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  • This Indexed Universal Life Product Has Been the Best-Seller for 3.5 years

    {December 10th, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    Transamerica Life‘s Financial Foundation IUL life insurance contract has delivered a record run of three-and-a-half years as the top-selling product across all sales channels, according to data compiled by industry watcher Wink. The 14 consecutive quarters represent the longest run for an indexed universal life product as a best-seller since Wink began publishing product-level sales in […]

    Indexed products lead Q3 life, annuity sales boom, Wink reports

    {December 3rd, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Indexed life and annuity products are the subject of many regulator meetings and class-action lawsuits. Despite that negative publicity, indexed life and annuity sales are booming. Wink, Inc. reported third-quarter annuity sales of $115.2 billion, up 6.6% compared to the previous quarter. All annuities include the multi-year guaranteed annuity, traditional fixed annuity, indexed annuity, structured annuity, variable annuity, immediate […]

    Annuities’ Bubble Shines! The World, Not So Much.

    {December 3rd, 2024} by Allison Bell

    Annuity market trends were strong in the third quarter, with executives from companies like Equitable, F&G and Jackson having little to say about sales beyond expressions of joy. Helpful factors include an increase in the number of baby boomers retiring, interest rates that are higher than they were during the 2009-2022 lower-for-longer period and more […]

    Two Carriers Dominate the Pack in the Fixed-Indexed Annuity Segment

    {December 3rd, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    Allianz Life’s Allianz Benefit Control Annuity was the best-selling indexed annuity in the third quarter, Wink reported on Tuesday. Wink tracks the life and annuity industry. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist   Wink’s Note: View Wink’s 3rd Quarter, 2024 Wink’s Sales & Market Report annuity sales results HERE

    Jackson gives a new spin on its investment-focused VAs, with guaranteed account balance option

    {October 29th, 2024} by Staff

    Data from Wink, Inc. show that the rider has spousal continuation for the different annuities on which it is available. Those who opt for the rider must allocate at least 30 percent of their contract’s assets to a fixed option, and it is not available in conjunction with Jackson’s Earnings Max Death Benefit, according to […]

    Security Benefit Releases New Fixed-Indexed Annuity With 20% Premium Bonus

    {October 16th, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    Security Benefit Life has joined the ranks of insurers rewarding buyers with a 20% premium bonus on a fixed-indexed annuity in the midst of a booming market for the product segment. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist   ……………………………………………………………………………………………. Athene‘s Performance Elite 15 Plus, a fixed-indexed annuity with a 15-year surrender […]

    Corebridge Tries Unusual Tweaks to Buffers, Caps on New Annuity

    {September 24th, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    Having an adjustable buffer gives the insurer more flexibility, said Peter Lamond, variable annuity product director with Wink, a life and annuity market research company. Normally, a buffer doesn’t need to be adjustable because when an account term ends, changes are made to cap, participation and trigger rates. But that doesn’t work if the lock rate is […]

    Corebridge Aims to Launch First RILA Product by Year’s End

    {September 18th, 2024} by Aaron Smith

    Corebridge CEO Kevin Hogan said that the insurer is planning to launch the carrier’s first RILA product this year, and hinted at more reinsurance deals with its Bermuda subsidiary. “Whilst we have a broad product range, we are looking forward to introducing our own version of a RILA product sometime before the end of the year,” said Hogan […]

    Life insurance sales deliver strong rebound in second quarter, Wink finds

    {September 10th, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Life insurance sales rebounded nicely during the second quarter, Wink, Inc. reported in its Sales and Market Report. Universal life sales for the quarter exceeded $1.1 billion, up 11.9% compared to the previous quarter. All universal life sales include fixed UL, indexed UL, and variable UL products. Click HERE to read the full story via INN

    Wink’s Annuity Sales & Market Report, 2Q2024

    {September 10th, 2024} by Editorial Staff

    Athene USA was the annuity sales leader (overall market share of 8.2%; 11.9% for non-variable deferred annuities), followed by MassMutual, Corebridge Financial, Equitable Financial and Nationwide. Total second quarter sales for all annuities were $109.6 billion; sales were up 3.7% when compared to the previous quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report for the […]

    Life Insurance Buyers Like the Stock Market

    {September 10th, 2024} by Allison Bell

    U.S. life insurance sales figures show buyers falling back in love with the investment markets in the second quarter. Issuers reported making $4 billion in individual life sales in the quarter, about the same as in the second quarter of 2023, according to new market survey data from LIMRA. Click HERE to read the full story via […]

    Q2 Buffered Annuity Sales Running ‘Neck and Neck’ with Traditional VAs

    {September 4th, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    High interest rates and demand for products with some downside protection helped sales of [structured] annuities edge out traditional variable annuities again in the second quarter, according to new research. April-through-June sales of the [structured] annuity product line, also known as registered index-linked annuities (RILAs), or  [buffered variable] annuities, rose 44.6% from a year ago […]

    Annuity sales ignore all disruptions in another strong quarter, Wink finds

    {August 27th, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Annuity sales paid no heed to regulatory pressure in the second quarter. Sales were not stunted by impending interest rate cuts. Not even the summer doldrums prevented a nearly 4% increase in Q2 sales, Wink, Inc. reported. Sales for all annuities were $109.6 billion when compared to the previous quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report.  […]

    Annuities post $109B sales record in Q2 as deferred annuities surge

    {August 27th, 2024} by Leo Alamazora

    Indexed and structured products logged robust double-digit growth as fixed-rate annuities face challenges from declining rates, says new report.   Annuity sales saw modest growth in the second quarter of 2024, rising nearly 4 percent from the previous quarter, according to a new report from market research firm Wink. Click HERE to read the full […]

    Traditional Variable Annuities Join the Sales Party

    {August 23rd, 2024} by Allison Bell

    Demand for annuities was so strong in the second quarter that sales of traditional variable annuities climbed to $16.5 billion, up 20% from the total recorded in the second quarter of 2023, according to new issuer survey data from Wink. [Structured (aka RILA)] annuities were the annuities with the strongest second-quarter performance: Their sales increased […]

    Annuities post $109B sales record in Q2 as deferred annuities surge

    {August 23rd, 2024} by Leo Alamazora

    Indexed and structured products logged robust double-digit growth as fixed-rate annuities face challenges from declining rates, says new report.  Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews

    Principal’s Retirement Market Strategy Takes Shape Amid Growing RILA Sales

    {August 7th, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    Industry watchers note that Principal’s product designs differentiate the carrier’s offerings and open new opportunities in the crowded market. “With the introduction of their new Secure Income Rider, Principal is giving themselves the opportunity to compete for clients in both the investment only and retirement income rider space,” said Peter Lamond, VA product director for Wink Inc. […]

