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• Refi-Program Previewers Raise Issues

  Lenders and servicers are grappling with how they might participate in the new housing law's $300 billion refinancing assistance program.

• UK Variable Annuity Launches Hit Snag

  Both Prudential plc and Standard Life have delayed their planned variable annuity products, although it is unclear why the launch dates have been pushed back.

• Despite Annuity Demand Banks Don't Respond

  Community bankers should take note that they're trailing their bigger brethren when it comes to offering a product rich in fees that consumers increasingly desire in uncertain times: annuities.

• Advantage Compendium Publishes GLWB Study

  Advantage Compendium Ltd. has published a comprehensive study of the guaranteed living withdrawal benefits (GLWBs) currently available.

• NAFA to Oppose SEC Proposed Rule 151A

  The National Association of Fixed Annuities (NAFA) announced its opposition to the Security & Exchange Commission's proposed Rule 151A.

• Insurance Man Bites Dog

  The editors of SmartMoney magazine recently cast variable annuities and guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits in the worst light possible.

• The Arms Race for Distribution

  In the war for VA market share, it's all about wholesaling.

• Longer Life Spans Growing U.S. Annuity Market

  A symbiotic relationship between the lifespan of Americans and the market for annuities in the U.S. has come into focus.

• Abusive Annuity Sales Lead to $16.4M Settlement

  American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. agreed to a $16.4 million settlement involving claims of abusive annuity sales that targeted the elderly.

• Illness May Accelerate Payouts from Prudential VA

  Prudential Annuities has added a feature that doubles the payout rate of its Highest Daily Lifetime Seven variable annuity option.

• SEC Poised to Regulate Index Annuities

  Concerned about reports of unsuitable index annuities sales to seniors, the SEC approved a proposal that would classify index annuities as federally regulated securities.

• As Annuity Sales Boom, Regulators Take Notice

  Regulators are stepping up their scrutiny of financial services institutions that sell annuities.

• Florida Toughens Penalties on Unsuitable Annuity Sales

  A new Florida law more than doubles the penalties for improperly selling annuities to the state's seniors or to residents who are developmentally disabled.

• Genworth Adds RetireReady IRA Annuity

  Genworth Financial Inc. has a new product called RetireReady IRA Annuity.

• For Wachovia, Annuities Are a Bright Spot: Amid Subprime Woes, Bank Topped Rivals in 2007 Annuity Fees

  The nation's fourth-largest bank earned $483 million in annuity fees and commissions in 2007—more than the amount earned by the next three biggest annuity sellers combined

• Annuities Get Hung up on "What Ifs"

  Clients nearing retirement worry they won't have anything to leave to their children or grandchildren.

• Fixed Annuity Sales Continue to Soar

  Sales of fixed-income annuities hit $18.8 billion in the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 35.2% over the first quarter last year and 7.2% higher than the fourth quarter.

• SEC Still Rattling Sabers at EIAs

  The SEC has unanimously voted to consider a rule that would reclassify most equity-indexed annuities (EIAs) as securities and not as insurance products.

• Variable Annuity Assets Drop

  Assets held in variable annuities fell 6%, to $1.4 trillion, during the first quarter from the end of 2007 and rose 0.5% compared with last year's first quarter.

• Assessing 'Arm's Race' in Annuity Riders

  Variable annuity providers are still trying to outdo one another's latest innovations.

• 1Q Fund, Annuity Income Up 3% in Year

  Banks' first-quarter income from the sale and servicing of mutual funds and annuities grew 2.9% from a year earlier, to $1.43 billion, according to the Michael White-Symetra Bank Fee Income Report.

• Annuities Remain Best Bet for Retirees

  Outside of a defined benefit plan, traditional life annuities issued by insurance companies are the best ways to reduce longevity risk for women.

• Flight to Guarantees?

  Variable annuity sales were up, but are they destined to suffer in today's rocky market?

• ING Names Two to Retail Annuity Roles

  ING Group NV has named Valerie Brown president of its retail annuity market segment, which is part of its wealth management group in New York.

• Genworth Unveils New GIA

  New group of guaranteed income annuities invest in mutual funds or ETF portfolios in AssetMark's managed account platform.

• Chasing Boomer Dollars

  Financial advisors will scramble to acquire the millions of prospective baby boomer clients entering retirement over the next two decades. Firms are competing by launching various retirement-income funds and cheaper immediate annuities.

• New Features in MetLife's Variable Lineup

  MetLife has revamped its variable annuity suite.

• Cheerleaders in Lab Coats

  Bob Veres's Industry Insight column: New research on variable annuities and their guarantees offers less than meets the eye. Read Ibbotson's rebuttal of this article.

• Eye on Flat-Fee VAs

  A look at tax-deferred flat-fee variable annuities.