Darla Mercado

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RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 07, 2009
Phoenix gets ratings downgrade on heels of grim first quarter

The New York-based ratings agency cut the carrier’s grade following Phoenix’s announcement of a first-quarter operating loss of $117.8 million and a $143.9 million — or 17% decline — in statutory surplus and asset valuation reserves,

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 06, 2009
Lincoln National in the red; gets ratings revision from S&P

Lincoln National Corp. ended the first quarter in the red, citing a $600 million charge on the impairment of goodwill in its annuity business.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 03, 2009
Mutually owned insurers escape rating woes of public counterparts

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES MAY 01, 2009
Report: AIG mulls folding some of its mortgage insurance units

American International Group Inc. is considering closing down parts of its mortgage insurance unit following a failure to offload it, Bloomberg reported.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 29, 2009
Variable annuity market needs help to grow, report says

In order to keep the individual annuity market alive amid economic turmoil, insurance companies will need to readjust their product risk, distribution and cost structures for the product, according to a report from Conning Research & Consulting.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 29, 2009
Impaired intangible assets stress insurance earnings, Moody's says

Impaired intangible assets will continue to pressure insurance companies as earnings continue to erode, according to a report from Moody’s Investors Service in New York.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 27, 2009
Ex-Allianz executive: Only a buyout can save Hartford

Only a buyout — preferably one by Allianz SE of Munich, Germany — will rescue The Hartford (Conn.) Financial Services Group Inc., wrote Bob MacDonald, former chief executive of Allianz Life of North America and Allianz Income Management Services, both in Minneapolis.

NEWS RIAS APR 26, 2009
Advisers create exit plans for underwater VAs

The term "bailout" has taken on new meaning for financial advisers as they devise ways to free clients from underperforming variable annuities, but the path to freedom is paved with possible tax complications and worries about account churning.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 24, 2009
AIG appoints Matthew E. Winter vice chairman

American International Group Inc. of New York has appointed Matthew E. Winter vice chairman, transition planning and administration, replacing Richard H. Booth, who retired.

RETIREMENT LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES APR 23, 2009
The Hartford seeks buyers for its property/casualty unit

The Hartford (Conn.) Financial Services Group Inc. has approached its rivals in recent weeks searching for a buyer for its property/casualty unit, Bloomberg reported.