Morningstar

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  The 4 percent myth

  By Brent Welch  |  March 21, 2013

  Two studies show living on 4 percent might not be doable for many near-retirees.

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  Morningstar: VA product changes in 3Q outpace activity from year-ago period

  By Warren S. Hersch  |  November 6, 2012

  Product changes that variable annuity providers unveiled during the third quarter were more than double that of the year-ago period, but down from the second quarter.

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  Morningstar: Variable Annuity Sales Up 12% in 2011

  By Maria Wood  |  May 30, 2012

  Despite ongoing consolidation in the variable annuity industry, sales of new VAs in 2011 rose over 2010 levels, reports Morningstar. Based on numbers from Q4 2011, the most recent statistics available, new variable annuity sales totaled $153.4 billion last year, or 12.3% above the $136.6 billion in new VA sales...

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  Morningstar Launches New Variable Annuity Review Tool

  By Maria Wood  |  May 21, 2012

  The new program displays data on nearly 2,000 variable annuity contacts.

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  IRI: VA Sales Rise in Fourth Quarter, but Fixed Annuity Sales Dip

  By Warren S. Hersch  |  March 12, 2012

  Net variable annuity sales in 2011 were the strongest since 2007, topping $27.7 billion, a 28% increase from 2010. Net variable annuity sales for the quarter increased by nearly 35% to $7.2 billion compared with $5.4 billion for the same period in 2010.

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  IRI Survey: Net VA Sales Post 38% Gain in Third Quarter

  By Warren S. Hersch  |  November 29, 2011

  VA net cash flow matches the level achieved in the third quarter of 2007, the IRI survey reports. Year-to-date fixed annuity sales are tracking near 2010 levels.

• IRI Report: Annuity Sales Up 5% over the Year-Ago Period

  By Warren S. Hersch  |  November 10, 2011

  IRI CEO Cathy Weatherford says this year is poised to be an historic one for the industry, as sales continue to outpace benchmarks established last year.