    These 10 Variable Annuity Carriers Watched $61B Flee Their Products Last Year

    {July 3rd, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    Variable annuity carriers that have developed RILAs are “okay with a shift in sales mix to these products,” Wink CEO Sheryl Moore speculated, “given that most of them do not have living benefits riders on them, which are more difficult to price for.” Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Coming DOL fiduciary rule likely pushing annuity sales higher, Wink says

    {June 13th, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Deferred annuity sales were up nearly 19% in the first quarter over the same period last year, Wink, Inc. reported today. Click HERE to read the full story via INN   Wink’s Moore on the Market:  I predict that the DOL’s fiduciary rule is going to start a “fire sale” mentality in the annuity business. […]

    Whole life down as life insurance sales slump in Q1, Wink reports

    {June 13th, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Depressed whole life sales led a disappointing first quarter for the life insurance market, Wink, Inc. reported. Whole life sales hit $1 billion for the quarter, down 12.8% compared with the previous quarter, and down 7.4% compared to Q1 last year. Items of interest in the whole life market included the top primary pricing objective […]

    RILAs Are Not the Only Annuities With Sizzle

    {June 6th, 2024} by Allison Bell

    Registered index-linked annuity (structured annuity) sales are climbing — and so are sales of the RILAs older siblings, non-variable indexed annuities. Sales of non-variable indexed annuities climbed 29% between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, to $29 billion, according to new issuer survey data from Wink.   Read the full […]

    American Equity to move into downtown Des Moines building owned by Nationwide

    {June 6th, 2024} by Tyler Jett

    “As a large corporate employer and a good citizen, we want to be able to support a vibrant downtown,” Lorenzen said. “We think that’s important for the long-term success of Des Moines.” American Equity has an 8% share of the indexed annuity market, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The company currently leases offices […]

    Opinion: Why the DOL’s Retirement Security Rule is the emperor of all public policy mistakes

    {June 6th, 2024} by David Macchia

    Wink CEO, Sheryl Moore, was kind enough to share annuity sales data with me. In 2023, the largest segment of annuity sales was represented by multi-year guarantee annuities. MYGA sales totaled $153 billion. On those sales, insurance agents received an average commission of 1.9%. The second largest category was fixed index annuities. FIAs paid agents […]

    Pacific Life Debuts Indexed Life Product for High-Net-Worth Customers

    {April 16th, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    The rollout comes at a promising time for the product segment. In the fourth quarter of 2023, sales of indexed life, including indexed universal and whole insurance, totaled $799.1 million, a 5% rise from a year earlier, according to Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. Sales of indexed life insurance for all of 2023, the firm noted, […]

    Transamerica Parent on Acquirer’s Radar, Bloomberg Says

    {March 26th, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    Transamerica Financial Foundation was the top-selling indexed universal life product for all channels combined for the 11th consecutive quarter, according to newly released results from Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. Transamerica ranked second after National Life in overall indexed life sales. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Life Buyers Loosen Up in Q4

    {March 18th, 2024} by Allison Bell

    A stock market rebound pulled U.S. individual life insurance buyers back toward market-linked products in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to survey data from LIMRA and Wink. Wink focuses on nonvariable permanent life products. Click HERE to read the full story via Think Advisor.    Article excerpt:  Here’s how Wink saw sales revenue changing for […]

    Transamerica Parent on Acquirer’s Radar, Bloomberg Says

    {March 18th, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    Transamerica Financial Foundation was the top-selling indexed universal life product for all channels combined for the 11th consecutive quarter, according to newly released results from Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. Transamerica ranked second after National Life in overall indexed life sales. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed Life Carriers Raked in Record Sales in 2023, Wink Says

    {March 18th, 2024} by Warren S. Hersch

    Indexed life sales during October-December period, including both indexed universal and indexed whole products, came to $799.1 million, a 5% increase compared with the figure from a year before, which was itself a record, according to Wink‘s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed life sales break records in fourth quarter, Wink reports

    {March 13th, 2024} by Staff Reports

    Life insurance sales closed 2023 with a very strong fourth quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Non-variable universal life sales for the fourth quarter totaled $894.5 million, up more than 15.5% compared to the previous quarter and up 4.1% compared to the same period last year. Non-variable universal life (UL) sales include both […]

    Annuity sales set more records in Q4, Wink reports

    {March 12th, 2024} by John Hilton

    Total Q4 sales for all deferred annuities were $105.4 billion, up 33.1% compared to the previous quarter and up 32.9% compared to the same period last year. All deferred annuities include the variable annuity, structured annuity, indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity, and multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) product lines. Click HERE to read the full story via INN

    Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity Sales Get Back on the Rocket

    {March 6th, 2024} by Allison Bell

    U.S. life insurers refilled their tanks of multi-year guaranteed annuity capital in the fourth quarter of 2023. Life insurers let sales of the products rocket up to $53 billion in the quarter, up 48% from the total recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022, after increasing just 13% in the third quarter of 2023, according […]

    Everly Life to Launch IUL Product Through Policygenius

    {February 13th, 2024} by Aaron Smith

    Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, said the new product appears to be a cash accumulation-oriented indexed universal life policy, “which is not a simple sale for the typical insurance agent.” When asked whether IUL products are too complicated for digital distribution, Teel said that his company builds products tailored for […]

    Annuity Rate Changes Greet the New Year as Fed Eyes Spring Rate Cut

    {February 13th, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    “There has been a flurry of rate changes since the beginning of the year,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, publisher of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. But changes aren’t unusual, she noted. “Typically, annuity companies make their offerings more attractive during the fourth quarter of the year,” she said. “Things are just normalizing, now that the […]

    Life insurers should deliver solid Q4 and full 2023 earnings, analyst says

    {January 29th, 2024} by John Hilton

    Through three quarters, LIMRA and Wink, Inc. both reported record-setting annuity sales. In the first nine months of 2023, total annuity sales increased 21% to $270.6 billion, LIMRA found. Those full-year sales numbers will likely be equally as impressive and Wall Street analysts will take note. “We expect to continue to see strong growth in sales, led […]

    Expect More of This Feature on Fixed-Indexed Annuities in 2024

    {January 23rd, 2024} by Cyril Tuohy

    Article Excerpt: Indexed annuities are expected to book record sales in 2023 and nearly one in five new fixed-indexed contracts (18.07%) were sold with a premium bonus last year, according to AnnuitySpecs, a software tool from industry researcher Wink. That’s up from 2022, when 11.90% of new indexed annuities came with a premium bonus, Wink […]

