Consumers Need to be on Guard as Life and Annuity Insurers Seek Regulatory Relief on Reserve Requirements

Currrent annuity owners and prospective purchasers need to keep an eye on the financial ratings of annuity providers.  

"While the biggest financial headlines over the past few months have focused on bailing out banks and other businesses with taxpayer money, many owners of annuities and life insurance are following another rescue attempt, with some bewilderment: efforts by insurers to get tens of billions of dollars in relief from state insurance regulators. The proliferation of relief efforts means that consumers need to be on guard when reviewing financial data on insurers' Web sites and at the NAIC's Consumer Information Source service…"

Source: Wall Street Journal

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