The Annuity Store partners with IBF:
Education and Knowledge have always been crucial factors in becoming a successful producer. In recognition of this sentiment The Annuity Store recently partnered with the Institute of Business & Finance (IBF) to offer discounts toward industry designations. The Institute of Business & Finance offers five of the oldest financial designation programs in the industry. In particular, the Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS) is designed to give you estate-planning expertise by utilizing the solutions provided through annuities. Thus another tool to set yourself apart from the competition. For more information call your Annuity Store Consultant or click for more information
Indexed Contracts Outperform CDs
Advantage Compendium has published data illustrating that annuities with returns linked to the performance of the stock market or other investment markets have been generating returns that are about twice as high as bank certificate of deposit returns. The report is based on a review of data from 24 carriers that have been offering reset index annuities since 2003. The researchers found that the value of assets in the annuities in the sample has increased an average of 5.4% per year over the past 5 years, compared with an average total increase of just 2.78% for the value of assets held in a series of 1-year bank certificates of deposit. The annualized return for an S&P 500 index fund with a 0.15% expense ratio over the same period was 5.05%. Advantage researchers note that the comparison period ended Sept. 30. National Underwriter, November 7, 2008
Standard & Poor's affirms ratings for Allianz SE
Standard & Poor's (S&P) Ratings Services has affirmed its 'AA' "long-term counterparty credit" and "insurer financial strength" ratings on Allianz SE and various core operating entities. "The affirmation reflects the relative resilience of AZSE's consolidated group capital adequacy and continued sound underlying operating profitability when seen in the context of current adverse financial market and economic conditions," explained credit analyst Karin Clemens. More Information
New Product: Clients can earn positive credit with negative index performance: If you do not have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can get a copy here:
Up or down, it's a win-win. With the Allianz Summit II Annuity, your clients can benefit when the changes in an index are positive or negative.
With no caps or upfront fees, it currently offers a 100% participation rate in positive index performance, and a 10% participation rate in negative index performance. The only time your client won't get an index interest credit is if the combined index allocation performance is exactly zero. More Information
