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
02 APR – Paige Waters – JD Supra
NAIC Signals Potential Tightening of Annuity Illustration Practices
“In 2026, the NAIC Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee, chaired by Iowa and vice chaired by Michigan, is largely focusing on annuity sales practices, including annuity buyers guides, suitability, and annuity illustrations. Of particular interest to the life and annuity industry is the formation of the Life Insurance and Annuities Illustrations (A) Working Group (Working Group) chaired by Minnesota.”
02 APR – Allison Bell – Think Advisor
Industry Groups Back Effort to Make NAIC More Open
“The National Association of Insurance Commissioners helps state insurance regulators write rules that affect what kinds of annuities life insurance companies write and what kinds of investments they make with their $11 trillion in assets.”
03 APR – Emily Peck – Axios
The overlooked private credit risk is in life insurance
“A big, overlooked risk in private credit is coming from the life insurance industry, investors and economists warn.
Why it matters: Life insurance, particularly the annuities that people buy to fund their retirements, could be the vehicle through which the pressures on private credit actually affect the lives of real people.
State of play: Stress is building in private credit — or nonbank lending.”
09 APR – Allison Bell – Thaink Advisor
U.S. Life and Annuity Deal Flow Rises 56% in 2025
“The market for big deals involving life insurance and annuity issuers was much more active in 2025 than in 2024, according to a new report from analysts at Milliman.
Milliman recorded $28 billion in publicly announced life and annuity deals last year, up 56% from the total it recorded the year before.”
rom last year.”
10 APR – Tracey Longo – Financial Advisor
Insurers Taking More Annuities Risk Than Before 2008 Financial Crisis, A.M. Best Warns
“Insurers backing annuities are taking on more risk than they were before the 2008 financial crisis—at a time when those products are rapidly expanding in client portfolios, a new report says.
The study from A.M. Best found that the investment portfolios supporting annuities hold riskier debt, carry thinner financial cushions and rely more heavily on complex structures such as private credit and reinsurance. The study was first reported in the Wall Street Journal.”
13 APR – Kenneth Araullo – Reinsurance Business
AM Best flags credit quality slide in US annuity reserves
“Funds backing individual annuity policies now represent more than 36% of the US life/annuity insurance segment’s total reserves, up from 32% before the 2008 financial crisis, AM Best said in a new analysis that also flagged declining credit quality and growing dependence on offshore reinsurance among the carriers managing that money.”
13 APR – Alan Roman – Insurance News Net
Smart annuity planning can benefit long-term tax planning
“Taxes shape almost every retirement decision Americans make.
They can influence how savings grow, how income flows and how long a portfolio can support someone’s lifestyle. Financial professionals who can translate tax complexity into clear guidance bring real value to the individuals sitting across the table.”
13 APR – Cyril Tuohy – Life Annuity Specialist
More Annuity Reserves Now Held by Lower-Rated Insurers
“A higher proportion of the industry’s individual annuity reserves are held by insurers with lower credit ratings compared with 2007, according to new research, due to both downgrades of incumbents and lower-rated new insurers flooding into the industry.”
15 APR – Cyril Tuohy – Life Annuity Specialist
More Annuity Carriers Turning to ‘Ladder’ Strategies to Offer Flexibility
“The laddering strategies recently popping up among new annuities suggest new efforts to test-market the structures with advisors and consumers, according to a leading trade group executive, as carriers angle for new ways to differentiate their products in an increasingly crowded and commoditized sector.”
15 APR – John Hilton – Insurance News Net
‘All-weather’ annuity portfolios aim to sharply limit rainy days
“Shifting economic conditions — including higher interest rates, market volatility and increased regulatory scrutiny — are forcing companies to rethink how they design and manage annuity products, with a growing focus on so-called “all-weather” portfolios.
A panel of industry executives discussed what the term means and what it looks like Monday during an opening session at the LIMRA Life Insurance and Annuity Conference.”
15 APR – Tracey Longo – Financial Advisor
Fixed Annuities Boost Retiree Income By 30%, New Study Finds
“Allocating 30% of retirement savings to fixed annuities can increase annual income by nearly $12,000 on a $1 million portfolio while also reducing exposure to market volatility, according to a new analysis from the TIAA Institute.
A retiree age 67 withdrawing 4% annually from a $1 million portfolio would generate about $40,000 in first-year income. But shifting roughly one-third of those assets into a fixed annuity and applying a 4% withdrawal to the remaining balance raises first-year income to $51,867, or about $989 more per month, the new study found.”
16 APR – Jake Klima – Kiplinger
Old Annuities Contain Untapped Potential for Clients and Advisers: Here’s Why
“Annuity buyers saw a surge in payouts in 2022 and 2023 because of persistent Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Now, after two years of cuts, economists believe rates could be back on the rise later this year owing to inflationary pressures stemming from the Iran war.
These shifting dynamics highlight why it’s essential to reevaluate older annuities — helping ensure your clients continue to maximize their retirement income potential, no matter how the market evolves.”
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.