The new variable and indexed annuity leaders

The new variable and indexed annuity leaders
Indexed annuities continue to be popular, and Jackson National continues to dominate VA sales.
JAN 13, 2015
Variable annuities are a staple of broker-dealers' business, offering clients the opportunity to garner market exposure on a tax-deferred basis. In recent years, however, sales of indexed annuities — which credit interest to a client's account — have climbed, particularly as advisers seek a fixed-income alternative with an optional guaranteed living benefit feature. Indexed annuities continue to boom in popularity as insurers release products intended specifically for the wirehouse and broker-dealer channels, in addition to their lineups for independent agents. In the variable annuity space, Jackson National continues to dominate sales. Meanwhile, Allianz Life of North America keeps a tight grasp of market share in the indexed-annuities arena.

Variable annuity asset leaders ranked by net assets

Issuer Net assets ($M) % change vs. 2013 Market share % change vs. 2013
TIAA-CREF* $442,257.7 5.0% 23.2% -1.7%
MetLife $178,104.6 2.5% 9.4% -3.1%
Prudential Financial $152,286.1 6.1% 8.0% 0.0%
Jackson National $129,662.6 22.4% 6.8% 15.3%
Lincoln Financial Group $116,398.6 10.7% 6.1% 3.4%
AXA Equitable $105,248.1 3.7% 5.5% -3.5%
SunAmerica/VALIC $99,234.1 12.2% 5.2% 4.0%
Ameriprise Financial $74,660.3 4.3% 3.9% -2.5%
ING Group $69,366.2 0.3% 3.6% -7.7%
AEGON/Transamerica $64,231.2 16.1% 3.4% 9.7%
Nationwide $58,621.8 9.7% 3.1% 3.3%
Pacific Life $55,730.3 2.6% 2.9% -3.3%
Hartford $54,257.1 -11.7% 2.8% -17.6%
John Hancock $48,714.6 -5.8% 2.6% -10.3%
Allianz Life $33,041.2 4.1% 1.7% -5.6%
Thrivent Financial $25,988.9 15.9% 1.4% 16.7%
Fidelity Investments Life $25,975.1 11.8% 1.4% 7.7%
New York Life $25,811.8 12.3% 1.4% 7.7%
Ohio National $19,736.3 23.9% 1.0% 11.1%
Northwestern Mutual $16,819.9 10.2% 0.9% 12.5%
Massachusetts Mutual $14,282.1 6.0% 0.8% 0.0%
Protective $12,427.3 7.1% 0.6% 0.0%
Mutual of America $12,366.0 13.9% 0.6% 0.0%
Guardian $9,848.2 8.3% 0.5% 0.0%
Genworth Financial $9,794.6 -5.5% 0.5% -16.7%
As of Sept. 30. *The bulk of TIAA-CREF's VA assets are generated from group annuity sales of retirement plans, rather than retail sales. Source: Morningstar, Inc.

Variable annuity sales leaders ranked by new sales

Issuer New sales ($M) % change vs. 2013 Market share % change vs. 2013
Jackson National 5,683.4 9.5% 16.4% 10.1%
SunAmerica/Valic 3,458.6 1.5% 10.0% 2.0%
Lincoln Financial Group 3,349.8 -5.7% 9.6% -5.9%
TIAA-CREF* 3,022.9 -6.6% 8.7% -6.5%
AEGON/Transamerica 2,952.7 25.9% 8.3% 25.8%
Prudential Financial 2,558.4 7.3% 7.4% 7.2%
Axa Equitable 2,297.1 -4.0% 6.5% -4.4%
Nationwide 1,644.1 8.8% 4.5% 9.8%
MetLife 1,574.0 -41.6% 4.4% -42.1%
Pacific Life 1,155.0 10.5% 3.3% 10.0%
Ameriprise Financial 1,210.2 -6.6% 3.0% -18.9%
New York Life 913.2 19.1% 2.6% 18.2%
Thrivent Financial 873.0 8.1% 2.4% 4.3%
Allianz Life 568.3 -24.4% 1.6% -27.3%
Ohio National 564.0 -0.1% 1.6% 0.0%
Fidelity Investments Life 541.9 44.8% 1.6% 45.5%
Forethought 438.5 111.6% 1.3% 116.7%
Northwestern Mutual 423.1 9.9% 1.2% 9.1%
ING Group 333.8 -11.8% 1.0% -9.1%
Protective 284.5 -20.5% 0.8% -20.0%
Massachusetts Mutual 236.5 15.8% 0.7% 16.7%
Jefferson National 216.5 16.9% 0.6% 20.0%
Guardian 189.2 4.6% 0.5% 0.0%
Minnesota Life 155.9 -35.6% 0.4% -42.9%
Mutual of America 127.7 -27.6% 0.3% -25.0%
As of Sept. 30. *The bulk of TIAA-CREF's VA assets are generated from group annuity sales of retirement plans, rather than retail sales. Source: Morningstar, Inc. https://www.investmentnews.com/wp-content/uploads/assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2015/01/CI977411217.JPG" https://www.investmentnews.com/wp-content/uploads/assets/graphics src="/wp-content/uploads2015/01/CI977421217.JPG"

Indexed annuities ranked by market share

Company Market share Sales % change vs. 2013
Allianz Life of North America 27.71% 161.6%
Security Benefit Life Insurance Co. 9.43% -1.2%
American Equity Cos. 8.56% 0.4%
Great American Insurance Group 6.43% 13.9%
Athene USA 5.23% -11.7%
Midland National Life 3.82% 4.7%
EquiTrust 3.49% -18.6%
Symetra Financial 3.40% 34.1%
Voya Financial 3.39% 39.7%
Fidelity & Guaranty Life 3.29% 55.1%
As of Sept. 30. Source: Wink's Sales & Market Report

Latest News

DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week
DOJ's fraud sweep bags over $1B in convictions, guilty pleas and indictments in a single week

Medicare scam, pandemic benefit theft, offshore tax evasion — federal prosecutors are casting a wide net.

Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout
Retirement without guaranteed income streams may mean near-total asset wipeout

Report finds that pension income acts as a financial lifeline for retirees facing late-life shocks and raises urgent questions about the DC-only future.

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline