LIMRA Study: Consumers Continue to Opt for Guaranteed Living Benefit Riders With Variable Annuity Contracts

WINDSOR, Conn., Aug. 31, 2010— Guaranteed Living Benefit (GLB) riders were elected in variable annuities (VA) generating $20.3 billion of new deferred VA premium in the second quarter, an 18 percent increase over the first quarter, according to LIMRA’s second quarter study, which represents 95 percent of the variable annuity GLB industry.

“Guaranteed living benefits remain extremely popular in this uncertain market as consumers seek financial security for their retirement,” said Dan Beatrice, senior analyst, LIMRA Retirement Research. “We believe the GLBs will continue to be an important driver of variable annuity sales in the foreseeable future.”

For the third consecutive quarter, GLBs were elected 87 percent of the time when any GLB is available for purchase. The guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) election rate remained at 64 percent. Guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB) riders were elected 17 percent of the time; while, guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (GMAB) and guaranteed minimum withdrawal (GMWB) each had a three percent election rate in the second quarter of 2010.

LIMRA estimates that GLBs were available in contracts generating $23.2 billion of new deferred VA premium during the second quarter.  VA assets with GLB decreased three percent from $440 billion in the first quarter of 2010 to $427 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2010; and total VA assets dropped five percent from $1.433 trillion to $1.358 trillion during the same period.

The rate at which any GLB was elected increased one percent in the career distribution (75 percent) and bank channels (92 percent); while independent (90 percent) and wirehouse (90 percent) channels remained steady.

LIMRA’s Variable Annuity Guaranteed Living Benefit Election Tracking Survey collects VA GLB sales, election rates and assets on a quarterly basis. The 27 survey participants represent 95 percent of second quarter 2010 industry sales in which a GLB was elected.

LIMRA Contacts:
Donna G. Sullivan, 860-285-7875, dsullivan@limra.com
Catherine Theroux, 860-285-7787, ctheroux@limra.com

About LIMRA
LIMRA is a worldwide research, consulting and professional development organization that helps more than 850 insurance and financial services companies in 73 countries increase their marketing and distribution effectiveness. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com

Catherine Theroux
LIMRA Public Relations
300 Day Hill Road
Windsor, Connecticut 06095
(860) 285-7787
(703) 447-3257
ctheroux@limra.com