Research & Reports
Industry VA Sales Look Steady for Q3 – But Earnings Results Were Mixed
After reviewing the variable annuity business results of the group of stock-traded insurers we track regularly, we’re figuring that third quarter industry sales were flat to slightly up sequentially, and probably got a little lift...
Hartford Introduces Rider Buyback Program to Accelerate VA Runoff
As the year is winding down we have been thinking that more insurers would consider coming out with guaranteed benefit buyback programs to trim their risk profiles. Late last week we got evidence that such...
VA Insurers Are Developing New Limits on Contracts, Riders, Underlying Funds
This year most variable annuity insurers have been cutting back on the generosity of their guarantees, however we think any companies seeking to remain competitive are sort of walking a fine line – they want...
Reviewing Variable Insurance Fund Filings from September, 2012
This report is our customary roundup of noteworthy variable insurance fund filings from the prior month. In September we did not notice many new registrations, rather most of the filing activity involved changes to existing...
Regarding Risk – and How VA Insurers’ Methods Are Evolving to Manage It
This year has been one of rapid change, as variable annuity insurers of all sizes have sought to reduce their product-related risks in one form or another, and we’re sure that anyone looking at all...
New Coverage: Variable Insurance Volatility-Managed Portfolios
This spreadsheet is a comprehensive list of all variable insurance volatility-managed portfolios that were in operation through the second quarter of 2012…
VA Insurers Are Fine Tuning Their Products – But Not Always De-Risking
Last week we saw an interesting mix of variable annuity product adjustments filed with the SEC. Some, as should be expected, were reductions to benefit guarantees, but a couple involved enhancing them…
Thoughts on Variable Annuity Change Trends As We Enter 4Q12
Variable annuity insurers have certainly been very active this year in de-risking their products in response to competitive and market-related conditions, however in recent weeks filing activity has slowed down a bit. It could be...
VA Insurers Attempt to Design Attractive – But Manageable – Guarantees
A dilemma for insurers working in the variable annuity space these days is how to offer guarantees without taking on undue amounts of risk. To our minds this consideration is a priority for the industry,...