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  • 2Q Life Insurance Sales Show Strength

    {September 11th, 2019} by John Hilton

    The second quarter was a good one for life insurance sales. New data by Wink’s Sales & Market Report shows strong sales in several product lines. Click HERE to see the slideshow via INN.

    Annuity yield in short supply as interest rates falter

    {August 27th, 2019} by Greg Iacurci

    Attractive annuity yields are in increasingly short supply as long-term interest rates have faltered and there is a likelihood of even more downward pressure. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews. ………………………………………………………………………………..     For example, First Symetra National Life Insurance Co. of New York has a 5-year MYGA yielding 3.1%, according to an analysis […]

    Non-Variable Annuity Sales Still Look Good: Survey Managers

    {August 27th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    U.S. sales of individual non-variable annuities continued to look great in the second quarter, according to sales survey managers at Wink Inc. and the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute. Interest rates have started to fall, after rising gradually for several years. Todd Giesing, annuity research director at the LIMRA institute, said lower rates could hurt the numbers […]

    2Q Annuity Sales Bust More Records

    {August 25th, 2019} by Staff Reports

    Indexed annuity sales in the second quarter had a record quarter, beating their previous record in 4Q 2018 by nearly 3%” said Sheryl J. Moore, author of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. “However, variable annuity sales and structured annuity sales’ increased nearly 20% each. It is a great time to be offering annuities with growth […]

    Deferred annuity sales up 6% in 2Q2019: Wink

    {August 23rd, 2019} by Editorial Staff

    Total deferred annuity sales rose 6% in the second quarter of 2019 compared with the prior quarter, according to a preliminary version of the 88th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Highlights of the report included: Click HERE to read the full story via RIJ. 

    Wink, Inc. Releases Preliminary Deferred Annuity Sales

    {August 21st, 2019} by Wink, Inc.

    Q2 2019 Sales increased 6% Des Moines, Iowa. August 20, 2019- Deferred annuity sales for the second quarter of 2019 increased 6.00% as compared to the prior quarter, based on preliminary sales by Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The sales report is in its 88th edition with the upcoming release for 2nd Quarter, 2019. Highlights […]

    Fee-based annuities still require caution, despite IRS olive branch

    {August 21st, 2019} by Greg Iacurci

    Financial advisers who use fee-based annuities are likely celebrating after the Internal Revenue Service extended an olive branch last week, ruling favorably on how advisers can charge for annuity advice. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews.     …………………………………………………………………………………   Sixteen insurance companies offer three dozen fee-based deferred annuity products with a living- or […]

    Athene Enters Structured Annuity Market Amid Fast-Rising Sales

    {August 5th, 2019} by Cyril Tuohy

    Athene, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, becomes the ninth issuer in a market dominated by AXA Equitable, Brighthouse Financial and Allianz, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist.

    Jackson National Unveils Details of ‘First True’ MYGA Product

    {August 5th, 2019} by Warren S. Hersch

    Sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities totaled $14.6 billion in the first quarter, up a marked 79.8% compared to the same three-month period in 2018, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. In 2018, sales of the products rose 34% to $45.7 billion.   Click HERE to read the full story via Life Annuity Specialist.

    A Guide to Indexes and Allocations on Fixed Index Annuities

    {July 19th, 2019} by Shawn Plummer

    With index annuities, you want to make sure you’re choosing a good index and allocation as a strategy for growth over the contract. Over the last 10 years, I get this question all the time, “Which index strategy should I choose for my fixed index annuity?”. Frankly, in today’s world of annuities, it’s a bit […]

    Wink to Report Indexed Product Sales by Index

    {July 9th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    Here’s one sign of how big of a deal investment indexes now are in the world of U.S. life insurance and annuity products: Wink Inc. says it will be offering an index-based sales report. The Des Moines, Iowa-based company has been publishing life and annuity product sales data since 1997. In recent years, consumer groups, policymakers and some financial […]

    The Derivatives that Power Index Annuities

    {June 25th, 2019} by Kerry Pechter

    FIA owners can pick from an array of choices as cryptic as those on a roulette table. But if they don’t understand options, how can they evaluate these safe but esoteric insurance products? Click HERE to read the full story via Retirement Income Journal.  

    Wink to provide insured product sales data by index

    {June 18th, 2019} by Editorial Staff

    Wink, Inc., the life insurance and annuity research firm, will begin reporting indexed annuity and indexed life product sales at an index level, for each index available in a product, Wink president and CEO Sheryl J. Moore announced this week. Click HERE to read the full story via Retirement Income Journal.

    Booming MYGA Sales Highlight Wink’s 1Q Annuity Sales Report

    {June 10th, 2019} by Staff Reports

    Total first-quarter sales for all deferred annuities were $55.5 billion — led by the dominating sales of multi-year guaranteed annuities, Wink’s Sales & Market Report reports. Noteworthy highlights for all deferred annuity sales in the first quarter include AIG ranking as the No. 1 carrier overall for deferred annuity sales, with a market share of […]

    Non-Variable Annuity Sales Continue to Climb

    {June 4th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    Maybe Elon Musk and Jeff Bezon should try using MYGA contracts to make their rockets go up faster. Sales of U.S. individual non-variable and all deferred annuities are continuing to rise like a hot air balloon that broke free from its rope, according to new survey data from Wink Inc. [Total non-variable annuity] sales climbed […]

    Mortality Table Shift Hits Q1 Non-Variable Life Sales

    {May 29th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    New U.S. sales of non-variable, individual life insurance coverage were soft in the first quarter, according to new insurer survey data from Wink Inc. The firm now tracks sales of three types of life insurance: indexed life insurance, universal life insurance, and whole life. Combined sales of those three types of products fell to $1.8 […]

    LiveWell Freedom Variable Annuity Awarded Wink’s 2018 Excellence in Annuity Innovation Award

    {May 6th, 2019} by Midland National Life Insurance Company

    Sammons Retirement Solutions first-of-its-kind Freedom Date feature recognized for being highly innovative WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wink recently honored Sammons Retirement Solutions LiveWell® Freedom Variable Annuity (VA) with its 2018 Excellence in Annuity Innovation Award. This first-of-its-kind variable annuity – issued by Midland National® Life Insurance Company (Midland National) – automatically includes a […]

    Annuities that Pay Cash Back Rewards

    {April 30th, 2019} by Kerry Pechter

    Holland’s 17th-century tulip craze serves as a foil for annuities in a recent TV commercial from Gainbridge, a new online annuity sales platform. The lavish 90-second costume drama, produced by Bullish, portrays deferred and immediate income annuities as prudent alternatives to financial fads. Click HERE to read the full story via RIJ.     Delaware Life, a top-20 […]

    2018 Annuity Sales Smash Records Across The Board, Wink Reports

    {March 26th, 2019} by Wire Reports

    Total fourth-quarter non-variable deferred annuity sales were $32.6 billion, up more than 10.1 percent over the previous quarter and up more than 54.4 percent over the same period last year, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Total non-variable deferred annuities sales for 2018 were $113.6 billion, an increase of 29.1 percent over 2017. Non-variable […]

