When you interview a bunch of industry leaders, chances are you are going to notice some distinct similarities in their personal attributes and philosophies about their industry – the types of characteristics that helped them reach such an elite level.
Such is the case with the 10 people included in this issue's "Who's who in annuities," which begins on page 81.
These are all very successful people, and all but one of them – Suze Orman – owes their success in large part to a thriving market for annuities that each of them had a hand in creating or growing.
They share a sense of optimism for the future of annuities, and their strong belief in the value of annuity products comes through loud and clear.
"I think the annuity industry is poised on the cusp of another great run," says Eric Sondergeld, corporate vice president and director of retirement research at LIMRA International. "As the baby boomers begin to retire, they will need products to protect their assets while providing them with various ways of creating tax-advantaged income in retirement. That's what annuities do."