Research & Reports
Thoughts on VA and Structured Annuity Filings – And Related Topics
Activity has been a bit slow along the variable annuity product pipeline of late – which is typical of this time of year – however we do have a few notable filings to report on,...
An Assortment of VA Product Filings – and Other Items – from April and May
It’s about time we checked in on the variable annuity product pipeline because we noticed a good mix of interesting filings come through over the past few months, most of them debuting during the May...
Uncertainty Regarding DOL Rule Negatively Impacted VA Insurers in 1Q17
In first quarter earnings calls of stock-traded insurers we watch regularly, a common theme was discussed on pretty much all of them: issues in dealing with the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule which put a...
DOL Rule-Related Takeaways from the Retirement Industry Conference
Last week we attended the annual LIMRA/LOMA/SOA Retirement Industry Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, and in this report we’ll share some thoughts on a topic that was much discussed throughout the event – the Department...
Thinking About the Variable Annuity Business in 2016 – and Beyond
Not long ago industry research firms released full-year 2016 variable annuity sales data, thus in this report we’ll give our thoughts on what the numbers revealed, and discuss some themes from last year might remain...
Regarding Rate Sheets – And Other Recent VA Product Moves
We are expecting variable annuity filing activity will be picking up soon as we are entering the May prospectus season, however we are unsure whether insurers will introduce many new product ideas as they are...
Jackson National Files New Variable Annuity for Fee-Based Advisors
This week we’ll discuss a new variable annuity filed by Jackson National designed to be sold through fee-based advisors, which may be an indication that new Department of Labor fiduciary rules – set to come...
MetLife Files a New Simplified Variable Annuity – With a GMAB
In recent reports we’ve opined about how slow activity along the variable annuity product pipeline has become this summer. Yet last Friday MetLife cut through the seasonal doldrums by registering an interesting new contract with...
“Headwinds” – Market Doldrums Caused Problems for VA Issuers in 3Q11
Earnings season for stock-traded insurers we monitor regularly has concluded, and, for the most part, variable annuity sales for those companies fell, due to a combination of factors that have become familiar to anyone following...