Equity Indexed Annuities Driving Fixed Annuity Sales
By Dan Q. Beatrice
Led by a stunning increase in sales of equity indexed annuities, fixed annuity sales increased for the second consecutive quarter, reaching $25.4 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2004, according to LIMRA International.
Year-to-date 2004 sales of fixed annuities are down less than 1% from 2003 with $68.4 billion through the first three quarters (Figure 1). While traditional book value deferred annuities and stand-alone market value adjusted (MVA) annuities year-to-date sales remain in double-digit decline when compared to 2003, equity indexed annuity sales are up 63% (Figure 2). In the third quarter alone, equity indexed annuities accounted for 30% of all fixed annuity premium. And while 2004 shapes up as a flat year, LIMRA foresees strong growth for fixed annuities in 2005 and beyond.
Within 10 years, equity indexed annuities share of the fixed annuity market has gone from less than 0.5% in 1995 to 25% in 2004 (through the first 3 quarters; see Figure 3). The $17.3 billion in EIA sales so far during 2004 easily surpasses the $14.4 billion sold in all of 2003.
Fixed annuity product types also include the traditional book value deferred, stand-alone market value adjusted deferred, as well as payout products (fixed immediate annuities and structured settlements). Book value deferred products continue to hold over half the fixed annuity market; however, their share of the market has dropped to 55% in 2004.