    Non-Variable Annuity Sales Near Warp Speed: Wink

    {March 21st, 2019} by Allison Bell

    Sales of U.S. individual non-variable annuities rocketed to $33 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018. That’s up 54% from the total for the fourth quarter of 2017, according to new survey data from Wink Inc. That enormous increase follows a 46% year-over-year sales increase in the third quarter. Wink based the latest non-variable annuity […]

    Indexed Life Sales Keep Growing: Wink

    {March 19th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    U.S. sales of indexed life insurance continued to grow in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to new data from Wink Inc. Indexed life sales increased to $617 million, up 7.3% from the total recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017. For all of 2018, indexed life sales climbed 11%, to $2.2 billion. Wink has published […]

    Great American Adds 3-Year MYGA

    {January 30th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    Product designers at Great American Life Insurance Company looked at recent stock market performance and decided consumers might be in the mood for a plain vanilla annuity. The Great American Insurance Group unit has introduced the American Freedom Classic 3 contract, a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) contract with a fixed interest rate that’s guaranteed to stay the […]

    Securian Adds MYGA Contract

    {January 15th, 2019} by Allison Bell

    Securian Financial Group Inc. has introduced a new deferred multi-year guarantee annuity (MYGA) contract. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based company will write the new SecureOption Choice annuities through its Minnesota Life Insurance Company unit. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor.   ………………………………………………………………………………..     Figures from Wink Inc. showed that sales of MYGA […]

    Strong VUL Premium Pumps Up Life Sales

    {December 1st, 2018} by Allison Bell

    Sales of U.S. individual variable universal life (VUL) policies continued to shine in the third quarter. Life insurers managed to increase the number of VUL policies they sold during the quarter, not just the annualized premium total, according to new data from LIMRA. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor.     ************************************************* […]

    Wink Posts the Rest of the Annuity Sales Increase Story

    {November 22nd, 2018} by Allison Bell

    Wink Inc. has come out with data relating to an important question: Were U.S. sales of individual, non-variable annuities really 46% higher in the third quarter than in the third quarter of 2017? The full results from Wink’s annuity issuer survey suggest that, according to the participants in Wink’s survey, sales really were up 46%, […]

    Q3 Non-Variable Annuity Sales Were Shocking

    {November 20th, 2018} by Allison Bell

    U.S. sales of individual non-variable annuities shot up a startling 46% in the third quarter, according to new, preliminary sales data from Wink Inc. The Des Moines, Iowa-based life and annuity sales information firm based the preliminary figures on survey responses from life insurers that account for about 94% of total U.S. individual non-variable annuity sales. […]

    Fixed annuities see year-over-year sales improvement: Wink

    {November 20th, 2018} by Editorial Staff

    Non-variable annuity sales for the third quarter of 2018 were up 4.72% over the prior quarter and 46.26% higher than in the same period last year, based on preliminary sales data gathered by Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Non-variable deferred annuities include the indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity, and MYGA product lines. Indexed annuity sales […]

    Indexed Annuity Sales Keep Setting Records

    {November 20th, 2018} by INN

    Non-variable annuity sales for the third quarter of 2018 increased 4.72 percent as compared to the prior quarter and improved 46.26 percent as compared to the same period last year, based on preliminary sales by Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The sales report is in its 85th edition with the upcoming release for 3rd Quarter, 2018. Note that non-variable deferred annuities include the indexed […]

    Annuity Issuers Are Using This One Clever Trick to Save MILLIONS

    {October 9th, 2018} by Elizabeth Festa and Allison Bell

    Four life insurers have received a collection of rulings from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that could help them eliminate about $12 million in index-linked annuity compliance costs in the first year. The annuity issuers involved are Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Athene Annuity and Life Company, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, and […]

    Indexed annuity sales grow among wirehouses, independent broker-dealers

    {September 25th, 2018} by Greg Iacurci

    Wirehouses and independent broker-dealers have upped their sales of indexed annuities over the past few years, with a greater share of product sales coming through registered representatives at brokerage firms. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; subscription required.    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Independent broker-dealers sold $2.6 billion of indexed annuities in the second quarter […]

    Fixed annuities are on a tear

    {September 18th, 2018} by Greg Iacurci

    Fixed annuities have been on a tear this year, with sales seeing double-digit growth across several product categories amid rising interest rates and easing regulatory pressure. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.     At the close of 2015, right around the time the Fed began its shift from rock-bottom […]

    One Type of Individual Life Policy Escaped the Spring Sales Blahs

    {September 6th, 2018} by Allison Bell

    Insurers have reported dull U.S. individual life sales in the second quarter, but sales of indexed universal life (IUL) policies sparkled. Insurers have also reported solid growth in the number of variable universal life (VUL) policies sold, but the average amount of annualized premiums per new VUL policy sold fell about 5%. LIMRA has published one […]

    14 Misconceptions About Selling Annuities

    {August 21st, 2018} by Lloyd Lofton

    I was watching TV in my home office this weekend, and “that” commercial came on, with the guy who says, “I don’t sell annuities. I’ll never sell annuities!” I’ve seen that commercial a thousand times and always either ignored it or thought about how misleading it is. I wondered how many consumers see it and […]

    Higher Rates, Fire Sales Power 2Q Index Annuity To Sales Record

    {August 21st, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Higher interest rates and fire sales among some insurance companies pushed index annuities to their highest quarterly sales ever, according to new data. Second-quarter index annuity sales reached $17.3 billion, up 18 percent compared to the year-ago period and up nearly 22 percent compared to the first quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. […]

    Indexed Annuities’ Quiet Cousins Ride a Q2 Sales Rocket

    {August 21st, 2018} by Allison Bell

    Sales of indexed annuities did well in the second quarter, but sales of multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) contracts did even better, according to Wink Inc.’s full sales data for the quarter. Wink’s numbers include results for individual deferred annuities sold in the United States. Sales of indexed annuities increased 18% between the second quarter of […]

    American Equity CEO: Sale Rumors Hurting Distribution Partner

    {August 8th, 2018} by John Hilton

    American Equity reported healthy second-quarter earnings today and announced new product plans, but CEO John Matovina conceded that persistent rumors of a company sale are making life tough for some distributors. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, American Equity is partly responsible for some of the rumors. The company put out a May 23 press release […]

    Global Atlantic receives Excellence Award for Linked Loan option

    {August 1st, 2018} by Global Atlantic Financial Group

    Global Atlantic’s traditional life team won Wink’s 2017 Excellence in Life Insurance Innovation Award for the Linked Loan option available on Lifetime Builder ELITE and Lifetime Foundation ELITE. The Linked Loan gives clients a new choice when accessing their accumulated cash value. Rather than having to choose between a fixed rate loan or a variable […]

    Benefits industry newsmakers: Wink, Carillon Tower Advisors, BPAS

    {July 27th, 2018} by Caroline Marwitz

    Busy employee benefits pros in early summer this year include the following:  Andrew Berman has been named the Central Intelligence Officer for Wink, Inc. where he is responsible for illustration benchmarking and competitive analysis for the company’s life insurance competitive intel suite. Berman reports to Sheryl J. Moore, Chief Storyteller at Wink, Inc., and he is a […]