    Total annuity sales break quarterly records

    {January 2nd, 2024} by Aspire Magazine

    Wink shares 3rd quarter sales results within fixed annuity, indexed annuity, and multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) markets. Click HERE to read the full story via Aspire Magazine   

    3Q Indexed Life Sales Record Modest Rise: Wink

    {December 19th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Third-quarter indexed universal life sales rose 2.4% from a year ago to $687.2 million, Wink reported last week. Sales dipped 5.3% compared with the second quarter, but remain on track to deliver a record year, Wink also reported. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed Life Sales Creep Higher: Wink

    {December 12th, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Consumers were making a little more use of indexed life insurance in the third quarter. Total U.S. sales of individual indexed life insurance increased 2.5% between the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2023, to $687 million, according to Wink. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor

    Life insurance sales take a dive in the third quarter, Wink reports

    {December 8th, 2023} by Staff Reports

    Life insurance sales were down across major product categories in the third quarter, Wink, Inc. reported in its quarterly Sales and Market Report. The sales news continues a recent trend of depressed life sales. Some analysts say peak growth opportunities fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic have passed. Click HERE to read the full story via INN

    Structured annuity sales soar higher in strong Q3 market, Wink reports

    {December 1st, 2023} by Staff Reports

    Structured annuities sold strong yet again in the third quarter, Wink, Inc. reported, showing that the unique products have more room to run. Also known as registered indexed-linked annuities, structured annuity sales in the third quarter were $11.4 billion, up 6% compared to Q2 and up 12.5% over Q3 2022. Structured annuities have a limited […]

    Annuity Product Sales Trend Lines Start to Converge

    {December 1st, 2023} by Allison Bell

    New annuity sales figures show that clients are warming up a little to investment risk. In spite of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the new conflict between Israel and Gaza, sales of U.S. individual deferred variable annuities rose 1% between the third quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of this year, to $24 […]

    Retirees Need Simple, Stable Annuity Options: Corebridge

    {November 21st, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs) are like the hammer in the carpenter’s toolbox. They’re so common they often get overlooked. But Bryan Pinsky, president of individual retirement at Corebridge Financial, said in a recent interview that Corebridge is happy to be in the multi-year market. Click HERE to read the full story via Think Advisor   […]

    Nationwide Updates Variable Annuity Income Riders

    {November 20th, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Nationwide has updated some of its variable annuity income guarantee riders. The Columbus, Ohio-based company changed the riders available with its Nationwide Advisory Retirement Income Annuity contract — a product aimed at fee-based advisors — as well as contracts designed to pay commissions. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor   Article excerpt:  […]

    Aspida Releases First Annuity With Income Feature

    {November 7th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Fast-growing Aspida Life has added a lifetime income feature to its Synergy Choice line of fixed-indexed annuities, the company said. —————————————————————————————- Article excerpt: Second-quarter sales of fixed-indexed annuities surged 28% from a year ago to $25.1 billion, according to market tracker Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The top-selling fixed-indexed annuity carriers in the April through June period […]

    PacLife Launches Variable Annuities Platform with SS&C

    {October 24th, 2023} by Aaron Smith

    Sales for variable annuities totaled $12.784 billion industrywide in the second quarter of 2023, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. That was a gain of 5% from the prior quarter, but a plunge of 20% from the year-ago quarter, when sales were $15.94 billion. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist. […]

    Loss-Reversal Features Are the Latest ‘Must-Have’ for Buffered Variable Annuities

    {September 26th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    “These dual strategies are providing additional ways for companies to innovate,” said Peter Lamond, variable annuity product director with Wink, which tracks the life and annuity market. The features offer clients not just protection, but some return in addition to protection, he said. For advisors looking to reassure clients, “down-is-up” features are a good selling point as […]

    Upstream Life Inks Annuity Reinsurance Deal with Buyer of Midwest Holding

    {September 26th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch

    Market research firm Wink also named the insurer as the fastest-growing annuity issuer in the first quarter of 2020. The company’s annuity sales grew more than 130 times to reach $25 million from less than $200,000 in the same period the previous year. Click HERE to read the full story via Lif Annuity Specialist

    Indexed Life Insurance Sales Climbed 7.6% Since Q2 2022: Wink

    {September 13th, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Some of the same forces that have been increasing indexed annuities in recent years pushed up sales of indexed life insurance in the second quarter, according to new survey data from Wink. Sales of the kinds of U.S. individual non-variable, cash-value life insurance policies that Wink tracks increased 7.6% between the second quarter of 2022 […]

    Wink, Inc. Releases Second Quarter, 2023 Life Sales Results

    {September 5th, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Some of the same forces that have been increasing indexed annuities in recent years pushed up sales of indexed life insurance in the second quarter, according to new survey data from Wink. Sales of the kinds of U.S. individual non-variable, cash-value life insurance policies that Wink tracks increased 7.6% between the second quarter of 2022 and […]

    Morningstar Researcher Casts Doubt on Exotic Index Performance

    {September 5th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    At the end of last year, there were 157 different indexes upon which consumers could earn interest on a fixed-indexed annuity, according to Wink’s AnnuitySpecs tool. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Allianz, Athene and Corebridge Lead 2Q Fixed-Indexed Annuity Sales

    {September 1st, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Second-quarter sales of fixed-indexed annuities surged 28% from a year ago to $25.1 billion with three familiar carriers at the top of the league table, market researcher Wink reported Thursday. Allianz Life was the top-selling fixed-indexed annuity company followed by Athene and Corebridge Financial, which was spun off from American International Group last September, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to […]

    Charting the course of life insurance

    {September 1st, 2023} by John Forcucci

    Rising interest rates have not helped life insurance in the same way they have helped other investment products, according to Wink’s Sheryl Moore “My take is that the life insurance products haven’t been able to take advantage of increased rates as much, just because they primarily use portfolio crediting rather than new money,” Moore explained. […]

    Sales of a Hot Fixed Annuity Product Start to Cool

    {August 31st, 2023} by Allison Bell

    U.S. retail annuity sales continue to grow, but sales of one type of product that has been especially popular — the multi-year guaranteed annuity contract — are cooling. Total individual annuity sales increased to $80 billion in the second quarter, up 9.6% from total for the second quarter of 2022, according to new annuity issuer […]

    Athene’s Q2 YTD Annuity Sales Soared 132% Over Last Year

    {August 31st, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    In the second quarter, the Allianz Benefit Control Annuity was the best-selling fixed-indexed contract, market researcher Wink reported earlier. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed annuity products set record of $25.1B in Q2, Wink finds

    {August 28th, 2023} by Staff Reports

    Indexed annuity sales roared even higher during the second quarter, according to the Wink Sales & Market Report, setting an all-time quarterly record. “With rates being as strong as they are, it is no surprise that indexed annuity sales are setting records all over the place,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO of both Wink, Inc., and […]

