Research & Reports
Assessing Variable Annuity Benefit Rate Sheet Changes of Recent Months
It’s about time we got caught up with variable annuity benefit rate sheets because much has happened since we last visited the subject. Most changes insurers have been making of late involve de-risking – even...
Most Stock-Traded Insurers’ Annuity Sales Grew – Sequentially – in Q3
As we do each quarter, we reviewed business results of stock-traded insurers we watch regularly and discovered that for most of them, annuity sales improved slightly compared to the prior quarter, but were still lower...
Jackson National Files New RILAs – and Other Recent Developments
In this report we’ll discuss new registered index-linked annuities filed recently by Jackson National, currently the leader in variable annuity sales in the U.S., and one of the only major insurers not to offer such...
CDAs, GLWBs, Buyouts and More – a Mix of Filings from Fall, 2020
Lately we have been of the opinion that insurers are in a predicament we have seen in years past, namely that while there remains great demand for annuities – especially those that can provide investors...
It’s Been Quite Active Along the Variable Annuity Product Pipeline
Although times have been difficult for insurers, as they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, market volatility, rock-bottom interest rates, social upheaval and the stresses of an election year, those challenges haven’t kept them from...
Earnings Review: Stock-Traded Insurers’ Annuity Sales Fell in 2Q20
This report contains our customary review of second quarter annuity results for selected stock-traded insurers. With few exceptions the news was bad, as most companies – especially those who specialize in fixed-index annuities (FIAs) –...
Thoughts on the Business in Q2 – Based on Preliminary Sales Data
Second quarter earnings season will be wrapping up soon and next week we’ll devote these pages to our customary delving into what was revealed on insurers’ conference calls. For now we’ll provide some perspective on...
Catching Up Again – With VA Product and Rate Sheet Changes
Although our country is still faced with very challenging times and the financial markets have been volatile, that does not mean that variable annuity product activity has come to a standstill. Not by any means...
Recent VA Rate Sheet Updates – and Another Benefit Buyout Offer
In this report we’ll cover notable developments of recent weeks that occurred on the variable annuity scene: rate sheet updates from two major insurers, both of which took effect today, and a new benefit buyback...
