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Ohio National responded to a pair of lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Ohio court seeking to overturn its decision to cut trail commissions on certain variable annuities. The insurer denied all claims by an Arkansas broker-dealer, while asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit by a Texas broker.

There’s been no shortage of financial news in 2018. From the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest to the ups and downs of the stock market, here are the best AdvisorNews articles of 2018.

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A LIMRA study shows unpaid family caregivers are falling short in their insurance needs. But how does the industry reach this time-stressed and resource-stressed group?
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Looking back, 2018 was another year of the unexpected and unprecedented. Lawmakers at home and abroad dominated the headlines, impacting markets and portfolios, and raising concerns of advisors and investors alike.

Sammons Financial Group is building a 200,000-square-foot office with plans for additions in the future, the Des Moines Register reported. The company has pledged to add 200 new jobs to its existing base of 510 employees.

Introduced by Reps. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas and Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., would permit seniors, regardless of their health status, to use life insurance policies they already own to fund a wide range of health care costs, including long-term care expenses and long-term care insurance premiums.

The financial services industry is conceding defeat on passing a retirement security package in 2018. But Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have introduced the Retirement Security & Savings Act, a broad set of reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement. It will be considered in the next session.

Holistic planning and financial wellness are two of the themes that life insurance agents can expect to see in their business in 2019, according to an industry analyst. The challenge for agents is “How do I continue to do what I’m really good at – life insurance – but also be more for my client?”

The Federal Reserve is increasing interest rates by 0.25 percent, equaling a hike in late September. Clients might not fully understand the implications of the rising interest rates, or how it impacts their portfolio. This offers a golden opportunity for advisors to provide an education and bond with clients.

Democratic state attorneys general from 18 states filed a motion Monday night challenging a Texas federal judge’s ruling that struck down the Affordable Care Act. The motion, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, asks the court to clarify the impact of the ruling and confirm that the ACA is still the law of the land.
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Sammons Financial Group will lay off an unspecified number of employees during the first quarter of 2019. The company cited efficiencies and automation as reasons behind the layoffs, which follow last month’s announcement of layoffs by Nationwide.

All signs point to 2019 being a good year to be a financial advisor. The regulatory shackles are in abeyance, while surveys show consumers are happier and better prepared when they get financial advice. In addition, annuities are on the way back and more Americans are gaining access to retirement plans.

Ohio National officially broke service contracts today on select variable annuities with a guaranteed minimum income benefit rider. Producers continue to have questions about what that precedent-setting decision means, but all are waiting on a federal court to decide on lawsuits.

Fixed index annuity sales and variable annuity assets hit record quarterly highs during the third quarter, according to the Insured Retirement Institute. Deregulation and product innovation are expected to fuel strong annuity sales into 2019, one analyst says.