    Indexed, MYGA annuities set Q1 sales record, says Wink

    {August 8th, 2023} by Doug Bailey

    Annuity sales are on a hot streak. In fact, indexed and multi-year guaranteed annuities set an all-time sales record in the first quarter of 2023, with deferred annuity sales at $84.7 billion, up 6.8% compared to the previous quarter, and up a whopping 41.9% compared to the same period last year. Deferred annuities include the […]

    Despite Milliman Pullback, Carriers to Continue Offering Buffered Funds

    {June 21st, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Corebridge has added some additional subaccounts, so removing these is probably about looking to find the right balance,” said Peter Lamond, variable annuity product director for market researcher Wink. “For Milliman, they would have the cost of maintaining funds that aren’t being utilized, so liquidating them would make sense.” Click HERE to read the full story […]

    Life insurance sales down ‘across the board,’ Wink reports

    {June 2nd, 2023} by John Hilton

    Life insurance sales suffered greatly from several disruptions in the first quarter, posting sales losses across the board, Wink, Inc. reported today. Traditionally, life insurance sales struggle in the first quarter because of the ramped-up sales efforts to close out the previous year, noted Sheryl Moore, CEO of both Moore Market Intelligence and Wink. Still, […]

    Why MYGAs are enjoying a renaissance

    {June 1st, 2023} by Susan Rupe

    It’s the golden age of MYGAs, one annuity expert declared, as sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities more than doubled between 2021 and 2022. A recent webinar by the National Association for Fixed Annuities delved into the reasons why MYGAs are reaping the benefits of what another expert called “a perfect storm” that combined a record-breaking drop in […]

    Indexed, MYGA annuities set Q1 sales record, says Wink

    {June 1st, 2023} by Doug Bailey

    Annuity sales are on a hot streak. In fact, indexed and multi-year guaranteed annuities set an all-time sales record in the first quarter of 2023, with deferred annuity sales at $84.7 billion, up 6.8% compared to the previous quarter, and up a whopping 41.9% compared to the same period last year. Deferred annuities include the […]

    Security Benefit Adds New Annuity Indexes to Manage Volatility

    {April 25th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch

    Volatility indexes are increasingly prevalent in fixed-indexed annuities. In the third quarter, contract holders allocated 41.4% of fixed-indexed annuity premiums to hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. That category includes volatility-controlled indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    What You Need to Know About Risks From Volatility Index Lawsuits

    {April 25th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Q: If litigation blows up, how big of a problem might this be? A: Pretty big, potentially. In the fourth quarter, 37.9% of premiums for fixed-indexed annuities were tied to the performance of hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The hybrid category includes volatility-control indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life […]

    What You Need to Know About Risks From Volatility Index Lawsuits

    {April 18th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Q: If litigation blows up, how big of a problem might this be? A: Pretty big, potentially. In the fourth quarter, 37.9% of premiums for fixed-indexed annuities were tied to the performance of hybrid indexes, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The hybrid category includes volatility-control indexes. Click HERE to read the full story via Life […]

    Volatility Indexes May Go on Trial After Security Benefit Legal Setback

    {April 4th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Volatility indexes command a large share of the market for the products. In the third quarter, 44% of the premiums for fixed-indexed annuities went toward the S&P 500 Index, with hybrid indexes a close second, at 41.4%, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. This category includes volatility-controlled indexes. The annuities mentioned in the suit are […]

    Rising Rates Pushing Sales of Deferred Annuities Higher

    {March 28th, 2023} by dkorth@finsum.com

    While rising interest rates might make things difficult for life insurance company risk managers, they were great for individual fixed annuity sales in the fourth quarter of 2022. According to new issuer survey data from Wink, overall sales of all types of deferred contracts increased 30% between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth […]

    Why MYGAs are enjoying a renaissance

    {March 28th, 2023} by Susan Rupe

    It’s the golden age of MYGAs, one annuity expert declared, as sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities more than doubled between 2021 and 2022. A recent webinar by the National Association for Fixed Annuities delved into the reasons why MYGAs are reaping the benefits of what another expert called “a perfect storm” that combined a record-breaking drop in […]

    Wink, Inc. ranks National Life Group #1 in indexed life sales for 8 quarters in a row

    {March 28th, 2023} by National Life Group

    Wink, Inc., an industry analyzer, named National Life Group #1 in indexed life sales for the past eight quarters, totaling all of 2021 and 2022. Announced in a March 7 news release, Wink states: “Items of interest in the indexed life market included National Life Group retaining their #1 ranking in indexed life sales, with a […]

    VA sales slump to lowest level in 25+ years, Wink Inc. reports

    {March 21st, 2023} by Press Release

    Wink Inc. reported deferred annuity sales in both the fourth quarter, and in all of 2022, were the greatest they have been since Wink began tracking sales of the product in 2015. It is likely the greatest sales have ever been for deferred annuities. Total fourth quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $79.3 billion; sales were […]

    Rising Rates Push Sales of Individual Deferred Annuities Higher: Wink

    {March 21st, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Soaring interest rates might complicate the lives of life insurance company risk managers, but they were great for individual fixed annuity sales in the fourth quarter of 2022. Overall sales of all types of deferred contracts increased 30% between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the latest quarter, to $79 billion, according to new issuer […]

    Indexed universal life drives strong 2022 sales, Wink reports

    {March 14th, 2023} by Staff Reports

    Consumers love indexed universal life, a love affair that remained strong in the fourth quarter 2022, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Indexed life sales for the fourth quarter were $752.2 million, up 12.1% compared with the previous quarter, and up 4.7% compared to the same period last year. Indexed life sales include both […]

    Fixed Universal Life Needs Innovation as Sales Fall Again, Wink Says

    {March 14th, 2023} by Cyril Tuohy

    Fourth-quarter sales of fixed universal life insurance tumbled 22% from a year earlier to $109.6 million, according to Wink. Sheryl Moore, CEO of Wink, said in a statement that sales of the product are probably at their lowest since it was introduced almost 45 years ago, adding that “there definitely needs to be some new innovation […]

    Indexed Life Sales Continue to Rise

    {March 14th, 2023} by Allison Bell

    Indexed life insurance policies continued to sell well in the fourth quarter, as sales of two other types of non-variable cash value life insurance dropped. Wink — a Des Moines, Iowa-based life and annuity market monitoring firm — published on Tuesday a new insurer survey report exploring U.S. individual life insurance sales trends. Click HERE […]

    Regulators Nix This Odd Policy Rider for Straying Over The Line

    {February 6th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch

    The rider is automatically issued with the contract, at no extra cost. National Life said in a news release that it became available on all FlexLife indexed life policies beginning Jan. 28, “depending on state approval.” The carrier is the industry’s top seller of indexed life insurance, according to research firm Wink. Click HERE to read […]

    What Is a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity?

