American Council of Life Insurers: New Hampshire Adopts Enhanced Safeguards for Annuity Consumers

WASHINGTON, March 1 -- The American Council of Life Insurers issued the following statement on Feb. 29, 2024:

* * *

American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)--New Hampshire Past President Dawn Chambers issued the following joint statement on the best interest annuity rule adopted recently by the New Hampshire Insurance Department:

"The actions taken by Insurance Commissioners D.J. Bettencourt and the New Hampshire Insurance Department greatly enhance protections for consumers seeking lifetime income through annuities. The new rule heightens the standards financial professionals must follow and protects consumers access to, and information about, annuities, the only financial product in the marketplace that can provide guaranteed income for life.

"New Hampshire is the 43rd state to adopt the 'best interest of consumer enhancements' in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. These new laws and regulations also harmonize with the SEC's Regulation Best Interest. Nearly 80% of Americans now live in a state with a best interest standard for annuity sales.

"These bipartisan consumer protections stand in stark contrast to the misguided fiduciary-only regulation proposed U.S. Department of Labor. The proposal is significantly similar to a failed 2016 regulation that, before it was struck down by a federal court, resulted in more than 10 million American workers' accounts, with $900 billion in savings, losing access to professional financial guidance. With more than 4.1 million Americans turning 65 each year through 2027, now is not the time to limit people's options for retirement.

"The best interest standard adopted by New Hampshire and 42 other states ensures that all savers, particularly financially vulnerable middle-income Americans, can access information about different choices for long-term security in retirement. A consumer survey finds that middle-income retirement savers would be very concerned about a regulation keeping them from accessing the professional financial guidance they want and need.

"The U.S. Congress reaffirmed the importance of lifetime income when it passed legislation in 2019 and 2022 that made it easier for employers to include annuities in workplace retirement plans. With these enhanced state and federal consumer protections, millions of savers across the country can be confident that financial professionals must act in the consumer's best interest when offering recommendations about annuities.

"We look forward to the remaining states implementing these sensible protections so that consumers everywhere can benefit from a best interest standard."

* * *

About ACLI: The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI's member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers' financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI's 275 member companies represent 93 percent of industry assets in the United States.

About NAIFA: Founded in 1890 as The National Association of Life Underwriters, NAIFA is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious association representing the interests of financial professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. Our mission - empowering financial professionals and consumers with world-class advocacy and education - is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for agents and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry.

* * *

Original text here: https://www.acli.com/posting/nr24-020