ayo Mseka
Advisors spend a great deal of time persuading their prospects to protect themselves and their loved ones with the gift of life insurance. The most popular stories in 2022 ranged from record setting indexed life sales to re-thinking the “buy term and invest the difference” strategy, to the continuing controversy over IUL illustrations. Here’s a […]
Zurich to Stop Accepting Applications for Indexed and Term Life
{December 20th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“Zurich has expanded into other product lines that have a customer demographic that is far different than the high-net-worth individuals that they typically dealt with for their indexed life sales,” Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said in an email. Reducing sales of indexed universal life were planned as a part […]
Insurer: Add full in-force life insurance illustration to regulation remix
{December 13th, 2022} by John Hilton
A state regulator panel has closed an initial comment period on potential changes to the overall life insurance illustration regulation. Any changes to the regulation would be a highly sensitive, extended process difficult to complete, regulators say, so the Indexed Universal Life Illustration Subgroup is proceeding cautiously. The advertised comment period only asked for revision […]
Big-City Insurers Could Poach Midwest Workers in Remote Work Era
{December 13th, 2022} by Aaron Smith
“Des Moines enjoys a very good standard of living because of the insurance sector,” said Sheryl Moore CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and the publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Her firm’s office is in Des Moines. “Our insurance jobs pay very competitively. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist. Wink’s Note: […]
Expect the MYGA, indexed annuity boom into next year, Moore says
{December 5th, 2022} by Steven A. Morelli
Expect a blazing fourth quarter and 2023 for multiyear guaranteed and indexed annuities and a bumpy ride for variable annuities and its hybrid offspring, structured annuities. Those were a few observations from Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink Inc. and Moore Market Intelligence, after third quarter results showed banner performance for FIAs and MYGAs in particular. […]
Athene, NY Life, MassMutual Sales Leaders in Fixed-Rate Segment in 3Q
{November 28th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“Multi-year guaranteed annuity sales killed it this quarter,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, in a news release. With three-year, fixed-rate annuities paying out nearly three times what they were in the first quarter, the stellar sales results should come as no surprise, she added. Click HERE to read the full […]
Withdrawals Surge at MassMutual as Policyholders Contend with Inflation
{November 28th, 2022} by Aaron Smith
“That information would seem to suggest that consumers are not cashing out their policies, in order to take advantage of improved interest rates on new policies,” said Sheryl Moore, chief executive officer of Moore Market Intelligence and the publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. She said this activity could apply to cash value life insurance policies like universal […]
Some Clients Said ‘No Thanks’ to Traditional Variable Annuities in Q3
{November 28th, 2022} by Allison Bell
Stock market volatility hurt sales of traditional variable annuities in the third quarter but helped sales of non-variable annuities, according to new annuity issuer sales survey data from Wink. Sheryl Moore, the CEO of Wink, said rising interest rates made multi-year guaranteed annuities, or MYGA contracts, especially popular. Click HERE to read the full story […]
Life Insurnace with living benefits and extended care protection
{November 22nd, 2022} by Kelly Augspurger
Sheryl J. Moore and Kelly Augspurger in this episode of Steadfast Care Planning podcast
With New Hire, Pacific Life Sends ‘Strong Signal’ About Tech Strategy
{November 22nd, 2022} by Aaron Smith
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said Pacific Life offers multi-year guaranteed fixed-rate annuities with rates that she described as “pretty competitive, relative to their peers.” She said she expects Pacific Life will eventually sell structured annuities, and it remains one of the top three sellers for indexed universal […]
Athene Just Rocketed Into the Top Three for U.S. Annuity Sales
{November 22nd, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“Athene has been aggressive in their pursuit of competitive multiyear guaranteed annuity rates during the quarter,” Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said in an email. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Fixed Annuities on a Tear in 2022
{November 15th, 2022} by Brian Anderson
Fixed annuities are having a moment, and they can thank rising interest rates for it. In a LinkedIn post today, Sheryl Moore, founder, creator and CEO of Wink, Inc., and Moore Market Intelligence, had a compelling chart culled from her WinkIntel’s AnnuitySpecs tool that offered a simple explanation. From her post: Here’s why annuity sales are on the […]
‘Quick fix’ concept for IUL illustrations advanced, with some dissent
{November 15th, 2022} by John Hilton
A state insurance regulator subgroup came up with a “quick fix” Wednesday to address faulty illustration problems within the Actuarial Guideline 49-A. Sort of. Members of the Indexed Universal Life Illustration subgroup ended a conference call with a nonbinding “straw poll” vote that favored a fix put forth by Securian Financial and Penn Mutual Life […]
The Highest Rate is King
