Whenever anyone in our industry is asked what the DOL fiduciary rule will require of us, there should only be one answer: “WE DON’T KNOW, YET!” While I strongly believe in the famous quote by Benjamin Disraeli “I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best”, I am amazed at the select few FMO/IMOs who are professing such a scorched earth future for qualified Index Annuity sales. Some groups are using scare tactics to drive producers to those who claim to have answers and

HARTFORD — The Phoenix Companies. Inc. is being sold to Nassau Reinsurance Group Holdings L.P. for $217.2 million, the companies announced early Tuesday. That's a huge premium for shareholders, whose stocks were worth $13.03 at closing Monday, and who will be offered $37.50 a share. The stock was trading at about $32.75 after the announcement. The stock had plunged from $56.07 on March 30 to $17.85 on May 14, the day of its annual meeting. Bad news on financial restatements,

Many people launch a business around an idea that excites them at the time or may seem like a lucrative opportunity. Yet, all too often they seem to lose interest when they don’t see an almost instant return. Has this ever been you? When was the last time you asked yourself, “Is this my passion? Do I love what I’m building? Do I love it enough to continue doing this forever?” The reason we read book after book about passion being the key to every successful business is becaus

Where’s the Risk Today? We know the value a fixed annuity product can add to a well-rounded retirement portfolio. Annuities are gaining national attention and acceptance as a source of reliable, guaranteed income in a time of market uncertainty. More and more consumers are looking to fixed annuities for the level of protection they add to a retirement income strategy. Insurance carriers and distributors play a critical role in helping consumers understand annuities and how th