From Entrant to Established

Talcott: An annuity entrant built on a proven foundation and legacy.

Talcott Financial Group entered the retail annuity market with a clear purpose and a proven record of providing income.

“We’re not a new carrier. We’re a new entrant,” says Ryan Lex, Head of Retail Distribution and Marketing at Talcott Financial Group. “We have $135 billion of assets under management and a long history of delivering for policyholders. This is a natural progression for us.”

That distinction matters: Talcott isn’t starting from scratch. Its foundation is decades of experience through its legacy with The Hartford. “For those who know The Hartford legacy, this is a continuation of that commitment,” Lex says. “We’ve been paying income for decades.”

Where Income Gets Real

The retirement conversation has shifted. Clients are living longer, facing uncertainty, and relying more heavily on their assets to generate income.

Talcott is focused on solving that challenge directly.

“We’re centered on being a solution for income now and income later,” says Lex. “Some clients need income immediately. Others are planning for the future. We want to meet both needs in a meaningful way.”

That focus reflects a growing need across the market. “People want confidence that they can pay their bills and not outlive their money,” he adds. “That’s what we’re trying to solve for.”

Not One Product. A Full Answer

Talcott entered the market with a full suite of annuity solutions designed to address a range of client needs.

“It was important for us to come to market with a well-rounded suite,” Lex says. “We didn’t want to be seen as a single-solution company.”

The lineup includes flexible MYGA durations, accumulation strategies, and guaranteed income solutions for both short-term and long-term planning.

The differentiator is the intent behind the design.

“If you’re not solving a real advisor or client need, the product won’t work,” Lex explains. “Everything we’ve built is centered on delivering value and peace of mind.”

Clarity matters as much as performance.

“It’s important to us that clients understand what they bought,” he adds. “Innovation can’t come at the expense of that.”

Discipline Over Hype

Talcott’s approach is grounded in discipline, starting with how products are priced and managed.

“We were very intentional about taking a disciplined pricing approach,” Lex says. “We’re not interested in teaser rates that look good upfront but create risk later. We want to deliver something that holds up.”

That mindset extends to product design, including features that reduce uncertainty for clients.

“We’ve built options that remove concerns like renewal rate risk,” he notes. “Clients should know what to expect, not just today, but throughout the life of the contract.”

An open-architecture investment model further strengthens outcomes.

“We’re not locked into a single asset manager,” Lex explains. “That allows us to find the best opportunities and pass that value back to the customer.”

Experience You Can Feel

Execution turns strategy into results.

Talcott’s team brings deep experience across distribution, marketing, product, and operations.

“The average tenure across our core group is about 15 years,” says Lex. “That experience matters.”

It shows up in the advisor experience, especially in service.

“One of the things that was really important to us was owning the service experience,” he says. “Our back-office team has been supporting annuity business for over a decade on average.”

Technology plays a critical role as well.

“We’ve built a paperless, technology-driven platform focused on straight-through processing,” Lex explains. “The goal is to make it easier to do business.”

Support Beyond the Product

Talcott’s commitment extends beyond product.

“If we can equip advisors with the tools and support to confidently position an idea and tell a story, then we’ve done our job,” Lex says.

That includes education, sales concepts, and client-ready materials designed to simplify conversations.

“We’re trying to make their job easier,” he adds. “Give them what they need to communicate clearly with clients.”

Earned, Not Claimed

Talcott’s long-term ambition is clear. “We want to be viewed as a trusted partner,” Lex says. “That’s not something you claim. It’s something you earn.”

That mindset reflects a broader mission across the organization. “Our aspiration is to be the most respected financial protection business in the industry,” he adds. “That comes down to delivering on the promises we make.”

For advisors, that consistency is what matters most. “You’re trusting us with your clients’ income,” Lex says. “We take that responsibility seriously.”  

Visit www.talcott.com to get started today.