VA sales up, fixed annuities down, in first quarter

Variable annuity sales increased during the first quarter, while sales of fixed annuities slipped.
JUN 15, 2010
Variable annuity sales increased during the first quarter, while sales of fixed annuities slipped. Net sales of variable annuities topped $31.4 billion, up 3% from the year-earlier period, according to Morningstar Inc. Just $2.9 billion of that total, however, were new sales, down from $5.09 billion in the first quarter of 2009. Sales of fixed annuities hit $16.7 billion, down 51.9% from a year ago, according to Beacon Reseach. Customers likely waited for been rising interest rates and did not want to lock in today's low rates, which led them to shy away from book-value and market-value-adjusted fixed annuities, according to Jeremy Alexander, chief executive of Beacon Research. Overall annuity sales for the first quarter were $47.4 billion, off 27% from a year earlier, according to data from the Insured Retirement Institute and Beacon Research Publications Inc. Indexed-annuity sales also fell slightly, to $6.74 billion from $6.88 billion, according to Beacon Research. During the first quarter, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America held on to its position as the top indexed-annuity carrier, garnering 20% of the market share, according to AnnuitySpecs.com. Its MasterDex X was the top-selling indexed annuity for the fourth consecutive quarter. Aviva USA came in second, followed by American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. and Jackson National Life Insurance Co. ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Co. rounded out the top five, according to AnnuitySpecs.com.

Latest News

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.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

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