    {January 18th, 2023} by John Egan for Forbes Advisor

    In the third quarter of 2022, sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities totaled $27.4 billion, up 4.7% from the previous quarter and 138% from the same period in 2021, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink attributes the rising popularity of MYGAs to higher interest rates. Click HERE to read the full story via Nasdaq

    Transamerica, a Universal Life Sales Leader, Unveils New Product

    {January 10th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch

    Transamerica’s Financial Foundation IUL, a product featuring two of the index options of the company’s new offering but a lower minimum face amount — $25,000 for Foundation versus $250,000 for Choice — was the top-selling indexed life insurance in the third quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Transamerica ranked second for overall indexed life […]

    These 22 Life Insurers Just Saw Over 10% Growth in Premiums

    {January 10th, 2023} by Warren S. Hersch

    National Life, the industry’s top seller of indexed life insurance according to research firm Wink, saw a doubling of renewal premiums over the last five years, according to an investor update presentation released in June. Life insurance premiums accounted for more than two-thirds of the 2021 total. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed Life Insurance Sales Rose 11% in Third Quarter, Wink Says

    {December 13th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    Third-quarter sales of indexed universal life insurance rose 11% from a year ago to $670.7 million, according to market researcher Wink. The top five carriers in the segment were National Life Group, with a 14.4% share, followed by Transamerica, Pacific Life, John Hancock and Nationwide. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed life sales lead the way in strong third quarter, Wink reports

    {December 6th, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Indexed life insurance continues to drive growth, despite regulation pressures and other disruptions, according to the latest Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Indexed life sales for the third quarter were $670.7 million, down 2.1% when compared with the previous quarter, and up 11.3% as compared to the same period last year. Indexed life sales include […]

    Indexed Life Insurance Sales Beat Q3 Sales Doldrums

    {December 5th, 2022} by Allison Bell

    The third quarter was a better quarter for sales of indexed life insurance than for other forms of non-variable cash-value life insurance, according to new life sales survey data from Wink. Annualized premiums from sales of indexed life insurance increased more than 10%, but sales of whole life insurance and traditional fixed universal life insurance […]

    Citizens to Offer ‘White Label’ Life Insurance to Widen Distribution

    {December 5th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    Insurance holding company Citizens wants to broaden its distribution by selling life and final expense coverage under the brand of a South Carolina-based agency.   Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist    In the second quarter, 56.5% of whole life sales were for policies where the primary focus was final expense, according […]

    Indexed, Multiyear Guaranteed Annuity Sales Rise In Q3

    {November 29th, 2022} by Karen Demasters

    Sales for annuities were a mixed bag for the third quarter of 2022, but multiyear guaranteed annuities and indexed annuities saw remarkable gains, according to a report by Wink, Inc., an insurance industry data reporting organization based in Des Moines, Iowa. Total third quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $72.4 billion, a decrease of […]

    Indexed products headline strong 3Q annuity sales, Wink reports

    {November 28th, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Third-quarter sales of deferred annuities soared nearly 21% over the year-ago quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. All deferred annuities include the variable annuity, structured annuity, indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity, and MYGA product lines. Indexed products led the way, said Sheryl Moore, CEO of both Wink, Inc. and Moore Market Intelligence. Click […]

    Symetra Debuts Indexed Life Insurance That Adjusts to Volatility

    {November 22nd, 2022} by Warren S. Hersch

    Symetra Life Insurance, an arm of Symetra Financial, has unveiled new indexed universal life insurance. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist   ………………………………………………………….. National Life was the top seller during the April-June period, garnering a 13.9% market share, according to market research firm Wink. Transamerica, Pacific Life, Nationwide and Sammons Financial rounded out the top five carriers.

    The Leading Seller of Indexed Universal Life Has a New Weapon

    {September 26th, 2022} by Aaron Smith

    National Life had a 14.2% share of the market for indexed life policies in 2021, compared with 10.4% for No. 2 Pacific Life, according to Wink. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Ohio National Rolls Out Whole Life Product Linked to Indexes

    {September 20th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    In the second quarter, sales of whole life insurance fell 3% from a year earlier, as measured by premiums, Limra reported on Tuesday. Market research firm Wink, which does its own survey, reported an even steeper drop of 6% to $1.1 billion. The category of final expense captured 56.5% of sales, Wink reported. MassMutual was the top seller of whole life […]

    Second-Quarter Life Sales Point to End of the Covid ‘Dividend’

    {September 20th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

     The average premium per whole life policy for the second quarter was $3,513, according to Wink’s Sales and Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist

    Indexed Life Sales Up as Fixed Universal Sales Drop

    {September 13th, 2022} by Alex Padalka

    Indexed universal life sales rose in the second quarter of 2022 as fixed universal life sales dropped, according to a recent report. Sales in indexed life reached $685.5 million in the second quarter, a total 12% greater than that of the same quarter last year, FA-IQ sister publication Life Annuity Specialist writes, citing a report […]

    MYGA sales power 2Q, Wink reports, overcoming variable sales decline

    {September 7th, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Total second-quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $72.8 billion, an increase of 21.9% when compared to the previous quarter and an increase of more than 12.8% when compared to the same period last year, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Sales were powered by an 80% increase in multi-year guaranteed annuities, while variable […]

    Indexed life sales continue record-setting pace in 2Q, Wink reports

    {September 7th, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Indexed life insurance sales continued a strong pace during the second quarter, according to the Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Non-variable universal life sales for the second quarter were $790.3 million, up 7.1% when compared to the previous quarter and up 4.4% as compared to the same period last year. Non-variable universal life sales include […]

    MYGA sales surpass all other annuities while variable sales plummet in Q2

    {September 7th, 2022} by Insurance Forums Staff

    Multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) sales in the second quarter of 2022 hit $26.2 billion—up more than 79.9% when compared to the previous quarter, and up 81.8% when compared to the same period last year according to the 100th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity sales exploded again this quarter,” said Sheryl Moore, CEO […]

    Global Atlantic’s First Structured Annuity Has a Moving Floor

    {July 26th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    Global Atlantic Financial Group has jumped into the market for structured annuities with a product that has a dynamic, moving “floor” to protect against losses. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist     “I can’t think of anyone that currently does the same as this,” said Peter Lamond, variable annuity product director […]

