New York Life Introduces ‘Lifetime Wealth Strategies’

By Kerry Pechter
The big mutual insurer plans to offer its managed account program, incubated last year among career agents, to third-party registered reps, says Michael Gordon, first vice president in the firm's U.S. life insurance and agency business.

The Alt-Asset Teams that Reinvent Annuity Companies

By Kerry Pechter
'Insurance Solutions' groups use private assets to boost the returns of life/annuity company investment portfolios. RIJ talks with Todd Fonner of Investcorp Insurance Solutions about this trend.

One Life Insurer’s Pivot to Private Assets

By Kerry Pechter
American Equity Investment Life’s ‘AEL 2.0’ strategy is designed to help it thrive even in a low yield environment. Allocating up to 40% of its money to ‘private assets’ is key to the fixed annuity specialist's plan.

NAIC Eyes ‘Bermuda Triangle’ Strategy

By Kerry Pechter
A document from the NAIC's Financial Stability Task Force reflects the concerns that the NAIC has heard from a variety of sources about the increased ownership of life insurers by private equity firms. (Image from NAIC document.)
Featured

The Visible Hand Behind the Crisis

By Editor Test
Viral Acharya and colleagues at NYU's Stern School of Business say the economy was pushed off a cliff by bankers skirting reserve requirements.

Obama Is All Ears About Annuities

By Editor Test
But there's no clear indication that Washington understands the nuances that make annuity decisions so complex and problematic.
News

Getting Rich Used to Be Easier, 70% Say

By Editor Test
“Many Americans aren't necessarily buying into the country's long-held belief that anyone with a dream can strike it rich,” said the editor of Bankrate.com.