{November 15th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Over the past few years, the annuity industry has begun seeing a new trend that has seismically shifted the dynamic of annuity sales. Startups are getting into the indexed annuity market by first developing a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) with an aggressive credited rate, gaining distribution, and then transferring their focus over to indexed annuities. […]
AmeriLife acquiring TruChoice to create ‘a force to be reckoned with’
{November 8th, 2022} by John Hilton
Sheryl Moore is founder and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence. The TruChoice acquisition is a major boost for AmeriLife, she said this morning. “Two of the biggest marketing organizations in life insurance just formed a force to be reckoned with,” she said. “It will be interesting to see how many FMOs are left standing when […]
One Product From Life Insurers That’s Selling Itself Right Now
{November 8th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“Consumers are flocking to fixed and indexed annuities because the yields on certificates of deposit are still abysmal,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “I have multi-year guaranteed annuities that are crediting 4.90% annually, for three years,” she added. “Why would anyone lock into a five-year CD at […]
Sales of These Life and Annuity Products Could Surge Next Year
{October 31st, 2022} by Warren S. Hersch
Wink CEO Sheryl Moore anticipates that annuity sales will increase by double digits next year. A key driver for fixed-rate annuities, she noted, is the large “spread,” or difference between rates paid on certificates of deposit and the higher yields offered on annuities. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
State regulator group previews possible ‘quick fix’ to IUL illustration issue
{October 17th, 2022} by John Hilton
For now, the group is accepting comments for three weeks on the following three concepts to fix AG 49-A: Bobby Samuelson noted that his proposal actually encompasses the thoughts expressed by several letter writers. Samuelson authored a pair of letters with fellow product intelligence analyst Sheryl Moore. They favor removing the lookback option from calculations. Their letter […]
The BEST long term care policy is the one that is inforce when you need it!
{October 17th, 2022} by Steadfast Insurance Agency
Which LTC Solution is Best? Sheryl J. Moore and I chatted about this topic. Check it out.
16 Ways To Keep A Seasonal Business Financially Healthy Year-Round
{October 4th, 2022} by Forbes Finance Council
5. Leverage A Line Of Credit Seasonal businesses can use a line of credit during leaner times, if necessary. This allows you to continue paying expenses while revenue is not as plentiful. Then, when revenue is back up, pay down the line of credit. The line of credit works as a great tool when smoothing […]
The Inconceivable Life Lesson: REPRINT #LIAM
{September 26th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
He was not yet four years old when my manager in the home office sat me down and suggested that I purchase life insurance for my oldest child, my only son, AJ. It seemed strange to me to consider his death. Why would I want to purchase life insurance on my child? I would predecease him. This […]
Insurance industry pushes ‘quick fix’ for IUL illustration issues
{September 20th, 2022} by John Hilton
For example, some IUL fixed interest bonuses can generate illustrated income more than 60% higher than a Benchmark Index Account [such as the S&P 500], wrote Sheryl Moore and Bobby Samuelson, who are competing product intelligence analysts. The pair co-authored a pair of comment letters. “This is, in our view, entirely inconsistent with the intent […]
Buyers Opt for Annuities Linking to Special Indexes at Record Pace
{September 13th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
The indexes were available on 49.8% of all indexed annuities sold in the April through June period, the highest percentage ever, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The S&P 500 Index was an option on 38.4% of the products sold. “This is the first time that category’s allocations have surpassed the S&P 500 allocations,” said Sheryl […]
The New Kings of Annuity Distribution May Come as a Surprise
{September 7th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“For the first time, banks sold more annuities than any distribution channel,” Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink and Moore Market Intelligence, said in a news release. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist Click HERE to read Sheryl Moore’s full statement. View the Wink’s Sales & Market Report Press Release, Click HERE and […]
Higher Rates Fuel Q2 Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity Sales: Wink
{September 7th, 2022} by Allison Bell
Higher interest rates and client concerns about stock market volatility pushed sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities (or MYGA contracts) up hard in the second quarter. U.S. MYGA contract sales increased 82% between the second quarter of 2021 and the latest quarter, to $26 billion, according to new annuity issuer sales survey data from Wink. Click […]
The Life Insurance Distributor That Can’t Stop Buying Other Firms
{August 31st, 2022} by Aaron Smith
Sheryl Moore, CEO of market research firm Wink, said she thinks Integrity wants to become a “preeminent distributor” of annuities, life insurance, and medical supplement and long-term-care products. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
“Secret weapon” to running multiple businesses
{August 31st, 2022} by Kelly Augspurger
Kelly Augspurger and Sheryl J. Moore chatted about business and their personal lives. Click HERE to listen in and learn what Sheryl’s “secret weapon” is and how she manages to run multiple businesses successfully.
