Life insurers fight hedge fund legislation

In Florida Wednesday, Feb. 20, advocates for seniors, veterans and others as a group called STANDUP for Seniors Coalition, held a press conference with a top state legislator to protest a bill expected to be introduced there that they feel would bolster the STOLI market.

"We anticipate that some speculators will once again try to push for legislative changes this year that will incent investors to participate in these STOLI arrangements," said Paul Brawner, a life insurance agent and CEO of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Florida (NAIFA-Florida). "We urge lawmakers to be aware of any attempt that would preserve value in policies that have been obtained fraudulently or reduce the ability of life insurers to detect fraud."

"It is imperative that my colleagues in the House and Senate understand how fraudulent STOLI arrangements hurt Florida seniors," said Rep. Bryan Nelson, R-Apopka, chairman of the Florida House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee and an insurance agent by trade. "We must not encourage speculators and other investors to profit from stranger-originated life insurance arrangements, which hurt Florida's seniors and make them targets for scams."

"NAIFA and our state associations will be working with the ACLI in the states to oppose these types of bills, which NAIFA believes will help enable stranger-originated life insurance transactions," said Gary Sanders, NAIFA's securities & state government top lobbyist. "NAIFA has a long-standing policy in opposition to STOLI as a practice that violates the essential social purpose of life insurance—to provide financial protection to families or businesses. NAIFA's state association in Florida is a member of a new coalition, Stand Up for Seniors, which was formed to put a focus on this issue and educate consumers."

Leah Walters, ACLI regional vice president, state relations – Mid-Atlantic, say the law will encourage STOLI behavior. If the contract was stricken because it was fraudulent, then insurers should not have to return premiums, Walters said.

Insurers do return premiums when both parties agree to rescind the contract, she said.

She suggested courts can work out who gives what to whom but it should not be a matter of law to return premiums and interest when fraud is involved.

Fortress, a global alternative investment and asset management firm founded in 1998 by BlackRock veterans, won't actively acknowledge any involvement in the spate of legislation brewing, but has complained about the life insurance industry's alleged role in promoting STOLIs as a tactic, and thinks it should not suffer because of insurer and agent behavior.

Fortress said through a spokesperson that it seeks to preserve the secondary market for life policies through its actions as an investor saddled with contracts insurers claim are fraudulent, and that it believes there are only a few bad actors out there in an otherwise attractive secondary market.

Fortress filed suit against the Phoenix Companies and sister companies in U.S. District Court last August, in Lima LS PLC v. PHL Variable Insurance Co et al, alleging multiple violations of the Connecticut Antitrust Act, fraud and the RICO Racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations act, for alleged schemes to increase demand in the secondary market for its life policies while later on suing to void policies to deny death benefits claiming STOLI on the policies it had designed and promoted for sale on the secondary market. Such alleged activity took place between 2003 and 2009.

"Fortress is known to use aggressive tactics – including regulatory complaints and litigation as well as special interest legislation – to maximize its own returns," said Phoenix through a spokeswoman. "The Lima case is an illustration of these tactics. The failed legislative attempt in South Dakota and ongoing efforts in other states to change the rules around return of premium for illegal or invalid policies are other examples."

 "We take it seriously when there is clear misrepresentation, fraud or the misuse of insurance policies as wagers on human life, and where appropriate, take action in order to protect shareholder and policyholder interests," Phoenix stated.