Research & Reports
Reviewing VA Guaranteed Benefit Assets, NAR Movements From Q2
At different points in the past we have combed through quarterly financials of stock-traded insurers for data related to variable annuity guarantees, in an effort to gain insight on how such benefits might be impacting...
Earnings Season Review: VA Insurers Weathered Q2 Market Dip
We were under the impression that second quarter sales for variable annuity insurers might have suffered due to the drop in the equity markets, along with the effects of various de-risking moves – which are...
VA Insurers are Following Through – With a Fresh Series of De-Risking Moves
Around the variable annuity industry there are some pending product changes that will soon be taking effect that we will discuss in this commentary. In looking at them as a group, we are reminded of...
Hot-Button Issues for VA Insurers as Q2 Results Start to Come In
Second quarter earnings season for stock-traded insurers has gotten underway and we are very much looking forward to hearing how variable annuity players performed because in our opinion, the quarter was a stressful one…
In Anticipation – of Further Product Changes on the Variable Annuity Scene
Lately, most variable annuity insurers have been engaging in de-risking measures of one form or another, however right now we’d describe most of these movements as fine tuning of product rather than drastic reductions. That...
VA Insurers’ Summer Projects – From De-risking to New Product Concepts
The summer is usually a slow period for the variable annuity business, with sales dropping off, at least by a small margin. This year, however, it seems that activity has been picking up, most of...
Early Signs Point to Headwinds for the Variable Annuity Marketplace in 2012
Based on recently released industry sales figures, as well as the kinds of signals we’ve been getting from leading insurers, we are of the opinion there will be strong downward pressure on variable annuity sales...
VA Insurers Are Taking Measured Steps in Adjusting Their Products
It seems to us that most variable annuity insurers lately have been exercising great care in making changes to their contracts and benefits in response to competitive conditions. In recent weeks we have seen more...
Departures, De-Risking Dampened Variable Annuity Sales in 1Q12
As we usually do on each quarter, we compiled variable annuity sales results for 10 stock-traded insurers we watch on a regular basis, because performance of this group has proven to be a good early...