Forecast for Life Insurance Industry Challenging, LOMA Resource Survey Finds

With the economy in crisis, the 2009 forecast for the life insurance industry is challenging, according to executives surveyed by LOMA's Resource magazine... According to participants:

In 2009, life insurance sales will hold steady, premium growth will be modest, but profits will decrease. Stock market volatility and the implosion of venerable financial institutions in 2008 have made consumers wary; consequently, variable products will be vulnerable as consumers move to more fixed products with guarantees. On the upside, whole life products from strong companies will do well. Term insurance will continue to do well as consumers look to keep expenses at a minimum. Immediate and fixed deferred annuity sales will be strong. Variable annuity products with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) or principal protection features will weather the storm, but expect to see new products in the very near future that offer reduced guarantees at a greater cost. The battle will intensify over who should regulate insurers-- the feds, the states or both...

PR News Wire: Forecast for Life Insurance Industry Challenging, LOMA Resource Survey Finds