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Research & Reports
Getting Further Perspective on VA Spousal Withdrawal Benefits for Life
In our last report we discussed a number of spousal withdrawal benefits for life and figured we wouldn’t revisit the subject again for awhile but, since Hartford came out with its first such GMWBs relatively...
An Update on Variable Annuity Products and Features Filed in Recent Months
In the process of identifying the more important changes to variable annuity contracts and features this update season, we haven’t seen quite the volume of new ideas as in the past, but we can say...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from April, 2006
We identified just three new variable insurance funds registered with the SEC in the month of April, the reduced activity probably because most new investment options had already been filed earlier, well in advance of...
Q1 Earnings Calls Continued: Evidence of Further Need for Innovation
With this commentary we’ll resume our coverage of first quarter earnings calls and show how some insurers, due to their scale and ability to offer cutting-edge ideas, have seen resurgence in their variable annuity sales,...
Q1 Earnings Calls of Public Insurers Illustrate Need for Continued Sales Growth
Last week we listened to first quarter earnings conference calls of five publicly-traded insurers who do business in the U.S. variable space, and for some of these companies, annuity sales improved, although surrenders – more...
A Few Comments on Equity-Indexed Annuities in Regards to the VA Business
While our primary concentration is on the variable insurance business, from time to time we will reflect on the equity-indexed annuity, or EIA, and now is a good time to do so. There are a...
New York’s Stance on Standard Non-Forfeiture Law May Curtail VA Benefits
Last week there was concern within the variable insurance business over a draft circular letter from the New York State Insurance Department that clarifies how standard non-forfeiture law applies to separate account contracts. The letter...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from March, 2006
Over the first few months of the year we’ve been noticing rather specialized variable insurance funds coming out, some “non-correlative” with the market – in that they may take an inverse position against an index...
Product Innovation is Growing on the Qualified Side of the Variable Business
As The Soleares Report evolves, we’ll have plenty to report regarding variable insurance products and features because new things are constantly coming out. This continuous introduction of ideas is important to the health of the...