Task force weighs ‘limited’ revision of life insurance illustrations model
{August 23rd, 2022} by John Hilton
It “would be HUGE” if regulators reopened the illustrations model, wrote Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc., in an email. Indexed life insurance wasn’t available yet when #582 was finalized, she noted. Click HERE to read the full story via INN
State Regulators Are Open to Broader Review of Product Illustrations
{August 22nd, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Industry analysts like Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, and Bobby Samuelson, executive editor of The Life Product Review, have decried the illustration “gamesmanship” used to get around AG 49-A. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Annuity Buyers Lose Some Appetite for Battered Special Indexes
{August 16th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“The down market affects all indices, not just hybrids,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “The bad news is that some people are earning zero. The good news is that when the market recovers, those owning indexed annuities are going to have some fantastic opportunities for gains.” Click HERE to read the […]
The Mystery of Why a Startup Bought a Small Seller of Burial Insurance
{August 9th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, said Everly’s move appears to be a strategic decision to acquire a company that is successful for final expense policies, then distribute that product straight to consumers. “Final expense life insurance products are fairly transactional, so it would be an ideal product line for online distributing,” she added. Moore said […]
Product experts: Regulators need to end ‘gamesmanship’ of IUL illustrations
{August 2nd, 2022} by John Hilton
Sheryl Moore of Moore Market Intelligence and Bobby Samuelson of The Life Product Review took the unusual step of co-authoring a comment letter on Actuarial Guideline 49-A. The pair are competitors in the product intelligence field. Click HERE to read the full story via INN
Critics, Carriers Weigh in on Fractious Debate Over Indexed Life Illustrations
{August 2nd, 2022} by Aaron Smith
“I believe that a hard cap should be applied, with a range of returns that fluctuate on an outside benchmark, which is a barometer for prevailing interest rates,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of market research firm Wink, in an email. Moore and Bobby Samuelson, president of Life Innovators and executive editor of The Life Product Review, and also five life insurers, submitted […]
Why Insurers Should Take a Closer Look at the Integrity-Annexus Deal
{August 2nd, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“This deal could potentially open up new deals for product development for Integrity,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, “If Integrity plans to open up the proprietary Annexus Group products to their existing distribution, it could mean more sales for insurance companies.” Click HERE to read the full story via […]
Index-Linked Variable Annuities Enter a New Stage of Differentiation
{August 2nd, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“Structured annuities are coming into their own,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “They are maturing, and innovating just as we would expect of a product that is a decade old.” Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
The Evolution of the Index with Sheryl Moore
{July 19th, 2022} by John Hilton
An explosion in the growth of proprietary indices and indexed products continues. But regulators are circling. What will the next generation of indexed products look like? Indexed products are popular, offering apparent upside and little downside. But regulators are wary. The growth of proprietary indices has critics claiming consumers are confused and misled by rosy […]
A MYGA? Fixed-Indexed Annuity? New Product Straddles Categories.
