Friday, December 22, 2006

 

Life Industry To Do Well in '07: EY

Ernst & Young LLP’s Global Insurance Center foresees continued good performance for the life insurance industry in 2007.

At the same time, it expects continued tough competition for the dollars of a new generation of retiring consumers.

Life Industry To Do Well in '07: EY
Source: National Underwriter (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:07 AM
 

Nationwide Financial Reaches Agreement to Sell The 401(k) Company to Charles Schwab

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. today announced an agreement to sell The 401(k) Company, Inc. to The Charles Schwab Corporation for $115 million in cash, subject to a post-closing adjustment. The 401(k) Company, based in Austin, Texas, provides defined contribution plan administrative and record-keeping services to employers in the large-case market. As of Sept. 30, 2006, The 401(k) Company administered assets totaling approximately $21.7 billion for 100 companies with 400,000 participants.

Nationwide Financial Reaches Agreement to Sell The 401(k) Company to Charles Schwab
Source: PR Newswire

Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:06 AM
 

Retirement Income: Think Creatively

This holiday season's massively hyped Sylvester Stallone movie, Rocky Balboa, finds the aging boxer -- and the actor who plays him -- beefing up their retirement accounts with one last return to the ring (wife Adrian, alas, isn't around to share the popular pugilist's golden years). Right now, many of the 77 million Americans nearing their golden years may be hoping for a similar yuletide miracle.

Retirement Income: Think Creatively
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:04 AM
 

Minnesota Fines MetLife Over Annuities

Minnesota regulators fined MetLife Investors USA Insurance Co. $250,000 for violating Minnesota insurance laws.

And in a related matter, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which regulates the insurance industry in the state, also fined William Gerga, a licensed Minnesota insurance agent in White Bear Lake, $10,000 for selling unapproved annuity contracts to 50 Minnesota residents.

Minnesota Fines MetLife Over Annuities
Source: TwinCities.com

Permalink posted by armandn @ 9:02 AM

Thursday, December 21, 2006

 

John Hancock Variable Annuities and Morgan Stanley Announce New Partnership

John Hancock this week announced the launch of its Variable Annuity products on the Morgan Stanley platform. Already the number-one variable annuity in the wirehouse channel (Q3 2006) according to the Variable Annuity Research Database Service (VARDS), John Hancock Variable Annuities are now available to more than 8,000 Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors.

John Hancock Variable Annuities and Morgan Stanley Announce New Partnership
Source: PR Newswire

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:39 AM
 

Senior Citizens Selling Their Life Insurance Has Become Big Business

For several years there have been advertisers on SeniorJournal.com offering to purchase life insurance policies from senior citizens, but, this industry has now reached new heights, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Today, investors are funding some older Americans to buy life insurance and then helping them find other investors willing to buy them at big profits for the original investors and the senior whose life has been insured. This transaction is also referred to as a "Life Settlement."

Senior Citizens Selling Their Life Insurance Has Become Big Business
Source: Seniour Journal

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:38 AM
 

NY Life Produces VA with Longevity Provision

New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation has brought out a new variable annuity that offers its purchasers protection against outliving their financial resources.

The new product, the LifeStages Longevity Benefit Variable Annuity, offers not only tax-deferred growth but also a promise of lifetime income, even if owners live a long time.

NY Life Produces VA with Longevity Provision
Source: National Underwriter (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:36 AM

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

 

Hartford Unit Buys Financial Marketer

Woodbury Financial Services has agreed to acquire the assets of Diversified Financial Concepts, an investment and insurance marketing firm that has long been allied with Woodbury.

Hartford Unit Buys Financial Marketer
Source: National Underwriter (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:13 AM
 

Michigan Set To Join Interstate Compact

Topping off a year in which the interstate compact of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reached its threshold for becoming operational, the organization said Michigan is set to become its 29th member.

The Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission enables states to develop a single point of filing for life and asset-based products while also developing national standards. The compact was initiated by the NAIC in 2004 and solidified in May when Alaska became the 26th state to join.

Michigan Set To Join Interstate Compact
Source: A.M. Best (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:12 AM
 

Designing a Successful Retirement Income Strategy

It is becoming increasingly difficult to open a newspaper or magazine without being bombarded with news about the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. But the fact of the matter is, this really is big news — not only for the 76 million boomers, but also for the ongoing success of your business.

Designing a Successful Retirement Income Strategy
Source: Life Insurance Selling

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:10 AM
 

INSPIRIS Applauds New HHS Web Site Offering Consumer Information About Long-Term Care Funding, Services

One of the nation's leading health care organizations focusing on the elderly in long-term care is applauding a new Web site sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information Web site is designed to provide essential information and tools about long-term care planning, services and finances.

INSPIRIS Applauds New HHS Web Site Offering Consumer Information About Long-Term Care Funding, Services
Source: PR Newswire

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:09 AM
 

Scared About Saving Enough for Retirement? Chill, Author Says.

Fear not, financial guru Jonathan Pond brings glad tidings of great joy just in time for holiday shopping season.

The man best-known for dispensing money advice on PBS stations nationwide has a new book, You Can Do It! The Boomer's Guide to a Great Retirement. His book attempts to reassure boomers spooked by the specter of living out their retirement years in abject poverty unless they meet their much-ballyhooed "number" — the magical sum of cash, usually $1 million or up, they'll ostensibly need before calling it quits in the workplace.

Scared About Saving Enough for Retirement?  Chill, Author Says.
Source: USA Today

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:07 AM
 

Milliman Survey Confirms Continued Dominance of Guarantees in Variable Annuity Retirement Income Products

Results from Milliman's second annual Guaranteed Living Benefits (GLBs) survey of leading variable annuity (VA) carriers indicate that GLBs continue to drive variable annuity sales. Total sales of VAs that offered a GLB during calendar year 2005 averaged 87% of total VA sales, stable relative to 2004 results. This figure increased to 89% during the first half of 2006, demonstrating the continued popularity of such benefits.

Milliman Survey Confirms Continued Dominance of Guarantees in Variable Annuity Retirement Income Products
Source: PR Newswire

Permalink posted by armandn @ 7:06 AM

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

 

Sales of VAs Bloom, Fixed Annuities Fade

Demographic and economic trends that favored variable over fixed annuities during the first three quarters of this year probably will continue in 2007, most industry experts say. The stock market is expected to continue to rise next year, helping VAs maintain their impressive sales gains, note observers.

Sales of VAs Bloom, Fixed Annuities Fade
Source: Investment News (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:43 AM
 

Spitzer Nominates New York State Insurance Superintendent

Eliot Spitzer of New York nominated Eric Dinallo, General Counsel of Willis Group Holdings, to serve as New York State Insurance Superintendent in the new administration.

Dinallo, 43, will replace Howard Mills, who was appointed in 2004 by Republican Governor George Pataki. In 2003 Dinallo resigned as chief of Spitzer's Investment Protection Bureau to become head of regulatory matters for Morgan Stanley, and was hired as general counsel for insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Ltd. in March.

Nominates New York State Insurance Superintendent
Source: Insurance Networking News

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:40 AM
 

Why My Fixed Annuity Is My Smartest Investment?

Recently, a few misguided financial pundits have questioned the wisdom of buying annuities. Their concerns don’t hold up in the real world, however.
I have diligently saved money for retirement, both in a 401(k) plan and post-tax vehicles, for almost 30 years. With a suspicion that my stock/bond fund returns have been substandard, I recently completed an eye-opening analysis of my investments.

Why My Fixed Annuity Is My Smartest Investment?
Source: Life Insurance Selling

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:37 AM
 

Nationwide Bank Receives Final Regulatory Approvals

Nationwide Bank has received regulatory approvals from the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation authorizing its merger with the Nationwide Federal Credit Union (NFCU).

Nationwide Bank and NFCU announced on Nov. 1 that the merger of the two organizations had been approved by an NFCU membership majority vote. Beginning Jan. 2, 2007, NFCU's 44,000 members, which includes many Nationwide associates, retirees, agents and their families, will become customers of the new Nationwide Bank.

Nationwide Bank Receives Final Regulatory Approvals
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Permalink posted by armandn @ 10:35 AM

Monday, December 18, 2006

 

If You Outlive Your Savings…

Everyone worries about outliving their savings. And as we live longer, the chances of doing just that are increasing.

Consider this: A 65-year-old man today has a 34% chance of living until age 90, and a 17% chance of making it to 95, according to Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., based in Hartford, Conn. Hartford's numbers suggest 65-year-old women have even better odds: a 44% chance of making it to age 90, and a 23% chance to live until 95.

If You Outlive Your Savings…
Source: Wall Street Journal (subscription required)

Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:06 AM
 

The Hartford Now Selling Personal Insurance Through Independent Agents in West Virginia

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), one of the nation’s leading providers of investment and insurance products, announced that it has entered the personal lines independent agency market in West Virginia. Presence in the market means that drivers, homeowners, and renters in the Mountain State can now look to The Hartford when shopping for personal insurance through an agent.

The Hartford Now Selling Personal Insurance Through Independent Agents in West Virginia
Source: dBusiness News

Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:04 AM
 

Nest Egg to Goose Egg In No Time

Like many of his co-workers, Bradley Simon had put in decades at the Exxon Mobil refinery, building up a stout 401(k) retirement account and enviable pension benefits.

So he listened carefully to the investment broker's pitch that he should seize a head start on the golden years.

"He said, 'Why are you still working?' " Simon recalled. "He said, 'I can make you more money staying at home."

Nest Egg to Goose Egg In No Time
Source: LA Times

Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:03 AM
 

Regulators Urged to Beef Up 401(k)

Federal regulators need to boost their oversight of 401(k) retirement plans and adopt changes to ensure full disclosure of hidden costs that can cut into the savings of millions of American workers, a government report recommended.

With companies abandoning traditional pensions, 401(k) plans have become a cornerstone of retirement security for an estimated 47 million people. Yet regulation and oversight haven't kept pace, the recent report by the Government Accountability Office found.

Regulators Urged to Beef Up 401(k)
Source: Hartford Courant

Permalink posted by armandn @ 6:01 AM

Thursday, December 14, 2006

 

NAIC alters STOLI policy to halt abusive practices

The life insurance and annuities committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has adopted amendments to the viatical settlements model regulation.

In an effort to curb the application of stranger-oriented life insurance (STOLI), the amendments would enforce a five-year sales ban on policies that are financed with the intent to be sold to investors, according to the NAIC...

Producers Web: NAIC alters STOLI policy to halt abusive practices

Permalink posted by markw @ 5:41 AM
 

I.I.I. Paper Gives Insightful Pros and Cons of Indexed Annuities

U.S. indexed annuities (IAs) investors are benefiting from the current performance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500), to which most IAs are tied, while at the same time being protected from downside risk, an Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) report found.

Indexed annuities have only been on the market for 11 years; they were known previously as equity-indexed annuities and are currently also referred to as fixed-index annuities...

Insurance News Net: I.I.I. Paper Gives Insightful Pros and Cons of Indexed Annuities

Permalink posted by markw @ 5:31 AM
 

Meet the needs of female boomer business owners

With almost 50 percent of all private U.S. firms at least half-owned by women, female entrepreneurs represent an increasingly compelling opportunity for financial advisors. The results of an Oppenheimer survey of members of the Women Presidents’ Organization, a group of successful female business owners, help determine how to best identify key opportunities in this segment, find suitable prospects and meet female business owner needs...

Producers Web: Meet the needs of female boomer business owners

Permalink posted by markw @ 5:30 AM

Monday, December 11, 2006

 

NAVA Reports Third Quarter Variable Annuity Industry Data

NAVA(TM) announced today third quarter results for the variable annuity industry. The combined net assets of U.S. variable annuities increased 2.4% to $1.3 trillion at the end of the third quarter, as compared to the end of the second quarter of 2006. Net assets increased by 9.8 percent relative to the third quarter one year ago.

NAVA Reports Third Quarter Variable Annuity Industry Data
Source: Insurance News Net

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:16 PM
 

John Hancock Annuities Launches Interactive, Content-Rich Web Site

John Hancock Annuities today launched its brand new website, http://www.jhannuities.com.

The completely redesigned, content-rich site features both retirement and investment education along with interactive tools and expanded services for financial advisers.

John Hancock Annuities Launches Interactive, Content-Rich Web Site
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:14 PM
 

Broker/dealer options with EIAs

Since January, 2006, I’ve been caught in a whirlwind of activity centered on Equity-Indexed Annuities (EIAs). Advisor after advisor have contacted me looking for a broker/dealer that takes a friendlier approach to this area of their business that at one time, was not of any concern to broker/dealers.

The debate swirling around EIAs is confusing and comes with widely varying opinions. One day I’ll be speaking with a broker/dealer who assures me EIAs are going to be declared securities; the next day another broker/dealer will be just as confident that it will never happen. From the broker/dealers’ perspective, I would think the reality of EIAs becoming securities would make them cringe. If they were declared securities, they run the risk of all the previous transactions being viewed as “unregistered securities” transactions. That could open a flood gate of litigation and cause many of those transactions to be rescinded...

Producers' Web: Broker/dealer options with EIAs

Permalink posted by markw @ 6:47 AM
 

Designing a Successful Retirement Income Strategy

It is becoming increasingly difficult to open a newspaper or magazine without being bombarded with news about the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation. But the fact of the matter is, this really is big news — not only for the 76 million boomers, but also for the ongoing success of your business...

Life Insurance Selling: Designing a Successful Retirement Income Strategy

Permalink posted by markw @ 6:45 AM
 

A season for peace of mind

When I was a child, I went to junior high school with a fellow I'll call Marcus. He was a likeable guy, a great musician, and a prodigious joke-teller. Although he was not poor by any means, he was terribly broke on a regular basis.

He just liked to show off with money and he gambled. He was constantly asking to borrow money from me, and I often obliged. As far as I can recall, he never once, not even once, repaid me.

Time passed. I went off to college in New York City. Marcus went off to college in California and I rarely heard from him. But every once in a while he would write an affectionate note, always ending with a plea that I lend him money...

Ben Stein (Yahoo Finance): A season for peace of mind

Permalink posted by markw @ 6:44 AM
 

Why My Fixed Annuity is My Smartest Investment

Recently, a few misguided financial pundits have questioned the wisdom of buying annuities. Their concerns don’t hold up in the real world, however.

I have diligently saved money for retirement, both in a 401(k) plan and post-tax vehicles, for almost 30 years. With a suspicion that my stock/bond fund returns have been substandard, I recently completed an eye-opening analysis of my investments.

What appalled me is just how miserably they performed.

Let’s face the harsh truth. The vast majority of Americans do not have the ability or the discipline to manage their stock and bond fund investments...

Life Insurance Selling: Why My Fixed Annuity is My Smartest Investment

Permalink posted by markw @ 6:43 AM

Thursday, December 07, 2006

 

Indiana Commissioner Issues Life and Annuity Self Certification Bulletin

Indiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Atterholt today released Bulletin 142, a new self-certification process geared toward expediting Life and Annuity product filings. Bulletin 142 is a Life and Annuity Policy Actuarial and Form Filings self-certification process that allows for product approval within five days of submission.

Indiana Commissioner Issues Life and Annuity Self Certification Bulletin
Source: Insurance Journal

Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:53 AM
 

Evolving Complex Exposures Leave Individuals at Risk

Evolving complex personal and lifestyle exposures have increased the need for financial advisers to devote more time to helping manage their clients' risk, according to a white paper developed by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Published in the current issue of The Journal of Wealth Management, "Managing Personal Risk in an Era of Rising Wealth and Proliferating Threats" addresses the evolving risk profile of affluent individuals and the increasing need for the financial planning community to integrate risk management into the wealth management process.

Evolving Complex Exposures Leave Individuals at Risk
Source: Earth Times

Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:50 AM
 

Give It All Away

'Tis the season of giving -- to family, friends and a million worthy charities. We do half of our charitable giving between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So after exploring the many ways you can give to charity without spending a dime, I thought I'd explore another part of the equation: How many ways can you give all your money away?

Give It All Away
Source: Motley Fool

Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:48 AM
 

How To Influence Prospects and Garner New LTC Clients

Long-term care is not a product that is bought—it’s a product that has to be sold. That takes skill and a good understanding of the product, the market and the people to whom you will sell it. If you are not already involved, you may be wondering where you might get this information. Fortunately, so much has been happening lately on the LTCI front that there is much for us to tell you about.

How To Influence Prospects and Garner New LTC Clients
Source: Insurance News Net

Permalink posted by armandn @ 11:13 AM

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

 

Protective Life Introduces Protective Centennial G Universal Life

Protective Life Insurance Company today announced the introduction of its newest universal life insurance policy, Protective Centennial G Universal Life(SM).

Protective Centennial G UL(SM) combines the most popular features of universal life insurance policies into one consumer-focused product. The policy gives buyers a flexible lapse protection guarantee, which allows them to select the death benefit guarantee period that best suits their individual needs. Protective Centennial G UL also offers improved long-term value and affordability at many ages, rate classes and premium funding scenarios.

Protective Life Introduces Protective Centennial G Universal Life
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:22 PM
 

Conning Research: Life Insurers - Especially Variable Annuity Providers - Adopting New Capital and Risk Management Measures

Traditional methods of measuring capital, risk and value creation no longer adequately serve the variable annuity insurer due to the complexity of new guaranteed benefits, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting, Inc. As a result, managers are developing alternatives as they pursue growth in the retirement market.

Life Insurers - Especially Variable Annuity Providers  - Adopting New Capital and Risk Management Measures
Source: Insurance News Net

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:20 PM
 

Crunch the numbers to determine your life insurance needs

I know to expect a flood of reader mail whenever I write about hot-button issues such as Social Security. But I wasn't prepared for the avalanche from an October column on the need for life insurance.

Your letters and e-mails, poignant and even angry, came from surviving spouses -- usually women with small children left to struggle financially because the main breadwinner did not have adequate life insurance, or any at all. And many of you, moved to act, wanted to know how much insurance to get and what type of policy is best...

LA Times: Crunch the numbers to determine your life insurance needs

Permalink posted by markw @ 1:05 PM
 

Baby boomers encouraged to buy long-term insurance

With about 75 million baby boomers rushing toward retirement age, there is a push within the insurance industry to get more of them to buy long-term care insurance.

Such policies are intended to cover expenses associated with care in old age, including home health care, and assisted-living or nursing home expenses.

The American Association for Long-Term Health Insurance recently wrapped up a campaign to double the number of Americans who hold long-term care policies to 14 million within five years...

Courier-Post Online: Baby boomers encouraged to buy long-term insurance

Permalink posted by markw @ 1:00 PM
 

U.S. Life Insurers Enjoy Stable Outlook, Face Increased Competition

The next 12 months present challenges for the U.S. life insurance sector, including a flat yield curve, M&A activity, and a weak traditional sales environment that should be exacerbated by an increasingly complex product array, according to a report released to-day by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Nevertheless, Standard & Poor's believes the life insurance industry remains resilient due to its improved overall expense structure, enhanced enterprise risk management capabilities, and response to product needs in the ever-changing retirement market...

InsuranceNewsNet: U.S. Life Insurers Enjoy Stable Outlook, Face Increased Competition

Permalink posted by markw @ 12:59 PM
 

Insurers Get Serious About Enterprise Risk Management, Tillinghast Reports

Driven in part by increased demands from regulatory and rating agencies, enterprise risk management (ERM) has become integral to insurers' business processes around the world. Sixty percent of survey respondents explicitly factor risk management considerations into their decision-making, according to a survey of risk and capital management practices among insurers worldwide by the Tillinghast business of Towers Perrin...

Insurance Journal: Insurers Get Serious About Enterprise Risk Management, Tillinghast Reports

Permalink posted by markw @ 12:09 PM
 

50 Life Insurance Companies Ranked on How They Treat Online Customers

The Customer Respect Group, an international research and consulting firm that focuses on how corporations treat their online customers, today released findings from its Fourth Quarter 2006 Online Customer Respect Study of the Life Insurance Industry.

The study evaluated 50 websites. The Overall CRI score for the industry was 5.1, which was significantly lower than the overall cross-industry average (C-IA) for all sites evaluated in 2006 at 5.8...

InsuranceNewsNet: 50 Life Insurance Companies Ranked on How They Treat Online Customers: The Customer Respect Group

Permalink posted by markw @ 12:01 PM

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

 

65+ May Be The Answer: LTC Insurance Prospects

The need for long term care insurance is perhaps greater than ever before. However, producers continue to face difficulty in establishing a niche in the vast marketplace. Everyone knows the need is real, but why is it so difficult to translate that into a sale?

Various industry surveys show that, on average, typical baby boomers have under $100,000 invested in retirement funds. Meanwhile, more and more employers have frozen their employee retirement pension plans and are moving toward employee-directed defined contribution plans...

National Underwriter: 65+ May Be The Answer: LTC Insurance Prospects

Permalink posted by markw @ 4:35 AM

Monday, December 04, 2006

 

Don't skimp

A client was in my office for an annual review. I first met Dick in 1957, my second year in the business. I had picked him up as an orphan policyholder. His one policy for $7,000 of face amount had an extra premium of $3 per thousand because of what was then considered a hazardous occupation, working in a chemical factory.

I did some research and found that occupation was no longer rated. I called him and got the rating removed from the policy, a last expense plan that we sold so often in the developing years of our profession.

He continued to work in the factory and I placed an additional $10,000 policy. Eventually, he rose to a supervisory position and then to vice president...

Life Insurance Selling: Don't skimp

Permalink posted by markw @ 1:28 PM
 

Ten reasons variable annuity sales are soaring

As a finance professor, I meet and work with well-educated investors every day. When discussing their investments, I often find that these investors not only understand variable annuities, but own them in their own investment portfolios.

When asked why they invested in variable annuities, they usually give several reasons...

Producers' Web: Ten reasons variable annuity sales are soaring

Permalink posted by markw @ 1:27 PM
 

Ready to Live to 100?

Social Security benefits are dwindling, corporate pensions are dying and Americans are living longer. In short, plan for a long retirement or risk getting sentenced to old age with few amenities.

Ready to Live to 100?
Source: News & Observer

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:18 PM
 

Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company Introduces New Health and Life Insurance Option for Seniors in New York

Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company today announced that it will begin selling health and life insurance plans, including those specifically designed for seniors, through their career agent force in the state of New York, effective immediately.

Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company Introduces New Health and Life Insurance Option for Seniors in New York
Source: PR Newswire

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:14 PM
 

Foward-thinking Five

What’s ahead for 2007 and beyond, specifically for baby boomers and the advisor industry? Global market uncertainty, increased regulation and the threat of new scandal all make for a complicated planning environment, to say the least. Will this translate to energy and excitement, or fear and dread?

Boomer Market Advisor brought together five industry giants for agendas and predictions for the new year. All were chosen for their enthusiasm and creativity in their respective fields, and the innovative ideas that fuel their success. Some names you’ll recognize, others will be new, but look for all to make their mark in the weeks and months ahead.

The innovator {Tony Rochte}: Think of a forward-looking product like exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and you’ll think Tony Rochte...

Producers Web: Foward-thinking Five

Permalink posted by markw @ 1:11 PM
 

Beacon's Fixed Annuity Premium Study Reports Third Quarter's Fixed Annuity Sales

U.S. sales of fixed annuities rose to an estimated $19.9 billion in third quarter, 2006, an increase of 9.3% from the previous quarter and 9.9% from third quarter, 2005. But on a year-to-date basis, results were 4% below the same period last year, according to new data from the Beacon Research Fixed Annuity Premium Study based on sales of 52 insurance companies. Estimated sales by product type were: book value - $8.12 billion, indexed - $6.52 billion, market value-adjusted (MVA) - $3.68 billion, and immediate - $1.58 billion.

Beacon's Fixed Annuity Premium Study Reports
Source: Insurance News Net

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:08 PM

Friday, December 01, 2006

 

Axa Restructures Life And General Insurance Divisions

French insurance firm Axa has announced changes to the organizational structure within its life and insurance companies in a bid to enhance both divisions' market focus and align them more closely with customer needs.

Axa Restructures Life And General Insurance Divisions
Source: Insurance Business Review

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:04 PM
 

Know The Essential Concepts of Annuities Before You Decide Whether To Buy

I am being two-faced about annuities, readers tell me. One day I am in favor of them and the next day I am against. Where do I really stand?

My unequivocal response: It depends. Different types of annuities have very different characteristics. While I strive to distinguish between the many types, it is obvious the distinctions need to be made clearer.

Know The Essential Concepts of Annuities Before You Decide Whether To Buy
Source: Sun-Sentinel.com


Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:02 PM
 

John Hancock Financial Network Introduces Protege Program For Leadership Development Of Potential Sales Managers

John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) has developed and introduced a field leadership program for identified potential sales managers as part of a broader strategy to expand its career agency system and support its Client Centered Marketing Firm business model. Called the Protege Program, the leadership development course offers a distinct plan with training and development requirements and timelines.

John Hancock Financial Network Introduces Protege Program For Leadership Development Of Potential Sales Managers
Source: Yahoo! Finance

Permalink posted by armandn @ 1:00 PM

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