Fixed Annuity News
The fixed annuity industry is constantly changing. From product evolution and distribution consolidation to pending regulation and legislation, NAFA works diligently to keep up with every aspect of the marketplace and provide you with its most pertinent news in a timely manner. Utilize the information below to read about recent media coverage in our Monday Media Reports, access monthly advocacy updates via The Call, visit our Press Room for the association’s most current news releases or to catch up on our Twitter feed.
Industry News
20 APR – David Lau – Barrons
Do Financial Advisors Commit Malpractice When They Don’t Consider Annuities?
“In the recent Barron’s Advisor article “How to Make Sure You Have Enough to Retire, No Matter What,” a number of financial advisors provided advice on how to work with clients to prepare them for retirement. To no surprise, advisors recognize that many of their clients are “nervous about running out of money.” However, none talked about income-generating annuities—the one solution that ensures a client will have a stream of guaranteed income that will last their lifetime.”
21 APR – Allison Bell – Think Advisor
Annuity Guaranty Paper Gets State Regulators’ Attention
“A National Association of Insurance Commissioners publication has news for state insurance regulators: They may have succeeded at hiding the existence of the life insurance and annuity guaranty system from annuity buyers.
The NAIC’s Journal of Insurance Regulation is informing regulators of that possibility by publishing a paper assessing consumers’ awareness of state insurance guaranty protections.”
24 APR – Greg Iacurci – CNBC
Retirees are thinking of annuities the wrong way — and it may trip them up, advisors say
“People saving for retirement have a common goal: Build an adequate nest egg to prevent running out of money in old age.
One way for retirees to do that is via a guaranteed stream of income they can’t outlive — one that’s deposited into their bank accounts every month for the rest of their lives, like a paycheck.
At a time when workplace pension plans have largely disappeared, annuities can serve as an alternative for retirees seeking pension-like income, according to financial planners.”
25 JUNE – Amanda Umpierrez – 401K Specialist
IRI and ACLI Applaud CLEAR Forms Act
A new bill would streamline life insurance and annuity securities filings
“Two industry groups are backing a new bill that would revert mandating annuities and life insurance products to register as securities.
The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) issued support for the Consumer-Led Enhancement of Annuity and Insurance Registration Forms Act, or the CLEAR Forms Act Bill.”
26 JUNE – John Hilton – Insurance News Net
NAIC criticized over network flaws and communication after cyberattack
“The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is struggling to contain the fallout from a June 11 cyber breach that potentially exposed sensitive regulatory filings, as well as data from credit rating agencies.
In an update on Thursday, the NAIC confirmed that “data taken from our environment during the security incident was published online by the group responsible.”
1 JULY – Kush Kotecha – Insurance Newsnet
Are knowledge gaps limiting annuity recommendations?
“The annuity industry is in the midst of a historic run. According to LIMRA, U.S. retail annuity sales surpassed $460 billion in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking growth. One reason for this momentum is that we are moving through the heart of the “Peak 65” wave, the largest surge of Americans turning 65 in history. Many of these consumers are actively seeking solutions such as annuities to manage risk and provide guaranteed income they won’t outlive.”
1 JULY – John Hilton – Insurance Newsnet
Regulators tackle controversial annuity illustrations
“Once annuity illustrations began showing returns as high as 27%, regulators knew they had to do something.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Annuity Illustration Working Group is well on its way to either changing to the annuity illustration model regulation or working with an actuarial guideline.
Maybe both.”
1 JULY – Carla Fried – UCLA Anderson Review
Annuities Turn Savings Into Income – a Must for Retirees – But They’re Unpopular. That Puzzle Now Seems Solvable
“When it comes to later-life worries, two-thirds of Americans say they are more scared of running out of money than death itself. Given that mindset, it makes perfect sense that an even higher percentage of people in or near retirement say they like the idea of guaranteed income: a steady payment that keeps coming for as long as they live.
Yet just 12% of Americans at least 50 years old who have at least $100,000 in savings have bought the product designed to provide exactly that: a traditional life annuity, which turns an upfront payment into guaranteed income for life.”
09 JULY – Branislav Nikolić – Think Advisor
Excess Return Indexes Are Everywhere in Fixed Indexed Annuities
“The debate around fixed indexed annuity illustrations has been going on for years now, and it has picked up lately, especially around custom indexes labeled “excess return.”
Experts have argued, often fairly, that some historical FIA illustrations create expectations and that the actual mechanics of the product may struggle to deliver on those expectations over time.”
14 JULY- John Hilton – Insurance News Net
Regulators clear way to rewrite annuity illustration rules
“A National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ committee voted Monday to reopen the annuity disclosure model to give regulators a chance to tamp down illustrations.
Regulators with the Life Insurance and Annuities Illustrations Working Group say that some sales illustrations project unrealistically high returns, which could leave consumers with inflated expectations about product performance.”
15 JULY – Allison Bell – Think Advisor
Life and Annuity Issuers Prepare to Post Q2 Numbers
“Publicly traded life and annuity issuers will start to post their earnings for the second quarter next week.
Executives from most of the issuers will also hold conference calls with securities analysts.”
17 JULY – Melanie Waddell – Think Advisor
BD to Pay $1.1M Over Variable Annuity Exchanges‘The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has ordered Centaurus Financial Inc. to pay just over $1.1 million for failing to supervise two representatives and violating Regulation Best Interest regarding recommendations to buy B-share variable annuities and advisory agreements to manage the variable annuities’ subaccounts.
One of the reps, Patrick Michael Carroll, was also suspended for 12 months and fined $10,000 for recommending unsuitable variable annuity exchanges, which caused customers to incur surrender charges.”
Monday Media Report
The NAFA Media Report features a summary of the previous week’s fixed annuity media coverage. NAFA welcomes your contributions and suggested additions.
The Call
The Call features timely and seasonal regulatory and legislative updates to help NAFA members stay on top of issues impacting their businesses. Both federal and state editions are distributed to keep you informed.