Why ‘Offshoring’ Annuity Risk Is Wrong

Many for-profit US life/annuity companies do not use independent reinsurers. They use an affiliated or captive reinsurer in a jurisdiction like Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Vermont, or Arizona. This makes their operations less transparent.

Bermuda ‘confident’ in regulating reinsurers

By Editorial Staff
Bermuda Premier David Burt responded to concerns of US Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) about Bermuda's oversight of the $707 billion of life insurance and annuity assets reinsured on the island, according to a news report.

Robo-advice settlement costs Schwab $185 million

By Editorial Staff
'We are proud to have built a product that allows investors to elect not to pay an advisory fee in return for allowing us to hold a portion of the proceeds in cash, and we do not hide the fact that our firm generates revenue for the services we provide,' a Schwab statement said.
Anecdotal Evidence

The Bear That Ate My Grandfather

By Kerry Pechter
When I saw on Bloomberg that the stock market had fallen into "bear market territory," I paid a little attention, but not much. I know the worst that a crash can do, and it's not about money.

Breaking News

By Editorial Staff
Aiming at inflation, the Fed tightens base rate by 0.75 percentage points; NWL and Achaean Financial introduce SPIA with upside; Protective Life and Michael Finke in retirement education co-venture; Edelman expands its ‘Income Beyond Retirement’ program for 401(k)s; Nationwide enhances its RILA’s beneficiary features; Midland National offers new three-year FIA.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

June 3, 2022

NAIC Reassures Congress on Private Equity-Led Insurers

By Kerry Pechter
Responding to Sen. Sherrod Brown's March inquiry, the association of state insurance commissioners gave high marks to their own oversight of PE-linked life/annuity companies. But the NAIC's 'nothing to see here' message disappointed...
May 26, 2022

Fixed-Rate Annuities: First Quarter Favorites

By Editorial Staff
“FIA and RILA sales were both slightly down from the prior quarter. That might reflect some investor uneasiness about equity index-linked products,” said Todd Giesing, head of LIMRA Annuity Research.