Wisconsin has become the 23rd state to adopt the new annuity sales standards created by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, signed S.B. 644 into law Friday.
The new law created by the signing, Act 260, will require annuity sellers to act in the best interest of the customers. The law is set to take effect in six months.
The current sales standards require annuity sellers to verify that the annuities offered to a customer suit the customer's needs.
Evers administration officials noted that the new law will require an annuity seller to disclose any material conflict of interest and to document justifications for product recommendations in writing.
"This law provides additional consumer protections by creating a higher standard for selling annuities," officials say.
The American Council of Life Insurers, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Wisconsin Council of Life Insurers put out a statement welcoming the signing of the bill.
Evers also signed S.B. 588, a bill that increases the forfeiture amount for violations of insurance laws involving adults ages 60 or older, or adults at risk, to $5,000 per violation. In the past, the forfeiture amount was $1,000 per violation.
The History
The NAIC developed the best interest-based standard to mesh with the SEC's Regulation Best Interest.