    SECURITY BENEFIT’S RATETRACK® ANNUITY WINS WINK’S 2017 EXCELLENCE IN ANNUITY INNOVATION AWARD

    {June 25th, 2018} by Security Benefit Life Insurance Company

    TOPEKA, Kan., June 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Independent market research firm Wink, Inc. has named Security Benefit Life Insurance Company’s RateTrack® Annuity as its 2017 award winner for Excellence in Annuity Innovation. “We are truly honored that Wink has recognized the revolutionary product development that RateTrack represents,” remarked Mike Kiley, Chief Executive Officer of Security […]

    Fee-based VA Sales Jump 70% in 1Q

    {June 6th, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Sales of fee-based VAs, one of the industry’s best hopes for cracking the registered investment advisor channel, rose 70 percent to $780 million over the year-ago period, LIMRA reported. Click HERE to read the full story via INN; subscription required.    Article excerpt: Fee-based sales of indexed annuities were $60 million in the first quarter, […]

    Banks, B-Ds Shorten Indexed Annuity Surrenders

    {May 30th, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Sales of indexed annuities with shorter surrender periods racked up big gains as more annuities are sold through banks and broker-dealers, first-quarter data show. Banks and broker-dealers prefer shorter surrender periods because they come with lower commissions, which often means higher rates and caps for the client. “We’ve seen stuff going over to banks and […]

    Agent Commissions Rise For Annuities in 1Q

    {May 29th, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Here’s some good news for agents selling fixed annuities: the products paid a bit more in the first quarter than they did last year. The difference was slight, and probably not enough to pay off the mortgage. But small numbers add up, particularly when overall sales volume jumps, as it did for indexed annuities this […]

    Wink Sees Best Indexed Annuity Sales Growth in 2 Years

    {May 26th, 2018} by Allison Bell

    Sales of indexed annuities did great in the first quarter. The insurers that participate in Wink’s industry survey are reporting their sales increased to $14 billion in the first quarter, up 10% from the total for the first quarter of 2017. Click HERE to read the full story via ThinkAdvisor. Wink analysts found that total […]

    How to judge if an FIA fits a client’s portfolio

    {April 26th, 2018} by Tobias Salinger

    ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Clients and their financial advisors have grown increasingly interested in fixed index annuities as the products tie in new benefits while becoming simpler, but they’re still not always the right choice. Advisors need to weigh the tradeoffs of FIAs, which can include fees, the costs of new benefits attached to the […]

    Pacific Life Ranked #1 Seller of Indexed Universal Life Insurance with $1.6 Billion of Target Premium Sold in 19 Years

    {April 20th, 2018} by Pacific Life

    ALISO VIEJO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pacific Life Insurance Company was recently named the #1 seller of Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL)1 for the 19 year period from 1998 -2017 by Wink’s Sales & Market Report. The company entered the IUL marketplace in 2005 and by year-end 2017 had sold $1.6 billion of aggregate target premiums. “I attribute our success […]

    Insurers still grappling with costly variable-annuity promises

    {April 13th, 2018} by Greg Iacurci

    Insurance companies are still trying to wriggle out of promises made years ago to consumers of their variable-annuity products, as certain contract features have proven too generous in light of market conditions such as persistently low interest rates. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNewsNet; subscription required.          Article excerpts: […]

    Oxford Life’s Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity Rated 8th Best-Selling by Wink’s Report

    {April 10th, 2018} by Oxford Life Insurance Company

    PHOENIX, April 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Oxford Life Insurance Company’s Multi-Select™ 6-Year Annuity was ranked the eighth best-selling Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) product via Independent Distribution in the third quarter of 2017, according to the Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s is the longest-running and most comprehensive source of indexed insurance product sales and trends. “What sets us apart is our focus […]

    Allianz Finding Traction with B/D, RIA Channels

    {April 5th, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Allianz is finding traction with fixed indexed annuities in the financial advisory world with the top-selling FIA in the independent broker-dealer channel. And Tampa-based advisor Barry Flagg can see why — though with some caveats. “I’m a fan of the concept and the concept is well executed by some carriers, but not well executed by […]

    One-Third Of Indexed Annuities Sold With Hybrid Indexes

    {April 3rd, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    One-third of all fixed indexed annuities are sold with hybrid indexes, which are usually designed to control volatility, according to fourth-quarter data. Those products benchmark typical indexes, such as the S&P 500, and combine with other gauges, including proprietary indexes, to control volatility. Companies say hybrid indexes offer choices for consumers who want growth without […]

    MYGA Sales Fall 10 percent in 2017

    {March 28th, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) sales fell 9.5 percent to $30.3 billion in 2017 compared to 2016 after insurers cut back on attractive rates due to the low interest rate levels, a market expert said. Fourth-quarter 2017 MYGA sales rose 1.3 percent to $6.7 billion compared to the fourth-quarter 2016. Quarterly sales rose 1.2 percent compared […]

    DOL fiduciary rule: 5th Circuit decision could be big win for indexed annuities

    {March 22nd, 2018} by Greg Iacurci

    Indexed annuities — and the intermediaries that sell them — appear to be the biggest benefactors of an appellate court’s decision last week to vacate the Department of Labor fiduciary rule. While observers are divided on the ruling’s implications, a consensus seems to be growing that the fiduciary rule would be erased nationwide if the DOL doesn’t […]

    Hold the Parade

    {March 22nd, 2018} by Kerry Pechter

    The indexed and variable annuity industries celebrated this week when a federal appeals panel in the Fifth District ruled that the Obama administration’s Department of Labor overstepped its authority by applying the standard of conduct for retirement plan fiduciaries to people who sell annuities to IRA owners (especially rollover IRA owners). The annuity industry certainly needed some […]

    IUL to the Rescue of Low UL Sales

    {March 21st, 2018} by Cyril Tuohy

    Indexed universal life (IUL) sales kept overall life insurance sales in the black last year, and also appear to be subsidizing insurers with low fixed UL sales. Nine of the top 10 IUL sellers had sales increases in the fourth quarter last year compared with the third quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Click HERE […]

    Q4 Indexed Life Sales Rise 7.6%: Wink

    {March 20th, 2018} by Allison Bell

    U.S. indexed life insurance sales increased to $575 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, up 7.6% from the total for the fourth quarter of 2016, according to analysts at Wink Inc. Indexed life sales for all of 2017 rose 6.1%, to $1.9 billion. Click HERE to read the original story via ThinkAdvisor.  Wink has published […]

    Oxford Life Recognized for Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity Sales by Wink’s Report

    {January 19th, 2018} by Oxford Life Insurance Company

    PHOENIX, Jan. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Oxford Life Insurance Company’s Multi-Select™ 6-Year Annuity ranked as the No. 8 best-selling Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) product via Independent Distribution for the third quarter of 2017, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Wink’s is the longest-running, most comprehensive source of indexed insurance product sales and trends. Mike Quaranta, Vice President and Chief […]

    5 Big Questions About Annuities for 2018

    {December 19th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    Making predictions about how 2018 might look for annuities could be even trickier than predicting how the year might look for life insurance. Every trend that puts shadows and mist over the life insurance market puts the same shadows and mist over the annuity market. Annuity issuers, meanwhile, face two additional opposing forces of hostility. Click HERE to read […]

