National Underwriter Life & Health Magazine March 02, 2009
Cover Story
Fixed Annuities Are Hot
Fixed annuity sales are hot. While industry sales for 2008 aren't available yet, it's a good bet that overall fixed annuity sales were up significantly from last year...
Focus
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What's Hot In Fixed Annuities
In the past few years, many insurers have been heavily promoting indexed annuities and variable annuities, allowing their fixed annuity portfolio to fall out of competition...
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2008 FIA Sales Seen Rising 6.2%
Fixed indexed annuity sales in 2008 rose nearly 6.2% over 2007 results, according to preliminary statistics released by AnnuitySpecs.com, a data service of Advantage Group Associates, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa...
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The Correct Context For Viewing Index Annuity Returns
A financial magazine published an article about index annuities that cited my findings from the actual return data I collect, quoting that the average annual index annuity return was around 5.6% for the 5 years ending September 30, 2008...
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Liquidity Is The Answer To What Ails FIAs
Liquidity--meaning cash, or rather the ability to turn an asset into cash--is a consideration for all financial transactions...
Features
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Iowa Eases Capital Rules For 10 Carriers
Iowa is giving 10 life insurance companies capital and surplus relief by letting them use a Feb. 3 bulletin that temporarily relaxes deferred tax asset rules.
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Court Sets Hearing Date On Rule 151A Challenge
A federal appeals court in Washington will hear oral arguments May 8 on a suit challenging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's move to adopt Rule 151A, a regulation that classifies some indexed annuities as securities.
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Feds Postpone Implementing Plan Advice Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor is extending a comment period for a final regulation that would allow 401(k) and other retirement plan fiduciaries to give plan participants investment advice.
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What's In The Stimulus Package For Agents And Insurers
The $787 billion stimulus package recently enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama contains provisions of substantial significance...
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Retaining Life Insurance Policyholders In Difficult Times
During difficult economic times, some consumers view life insurance premiums as discretionary expenditures...
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Index Life's Status More Uncertain Than Ever
The Securities and Exchange Commission, in adopting Rule 151A, may have clarified the status of index annuities, but it also made the status of index life insurance more uncertain than ever...
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AIG Reported To Seek Another Big Cash Infusion
American International Group Inc. says it is negotiating for more government help, and CNBC says AIG is about to report a $60 billion loss...
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Make A Hobby Of It
If passing a weekday fishing or canoeing with your best buddies sounds like a far better way to spend your time than cold-calling strangers from a nondescript cubicle, well, you're probably right...
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Closing Sales The Right Way
All of us have made purchases that continue to be treasured for many years. It's the cozy home that has hosted fond family memories...
Opinion
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Gulliver's Travails
I remember it so clearly--a memorable illustration from one of my childhood books, Gulliver's Travels. There he was, huge Gulliver lying flat on the ground, bound in ropes, an unlikely prisoner in the land of the Lilliputians...
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Chock Full Of 'Advice'
Today's advice-givers seem to be chock full of recommendations for consumers on how to cope with recession...
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Look On The Bright Side
With stock markets reaching levels not seen since the Clinton administration the former president has re-emerged to dispense advice to President Obama...
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Ode To Whole Life
At the outset I should confess that I am a whole life freak and have been one for more than 50 years. However, I believe my own experience with this product, coupled with the experience of others, will more than justify my conviction...
Special Features
2013 Outlook As we move into a transition year, check out LifeHealthPro's conjectures for the life, annuities, health and disability markets.
The Complete ELNY Saga For more than two decades, the Executive Life Insurance Company of New York (ELNY) has been bled for billions of dollars while languishing in a state-imposed purgatory.
Life Insurance A-Z This alphabetical-themed infographic will help your clients feel more comfortable discussing life insurance protection concepts.
100 Best Sales & Marketing Ideas Whether you want ideas for referrals, generating leads or just listening to your clients better, we have the sales and marketing tips you need.
2012 Advisor of the Year Through a very thorough nomination process we look to find a top producer who is a true cornerstone of a community.
Senior Survey 2011 In this special section, find out how seniors build their nest egg, make an estate plan, finance their health care and where they live.