    As Indexed Life Sales Jump, Penn Mutual Rolls Out New Product

    {July 12th, 2022} by Warren S. Hersch

    Separately, Wink reported National Life Group was the product segment’s top seller in the first quarter, with an 11.1% market share. Others among the top five included Pacific Life, Nationwide, Transamerica, and John Hancock. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    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 […]

    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 

    MYGA sales growth dominates among deferred annuities in 1Q 2022, Wink report finds

    {May 31st, 2022} by Insurance Forums Staff

    Total first quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $59.7 billion; a decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 2.2% compared to the same period last year, according to the 99th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report for 1st Quarter, 2022. All deferred annuities include the variable annuity, structured […]

    Annuity Buyers Rush for the Raincoats

    {May 31st, 2022} by Allison Bell

    The battle between the raincoats and the beach towels showed up last week in new annuity issuer sales survey data from Wink. Overall deferred annuity sales increased just 2.2% between the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of this year, to $60 billion. Sales of the kinds of non-variable products that can protect your […]

    Pacific Life Names CFO, Makes Other Moves as Button Takes Helm

    {April 12th, 2022} by Aaron Smith

    Pacific Life is one of the largest issuers of traditional variable annuities, with $5.58 billion of sales last year, according to the Secure Retirement Institute. It was the biggest seller of indexed universal life insurance for four years in a row, until National Life nabbed the top spot last year, according to market research firm Wink. Click HERE to […]

    House Panel to Consider Bill That Might Make Hot Annuities Hotter

    {April 5th, 2022} by Allison Bell

    Insurers like offering RILAs, because administering RILA programs is relatively affordable, and the fact that they are registered as securities helps an insurer decide just how much investment risk to assume. Issuer support for the products has pushed sales higher.\ Wink, an annuity sales data vendor, says RILA sales increased 20% between the fourth quarter […]

    2021 Annuity Sales Shake Pandemic With 16.5% Increase, Wink Finds

    {March 22nd, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Total 2021 deferred annuity sales of $243.6 billion represented a major bounceback year for the industry and a 16.5% increase over 2020 sales, according to new Wink’s Sales & Market Report data. Total 2020 deferred annuity sales fell to $209.1 billion amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Wink reported. Total fourth-quarter sales for all deferred annuities were […]

    Behind National Life’s Rise to No. 1 Seller of Indexed Universal Life

    {March 22nd, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    National Life last year dethroned Pacific Life after the Newport Beach, Calif., insurer held the top spot for indexed life sales for four straight years, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. National Life had a 14.2% share of the market in 2021, compared with 10.4% for No. 2 Pacific Life. In 2020, Pacific Life held a 14.3% […]

    Individual Annuity Sales Continue to Grow: Wink

    {March 21st, 2022} by Allison Bell

    What You Need to Know [Structured] annuities were the growth leaders. MYGA sales fell. Traditional fixed annuity sales increased a little. Annuity issuers and buyers favored products with the most flexible crediting rates in the fourth quarter of 2021. Overall sales increased 8.1% between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2021, […]

    ‘Robust’ Life Insurance Industry Despite COVID, AM Best Reports

    {March 15th, 2022} by Steven A. Morelli

    But fixed products had a good year with a boffo fourth quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Universal life sales were $861.5 million, up 20% compared to the third quarter and 16.25% over 4Q 2021. Indexed universal and whole life sales led the way in the Wink report with their highest-ever quarter with […]

    Indexed Life Sales Smash More Records During 4Q 2021, Wink Reports

    {March 8th, 2022} by Staff Reports

    Non-variable universal life sales for the fourth quarter were $861.5 million, up 20% compared to the third quarter and 16.25% over 4Q 2021, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Total 2021 non-variable universal life sales were $2.9 billion. Non-variable universal life sales include both indexed UL and fixed UL product sales. Click HERE to […]

    Whole Life Sales Soar

    {March 8th, 2022} by Allison Bell

    U.S. life insurers are reporting big increases in sales of non-variable individual life insurance products for the fourth quarter of 2021. Combined sales of non-variable indexed universal life and non-variable indexed whole life policies increased 16% between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2021, to $718 million, according to new life […]

    Pacific Life’s Four-Year Reign Ends as Top Seller of Indexed Life

    {March 8th, 2022} by Cyril Tuohy

    National Life Group dethroned Pacific Life in 2021, after the Newport Beach, Calif., insurer held the top spot for four straight years, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist

    Wink opens annuity data library to its subscribers

    {February 8th, 2022} by Editorial Staff

    Wink, Inc., announced this week that subscribers to its AnnuitySpecs service, which gathers and distributes annuity and life insurance contract data and competitive intelligence, will have access to a new library of product-related resources on the firm’s WinkIntel.com site.  Click HERE to read the full story via RIJ

    Benefits and retirement newsmakers: American Sustainable Business Network, Babyscripts, Carillon Tower Advisers

    {December 21st, 2021} by C.J. Marwitz

    From partnerships to new hires, to acquisitions and awards, the employee benefits industry has been busy this fall. Here are a few of the latest announcements to keep you updated. Wink, Inc. announced Victoria L. Grossman has been named the President of Wink, Inc. Sheryl J. Moore, who has been CEO and President of Wink since she founded […]

    How a Variable Annuity Became No. 1 for Sales, and Stayed There

    {December 14th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    How Jackson has been able to keep its best-selling product fresh and popular over the years is a story anchored partly in rider features and wholesale distribution, said Peter Lamond, variable annuities product director for Wink. One thing that helped is that Jackson emerged better from the financial carnage of the post-2008 era, he said. Many life […]

    Wink Sees Mixed Q3 Life Sales Results [compared to 3Q 2020]

    {December 14th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    A combination of low interest rates, inflation worries and a new, intense COVID-19 surge put U.S. life insurance prospects in a thoughtful mood in the third quarter. Wink, a Des Moines, Iowa-based life and annuity market tracking company, says the life insurers that participated in its voluntary individual life issuer survey program reported mixed results […]

    Insurance and annuity intelligence firm Wink names Grossman as new president

    {December 14th, 2021} by Staff

    Des Moines-based life insurance and annuity product data provider Wink Inc. has named Victoria Grossman as president, the firm announced. Sheryl Moore, who has been the CEO and president of Wink since founding the market intelligence company 16 years ago, will continue in her role as chairwoman and CEO, focusing on strategy and business development.  Click HERE […]

    FIAs maintain sales momentum in 3Q21: Wink

    {December 7th, 2021} by Editorial Staff

    Fixed indexed annuity (FIA) sales were $17.3bn; up 4.0% from 2Q2021 and up 25.6% from 3Q2020. Allianz Life was the top seller, with a 13.3% market share. The Allianz Benefit Control Annuity was the top-selling FIA.  Click HERE to read the full story via RIJ

    Wink Reports 10% Increase in Individual Deferred Annuity Sales

    {December 7th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    Consumers’ inflation fears helped sales of individual annuities that offer income growth potential in the third quarter and hurt sales of other individual annuities. Wink has reported the details in a summary of results from its latest annuity issuer survey. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor

    Distributors Hope a Simple Annuity Will Tempt Fee-Based Advisors

    {December 7th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    The products, also called multi-year guaranteed annuities, are filling out the lineup of choices that a fee-based advisor can make. Sales are still minuscule, or roughly $10 million for the third quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report, but Lau sees growth potential. Click HERE to read the full story via LifeAnnuitySpecialist

    New Annuity to Tempt Fee-Based Advisors With Fatter Fixed Rate

    {November 9th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    Registered investment advisors only account for 2% of variable annuity sales, based on data from research firm Wink. The number dips to less than 1% for three other categories of annuities: fixed-indexed, index-linked variable and multi-year guaranteed. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    NAIBLA ID Trends

    {November 9th, 2021} by NAILBA

    Wink, Inc shares the latest Q2 sales for all deferred annuity, indexed annuity and fixed annuity by quarter and distribution channel.  Visit NAILBA.org/ID Trends for: Trends in life apps What’s impacting DI market Plus deep dive into annuities, top technology, and much more…   Shifting into high gear for business success!  

    How an IMO Collapsed, Stung by Premium Financing Gone Wrong

    {October 19th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    New court documents shed light on what happened to Shurwest, a company that found an engine of growth in sales of indexed universal life insurance. U.S. sales of the products in the second quarter jumped 23% to $628 million from a year earlier, Wink’s Sales & Market Report said earlier this month. Click HERE to read the […]

    Deferred annuity sales up 10% in 2Q2021: WINK

    {October 19th, 2021} by Editorial Staff

    Jackson National, Equitable, Allianz Life, AIG and New York Life were the market share leaders in major annuity product categories in the second quarter of 2021, according to Sheryl Moore’s Wink, Inc. Total second quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $64.4 billion; an increase of more than 10.0% when compared to the previous quarter […]

    Life Insurance Sales Strong Across Product Lines In 2Q, Wink Reports

    {October 13th, 2021} by Staff Reports

    Non-variable universal life sales for the second quarter were $779.2 million, up 19.9% when compared to the previous quarter and up 18.1% as compared to the same period last year, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Non-variable universal life sales include both indexed UL and fixed UL product sales. Noteworthy highlights for total non-variable […]

    Variable Annuity Sales Continue to Rocket Higher: Wink

    {October 11th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    Sales of all individual deferred annuities did well in the United States in the second quarter, and sales of variable annuities soared, according to new issuer survey data from Wink Inc. Total U.S. sales of individual deferred products increased 40% between the second quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021, to $64 billion, the […]

    National Life Grabs Market Share for Indexed Life Sales, Wink Says

    {October 11th, 2021} by Aaron Smith

    National Life Group gained market share and held its top rank for indexed life insurance sales in the second quarter, according to Wink’s Sales and Market Report. The company’s share of the market segment grew to 16.9% in the second quarter, from 14.4% in the first three months, according to the report published by Wink. Click HERE to […]

    Second Quarter Deferred Annuity Sales Up 10-40%, Wink Reports

    {October 5th, 2021} by Staff Reports

    Total second-quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $64.4 billion, an increase of more than 10% when compared to the previous quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Sales represent an increase of 40.4% when compared to the same period last year, Wink reported. Click HERE to read the full story via INN

    These Six Fast-Growing Small Annuity Issuers May Be Your Next Rivals

    {August 30th, 2021} by Warren S. Hersch

    Wink reported in April of last year that Upstream Life had the most competitive rates for multi-year guaranteed annuities, with term periods as long as 15 years for its Secure Foundation and Secure Legacy products. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Why Last Year’s Market Scare Fueled Sales of One Type of Annuity

    {July 20th, 2021} by Warren S. Hersch

    Sales of indexed annuities featuring “hybrid” indexes have climbed steadily higher, surpassing $8 billion at the close of the first quarter, a 17% rise from the same period in 2020, according to data from Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Long Reach of Regulators Seen in Shrinking Penalty Periods on Annuities

    {July 13th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    In the first quarter of 2016, slightly more than 10% of fixed-indexed annuity sales were of products that had periods of at least 14 years, according to data from market research firm Wink. Click HERE to read the full story via INN. 

    Jackson’s Perspective II Continues to Dominate Individual Sales, Report Says

    {July 13th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    The contract has been the best-selling single deferred annuity product for nine consecutive quarters, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Deferred annuities include variable, structured, indexed, one-year fixed and multi-year guaranteed annuities, Wink reported. First quarter sales for all deferred annuities rose 10.3% over the year-ago period, Wink said. Click HERE to read the full […]

    Universal Life Insurance Sales Plummet in Q1

    {July 13th, 2021} by Michael S. Fischer

    Life insurance sales continued their downward trend in the first quarter, affected by market volatility combined with persistent low interest rates, according to Wink’s sales and market report, released this week. Total non-variable universal life sales for the first quarter finished at $649.9 million, down 12.2% from the previous quarter and down 15.6% from the […]

    Structured Annuity Sales Begin To Close The Gap On Indexed Annuities

    {June 29th, 2021} by Staff

    Annuity research firm Wink, Inc. has released it 1st Quarter, 2021 deferred annuity sales results. Wink’s Sales & Market Report is the insurance industry’s #1 resource for annuity sales data since 1997. Sixty-one indexed annuity providers, 46 fixed annuity providers, 66 multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) providers, 14 structured annuity providers, and 43 variable annuity providers […]

    Annuity Sales Rise 10% in Q1: Wink

    {June 28th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    Low interest rates are continuing to push U.S. life insurers toward offering annuities without minimum annual return guarantee, according to new issuer survey data from Wink Inc. U.S. sales of individual deferred annuities climbed to $58 billion, up 10% from the total for the first quarter of 2020, the Des Moines, Iowa-based firm says. Click HERE […]

    Examining the Indices in Index-Linked Annuities

    {June 15th, 2021} by Kerry Pechter

    Relatively speaking, an indexed annuity was once as simple as a Schwinn bicycle with fat tires and a three-speed gear shift. The early contracts gave policyholders partial exposure to the growth of just three or four common indices: the S&P 500, the NASDAQ and the Russell 2000 or MSCI-EAFE. Today’s indexed annuities are more like […]

    The Point of Indexing (in Annuities)

