Pacific Life has hired Michael Oler to be head of defined contribution lifetime income for the company's Institutional business.
The Newport Beach, California-based life insurer says the new unit is a "key growth initiative." It will use new federal rules that encourage employers to add annuitization options to defined contribution retirement plans to market in-plan retirement income arrangements.
Oler previously was a retirement income product manager at T. Rowe Price. He has a bachelor's degree from Rutgers, and he got his start in 401(k) plan administration and recordkeeping at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In other life, annuity and retirement services executive changes news:
Alliant Retirement Consulting, an arm of Alliant Insurance Services, has hired Jason Feilke to be a vice president in Little Rock, Arkansas. Feilke, who previously worked for Meridian Investment Advisors, will design and implement retirement solutions for individuals and organizations.
Standard Insurance Company of Portland, Oregon, has promoted Shannon Martin to second vice president and assistant controller, from senior director of financial innovation and systems.
Health Changes
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has hired David Merritt to be its senior vice president of policy and advocacy.
Merritt will oversee both state and federal lobbying for the Chicago-based group.
He has been head of public affairs and strategic initiatives at America's Health Insurance Plans. He also has worked in political and messaging research for Frank Luntz; managed the Washington office for Leavitt Partners; and worked closely with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on health care issues.
Merritt has a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in political science and government from Loyola University Chicago.
In part because of Merritt's departure, AHIP has promoted Jeanette Thornton to executive vice president of public policy and strategy.
