Annuity News

Fall 2009

Welcome to the first issue of Annuity News for
The Standard’s annuity distribution partners!

We are pleased to introduce this new format where we can communicate sales and marketing ideas, tips for growing your business, legislative changes and service and product updates.

Be aware that rate change information will not be part of Annuity News. We plan to continue communicating rates in the email format already familiar to you. As always, you can find the latest information at www.standard.com/annuities.

Our hope is that you will view Annuity News as a source of timely, credible, valuable information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our sales team or give us a call at 800.378.4578.

Sincerely,
Rich Lane, Director
Sales & Marketing

Buying Value in Today’s Annuity Marketplace

Warren Buffet is quoted as saying, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” That phrase, whether it came from Buffet or someone else, is a perfect reminder for brokers who are helping their customers shop for fixed annuities.

Over the last several months, market-weary consumers have flocked to fixed annuities looking for safety and a dependable return on the retirement nest egg they have spent a career accumulating. As a result, the sale of new fixed annuities was up 60 percent in 2008 over 2007 and 39 percent for the first half of 2009 over 2008.

That number is very impressive when you consider that fixed annuity sales have been trending down slowly over the last five years. As savers and investors lick their market wounds and seek safe havens for dollars they can’t afford to lose, fixed annuities have become the big winners.

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Updated Disclosures and Applications

The Standard recently made some updates to our annuity disclosures and applications. We hope you’ll find the changes will make doing business with us easier than ever.

To help producers navigate the increasingly complex disclosure terrain, The Standard is pleased to announce a streamlined annuity disclosure for use in every state. Producers should begin using our new, multi-state disclosures by October 1.

The Standard’s deferred, index, and immediate annuity applications have been updated with fraud notices mandated by Maryland and the District of Columbia. Producers in DC and Maryland should start using the new applications by October 1. Producers in other states may deplete their old stock, but should start using the new forms as soon as possible.

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Webinar Series for Partners: Building Your Business

The Standard is pleased to offer Building Your Business, a series of biweekly online courses offered free to our partners. We’ll cover a range of topics, from the finalized 403(b) regulations to marketing techniques in the digital age. Our experts will provide insight and commentary on the issues driving the annuity industry today. And you’ll be able to interact with them directly during the question-and-answer portion at the end of each presentation.

Each 45-minute session is filled with practical, actionable information that will help you compete successfully in your marketplace.

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The Standard’s Financial Strength

With our current economic environment, many of your customers may be asking about the financial strength of the institutions you represent. The Standard understands this concern and has addressed it in a message from our President and CEO, Greg Ness.

Our strength stems from disciplined financial practices and stability resulting from our long-term outlook. Fiscally conservative management allows us to weather economic uncertainty and ensures that we will keep our financial commitment to you.

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