Research & Reports
Update: Variable Insurance Volatility-Managed Portfolios
This spreadsheet updates our coverage of variable insurance volatility-managed portfolios, with data through the third quarter of this year. By our estimate assets in these funds grew to exceed $126 billion, with 149 portfolios in operation…
In 2013, VA Sales Eased While Other Annuity Products Gathered Steam
Throughout most of 2013, variable annuity sales took a downward trajectory, due mostly to the de-risking undertaken by insurers, mirroring moves they had executed the year before. While net flows into VAs slowed, fixed and...
Update: New Variable Annuity Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefits (GLWBs) Filed with the SEC in 2013
This table updates our coverage of new variable annuity Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefits (GLWBs) filed with the SEC in 2013…
Update: Summaries of New VA Contracts Filed with the SEC in 2013
This table updates our coverage of new variable annuity contracts registered with the SEC in 2013…
In Recent Filings, Prudential Follows the Flow of Industry Product Trends
Variable annuity insurers are steadily migrating towards simpler contracts and risk-sensitive solutions, and lately Prudential has become one of the latest to weigh in on this front, with some filings that follow emerging patterns…
Concerning Directions in the Annuity Business in Late 2013
It's our opinion that the annuity business in the U.S. is showing signs of becoming more balanced in terms of its product offerings and sales practices. Some of this process of change is happening partly...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from October, 2013
This report contains our customary review of variable insurance fund filings from the prior month. October was marked by quite a mixe of activity – and a few interesting new registrations…
Concerning VA Industry Sales and Product Moves for the Rest of 2013
In this commentary we'll share our views on competitive conditions in the variable annuity space, and discuss emerging products that may influence sales over the remainder of this year, and beyond…
Earnings Held Up for Insurers in Q3 – But VA Sales? Not So Much
It seems to us that most variable annuity insurers fared well this third quarter from an earnings standpoint, helped by a rise in the stock market. However VA sales were down for the group of...