Research & Reports
The Adjustment Game – There’s No Set Formula to Tweaking VA Products
We are accustomed to seeing numerous variable annuity ideas get introduced in early spring, however lately things have become slower than usual. We attribute this to insurers being a bit tentative about taking any serious...
Some of the Whys and Wherefores – Influencing VA Product Movements
The rate of filing in the variable annuity business has settled down a bit in recent weeks, although we figure that there are plenty of new concepts in the pipeline. Since things are a little...
“Playing the Percentages” – Where GLWB Competition is Headed
During this prospectus update season we intend to be vigilant in tracking variable annuity product developments, and in this commentary we’ll provide some more perspective on an area in which we’re seeing a good deal...
VA Contract Considerations – And Assorted Notes on Other Matters
We’ve been providing frequent commentary lately about guaranteed living benefits – which we think is warranted since they are so integral to the variable annuity sales story these days – however this week we’ll focus...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from October, 2009
During the month of October there was the usual moderate stream of variable insurance fund filings, and within them one could see evidence of key priorities for the industry, one of the most obvious being...
“Stealing the Show” – A Select Few VA Players Excel During 3Q09
During the third quarter we saw a familiar pattern that’s emerged lately in the variable annuity business, that of a minority of insurers – those still selling the richer guaranteed benefits – posting exceptional sales,...
A Look at the Pipeline: What’s in New VA Contracts Registered This Year
One of the many ongoing tasks we have on our “to-do list” is to stay current with what’s happening in new variable annuity contracts coming to market, so in this commentary we’ll catch up with...
Recent Distribution Moves – That Are Influencing VA Product, Rider Offerings
Through the second quarter of this year, there remains a lead pack of variable annuity writers still offering relatively rich living benefits, and by our reckoning, this fact contributed to their robust sales during that...
Taking Inventory of Relevant VA Industry Themes Through 3Q09
Now that summer is winding down, that means we’ll soon be in a familiar time between the end of a quarter and when official data come out, when we’ll be conversing with contacts, swapping anecdotal...