Laura Bazer

• 

  Real markets

  By Stephen D. Forman  |  October 2, 2012

  A veteran producer says the main force reshaping the LTCI market is healthy competition.

• 

  About those hybrids...

  By Allison Bell  |  September 24, 2012

  Moody's analysts point out that life and annuity products with LTC benefit triggers are pretty new.

• 

  Moody's warns low rates may stifle life insurers

  By AP Staff Writer  |  September 14, 2012

  The ratings agency has lowered its outlook for the life insurance industry from "stable" to "negative."

• 

  Geneva Association: IAIS' G-SII Criteria May Create More Risk, Obstacles to Refinancing

  By Elizabeth Festa  |  July 31, 2012

  The IAIS gives too much weight to traditional insurance in its 18-point criteria for G-SIFIs, and weights investments in bonds and bank-issued securities as risky.

• 

  IAIS G-SII Methodology a Credit Positive for the Insurance Industry, Says Moody's

  By Elizabeth Festa  |  June 11, 2012

  The International Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (IAIS) newly proposed methodology for identifying too-big-to-fail insurers may have some companies fretting about new capital rules and a changing playing field, but it is a credit positive to U.S. rating agency Moody’s.

• 

  Great Expectations

  By National Underwriter Editorial Staff  |  February 1, 2012

  By the end of 2011, annuities had continued their reign as the single largest segment of the life and health industry, amounting for nearly half of all revenue. Accident and health insurance came in a distant second, accounting for nearly 25% of all L&H revenue. Life insurance came in third,...

• Policyholders Getting Smarter, Leading to Charges for VA Products, Says Moody’s

  By Elizabeth D. Festa  |  January 4, 2012

  Charges related to changes in policyholder assumptions on variable annuities with guaranteed benefits may emerge among life insurance companies in the U.S., putting a dent in earnings and capital, according to a new Moody’s report in the wake of ING’s announcement that it would take a 4th-quarter charge to earnings.

• 

  Policyholders Getting Smarter, Leading to Charges for VA Products, Says Moody's

  By Elizabeth Festa  |  December 12, 2011

  What is your company's assumption? Moody's says that if a company’s assumptions underestimate how smart customers are in timing and making decisions, there can be significant unexpected additional economic costs to the company.

• 

  ING Group to Take $1.1 Billion Charge Against Fourth Quarter Earnings

  By Warren S. Hersch  |  December 7, 2011

  ING says the charge reflects "decisive steps" that its U.S. Insurance business is taking to address legacy issues, improve results and prepare the business for a standalone future."

• 

  LTCI in the Doghouse

  By Allison Bell  |  November 21, 2011

  Long-term care insurance (LTCI) issuers seem to have entered the astrological quadrant of “can’t get a break.”