Total fixed annuity sales were $29.5 billion in the first quarter, 22% lower than first quarter 2019, according to preliminary results from the Secure Retirement Institute U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey. The survey is the first to chart the impact on annuity sales by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do we stay motivated to keep our activity up when so many of us are stuck at home, having switched from our well-known office habits to a short commute to another room in our house? Let’s start by reminding ourselves why we are in this business and the value we bring.
According to the new Secure Retirement Institute study, more than half (56%) of U.S. workers are interested in investing in a guaranteed lifetime income option within their employer’s retirement savings plan if it was available to them.
This earnings season will be unlike any other, as travel restrictions and lockdowns related to COVID-19 have impacted results dramatically. The biggest economic hits came in mid-March, however, and won’t be fully captured in first quarter results.
Over the past five years, the life settlement market as an industry has multiplied vastly both in funds to purchase policies and consumer awareness.
Regardless of the challenge or problem we have encountered, despite the people or obstacles we experience along the way, it is us alone who choose how we allow these problems to change us.
With COVID-19, the volatile stock market and the stalled economy, we are in a perfect storm. Many financial professionals are struggling with the balance between just “being there” for their clients and continuing to grow their business. Here is a checklist of items to help you return to growth and be there for your clients.
The insurance industry’s traditional face-to-face consultative sales approach has proven to be remarkably resilient, but the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into this distribution model.
COVID-19 is impacting the insurance industry in multiple ways—from employee and business continuity issues to client service considerations to the financial outlook. Here are some key issues insurers face and potential action steps they could take.
The difference between now and the start of the pandemic is that we can at least see the end. We can see that we have flattened the curve, and we can reasonably project when the pandemic will be brought under control. What does that mean for the markets and the economy in general?
March was a really tough month. After a terrible February, all major stock indices were down by double digits, leading to significant declines for the quarter as a whole. All of the major indices ended the month and quarter below their 200-day moving averages, often a sign of more trouble ahead.
Virtual selling may take you out of your comfort zone, but it’s an effective way to reach clients and prospects in the time of stay-at-home orders and social distancing.
Life insurance is an invaluable asset to those facing advanced-stage illness. It’s also a flexible asset that can be leveraged in different ways to meet individuals’ various financial needs.
Risk tolerance is a personal question and varies depending on the individual, their target retirement age, their financial goals and other circumstances unique to their situation. The traditional thinking is that investors should de-risk into fixed investments as they age. Annuities can help answer a lot of questions in this planning process.
Many commercial insurance policies contain clauses that may cover losses suffered as a result of an order issued by the government, such as the recent orders restricting access to restaurants, bars and other public establishments.
Individuals who thought they could “self-insure” the risk of long-term care during these uncertain times may be reconsidering their decision. What would happen if a client had an incident today and needed to liquidate assets to pay for care when their portfolio is down 20%-30%?
When we think of life insurance, often the first thing that comes to mind is protection. That protection extends to both good and bad markets – and not just death benefits, but living benefits, too. Given the recent headlines, here are some talking points you can share with clients.
Financial professionals are the link to protect clients and their families in the event that they are too sick or too hurt to go to work.
In light of the recent market and interest rate volatility, it’s important to take a moment and reinforce why annuities are sold in uncertain economic times.
Take care of yourself – and those around you – during and after the COVID-19 crisis.
