Annuity FYI Blog

Sammons Retirement Solutions is moving forward with a new variable annuity despite many carriers steering clear of variable annuities.  Since interest rates have been low and the stock market volatile, insurers like MetLife and Prudential have lessened their variable annuity business.  Sun Life Financial, out of Canada, actually left the variable annuity business altogether.  These companies worry about hedging their living benefit guarantees with a less than ideal financial market.  But Sammons says that you just have to focus on the other benefits variable annuities have to offer, those related to tax deferral.  This information comes from Darla Mercado’s Investment News article, “Others retreat, but this carrier is charging into the VA business.”

Sammons has been a staple of the fixed annuity market in the past, but is excited to introduce their variable annuity to the industry.  A new unit of Sammons Financial Group, Sammons Retirement Solutions is also the sister company to Midland National Life Insurance Co.  Sammons’ variable annuity will have up to 80 different choices in the investment menu.  They believe that focusing on simplicity and the tax-deferral benefits of variable annuities will make them successful in this new endeavor.  By staying away from the guaranteed living benefits that are stressing out insurers, Sammons is able to keep costs low and choices high.  They have chosen to compare annuities based on their ability to defer taxes throughout the accumulation period.  This switch in focus on the benefits of variable annuities is likely to be a new trend in the marketplace.

Written by Rachel Summit

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The National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) recently had their summit to forecast what is ahead in 2012.  This information comes from Insurance News Net’s article “2012: Industry Views from the 2011 NAFA Summit,” by Rob Billingham.  He gives a summary of six expert opinions in the industry.

Altisure Group’s Niju Viswani believes that annuities will stay strong in 2012, but they will need continuing innovation to keep up with the switch from being accumulation focused to insurance focused.  You will see more death benefit annuity products and annuities with GLWBs.  Also, insurers will have to get creative to deal with the 10/10 regulation, annuities cannot have a surrender charge greater than 10% and it cannot last longer than 10 years.

Fidelity’s Cindy McGarity thinks that 2012 will see a large focus on regulation and suitability requirements.  She believes that companies will be focused on training and carrier consolidation and says that indexed annuities should continue a steady increase.  Brian Mann of Partners Advantage says you need to move past the low interest rates and volatile markets and focus on the guaranteed lifetime income that retirees seek.  Fixed equity indexed annuities with GLWBs offer the peace of mind that many retirees want; they aren’t as worried about the interest rates.

Consultant Harry Stout says that technological advancements and strong capital management will be important focuses for insurers in 2012.  He points out that many variable annuity carriers have started selling indexed annuities as the products have developed to include death benefits and GLWBs.  Mary Ann Lacey of Underwriters Marketing Service says that while she sees an increase in annuity sales, it will be for those who adapt to changing market conditions like tying annuities to long term care insurance.  Asset Marketing Systems’ Joe Anzelone sees increased fixed annuity sales and challenges related to increased regulation.  The experts agree on most of the 2012 annuity forecast.

Written by Rachel Summit

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More and more insurance companies are offering indexed annuities now, especially those who were traditionally only big sellers of variable annuities.  Sheryl Moore’s Insurance News Net article, “Interest in Indexed Annuities on the Rise,” says that you have to look at the market to understand why many companies have decided to sell fixed equity indexed annuity products in addition to their other annuities.

During market increases, many people transfer their money from fixed products to securities so that they can take advantage of the increasing market.  Variable annuities sell very well after the markets hit rock bottom because they can only go up from there.  Market increases provide investors with great gains in their investments.  In a declining market however, investors tend to leave stocks, bonds, and variable annuities for fixed products.  They are fearful of losing money, including both principal and potential gains, so they turn to fixed annuities and indexed annuities.

When fixed interest rates are increasing, there is usually a corresponding increase in sales of fixed annuities and CDs.  When fixed annuity rates were in the double digits, there was an influx of fixed annuity 1035 exchanges and CD rollovers.  During a declining period for fixed interest rates, some investors hold on to their fixed products while others switch to securities like a fixed equity indexed annuity for some potential of a gain.

Taking a combination of these market conditions into effect, indexed annuities stand to gain in a low market with low interest rates.  That is why they have become increasingly popular in the last few years.  Insurance companies who previously disliked the products have realized that they stand to benefit from introducing their own version to consumers.  The principal protection with possible market gains is looking very good to investors right now.

Written by Rachel Summit

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According to “Retiring in a positive tax climate is only half the battle,” written by Christopher Scalese for The Times-Tribune, fixed and fixed indexed annuities could be great retirement vehicles for Pennsylvania residents.  They are lucky to live in a state with favorable tax codes for retirees, but Pennsylvania residents still have to find a way to maximize their retirement income.  In Pennsylvania, they have a low sales tax, Social Security benefits are not taxed on the state level, and pensions are only partially taxed.

These tax benefits are a great start, but residents still need to make the most of their retirement savings and annuity products are a good way for many people to do that.  Interest rates are very low on bank CD’s right now and although annuity rates are lower than they have been in the past, fixed annuity rates are higher than those of CD’s because they are offered by insurance companies rather than banks.  Fixed annuities are a good way to earn interest tax-deferred and keep your money safe from volatile markets.

If you are looking for some market exposure, fixed indexed annuities give you that, but they still protect your principal from any losses.  People who choose annuities are typically looking for a safe way to grow their money and ensure that it lasts through retirement.  Annuities also offer tax savings that can add to the benefits already established for Pennsylvania residents.  Every safe investment has terms that you should look into and annuities are no different.  It’s best to speak with an expert and make sure the product is right for you.

Written by Rachel Summit

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The Sacramento Bee published a press release from John Hancock Financial Services introducing their new President of Annuities, John G. Vrysen.  He starts his position immediately and will be in charge of all aspects of John Hancock’s annuity business.  This includes variable annuities, fixed annuities, structured settlements, immediate annuity products, and other fixed products.  His boss is the President of U.S. Wealth Management, Hugh McHaffie.  Mr. Vrysen recently merged many of the company’s life insurance subsidiaries to increase company efficiency.

John Hancock’s President of Financial Services says that Mr. Vrysen has a plethora of both leadership experience and experience in their Variable and Fixed Annuities business.  Since 2008, he was the head of Strategic Initiatives, a position that will now be held by the previous President of Annuities, Marc Costantini.  Mr. Vrysen has worked for Manulife and John Hancock for more than three decades as the variable annuities’ chief actuary, the CFO of US Operations, the fixed annuities general manager, the COO of Wood Logan, and the COO for John Hancock Funds.

Written by Rachel Summit

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