Research & Reports
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...
A Steady Stream of VA Product Filings – Calls for Another Update
It wasn’t that long ago that we provided an update on filings of new variable annuity contracts and guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits (GLWBs). Well, since then even more have entered the pipeline making it necessary...
An Update on New Variable Annuities and GLWBs Filed in 2020
This commentary will touch on recent activity along the variable annuity product pipeline – which admittedly has been relatively modest this year – as we have developments to share regarding new contracts and guaranteed living...
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...
Covering an Assortment of VA and FIA Product Developments
Despite the market turmoil and social upheaval, we have no shortage of things to cover this week regarding the annuity scene: lately there have been a number of new variable annuity registrations, new guaranteed benefit...
Stock-Traded Insurers’ VA Sales Held Up in Q1, Despite Market Drop
First quarter variable annuity sales for most stock-traded insurers we track regularly improved compared to the prior year, once again due to lower interest rates making the product look better than fixed and indexed annuities....
A Quick Overview of VA Product Changes and Rate Sheet Updates
The month of May is a time when insurers file annual updates to their variable annuity and fund prospectuses, and, admittedly, many filings have been coming through of late – more than enough to keep...