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
Retire on 8% a year with little or no risk? How to use annuities the right way.
Morningstar – 2026 October 24 – Brett Arends
“Annuities can provide retirees with a guaranteed income for the rest of their life. Immediate or income annuities, which are insurance contracts that convert a lump sum into a stream of income, have just seen payout rates rocket to their highest levels since around the time of the global financial crisis nearly 20 years ago.”
RIA annuity adoption tops insurers’ 3-year outlook, Goldman finds
InvestmentNews – 2026 October 26 – Leo Almazora
“Annuity insurers expect registered investment advisors to become the industry’s most-watched opportunity within three years, though they are placing independent broker-dealers ahead of RIAs as the channel likely to grow fastest, according to a new survey from Goldman Sachs Asset Management.”
NAIC Retreats from Credit Rating Info Demand Amid Industry Pushback
LifeAnnuity Specialist – 2026 October 28 – Kathleen Laverty
“The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, which represents state regulators, retreated after industry pushback. The NAIC previously said it would require credit rating firms to ‘confidentially’ share assessments of their work issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulators. The request, the NAIC said, was part of a push to gain more insight into ratings.”
How flexible annuities fit today’s retirement portfolios
InsuranceNewsNet – 2026 October 28 – Anna Baluch
“Annuities are not created equal. Although many of them are primarily designed for retirement, some offer flexibility for clients with other savings goals.”
Best & Worst Individual Annuity Providers: JD Power, 2026
ThinkAdvisor – 2026 October 28 – Michael S. Fischer
“American annuity customers have begun to embrace technology but still want a human touch, JD Power reported Wednesday. Overall satisfaction with individual annuities, it found, has risen 14 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year, primarily driven by baby boomers and older customer segments.”
Annuity satisfaction hits multi-year high as human-digital balance pays off
InvestmentNews – 2026 October 28 – Steve Randall
“Overall satisfaction across the industry reached 653 on JD Power’s 1,000-point scale, up 14 points from the prior year. The gains were driven primarily by Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers — the cohorts most actively converting savings into retirement income — signaling that carriers are getting better at serving the customers who matter most to them right now.”
Tired of Bond Market Drama? It Might Be Time to Consider Annuities.
Barron’s – 2026 October 29 – Elizabeth O’Brien
“Retirees seeking to escape the drama in the bond market might look to annuities as an alternative. But they have their own drawbacks, and investors’ goals—not emotions—should guide asset allocation.”
Annuities as Tax Shelters: When Tax Deferral Helps and When It Backfires
Yahoo – 2026 October 29 – Vilma Rios
“You’ve maxed out the 401(k) and filled the IRA. Then a salesperson hands you a brochure for a deferred annuity, and the pitch sounds airtight: no annual contribution limit, and no tax on the growth until you take the money out.”
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.