>HARTFORD, Conn., May 10 /PRNewswire/ — As individual annuity insurers shift away from rebuilding capital and towards premium growth, they will need to redevelop their competitive positioning, according to a new study by Conning Research & Consulting.
“The first priority for individual annuity insurers following the financial crisis has been to rebuild capital,” said Scott Hawkins, analyst at Conning Research & Consulting. “Insurers have made significant progress in repairing their capital positions. At the same time, premiums have actually declined, and rebuilding them will be a challenge.
Full Article…
Low investment yields, deteriorating underwriting results and a record low interest rate, combined with other unknown factors, will make for a challenging 2010 for workers’ comp providers, according to NCCI Holdings Inc.
The provider of data and statistics to the workers’ comp market released its annual State of the Line market analysis. This year’s report indicates that the workers compensation calendar year combined ratio was 110 in 2009—up 9 points from 101 in 2008. However, 3 points of the increase in the combined ratio was due to a single carrier adding about $1 billion to excess workers’ compensation reserves for Accident Years 2000 and prior. This rese
Full Article…
Having weathered the financial storm, life insurers need to shift away from rebuilding capital and towards premium growth, according to a new study by Hartford, Conn.-based Conning Research & Consulting.
The Conning Research study, “The Real Challenge in Rebuilding Individual Annuities: Developing Competitive Advantage in a Concentrating Market,” says such a shift is necessary for carriers to establish their competitive positioning.
“The first priority for individual annuity insurers following the financial crisis has been to rebuild capital,” said Scott Hawkins, analyst at Conning Research & Consulting. “
Full Article…
>Question: I am a 74-year-old married woman, thinking about taking out a single-premium $100,000 universal life insurance policy. My husband and I do not need this money to supplement our income, but CDs are paying such low interest rates. Do you have any advice about this idea?
Answer: You may not need the funds to supplement your monthly income, but if you buy this policy, what other cash savings would you have left for emergencies?
If you already have adequate cash reserves in the bank, then it may be appropriate to consider a single-premium universal life insurance policy.
Full Article…
>Optional Benefit Can Help Offset Impact of Rising Tax Environment andProvide Opportunity for Additional Retirement Income
LANSING, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson) today announced the launch of LifeGuard Freedom 6 Net, a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) that gives investors the opportunity to help offset their tax liability by increasing their available withdrawal amounts to generate more income. The optional benefit is available for an extra charge, in addition to the ongoing fees and expenses of the variable annuity, within the company’s PerspectiveSM family of variable annuities.
Full Article…