{July 12th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said Ibexis’ MYGA Plus is employing the same kind of “performance triggered strategy” that has been used on indexed annuities for decades. A rise in the index simply triggers a higher payout on the product. “Ibexis is just guaranteeing the declared rate for a period […]
Making Advisors’ Lives Easier Is New Way Into $9.3T Market
{July 12th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“These outsourced insurance desks are erupting because of the new registered investment advisor distribution that has come into the annuity space since the initial discussions of the best interest standard,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Moore said just 1.2% of the $59.7 billion first quarter annuity sales were coming through […]
Kings of the Hill
{July 6th, 2022} by John Hilton
When Sheryl Moore started her market research company 17 years ago, there were exactly a dozen indexes on which one could earn interest from an indexed annuity product. Today, there are at least 150 different indexes being tracked by Wink Inc. and Moore, president and CEO of the company. Ninety-four percent of them are hybrid […]
‘Crazy’ evolution of life, annuity indexes draws scrutiny, says expert
{July 6th, 2022} by John Hilton
Indexed products are driving the life insurance sales train, a leading market expert said this week, but dark clouds are lurking. For one, regulators are likely to take another look at a regulation dealing with indexed life illustrations, said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence. Likewise, lawsuit activity is up, targeting a […]
Indexes must evolve with inflation, rising rates, says NAFA panel
{July 6th, 2022} by John Hilton
Many popular indexes supporting annuities and life insurance today might not work as well in a recessionary, high-inflation, and rising interest rate environment. Click HERE to read the full story via INN ………………………………………………………… Industry veteran Sheryl Moore noted the growth of indexes during a recent Wink, Inc. webinar. When Moore started Wink, a […]
Buyers Seeking Income Are Turning More Often to Buffered Annuities
{July 6th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Six structured annuities offer guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “This is a relatively new market, so any growth is going to look significant,” she said in an email. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Put your thinking cap on: Innovation in annuity products
{June 29th, 2022} by Sheryl Moore
Unlike life insurance product development, the annuity market always seems to have something going on. New features and different riders come and go. The array of available options seems to be endless. Here, we lay out some of the industry trends in annuity product development. Read Annuity Trends page 30 in NAILBA’s ID Trends, CLICK […]
The Evolution of the Index with Sheryl Moore
{June 29th, 2022} by John Hilton
[Upcoming Webinar — July 13, 2022] An explosion in the growth of proprietary indices and indexed products continues. But regulators are circling. What will the next generation of indexed products look like? Indexed products are popular, offering apparent upside and little downside. But regulators are wary. The growth of proprietary indices has critics claiming consumers are […]
Annuity Quick Reference Guide
{June 22nd, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Many have never heard of annuities. Perhaps the easiest way to grasp the concept of annuities is to first discuss life insurance products. Life insurance is a contract that pays a benefit in the event you die unexpectedly. In turn, annuities are a contract that pay a benefit in the event you live too long. […]
Indexes must evolve with inflation, rising rates, says NAFA panel
{June 22nd, 2022} by John Hilton
Industry veteran Sheryl Moore noted the growth of indexes during a recent Wink, Inc. webinar. When Moore started Wink, an industry intelligence firm, 17 years ago there were a dozen indexes. Today, there are at least 150 different indexes, many of them proprietary indexes developed by major carriers. Click HERE to read the full story via […]
REPRINT: FMO Q&A #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 21st, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Originally published October 2019 Over the past couple of decades, I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of FMOs. These distributors drive innovation in product development, have the ability to command sales, and help the independent agent in their quest to best serve their clients. I am not just the lady that […]
Fixed Indexed Annuities: What’s Changed (or Not) in Ten Years
{June 13th, 2022} by Kerry Pechter and Sheryl Moore
Every year, Wink CEO Sheryl Moore and RIJ analyze a segment of the annuity industry using Wink’s proprietary data. This year, we examine FIA sales since 2011: The era of private equity in the annuity business. Ten years ago, sales of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) were largely confined to the life/annuity industry’s ‘Wild West’ territory. […]
REPRINT: Need an Rx for retirement? The doctor is in. #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 13th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
It took me a long time to get my “doctorate in lifetime income.” The journey commenced once I reviewed my retirement account statement after the dot-com bubble burst. I felt absolutely nauseous. Losing money did not sit well with my stomach. If a 401(k) had caused me to retch so violently, what retirement product could […]
The Annuity Model is Broken: Reprint #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 13th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Do you remember the last time that you watched CNN, CNBC, “Shark Tank,” “The Profit,” or even the market update segment of the news? While viewing this programming, have you ever seen commercials for financial services products? I know that I have. I recall commercials for mutual funds and securities. Once in a great while, I have […]
REPRINT: Unknowingly Sticking It To Your Annuity Clients? #AnnuityAwarenessMonth
{June 13th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Posted By: Editor On 8/3/2011 11:00:00 AM By Sheryl Moore AnnuityNews Are you sticking it to your clients? You might be and not even know it. The key to illuminating whether you are unknowingly putting your life insurance and annuity clients in a bad position with the products that you sell them is to identify […]
Indexed Life Sales Climb in First Quarter as Fixed Universal Slumps
{June 7th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Sales of indexed universal life insurance jumped 18% in the first quarter from a year earlier to $629.9 million, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Reasons for the product’s robust gains had more to do with an unusually weak first quarter in 2021 than with any sudden leap in demand, according to Sheryl Moore, CEO of […]
Traditional universal life is withering on the vine, says Wink CEO
{June 7th, 2022} by John Hilton
As traditional universal life insurance sales continue to plummet thanks to low interest rates and carriers exiting the business, “it is heartbreaking to see a product wither on the vine, the way traditional UL has,” said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Wink, Inc. Fixed UL sales for the first quarter were $107.4 million, down […]
How Your Life Insurance Tools Are Selling
{June 7th, 2022} by Allison Bell
In the first quarter, clients flocked to individual life insurance products with performance that was tied to investment indexes, according to new life sales survey data from Wink. Clients also increased purchases of simple, classic whole life policies. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor
Lincoln Bows Out of Shrinking Market for Guaranteed Universal Life
{June 6th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
“It has been heartbreaking to see how sales of universal life have spiraled continually downward,” Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said in an email. “I remember when guaranteed universal life was the product du jour.” Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
#18 – Insurance is Sexy w/ Sheryl Moore of Wink Inc.
