Indexed annuity sales off to strong start in 2015

* Guaranteed Lifetime Withdrawal Benefit (GLWB) utilization declined for the second consecutive quarter. "It isn't surprising to see another drop in GLWB election rates," Moore said. "Income sales continue to take a backseat to accumulation sales, due to recent development of hybrid indices that give distributors the ability to promote 'uncapped' crediting methods."

* For indexed life sales, first quarter numbers hit $380.3 million. "When evaluating first quarter indexed life sales, results were down nearly 24.0 percent when compared with the previous quarter, and up over 15.0 percent when compared to the same period last year," according to Moore's data. "As we saw with the previous year sales, indexed life sales remain strong, despite the on-going regulatory controversy regarding illustrated rates."

* Aegon grabbed the top position in indexed life sales, with a 13.7 percent market share. Pacific Life, National Life Group, Minnesota Life, and Nationwide rounded-out the top five companies, respectively.