    {June 8th, 2021} by Kerry Pechter

    Today, a single indexed annuity contract might include as many as 15 different index choices. About 48% of all fixed indexed annuity (FIA) sales are still allocated to the S&P 500 Index, according to Wink. But almost 40% now gets applied to “hybrid” indexes that blend the performance of stocks and bonds or dynamically allocate between […]

    Sammons Units Update Universal Life Policies After IRS Code Change

    {June 1st, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    Sales of indexed life fell 14.3% in the fourth quarter to $621.3 million, Wink’s Sales & Market Report said earlier this month. Total 2020 indexed life sales were $2.1 billion. Indexed life sales include both indexed UL and indexed whole life. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Indexed Life Sales Back On The Uptick In 4Q

    {May 25th, 2021} by News Release

    Indexed life sales were back on the uptick in the fourth quarter 2020 while the death knell sounded for traditional universal life insurance. That was the word as Wink, Inc. released the fourth quarter, 2020 life sales results in its 94th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Non-variable universal life sales for […]

    Individual Permanent Life Sales Cooled in Q4: Wink

    {May 24th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    Wink Inc. says fixed universal life, indexed life and whole life sales sales fell to about $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020, down from about $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. Low interest rates and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to weigh on sales of permanent life products, despite results from […]

    Cautious Investors Do Surprisingly Well in Buffered Annuity Study

    {May 18th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    Sales rose 71% to $8.4 billion in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, according to market researcher Wink. Allianz Life was the top seller of buffered annuities, with a market share of 21.6%, Wink said. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist. 

    Sales for 10 Smaller Annuity Issuers More Than Doubled Last Year

    {May 11th, 2021} by Ming Li

    Dallas-based Upstream Life’s individual annuity sales quadrupled to $188 million. Last April, market research firm Wink said the insurer was paying the best rates on five different multi-year guaranteed annuities that had terms from three to 15 years. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    Wink Sees 5.6% Increase in Individual Deferred Annuity Sales

    {May 11th, 2021} by Allison Bell

    Low interest rate winds pushed U.S. individual deferred annuity sales way up or way down in the fourth quarter of 2020. Overall sales increased 5.6%, according to new issuer survey data from Wink Inc. Click HERE to read more.    Click HERE to view Wink’s Press Release   Click HERE to read more from Wink’s CEO

    Equitable Rides Record Sales of Buffered Annuity in Fourth Quarter

    {March 2nd, 2021} by Warren S. Hersch

    Equitable accounted for 29% of index-linked variable annuity volume in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. But the New York-based insurer, which once dominated the segment, is now in a fierce fight for the top spot with others, including Allianz Life, Brighthouse Financial and Lincoln Financial. Click HERE to read the full story via […]

    Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program!

    {February 24th, 2021} by Wink's Intel Pros

    Congratulations to our CEO, Sheryl Moore on being selected to participate in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program! Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and business support services. Sheryl, we are proud of the passion and innovation that you bring to […]

    Official Wink holiday on 2/25

    {February 24th, 2021} by Wink's RockStars

    It’s Sheryl’s birthday on Thursday! Will you help us make the day extra special? Be sure to drop her some wishes via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, good ole’ snail mail or shoot over a note!  

    Last Chance! Prepare for sales takeoff at NAILBA 39: Engage!

    {February 24th, 2021} by Wink's Intel Pros

    Sign in to Chat with us at NAILBA 39:Engage ✈️! Interested in our products? Land at our virtual booth to sign-up for a demo and receive a SUPER FASHIONABLE “I ❤️ Annuities/Life Insurance” t-shirt.

    Insure Your Love

    {February 10th, 2021} by Wink's RockStars

    February is #InsureYourLove Month. This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget what is important. 

    Presidents’ Day

    {February 10th, 2021} by Jamie Johnson

    The Wink offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th in observance of the holiday. 

    Penn Mutual Rolls Out Guaranteed Life Policy as Others Shun Market

    {January 13th, 2021} by Cyril Tuohy

    Penn Mutual’s share of the $625 million in fixed and indexed universal life sales during the third quarter stood at 2.67%, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist

    USAA Unveils Three-Year Fixed Annuity As Its Sales Surge

    {January 6th, 2021} by Warren S. Hersch

    [Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity] Sales in the third quarter totaled $16.6 billion, a 70% rise from the same period in 2019, according to market research firm Wink. Products carrying three-year guarantees, such as USAA’s, are among the most popular products in the segment: About half of the top-selling multi-year annuities by channel fall into the category, […]

    How Index-Linked Annuities Buffer Against Market Shocks Like the Coronacrash

    {December 23rd, 2020} by David Stone

    Markets shed 40% back in March as efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus drove the economy to a near halt. Though they bounced back remarkably fast, the economic outlook is uncertain, unemployment is high, and volatility is expected to remain until COVID-19 vaccines are widely distributed and are finally bringing the pandemic under control. […]

    Annuity Trends

    {December 16th, 2020} by NAILBA

    Visit NAILBA.org/ID Trends 2020 to better understand what is going on in the market with supporting data, and experts sharing ideas for business growth.       

    Whole Life lone bright spot in down Q3 for life insurance sales

    {December 9th, 2020} by Insurance Forums Staff

    Sales of whole life insurance were up 12.9% in the third quarter of 2020, making it the only category that shined amid an otherwise dismal quarter for life insurance. Sales totaled $1,053.2 million, which while besting the second quarter in this pandemic-challenged year, was actually down 10.2% compared to the third quarter of 2019, according […]

    3Q Annuity Sales Reveal Good News, So-So News Amid Pandemic

    {December 9th, 2020} by Staff Reports

    Third-quarter annuity sales numbers included some good news, and some so-so news. Wink reports that deferred annuities sales came to $54.2 billion, an increase of more than 18% over the devastating second quarter. However, the $54.2 billion is still a decline of 1.1% when compared to the same period last year, said Sheryl J. Moore, […]

    Whole Life Sales Lone Bright Spot In Third-Quarter Sales: Wink

    {December 2nd, 2020} by Staff Reports

    Whole life insurance sales had a mild comeback during the third quarter, with overall sales data underscoring how far the industry has yet to go to recoup business. Third-quarter sales of whole life registered $1.05 billion, up 12.9% when compared with the previous quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. But sales were down […]

    As Insurers Fight for Fixed-Rate Annuity Sales, Commissions Fall

    {November 26th, 2020} by Warren S. Hersch

    The decline in commissions for the products, called multi-year guaranteed annuities, comes as third-quarter sales jumped to $16.6 billion, up 70% from a year earlier, according to Wink. The leading sellers of the products have also changed, to Sammons Financial and MassMutual from AIG and New York Life in the same quarter of 2019. Wink CEO Sheryl Moore couldn’t be reached for comment. Click HERE […]

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