LIMRA SRI Releases Top 20 Annuity Sales Rankings For 2017

In 2017, total annuity sales were $203.5 billion, a decline of 8 percent from prior year, according to LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute (LIMRA SRI). Overall in 2017, companies continued to face economic and regulatory challenges as prolonged low interest rates and anticipation of the Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rule damped manufacturers’ appetite for business. Yet the announced delay to implement the DOL rule until July 2019 and rising interest rates propelled a rebound in sales in the fourth quarter.

Variable annuity (VA) sales were $95.6 billion in 2017, down 9 percent from prior year. This marks the first time in 20 years that annual VA sales fell below $100 billion. The three top sellers of variable annuities were: Jackson National Life, TIAA and AXA US, representing 42 market share. The top 10 companies held 78 percent market share in 2017.

Total fixed annuity sales were $107.9 billion, falling 8 percent from 2016 levels. Despite this decline, annual fixed annuity sales surpassed $100 billion for the third consecutive year. Based on LIMRA SRI research, it is the first time this has occurred. The top three sellers of fixed annuities were: New York Life, AIG Companies and Allianz Life of North America, representing 24 market share. The top 10 companies held 53 percent of the market in 2017.

Indexed annuity sales fell 5 percent to $57.6 billion, compared with prior year. This is the first year since 2009 where annual indexed annuity sales declined. The top three sellers of indexed annuities were: Allianz Life of North America, Athene Annuity & Life and Nationwide. These companies held 29 percent market share. The top 10 companies represented 63 percent of the market in 2017.

To view the entire list of rankings, please visit LIMRA’s Data Bank.