{May 31st, 2022} by Hunter Guthrie
Insurance doesn’t sound like an appealing industry to many people, but you can make the insurance and financial industry attractive! Sheryl has pioneered a space in the financial world to help insurance and annuity companies have access to all the information they need about the products available in the marketplace. She shares about her incredible […]
‘Crazy’ evolution of life, annuity indexes draws scrutiny, says expert
{May 31st, 2022} by John Hilton
Indexed products are driving the life insurance sales train, a leading market expert said this week, but dark clouds are lurking. For one, regulators are likely to take another look at a regulation dealing with indexed life illustrations, said Sheryl Moore, president and CEO of Moore Market Intelligence. Likewise, lawsuit activity is up, targeting a […]
14 Actionable Tips To Help Improve A Personal Credit Score
{May 31st, 2022} by Forbes Finance Council
3. Pay More Than The Minimum Due When it comes to credit cards, always pay your bills on time, and always pay more than the minimum. Paying down the cards that have the least available credit is also advisable. You want to ensure, as much as possible, that your credit card balance is not near […]
Insurers Wait on Bills as 401(k) Annuity Market Is Slow to Bloom
{May 30th, 2022} by Aaron Smith
So far, the promise of the workplace annuity market has been slow to blossom. The opportunity could be “trillions of dollars” in new business, according to Wink CEO Sheryl Moore, but despite numerous initiatives that have been announced, it’s not clear how many sales have been realized. “It is too early to tell if sales are making headway,” […]
The Second-Fastest-Growing U.S. Life Insurer Has Big Plans
{May 17th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Kuvare’s Des Moines office make sense for the company because of the talent that they can pull from in the city’s experienced insurance staff pool, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “It also provides a more convenient office than in their Cedar Rapids headquarters, so that executives can fly into Des […]
Pacific Life’s Whirlwind Month: New Hires, Dropped Products, Layoffs
{April 26th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
As one of their first actions, the company’s new leaders decided to kill Pacific PremierCare, a life insurance policy that also pays long-term care benefits. The decision might seem somewhat surprising, as not many companies are exiting the business, according to Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “If anything, hybrid products are […]
Paid-Out Commissions Rose in 2021. But There’s More to the Story.
{April 19th, 2022} by Warren S. Hersch
Wink CEO Sheryl Moore said in an email that the Department of Labor fiduciary rule could affect agent compensation, in particular on sales of tax-qualified annuities offered through employer-sponsored retirement plans. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist
I Love Annuities and You Should, Too!
{April 19th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
If you have ever wondered why I am so passionate about educating people (specifically) about annuities, listen in. My thanks to Douglas Jones for the opportunity to share my story!
