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
14 MAR – Brandon Renfro – Annuity.org
Why Annuities May Be a Safer Bet in 2025
“Many people decide to claim their Social Security benefit when they retire. You may be one of them. It could be that you need the money, or maybe you want to invest it in the hope that it grows. While these can be good options depending on your needs and preferences, they aren’t the best choices for everyone.
This is especially true if you retire before your full retirement age. Even if you intend to invest your monthly payment, there are some risks and drawbacks you need to be aware of.”
24 March – Nationwide PR – Nationwide News Room
Survey: Three in four financial professionals say annuities help them retain clients
“Financial professionals have long understood the value of annuities when it comes to protecting their clients’ assets and generating retirement income. Now, they’re discovering another benefit – annuities are helping them create long-lasting client relationships.”
25 March – Allison Bell – Think Advisor
State Regulators to Congress: Please Kill Treasury’s Insurance Office
“State insurance regulators want Congress to get the U.S. Treasury Department out of their business.
The officers of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have written to congressional leaders to ask them to eliminate the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office.”
25 March – Brian Anderson – 401KSpecialist
How Using Guaranteed Lifetime Income Research Can Grow Your Book of Business
Session at Retirement Plan Advisor Summit Central emphasizes that their advisor is the person plan sponsors most want help from in adding new solutions
The one person plan sponsors most want to hear from when it comes to helping them make decisions surrounding guaranteed lifetime income solutions is their plan advisor, according to research from Pacific Life.
Unfortunately, some retirement plan advisors don’t feel ready to offer advice about this growing yet underserved market segment. It’s time to get ready, and be proactive in your efforts to engage plan sponsors on retirement income education.
27 March – Liz Knueven – CNBC
The best annuity companies of 2025
Annuities have seen major growth as more Americans look for ways to ensure they don’t outlive their retirement savings: Total annuity sales hit a record $432.4 billion in 2024, according to the industry research association LIMRA.
When you buy an annuity, you provide an insurance company, bank, fintech or brokerage firm with a lump sum or series of payments and, in return, receive a guaranteed monthly income.
Some annuities start paying immediately, but most are deferred. That means you have to leave the funds untouched for a set number of years or face stiff penalties.
CNBC Select has picked the best annuity companies in a variety of categories. (See our methodology for more on how we made our selections.)
28 MAR – Kate Stalter – MSN
7 High-Return, Low-Risk Investments for Retirees
“The S&P 500 is down 2.9% year to date. That’s pretty tame, as far as pullbacks go, despite all the attention focused on recent market action.
Still, investors are growing nervous about the potential for a bigger drop as the effects of tariffs and other Trump administration actions, such as aggressive and chaotic government layoffs, are still unknown.”
31 MAR – Susan Rupe – Insurance Newsnet
After record annuity sales, what’s next?
“With three straight years of record annuity sales, how does the industry continue to grow the pie?”
“Looking back at the 2020-2024 period, the annuity market almost doubled, Golembiewski said.
“Now we have to think about, how do we see another period of growth? What would we have to do as an industry, or what factors would we have to think about to double the market again?”
Two main tailwinds affected the annuity market in the past two years, he said. They were a two-year bull market and strong short-term interest rates.”
31 MAR – John Rampton – Nasdaq
Annuities for Young Professionals: Kicking Retirement Planning into High Gear (Way Before You Think You Need To)
“I get it. The idea of retiring feels distant when you’re in your 20s or 30s. There are probably more pressing priorities on your mind. These probably include paying off student loans, buying a home, or what you’re doing this weekend. But here’s the thing: your retirement journey will be smoother if you start planning (and doing it) now. And while stocks and 401(k)s often steal the spotlight, annuities can be just as powerful.”
01 APR – John Hilton – Insurance Newsnet
LIMRA CEO: Interest rates an iceburg in a sea of soaring sales?
“The story of life insurance and annuities in 2025 begins in a great place: a sales spike unlike anything seen before.”
“On the annuity side, quarterly annuity sales surpassed $100 billion in all four quarters of the year for the first time. Total annuity sales finished at $434.1 billion, up 13% yearly, according to LIMRA’s U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey.”
02 APR – Ken Nuss – Kiplinger
What You Don’t Know About Annuities Can Hurt You
“Most people are only dimly aware of annuities and how they can help them achieve their financial goals and help ensure they’ll have enough income and savings for retirement.
About 79% of American adults struggle to correctly define an annuity, according to a 2024 Policy genius annuities survey.”
02 APR – John Hilton – Insurance Newsnet
Annuity distribution thriving, but many challenges lie ahead
“Annuity products are selling historically well. That does not mean there isn’t pressure building on the distribution level.”
02 APR- Allison Bell – ALM
Life and Annuity Pros Need a Site Like BrokerCheck, Advocates Say
“Consumer advocates are asking the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a group for state insurance regulators, to set up a national directory site for consumers looking for individual insurance policies and annuities.”
02 APR – Allison Bell – ALM
7 Things for Congress to Know About Life and Annuities
“Members of Congress and their aides could be thinking a lot more about homeowners insurance and banks during this spring’s tax and budget fights than they are about life insurance and annuities.”
03 APR – Allison Bell – ALM
5 Life and Annuity Messaging Tips for Scary Market Days
“The administration of President Donald Trump has announced a long-awaited package of tariffs, and investors around the world have reacted by pummeling stocks.
The financial protest against tariffs was no friend of U.S. life and annuity issuers: At market close on Thursday, share prices for the issuers in our tracker were down from 3.7% to 13%.”
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.