The flow of new assets into U.S. variable annuities increased 10% in 2010, to about $137 billion, according to the Insured Retirement Institute.
IRI, Washington, published that finding in a summary of results from a survey of VA sellers. The results were compiled by a unit of Morningstar Inc., Chicago.
VA contracts held $1.5 trillion in assets at the end of 2010. The asset total was the highest IRI has recorded. The previous record high was posted in the third quarter of 2007, before the economic crisis began, IRI says.
IRI found that VA fee levels have remained steady over the past 5 years.