Distribution

Two new studies amplify the benefits—especially for women—of working with financial advisors, and provide insight into a changing demographic for life insurers.

To successfully deliver e-signatures and e-delivery applications, insurers should begin by implementing them in a single process or product, according to a strategic analysis released by ACORD and developed by international law firm Locke Lord LLP.

One-third of “transition boomers,” those aged 55 to 65 and who are 10 years or fewer away from retirement, are unsure how much money they will need to cover basic living expenses in retirement, according to “The Transition Boomers and Retirement Income Survey,” from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Life, annuity and pension firms are struggling to generate profits for shareholders, members and policyholders due to the global economic slowdown, increased competition and low interest rates. This confluence of factors is leading many insurers to reassess which products and markets are to be considered strategic, and how to best manage the discontinued, unprofitable and non-strategic portions of their business, according “Strategies and Options for Managing Closed Blocks: Life, Annuities, and Pensions Edition,” a new report from Celent.

Competition for the individual retirement market is heating up as the number of baby boomers heading into retirement increases, creating an opportunity for insurers to attract new customers and their assets, according to “The Big Payout: Growing Individual Retirement Income Opportunities 2012,” a report from Conning Research & Consulting.

Coverage form aims to address evolving risks, rising costs of various construction project types.

Latest version aims to enable quicker document creation and time-to-market for new products.

Insurance is labeled an early adopter of social media in a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), titled “2012 U.S. Social Media Trends by Vertical.” The banking industry was cited as being a late adopter.

Although overall activity in the annuity market has been down over the past 13 months, inflows in May increased by slightly more than 1% to $7.5 billion from $7.4 billion in April, according to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp.

Through the new portal, users can access risk management tools, from Liberty Mutual’s RISKTRAC risk information management system to the insurer’s online claims reporting tool