    Complexity of new indexed annuities causing concern

    {December 15th, 2017} by Greg Iacurci

    The way indexed annuities have evolved has led to concern from some corners of the insurance market, with some critics saying insurers have developed increasingly complex products in hopes of standing out in a competitive market. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.    While there were only six hybrid indices […]

    Lincoln Launches FIA With 7-Year Surrender Schedule

    {December 12th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Contracting sales of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) in the third quarter weren’t enough to deter Lincoln Financial from expanding its FIA product line, a company executive said. Lincoln’s latest addition to the FIA market, Covered Choice 7, delivers immediate or deferred income. The new product also offers a seven-year surrender schedule and will be distributed […]

    IUL Shines Brightest in a Wilting Life Market in Q3

    {December 5th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Indexed universal life sales continued to roar ahead in a sputtering life insurance market, according to the latest data. IUL sales rose 8 percent in the third quarter compared to the year-ago period, market tracker LIMRA reported. Wink’s Market & Sales Report had similar figures, reporting a 6 percent rise in third-quarter IUL sales to […]

    IUL Sales Rise 6 Percent in Q3

    {December 1st, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Third-quarter sales of indexed universal life (IUL) fell 1 percent to $479.5 million compared to the second quarter. IUL sales were still up 6 percent compared to the year-ago period, Wink’s Sales & Market Report reported. Sales figures are being affected by how companies respond to new actuarial risk assessments, analysts say. Click HERE to read […]

    Individual Annuity Sales Softened in Q3: Wink

    {November 28th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    U.S. sales of individual indexed annuities and other non-variable annuities were a little softer in the third quarter than they were in the second quarter. Non-variable annuities generated about $20 billion in sales in the third quarter, down 11% from the total for the third quarter of 2016, according to the latest Wink’s Sales & Market Report from Wink. In the […]

    Index Accounts Added To The Security Benefit Total Value Annuity

    {October 24th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Four new index accounts have been added to Security Benefit Life’s Total Value Annuity, the company announced. This is a product in a market segment in which sales are expected to rise with the delay of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule. One- and two-year accounts based on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Low Volatility […]

    Guardian’s Top Annuity Sales Executive Says the Excitement Is Back

    {October 17th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    A player in the U.S. annuity distribution market says the individual annuity market really does look better now than it did just a few months ago. Jim Lake, a vice president at the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, heads the Guardian’s life, disability insurance, and retirement products sales operation. He took the heat as low-interest rates and uncertainty about regulations pounded sales starting […]

    As IUL Market Heats Up, Large Carriers Focus on Service, Simplicity

    {September 12th, 2017} by Jay Cooper

    Competition is ramping up in the IUL landscape. Complexity isn’t. A growing number of carriers have entered the indexed universal life (IUL) space, and product growth and other data points suggest an increasingly competitive marketplace. To maintain a strong foothold, large IUL incumbents say they have focused less on product innovation and more on making […]

    American Equity’s New Fee-Based FIA Broadens Portfolio for Agents

    {September 12th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    American Equity Investment Life Holding’s first fee-based fixed indexed annuity (FIA) broadens the appeal of the company’s FIA family of annuities to fee-based advisors, the company said. American Equity, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is the latest company to launch a fee-based FIA. Voya Financial, Allianz Life, Lincoln Financial and Great American have launched […]

    Pacific Life Dominates Indexed Life Sales as Market Heats Up

    {September 12th, 2017} by Alex Padalka

    Sales in indexed life insurance are poised to reach record highs this year, with Pacific Life Companies dominating the market, according to a press release from Wink. Pacific Life now has a 12.8% market share in the sector, with Transamerica, National Life Group, Minnesota Life-Securian and Zurich filling out the top five spots. The best-selling product across all channels, however, remains Transamerica Premier Financial […]

    Indexed Life Sales Rise 10%: Wink

    {September 5th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    Indexed universal life insurance sales climbed to $485 million in the second quarter, up 10% from the total for the second quarter of 2016, according to Wink. IUL sales were up from $447 million in the first quarter.   Sheryl J. Moore, Wink’s president reported those figures in a summary of results from a survey of life insurance issuers. Wink, […]

    ‘Game On’ for FIA Sales in Second Half of 2017

    {September 5th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    The second-quarter sales rebound in fixed indexed annuities (FIA) and the delay of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule means we could see a sale frenzy during the last half of the year. But will FIAs top last year’s $58 billion record? “The DOL rule is on hold and my response to that is game […]

    Annuity Sales Start to Stabilize: Wink

    {August 29th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    Issuers of U.S. indexed annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities and traditional fixed annuities may be starting to adjust to the new hard times. Sales of those types of annuities continued to fall in the second quarter, but more like a leaf, and less like a rock, than in some earlier quarters. Sales of non-variable annuities of all kinds […]

    Allianz Life Maintains Pole Position in Indexed Annuity Sales

    {August 24th, 2017} by Jay Cooper

    Indexed annuities remain a top selling annuity product, and Allianz Life is maintaining a dominant market position in the category. There were few other changes among the ranks of top-selling fixed annuity providers, according to Wink’s second quarter Sales and Market Report. Wink sales data was released late Tuesday, and carriers could not be reached for comment by […]

    Annuity Sales May Be Starting to Firm Up: Wink

    {August 23rd, 2017} by Allison Bell

    Issuers of U.S. indexed annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities and traditional fixed annuities may be starting to adjust to the new hard times. Sales of those types of annuities continued to fall in the second quarter, but more like a leaf, and less like a rock, than in some earlier quarters. Sales of the kinds of […]

    Nationwide Launches its First Fee-Based FIA

    {July 18th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Ohio-based investment and retirement giant Nationwide Financial, seeking to offer advisors more fixed indexed annuity (FIA) choices to sell, launched its first fee-based FIA, the company announced. Nationwide is merely the latest company to jump into the fee-based annuity pool. Many competitors have done the same over the past year with the advent of a […]

    Indexed Annuity Sales Fall 14%: Wink

    {June 19th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    All of the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule hit sales of indexed annuities and annuities with multi-year rate guarantees hard in the first quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Indexed annuities accounted for about 56% of U.S. individual annuity sales outside of the variable annuity market during the quarter. […]

    Mass Mutual Leads in Whole Life in 1Q 2017

    {June 14th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Mass Mutual Life finished as the top seller of whole life insurance in the first quarter 2017, industry tracker Wink’s Sales & Market Report said this week. Mass Mutual was the top whole life seller in 2016. In the first quarter, the company generated new sales of $142 million and a market share of 15 […]

    IUL Market in 1Q: The Top-10 Shuffle

    {June 14th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    First quarter indexed life sales rose 3.4 percent to $446.5 million compared with the year-ago period, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Sales dropped 16.4 percent compared with the previous quarter. This is part of a cyclical trend that usually sees first quarter sales drop from fourth quarter sales, Wink said. “This quarter, indexed […]

    Transamerica Tops IUL Sales, Prudential Leads Fixed UL Sales

    {June 14th, 2017} by Jay Cooper

    Transamerica has continued its dominance in indexed universal life (IUL) sales, while Prudential leads the market in fixed universal life sales, according to Wink’s first quarter sales and market report. MassMutual, meanwhile, enjoyed the dominant market share position for whole life insurance, the report shows. Wink has tracked data on IUL sales since 1997, but […]

    Surrender Charges’ Great Disappearing Act

    {June 14th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Surrender charges on fee-based variable annuities seem to be disappearing faster than the polar ice caps, new filings reveal. The shorter surrender periods and no surrender charges are the result of annuity companies offering fee-based financial advisors new options that coincide with the dawn of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule. The rule began taking […]

    Ohio National Launches Innovative Roll Up Feature

    {June 13th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Ohio National has launched a new twist on the fixed indexed annuity (FIA) guaranteed living withdrawal benefit (GLWB) rider: a roll up that keeps on rolling. Unlike many GLWBs where income doesn’t necessarily increase once contract holders agree to begin withdrawals, Ohio National’s ONdex Income Accelerator GLWB is guaranteed to increase by a least 3 […]

    Indexed Universal Life Sales Rise 3.4%: Wink

    {June 13th, 2017} by Allison Bell

    Indexed universal life insurance sales grew a little in the first quarter, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Sales increased to $447 million, up 3.4% from the total for the first quarter of 2016. Wink reported those figures in a summary of results from a survey of 100 U.S. life carriers. Click HERE to […]

    Fiduciary Hit To Indexed Annuities?

    {May 31st, 2017} by John Sullivan

    The spectacular run for indexed annuities is on the wane. Is the fiduciary rule to blame? Yes, but not in the way one would think. After roughly a decade of increases, total first quarter indexed annuity sales were just over $12.9 billion, down almost 3 percent when compared to the previous quarter, and down over […]

    Majority Of Indexed Annuity Carriers Struggle With 1Q Sales

    {May 25th, 2017} by Press Release

    Pleasant Hill, Iowa. May 24, 2017– Wink’s Sales & Market Report expanded in 2015 for all non-variable deferred annuities which include indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity, and multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) product lines. Fifty-five indexed annuity providers, 51 fixed annuity providers, and 56 MYGA companies participated in the 79th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market […]

    Report: FIA Sales Tumble 14% In 1Q

    {May 25th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    First quarter 2017 sales of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) dropped 14 percent to $12.9 billion compared with the year-ago period, a widely-followed industry data tracker reported Wednesday. FIA sales dipped 3 percent compared with the fourth quarter 2016, according to Wink’s Market & Sales Report. New Department of Labor fiduciary rules have weighed on sales […]

    DOL fiduciary rule pushes indexed annuity carriers to develop new products

    {May 25th, 2017} by Greg Iacurci

    Insurance companies, especially those that are indexed-annuity-centric, have been launching annuity products within the past several months in anticipation of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which is expected to cause a big disruption to distribution of their traditional products. Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required.   “Independent agents are […]

    DOL Rule Confusion Leads to Wait-and-See Approach

    {May 18th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Confusion surrounding the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule has caused insurance distributors to hold back on specific sales strategies and that could affect annuity sales this year, insurance company executives said. The rule, which raises investment advice standards into retirement accounts, also appears to be having an impact on the amount of money going into […]

    Voya Financial’s IUL Gambit Pays Off

    {May 15th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    At Voya Financial, the move to exit capital-intensive term life at the end of last year and concentrate on indexed universal life (IUL) has paid off – so far. First-quarter IUL sales rose 24 percent to $21 million over the year-ago period, the company reported last week. Leaving the term life segment to concentrate on […]

    Top Two IUL Sellers Trade Places in 4Q

    {April 11th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Pacific Life bested rival Transamerica as the top seller of indexed universal life (IUL) insurance sales in the fourth quarter 2016. Meanwhile, Allianz Life broke through into the top-10 list, industry tracker Wink’s Sales & Market Report reported. The IUL market was an active one last year with sales hitting a record $1.86 billion. Fourth-quarter […]

    Could FIAs Break Advisors’ Hearts?

    {April 11th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Dear agents and advisors: We’ve had a great run, but we don’t know if we can keep up the pace. Sales hit a record last year, but by a smaller percentage increase than the previous year. OK, that’s all for now. Got to run … See you soon! Signed: Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). Could 2017 […]

    Athene USA Gains in Indexed Annuity Tables in 4Q 2016

    {April 4th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Click HERE to view the original story via INN; subscription required Athene USA rose six notches to the No. 2 position in indexed annuity sales for the fourth quarter 2016, according to industry tracker Wink’s Sales & Market Report. In April last year, Athene USA announced that its Athene Performance Elite fixed indexed annuity would be […]

    Income Riders Rescue Fixed Annuities

    {April 4th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    A flood of new income riders attached to fixed annuities has helped fuel a boom and powered the product segment to record sales of $117.4 billion last year, annuity product experts and analysts said this week. The income riders have suddenly made plain vanilla fixed annuities newly attractive to agents looking to sell the product under the […]

    Non-variable annuity sales decline in fourth quarter

    {April 3rd, 2017} by Business Record Staff

      Nonvariable deferred annuity sales declined in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the latest Wink’s Sales & Market Report. In the fourth quarter of 2016, total non-variable deferred annuity sales — which include indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity and multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) sales — were $21 billion, down nearly 8 percent from […]

    Sales of non-variable fixed annuities neared $100 billion in 2016: Wink’s

    {March 30th, 2017} by Editorial Staff

    Total fourth quarter non-variable deferred annuity sales were $21.0 billion; down nearly 8% from the prior quarter, and down almost 14% from the same period a year prior, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report for the fourth quarter of 2016. Overall non-variable deferred annuity sales for 2016 were $96.9 billion. Since 2015, the Wink […]

    Leveraging permanent life in retirement and protection planning

    {March 28th, 2017} by Mark Peterson

    As a financial professional, you’re likely well aware of the role and value proposition of permanent life insurance. Yet, the most recent LIMRA Ownership Study report, published earlier this year, shared that 2016 marked the first study period when owners of individual life insurance policies were more likely to have term life products than permanent […]

    Two More Insurers Jump Into Expanding IUL Pool

    {March 21st, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    The addition of new indexed universal life products from two carriers is helping fuel a strong IUL market after an 18-month pause in sales as companies revamped their lineups. IUL sales, measured by premium revenue, rose to a record $1.86 billion in 2016, according to Wink’s Sales & Market report which tracks the industry. But […]

    Rules governing indexed universal life insurance may not go far enough

    {March 21st, 2017} by Greg Iacurci

    New rules designed to curb overly rosy policy return illustrations, the primary sales tool used to sell indexed universal life insurance, seem to be having their desired effect, but they may not go far enough. Click HERE to read the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required   Indexed universal life insurance has been a hot-selling […]

    Indexed Life Sales Dip 1.3% in 4Q, Flat in 2016

    {March 14th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Indexed universal life (IUL) sales dipped 1.3 percent to $534.5 million in the fourth quarter 2016 compared to the year-ago period. The drop was due primarily to declines from two sellers, according to industry tracker “Wink’s Sales & Market Report.” IUL sales, measured by premium revenue, for 2016, rose to a record $1.86 billion. That […]

    Indexed universal life insurance sales hit new high

    {March 6th, 2017} by Warren S. Hersch

    Despite industry concerns about an 18-month-old regulatory guideline for indexed universal life insurance, sales of the popular product remain robust, new research shows. The 78th edition of “Wink’s Sales & Market Report,” which aggregates data from 48 manufacturers of indexed universal life products, reveals that IUL premium revenue for the three months ending December 31, […]

    Another Record-Setting Year for Indexed Life Sales! Wink, Inc. Releases Fourth Quarter, 2016 Indexed Life Sales Results

    {March 1st, 2017} by Wink, Inc

    Pleasant Hill, Iowa. February 28, 2017– Forty-eight indexed life insurance carriers participated in the 78th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Fourth quarter indexed universal life (IUL) sales were $534.5 million, compared with sales of $541.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Fourth quarter indexed life sales were up 18.0% when compared with […]

    Allianz: FIAs to Remain a Growth Engine

    {February 21st, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Allianz will continue to focus on fixed indexed annuity sales in the U.S. in the face of declining variable annuity sales, a top executive said Friday. With U.S. variable annuity sales flat, “that means our focus to grow the business is clearly the fixed indexed annuity business,” said Dieter Wemmer, chief financial officer of the global […]

    Allianz Life Appoints Walther to Oversee B/D Relationships

    {January 11th, 2017} by Cyril Tuohy

    Fixed indexed annuity (FIA) market leader Allianz Life has announced the appointment of sales veteran Corey Walther to lead the company’s broker-/dealer distribution channel sales growth. Walther, who joined Allianz Life nearly 20 years ago, assumes the title of head of Distribution Relationship Management. He will report to Tom Burns, CEO of Allianz Life Financial […]

    Top 10 Annuity Stories of 2016

    {December 29th, 2016} by John Hilton

    Annuities had an up-and-down 2016. The wild ride was reflected in our top 10 annuity stories for the year. Of course, the Department of Labor fiduciary rule was the most significant influencer on annuities. Firms and advisors alike scrambled to figure out what the rule meant for their business. That propelled many of the stories […]

    Voya: From Orange to Origami

    {December 15th, 2016} by Kerry Petcher

    Almost four years after its IPO, Voya (formerly ING-US) has rebranded, retooled itself as a fixed indexed annuity shop and launched an ad campaign featuring origami rodents that talk. But it is still searching for the right mix of products, personnel and organizational structure. So, what’s up at Voya Financial? Like its fellow life insurers, […]

    Athene to Deepen Bank, B/D Relationships

    {December 13th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    Athene USA, a major seller of fixed annuities in the U.S., will seek to expand retail annuity distribution through banks and broker-dealers, CEO Grant Kvalheim said Friday. The company, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a subsidiary of Athene Holding, which raised $1.1 billion in an initial public offering. Athene Holding shares began trading […]

    Despite NAIC guideline, IUL insurance sales remain healthy

    {December 6th, 2016} by Warren S. Hersch

    Transamerica maintains its No. 1 ranking in indexed life insurance sales, with an 11.7 percent market share. Sales of indexed universal life insurance fell 5 percent in the third quarter of 2016 compared with the year-ago period. But indexed universal life insurance sales maintained an upward momentum amid industry concerns about a 2015 state-based regulatory […]

    Indexed annuity sales on track to reach $60 billion

    {December 2nd, 2016} by Kristen Beckman

    Indexed annuity sales are on track to reach $60 billion for 2016, despite an 8 percent decrease in sales to $14.3 billion in the third quarter, according to data from Wink Inc.’s sales and marketing report. Sales in the category were up 3 percent compared with last year, however. The report includes third-quarter results from […]

    FIA Leader Allianz Shuffles Top Execs

    {December 2nd, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    Mike Brandriet, a nine-year veteran of Allianz Life Financial Services, has been named president of the company and takes over from longtime leader Robert DeChellis, Allianz Life Insurance of North America announced. DeChellis, who has led Allianz Life Financial Services for more than 10 years, will head a new business unit “based on a strategy […]

    3Q IUL Sales Up and Down, Report Finds

    {November 28th, 2016} by John Hilton

    Third-quarter indexed universal life (IUL) sales were $452.9 million, down 5 percent from the third quarter 2015, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. IUL sales were up nearly 3 percent compared to the second quarter, noted Sheryl J. Moore, president and CEO of both Moore Market Intelligence and Wink, Inc. “It is amazing to see that indexed life sales […]

    Indexed annuity sales on pace for record year, as variable annuities take another big hit

    {November 22nd, 2016} by Greg Iacurci

    Fixed indexed annuity sales are on pace for a record year in 2016 as low interest rates and product features drive their popularity among broker-dealers, and despite headwinds from a new Labor Department investment-advice regulation that will make sales of such products more difficult.   Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required […]

    FIA Sales Ready to Push the Reset Button?

    {November 15th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    When the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule was released in April, analysts expected a rush to sell more fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) in anticipation of distributors having a tougher time selling them next year. But instead of rising in the third quarter from the second quarter, sequential sales of FIAs softened well ahead of schedule. […]

    Even Math Teachers Are at a Loss to Understand Annuities

    {November 9th, 2016} by TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

    Even a well-caffeinated person with an advanced degree in math would have a hard time deciphering a 53-page contract called “Your Flexible Premium Indexed and Declared Interest Deferred Annuity Policy.” Melanie Panush Lindert, a 66-year-old elementary school dance teacher in Los Angeles, was sold one of these mind-numbingly complex products last year through her workplace […]

    Analyst: Some Firms Want to Keep Trips, Incentives

    {October 18th, 2016} by John Hilton

    Most industry professionals consider the Best Interest Contract Exemption (BICE) the most detested part of the Department of Labor fiduciary rule. Yet some of them may end up using it to continuing selling fixed annuities without interruption, according to one analyst. Selling under the BICE will enable financial institutions to continue offering trips and other […]

    Average Agent Comp For Indexed Annuities At Decade-Long Low

    {October 12th, 2016} by Annuity news

    Pleasant Hill, Iowa. October 6, 2016- How can one determine what is “reasonable compensation” on an annuity? The Department of Labor issued its final fiduciary rule on April 6, 2016. Among the products that the regulation affects are annuity sales that are funded with qualified monies. Indexed annuities, as a product class, are in the […]

    Indexed annuity commission averages 4.6 percent

    {October 11th, 2016} by Kristen Beckman

    The average street-level commission for indexed annuities was 4.6 percent as of the second quarter, according to Wink Inc.’s sales and marketing report. This is the lowest commission level in a decade. Average commissions were 8.1 percent during the second quarter of 2006 and have fallen steadily since then, according to Wink’s data. Moore Market […]

    Nationwide To Acquire Jefferson National

    {September 30th, 2016} by John Hilton

    Nationwide’s acquisition of Jefferson National, a blockbuster deal announced this morning, gives the venerable company an opening in the fee-only advisor space. The acquisition will expand Nationwide’s ability to sell financial service products through Jefferson National’s network of RIAs and fee-based advisors, Nationwide said in a news release. Nationwide has been rocketing up the fixed annuity sales board […]

    Indexed annuities sales fall short of record: Wink

    {September 2nd, 2016} by LifeHealthPro editors

    Wink’s Sales & Market Report, a resource for indexed annuity and indexed life sales data, completed its first full year reporting on all non-variable deferred annuities which include indexed annuity, traditional fixed annuity and multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) product lines. Fifty-three indexed annuity providers, 48 fixed annuity providers and 55 MYGA companies participated for second […]

    AIG Rides Annuity Sales To Financial Success

    {August 30th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    Nearly a decade after American International Group almost collapsed, the New York-based insurance giant has re-invented itself as the top seller of fixed and variable annuities. In the first half of the year, AIG finished in the No. 1 spot with $9.78 billion worth of individual fixed and variable annuity sales. Jackson National Life was second with $9.35 billion […]

    FIAs to take a hit next year, courtesy of DOL fiduciary rule

    {August 19th, 2016} by Nick Thornton

     Sales of fixed indexed annuities hit $16.2 billion in the second quarter of 2016, a 30 percent increase over the same period last year and an all-time quarterly record, according to LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute. For the first half to 2016, Fixed indexed annuity sales were $31.9 billion, a 32 percent increase of the first half […]

    American Equity Committed to FIA Market

    {August 9th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    The CEO of American Equity Investment Life Holding moved Thursday to reassure distributors and investors that the company has no plans to abandon the fixed indexed annuity business, which is on track to close $60 billion in sales this year. Executives with the Iowa-based company earlier this year raised doubts about whether the company, the […]

    American Financial: DOL Rule Will Have Greatest Impact On Nonregistered Reps

    {August 9th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    The Department of Labor’s new rule raising investment advice standards into retirement accounts will have the greatest impact on non-registered retail representatives. That’s the word from a top executive with American Financial Group. But sales by nonregistered reps through the retail channel represented only about 10 percent of American Financial’s annuity sales in the second […]

    Banks, B/Ds To Overtake Independent Agents In FIA Sales

    {August 2nd, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    Banks and insurance broker/dealers will overtake the independent agent channel in selling fixed indexed annuities “likely someday.” That’s according to the CEO of American Equity Life, a top FIA seller. FIAs, which have recorded torrid sales recently, are sold mostly through independent agents. However, with Department of Labor regulators raising investment advice standards, FIAs will […]

    Both annuity awareness, sales growing

    {July 26th, 2016} by Peggy Bresnick

    June 2016 marked the second annual Annuity Awareness Month, an event designed to increase consumer knowledge of the benefits of annuities. Different organizations bonded together to form The Coalition for Annuity Awareness that manages the event, including Beacon Research, the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP), the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA), the National […]

    Americans seek raises, even in retirement income

    {July 26th, 2016} by Marlene Y. Satter

    Americans are worried about how they’ll pay their bills if they don’t get pay raises, and that extends to retirement income. That’s according to a new study from Allianz Life Insurance Co. of America, which found Americans starting to look beyond the job to wonder how they’ll get pay raises during retirement. Competition in recruiting […]

    Distribution Channels for Fixed Indexed Annuity Sales Changing After DOL Rule

    {May 18th, 2016} by Rachel Summit

    The majority of fixed indexed annuity products are sold through independent insurance agents. But after the final DOL fiduciary rule was announce on April 6, it’s much less desirable for insurance companies to sell these annuities through independent agents. The insurance companies will be held liable for the BICE requirements because the independent marketing organizations […]

    Allianz: DOL Might Pull FIAs Out Of BICE

    {May 17th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    A senior executive with the top-selling fixed indexed annuity (FIA) insurer in the U.S. said the Department of Labor might pull FIAs out of the most restrictive exemption when sold in retirement accounts. Regulators added FIAs to the Best Interest Contract Exemption in the final version of a fiduciary rule, or “Conflict of Interest” rule, published April […]

    Broker-dealers could see higher share of fixed indexed annuity sales thanks to DOL fiduciary rule

    {May 6th, 2016} by Greg Iacurci

    The sale of fixed indexed annuities through independent insurance agents, by far the largest source of FIA distribution, is likely to take a hard hit as a result of the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule, and some believe insurers may lean more on other channels such as broker-dealers and banks in this eventuality. Click HERE to […]

    Observers Worry DOL Rule Change Could Hurt Fixed Indexed Annuities

    {April 12th, 2016} by Frank Klimko

    WASHINGTON – Although the new conflict-of-interest fiduciary rule adopted a broad swath of insurance industry-friendly language, trade representatives continue to harbor misgivings that the standards on fixed indexed annuities could hurt sales, reduce commissions and disrupt the annuity marketplace. The new FIA rules are part of the final fiduciary regulation just published by U.S. Department […]

    Twitter reactions to the finalized DOL fiduciary rule #SaveYourSavings

    {April 6th, 2016} by Carley Meiners

    April 6th was the day we’ve all were waiting for: The Department of Labor released its finalized fiduciary rule. Many people voiced their opinion and followed along as the DOL shared a live announcement on the rule. Twitter blew up with reactions about the DOL’s fiduciary rule. Click HERE for a collection of Tweets on what is being discussed.  

    Crashing The FIA Party: Not Just The Top Companies Driving Growth

    {March 24th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

        To get a sense of just how robust sales of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) have become, it’s worth taking a closer look at the league tables: Most life and annuity carriers in the market posted higher FIA sales last year than they did in 2014. Some increases were truly eye-popping. Integrity Life, a […]

    Wink: Indexed Annuity Sales Hit All-Time Highs for Quarter and Full

    {March 22nd, 2016} by By Dennis Gorski, managing editor-online, BestWeek: Dennis.Gorski@ambest.com

     PLEASANT HILL, Iowa – Indexed annuity sales reached record highs for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2015, according  to a new report by insurance and annuity markets consultancy Wink Inc.   Sales in the quarter were $15.5 billion, a more than 30% gain over a year ago, and rose 13% to $53 billion for the  full year, according […]

    Mutual of Omaha jumps into hot indexed universal life insurance market

    {March 21st, 2016} by Jamie Johnson

    Mutual of Omaha is expanding its reach in the universal life insurance market with the debut of its first indexed product, coming at a time when such policies are surging in popularity and more insurers are pushing to get in on the action. Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNews; registration required     […]

    New FIA Index Designed for Rising Rate Environment

    {March 15th, 2016} by Cyril Tuohy

    The introduction of a new balanced index option for investors in the Allianz 360 and Allianz 222 fixed indexed annuity (FIA) product line will offer financial advisors options better suited to a rising interest rate environment. The new index option, the PIMCO Tactical Balanced Index, is open to new Allianz 222 and 360 FIA contract […]

    Wall Street finds new ways to sell old, opaque products

    {January 27th, 2016} by Yakob Peterseil, 2016, Bloomberg

    As securities watchdogs crack down on complex investments that promise mom-and-pop investors access to strategies of trading pros, Wall Street is finding a way to sell the same products in places those regulators don’t reach. The investments, which follow proprietary indexes developed by banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Credit Suisse, are quietly spreading into […]

    5 steps to prospecting for ideal annuity clients

    {January 19th, 2016} by Peggy Bresnick

    When it comes to prospecting for new clients, agents and brokers need a plan to find and attract not only new customers, but great clients who will bring value to the business. Agents and brokers who do a good job prospecting can not only substantially increase their customer base, but they can also grow annuity […]

    The 11 biggest announcements from life and health insurers this week

    {January 19th, 2016} by Lynette Gil

    Paradigm shift news roundup: Deloitte, American Academy of Actuaries, Boston Mutual, NAILBA Charitable Foundation and Legal & General, MetLife, SBL, Wink, Borislow Insurance, Forethought Life, Guardian, MAPFRE  Click HERE to read article    Fifty-five indexed annuity carriers participated in the 73rd edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, representing 99.8 percent of indexed annuity production. […]

    Annuity Industry No Longer Waiting Out The Storm

    {January 13th, 2016} by Linda Koco

    What to make of annuity trends in in 2015? Here is a look-back in four key areas. The overall picture is one of an industry actively engaging in developing its business. No more sitting in a cave, waiting out an economic storm.   Click HERE to view the full article  …… Annuity distribution One change […]

    Concern Mounts On Whether New Rules Will Apply To Indexed Annuities

    {December 15th, 2015} by Ben Mattlin

    In November, rumors were spreading that proposed new rules from the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure fairness among dealers of retirement products might extend beyond variable annuities (VAs) to their fixed-indexed counterparts. “There’s been a lot of concern recently,” says Rhett Owens, a commercial litigation attorney at Burr & Forman, in Birmingham, Ala. “People […]

    Indexed Products Explode In Popularity, But Few Advisors Understand Them

    {December 9th, 2015} by Cyril Tuohy

    Indexed products, one of the hottest-selling categories in the life and annuity space, are on the minds of nearly every financial advisor working in the U.S. today. But how many advisors understand how they really work? Floors … caps … participation rates … bonuses … spreads … point to point. Click HERE to view article  […]

    FIAs Heat Up With Volatility Control Options

    {December 8th, 2015} by Linda Koco

    Genworth is the newest carrier to enter the increasingly crowded market for volatility controlled indices inside of fixed index annuities (FIAs). As reported last week, Genworth has debuted an “uncapped volatility control spread index crediting strategy.” It is based on the Barclays U.S. Low Volatility II Equity ER Risk Controlled Index (Barclays U.S. Low Volatility […]

    Nationwide Vaults To The FIA Leaders Table

    {December 7th, 2015} by Linda Koco

      Fixed index annuity sales roared to another record in third quarter 2015. The period produced some surprises too, such as a new carrier at the leadership table, a surge in FIA sales at banks, and a further dip in average compensation. The quarterly total closed at $13.5 billion, up nearly 21 percent from the […]

    Sales of Annuities Tied to Strategies Fall in Quarter

    {December 3rd, 2015} by BEN EISEN, BLOOMBERG BRIEF

    BY BEN EISEN, BLOOMBERG BRIEF Sales of annuities tied to formula-driven proprietary indexes and other specialized strategies declined during the third quarter as two sellers pulled back. Insurers sold about $3 billion of the products, according to data from Wink’s Sales & Market Report for the three months through September, released Nov. 25. That’s down […]

    Indexed Annuity Sales Continue To Break Records In 3Q

    {November 30th, 2015} by Press Release

    Pleasant Hill, Iowa. November 25th, 2015– Fifty-five indexed annuity carriers participated in the 73rd edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report, representing 99.8% of indexed annuity production. Total third quarter sales were $13.8 billion! Third quarter indexed annuity sales were up more than 13.0% when compared to the previous quarter, and up nearly 21.0% when […]

    Fixed-indexed annuities soar in popularity

    {November 30th, 2015} by Greg Iacurci

    Adviser Jo-Ann Holst’s client, a woman in her mid-60s with $440,000 in savings, didn’t want to sink her entire retirement nest egg into the stock market. Click HERE to view the full story via InvestmentNew; registration required         An FIA issued today would be expected to return approximately 3.8-4.8% on average over […]

    Retirement planning should start now for financially beleaguered millennials

    {October 25th, 2015} by Peggy Bresnick

    Composed of those who are roughly ages 18 to early 30s, the millennial generation is generally curious, educated, technologically adept and socially conscious. With all its gifts, however, millennials are also living with the fallout from events like 9/11 and the Great Recession, which combine with rising costs of higher education to place them in […]

    Voya Financial Offers New Index Crediting Strategy to Diversify its Suite of Fixed Index Annuity Product Solutions

    {September 29th, 2015} by PRNewswire

    WINDSOR, Conn., Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) announced today that it is offering customers a new index crediting strategy within the company’s Voya Secure Index series and Retirement Index Select fixed index annuity product lines. The Voya Point-to-Point Volatility Control Strategy features Deutsche Bank’s proprietary CROCI (Cash Return on Capital Invested) […]

    Year-over-year indexed annuity sales down 2 percent for quarter

    {September 10th, 2015} by Business Record

    Total second-quarter sales of indexed annuities were $12.2 billion, up nearly 8 percent compared with first-quarter sales, but down more than 2 percent compared with second quarter 2014 sales, according to Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Fifty-two carriers participated in the report, representing 99.8 percent of indexed annuity production. Allianz Life was the leading carrier […]

    30 under 30: Meet the millennials who are transforming the insurance industry

    {September 8th, 2015} by Lynette Gil

    Their parents, boomers and some seniors, told millennials they could be anything. Great songs about the children being the future were sung back in the 80s and early 90s. With such high hopes for their future, millennials embarked down a road of immense dreams. Click HERE to view article      Victoria Peterson Vice president of operations […]

    Why fixed indexed annuity sales continue to grow

    {September 1st, 2015} by JAMIE E. GREEN, WARREN S. HERSCH, EMILY HOLBROOK

    The “Great Recession,” followed by a sustained low-interest rate environment, are just a couple of factors that have contributed to a fairly tumultuous period in the life insurance industry over the past half-decade. One bright spot within the industry, however, has been the continued robust growth of fixed indexed annuity (FIA) sales. First introduced in […]

    8 reasons why FIA sales are soaring

    {August 11th, 2015} by Peggy Bresnick

    Fixed index annuities combine the reliability and predictability of a fixed annuity with the ability to benefit from stock market trends inherent in index annuities, which rely on a stock market index like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the Standard & Poor’s 500. Individuals that opt for fixed index annuities have the security of […]

    FIA Buyers Keep Getting Younger

    {July 9th, 2015} by Linda Koco

    Fixed index annuity (FIA) buyers are getting increasingly younger, according to an analysis of sales data for the first quarter periods in the last four years. The average age for buyers in first quarter 2015 was 62, with the age range being 47 to 70, according to quarterly FIA sales trends data from Wink Inc. […]

    Millennials want in on annuities

    {July 7th, 2015} by Hadley Malcolm

    Make way, Baby Boomers, Millennials want in on your annuities. The nation’s youngest batch of retirement savers are more interested than any other age group in the investing strategy behind annuities, even though most of them have likely never heard the word “annuity,” according to a survey just out from the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council. […]

    Pacific Life Strengthens New Channel With FIA Launch

    {June 26th, 2015} by Cyril Tuohy

    Pacific Index Dimensions, a new fixed index annuity launched earlier this month by Pacific Life, is the company’s new FIA designed specifically for distribution by Pacific Life’s Producer Alliance Program, a distribution channel launched three years ago. Adding the Producer Alliance Program channel has made Pacific Life’s products available to a broader range of retail […]

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