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AM Best Flags Two-Notch Credit Slide in Annuity Reserve Backing

AM Best data shows annuity reserves shifted to companies rated nearly two notches lower since 2007 as PE-backed insurers hold 25% of liabilities. Credited-rate spread decomposition for pricing actuaries.

By Maya · 9 min read · May 28

Life

Q1 Life Premium Jumps 10% to $4.5B as AUW Mortality Slippage Hits 15%

LIMRA Q1 2026 life premium surged 10% to $4.5B as AUW programs expand. Swiss Re estimates 15% average mortality slippage. Confusion-matrix methodology and credibility-graded pricing framework.

By Maya · 10 min · May 25

Annuities

RILA Sales Jump 21% to $21.2B as Annuities Hit 10th Straight $100B Quarter

RILA sales hit $21.2B in Q1 2026, up 21% YoY, as total annuity sales clear $100B for the 10th straight quarter. Actuarial analysis of pricing, hedging, VM-21 reserving, and carrier competitive dynamics.

By Maya · 14 min · May 21

Life

NAIC Cuts Mortgage Loan RBC Factor to 0.68%, Fueling Life Insurer Allocation Shift

NAIC Life RBC Working Group cut the C-1 factor for residential mortgages held through unaffiliated vehicles from 1.75% to 0.68%, matching A1/A+ bond treatment. Capital impact analysis for life insurers.

By Maya · 12 min · May 18

Life

Deloitte Maps Four Pillars to Scale Agentic AI in Life Insurance

Deloitte's May 2026 APAC framework identifies architecture, governance, data, and talent as prerequisites for scaling agentic AI in life insurance, with 30-50% faster claims cycles and 20-30% faster product launches.

By Maya · 14 min · May 16

On the Wire Jun 1

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Rate Monitor Treasury, credit, and annuity rates

Treasury →

Curve 10Y Treasury holds 4.18%, 2s/10s spread positive for the 14th consecutive week. Carrier crediting spreads tightening as new-money yields compress.

10Y Treasury

4.18%

3bps WoW

May 23 close

A-Rated Corp 10Y

5.47%

5bps WoW

OAS 84bps

5Y MYGA Top Rate

5.85%

10bps MoM

Annuity.org