U.S. Life Insurers Face Increasing Risk from Variable Annuities

Fitch Ratings sees equity market performance 2008 as having a dramatic impact on U.S. life insurers active in the variable annuity market. Persistent adverse market conditions will pressure life insurer's earnings and risk-based capital levels for the balance of 2008 and into 2009. The industry ability to manage this growing risk exposure represents one of the most significant risk management challenges confronting U.S. life insurers. U.S. Life Insurers Face Increasing Risk from Variable Annuities Source:
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Group Of 22 Holds $20 Million Powerball Ticket - NBC 10.com

Group Of 22 Holds $20 Million Powerball Ticket NBC 10.com, PA - Oct 7, 2008 The winning ticket has an annuity value of $20 million and a cash value of $10.28 million. The Powerball jackpot returns to an estimated $15 million annuity ... Philly postal workers win $20 million in Powerball York Daily Record Lansdowne lottery ticket wins $10 million Philadelphia Inquirer 22 postal workers win $10.2M Powerball lottery jackpot Lottery Post all 15 news articles
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MetLife Launches Online Income Annuity Tool to Help People Make the Most of What They Have in Retirement

To help individuals understand how to create a reliable, sustainable source of retirement income and make the most of their assets, MetLife today launched an innovative online Income Annuities Guide. The interactive online tool demonstrates how a retirement portfolio including an income annuity can help boost spending power as well as provide more guaranteed income. MetLife Launches Online Income Annuity Tool to Help People Make the Most of What They Have in Retirement Source: Business
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Death Match: IRAs vs Annuities

If you pit two retirement-investment options against each other, which one earns the knockout? Variable annuities boasted net assets of close to $1.5 trillion in 2007, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That figure pales in comparison to the staggering $4.75 trillion invested in IRAs last year, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Death Match: IRAs vs Annuities Source: The Street
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McNabb: Get retirement business "right"
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The Role of Income Riders on Fixed Annuities

Insurance companies began using the term “income planning” several years ago to promote new and innovative riders on annuities. In only a few years, clients started making decisions about their advisor relationship largely on the advisor’s ability or willingness to plan for income. In the Fidelity Advisor 2006 Survey of Investors at Retirement, seven of 10 baby boomers indicated they wanted to discuss income planning. Less than four of 10, however, had an income discussion
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Harry Gross: Bank dragging feet on returning settlement charges - Philadelphia Daily News

Harry Gross: Bank dragging feet on returning settlement chargesPhiladelphia Daily News, PA - May 27, 2008The loan officer at my bank suggested that I get a lump-sum reverse mortgage, and use the money to buy an annuity through the bank. ...
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Summaries of Senate financial disclosure formsThe Associated Press - Jun 13, 2008Major sources of unearned income: Interest on retirement bond fund, $50001-$100000; interest from stock index fund, $15001-$50000;
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Summaries of Senate financial disclosure forms - The Associated Press

Summaries of Senate financial disclosure formsThe Associated Press - Jun 13, 2008Major sources of unearned income: Interest on retirement bond fund, $50001-$100000; interest from stock index fund, $15001-$50000; City of Philadelphia ...
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Summaries of Senate financial disclosure formsThe Associated Press - Jun 13, 2008Major sources of unearned income: Interest on retirement bond fund, $50001-$100000; interest from stock index fund, $15001-$50000; City of Philadelphia ...
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Selling Life Insurance: Is There One "Right" Way?

I love a good debate. In this election year we’ve already seen a couple dozen debates among the presidential candidates, with more to come. Debate helps us reason-out difficult issues and understand differences of priority and perspective. At the 51st annual meeting of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) in Washington, D.C., last month, Bob Ball, formerly a Guardian Life agent and general agent and now a consultant for the company, reengaged a debate
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Experts Say There Is a Need to Reformulate the Immediate Annuity

The immediate annuity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the product provides guaranteed income immediately during retirement that can last a lifetime. Financial planners say this makes the immediate annuity a very good thing for people who live beyond their expected life span. People who do not have the financial skills to make their savings last a lifetime, and those who simply want a regular paycheck, should also consider immediate annuities.Experts Say There
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