Research & Reports
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from March, 2024
In March we saw some new variable portfolio registrations, however most filing activity had to do with managerial changes and other alterations to existing offerings…
An Update on Notable VA Changes and Related Developments
In this report we’ll get started with coverage of noteworthy changes made to traditional variable annuities and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) so far this year, along with tracking of rate sheet updates…
Thoughts on Annuity Industry Sales Trends and Tendencies
About this time last year, we weighed in on final annuity sales figures from LIMRA from the prior year and will do so again in this commentary, and consider factors that led to immense growth...
Wrapping Up Coverage of Defined Outcome Portfolios for 2023
Over the last quarter of 2023, the number of variable defined outcome portfolios in the industry declined considerably, as many ceased operations. In this report we will conclude our reporting on these portfolios for that...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from February, 2024
Usually during February we see an increase in new variable portfolio registrations, in preparation for their additions to investment platforms during the May prospectus update season. This time around things were fairly slow compared to...
On RILAs in the Pipeline and Other Variable Annuity Developments
Already this year we have devoted a few of our weekly commentaries to developments related to registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) but so much has been going on with those products of late that we need...
Notes on 4Q23 Results of Selected Stock-Traded Annuity Insurers
Annuity sales for stock-traded insurers we monitor regularly went fairly well in the fourth quarter, reflecting momentum the industry sustained throughout 2023, but not all was positive: we did see a few instances where profits...
A Word About MetLife’s Recent VA Benefit Exchange Filings
Earlier this month, MetLife filed to offer owners of vintage guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIBs) an incentive to trade them in for a fixed annuity, a risk reduction move the likes of which we have...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from January, 2024
The month of January contained some interesting developments on the variable fund front, including a few new registrations, the planned merger of some VIT funds into those offered by an insurer, and several large-scale rebrandings…