Annuities

Until April 2011, Patrick “Pete” Dodd, a former money manager at Liberty Life Insurance Co. in Greenville, S.C., invested customer premiums in what he calls a “squeaky clean” portfolio: bonds backed by state governments and blue-chip corporations.

Jackson National Life Insurance Co. enjoyed a bump in deposits and sales during the first quarter, thanks to its variable annuity that's free of generous living benefits.

May is here -- and so are variable annuity updates. But it's a far different world for the once-highflying insurers that used to dominate the market. Since the financial crisis, historic low interest rates have forced more and more carriers to impose higher fees. Some have looked to reduce their

Tax-advantaged investing gaining traction among advisers, helps push product.

Markets on the upswing, low rates and risk management front and center for insurers.

Portfolio Seasonal tendencies and average annual returns for the S&P would support the May pullback thesis.  ( Charts Etc ) Wall Street chief strategists keep their world-renowned perma-wrong record intact, bravo.  ( The Reformed Broker ) Jumpiness in the mortgage REIT sector - analysts from

After strong first quarter, insurer trims income benefit payouts, seeks to 'tamp down' sales.

Stock trades higher after company cuts offering price; annuities biz viewed as financial drag

But critics question whether younger workers should even be buying annuities

Large independent broker-dealers that rely heavily on revenue from commissions struggled in 2012 to match the performance of broker-dealers that generate the lion's share of their revenue from fees charged against clients' assets. Overall, 2012 was a weak year for the independent-broker-dealer

Company to change name to Voya Financial upon IPO, focus on retirement, investment, insurance.