Wink Sees 40% Growth in Structured Annuities After Record Year
{April 5th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Also, at least four new companies will enter the fast-growing market for the first time in 2022, according to Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. In 2021, there were 15 companies offering a total of 55 structured annuity products, she said. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
Deferred annuity sales reach $243 billion in 2021: Wink
{March 21st, 2022} by Editorial Staff
“This was both a record-setting quarter and a record-setting year for structured annuity sales,” said Moore. “The 2021 sales topped the prior year’s record by nearly 59%! And soon, more companies will enter this growing market.” Click HERE to read the full story via RIJ
Private Equity Comes With Dollars But Also Some Questions
{March 8th, 2022} by Steven A. Morelli
If you’re thinking that there seems to be a lot of private equity behind the annuity business these days, you are not wrong. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2019, just before the pandemic struck, private equity-owned companies accounted for 26.7% of fixed index annuity sales, according to data from Moore Market Intelligence. By […]
Annuity Sellers Face Rolling Economic Headwinds
{March 8th, 2022} by John Hilton
The Federation of Americans for Consumer Choice, joined by a number of independent insurance agents and agencies, sued the Department of Labor last month, claiming the new rule improperly “broadens the agency interpretation of who is considered a fiduciary.” For now, the new rules are the rules and will make selling annuities more difficult, said […]
Hard Core Annuity Users Reveal How Many They Own and Why
{March 1st, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said she saw her 401(k) evaporate into a “201(k)” when the dot.com bubble burst in 2000. The collapse scarred her for life. “I relied on my church just for milk for my kids to get by,” she told Orchard. Today, Moore owns two indexed annuities, […]
Things for Clients to Consider
{February 8th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
Annuities are not right for everyone. When it is time to have the annuity talk with clients, here is a list of things they should consider when buying an annuity. Looking for minimum retirement income There is a minimum amount of income that we all need to pay our bills- the amount isn’t expendable income. […]
Staid Annuities Get Star Treatment in Movie About the Importance of Guaranteed Retirement Income
{February 8th, 2022} by Terrence Dopp
Ever ponder exactly what it means for filmmakers to have their movies obtain a rating from the Motion Picture Association? Probably not. But for documentarian Doug Orchard, that was a key question for his new film The Baby Boomer Dilemma, which explores shortcomings in the current retirement system and the role of annuities within portfolios. Securing […]
A Tale Of Three Annuities
{February 8th, 2022} by Sheryl J. Moore
I get frustrated, frequently, by the regular barrage of negativity that surrounds most of the “news” that I read on annuities. If it isn’t a swayed account from so-and-so’s beneficiary, talking about how an annuity wasn’t suitable for their deceased parent, it is a hack job from some media outlet that caters to mutual fund […]
The Dark Side of Automation, Layoffs Emerges in Distribution Survey
{February 8th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
These agents play a key role for certain products, such as fixed-indexed annuities, almost two-thirds of which are sold through brokerage general agencies or marketing organizations, according to Wink. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist ………………………………………………. Most of the cuts, however, came primarily from insurers that supported distribution outside of the […]
Annuities and the Problem of Index Bloat: Do We Really Need 138?
{February 1st, 2022} by Aaron Smith
Index choices on annuities have been expanding so dramatically that it spurred Sheryl Moore, who’s been closely following the market for years, to create a LinkedIn post: “Today, there are 138 unique indices, upon which your indexed interest is benchmarked, on indexed annuities. 138!!! (There were 12 when I started my business 17 years ago.)” Click HERE […]
A New Film, ‘The Baby Boomer Dilemma,’ Praises Annuities
{February 1st, 2022} by Kerry Pechter
In a office in Des Moines, amid foot-high stacks of reports-to-be-read and items-to-be-filed, we find Sheryl Moore, founder of annuity consulting firm Wink, Inc., whose life goal is to “rebrand annuities” in a positive way. I know several of these experts; I could tell that the filmmaker knows how to draw people out. Click HERE […]
Buffered Annuities Are Hot. Whether They’ll Stay That Way Is Disputed.
{January 31st, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
… No way, says Sheryl Moore, CEO of research firm Wink. She sees sales of $86 billion by 2025 for 22% yearly growth. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist ******* Article excerpt: But Moore, whose firm publishes Wink’s Sales & Market Report, thinks $50 billion by 2026 is far too low. “This market […]
Annuity Issuers Eye Rising Rates, Stock Swings for Clues About Sales
{January 18th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy
Significant rate increases on these multi-year guaranteed annuities, as the products are called, could “translate to a significant increase in sales,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist
Top 10 Annuity Stories Of 2021
{January 4th, 2022} by John Hilton
2. The 2021 State of Annuities Our June 2021 cover story in the magazine was also a popular read on the website. This state-of-annuities story looked at the pressures on the industry from a variety of sources. After all, the pandemic brought a double-barrel shot of pain to the annuity industry in 2020. In addition to […]
What’s not being said?
{December 14th, 2021} by Sheryl J. Moore
Earlier this year, we explored things that the insurance company might not tell you when writing indexed annuity business. In this article, we will look at indexed life insurance products. Bait-and-Switch on Inforce Renewal Rates Why would someone reduce the credited rates/caps/etc. on an inforce life insurance policy? How about because on indexed life, […]
Big Surprises That Might Rattle, or Delight, the Life Industry in 2022
{December 14th, 2021} by Warren S. Hersch
Wink CEO Sheryl Moore said that if yields on 10-year Treasuries — the primary benchmark for pricing fixed-rate and fixed-indexed annuities — were to hit 3% “that would be the biggest and best surprise.” The 10-year Treasury right now returns about 1.5% annually. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist
