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Index Annuities

How Policy Owners Were Able to Survive The Fall of AIG

How Policy Owners Were Able to Survive The Fall of AIG

Written By: Cal Burgess, Retirement Servicing Group The financial correction of 2008 is undoubtedly one of the most memorable events in US history. Several companies fell at that time including financial giants AIG and Lehman Bros. We all know the story of how the credit lines of these companies were extended by the Federal stimulus, which came to over $800 billion up front. Most people think companies like AIG fell because of financial insolvency. This was not the case at all. AIG fell because of...

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Top 50 Annuities

Top 50 Annuities

Since interest rates remain at a low without an immediate end in sight, Americans are looking under every rock to find the best possible solution to their retirement needs. A recent article on Barron’s written by Karen Hube titled Top 50 Annuities provides some insightful details on annuities. Not only does she describe the various types of annuities, but she also provides a list of top variable annuity, fixed indexed annuity, and longevity insurance products that are currently available for a subset of customers. If...

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Sales of Fixed Indexed Annuities Rose 13% Y/Y in the First Quarter of 2012

Sales of Fixed Indexed Annuities Rose 13% Y/Y in the First Quarter of 2012

A recent report by Moore Market Intelligence shows a 13% rise in fixed indexed annuity sales in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. This report covered 99% of indexed annuity production which included forty-four carriers with combined sales of $8 billion in this most recent quarter. The report shows that Allianz Life had the highest market share at 17%. Aviva held the second highest market share while American Equity, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, and Great American rounded-out the top...

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The Merits of Annuities

The Merits of Annuities

In a recent blog appearing on NAIFA.org and again on lifehealthpro.com, the merits of annuities have been highlighted as a reminder of their importance in effective retirement planning for all of us to keep in mind when hearing of an isolated event of abuse which often gets widespread coverage in the media. This blog written by Robert Miller is most directly aimed at the recent theft conviction of an agent in California who sold an indexed annuity to an 83 year old woman who prosecutors...

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Fourth Quarter 2011 Indexed Insurance Sales

Fourth Quarter 2011 Indexed Insurance Sales

According to The Indexed Sales and Market Report, 2011 was a year full of records within the Indexed Insurance market. It was the fourth consecutive year for indexed annuity sales topping the 2010 record by over 13%. Indexed life also realized a fourth consecutive year of record setting sales. In fact, indexed life sales for 2011 soared past the previous record set in 2010 by nearly 40%. The results for indexed annuity and indexed life sales in 2011 were $32.4 billion and $974.0 million respectively....

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Index Annuities Going Captive?

Index Annuities Going Captive?

For the average insurance professional selling index annuities, there have been some major ups and downs over the past few years.  Just a couple of years ago it almost seemed certain that fixed index annuities were going to be changed to securities with 151A.  However, the insurance and annuity community really came together and won a tough battle against the powerful broker dealers and FINRA.  We have also seen commissions take a nosedive, caps have followed a similar pattern, and the beloved income riders that...

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