Summary In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler interviews Toby Leonard, Assistant Vice President of Product Development at Security Benefit. They discuss the evolution of annuities, particularly fixed index annuities, and their role in financial planning. The conversation highlights the importance of education, technology, and the impact of AI on the insurance industry. They also explore market trends, predictions for annuity sales, and the significance of annuities in the RIA space. Learn more at thatannuityshow.com

Karen Monks, a principal analyst at Celent, discusses the intersection of technology and life insurance. Karen shares her insights on how AI is transforming underwriting processes, the impact of COVID on consumer behavior, and the driving forces behind technology adoption in the insurance industry. The conversation also explores the challenges of integrating legacy systems with modern technology, the importance of consumer experience, and the skills needed for future success in the industry.

In this episode of That Annuity Show, hosts Paul Tyler and Bruno Caron welcome Jim Ryan, Executive Director and Head of Distribution at Oceanview, to discuss the company's growth since its 2019 launch. Jim shares insights into how Oceanview has established itself in the annuity market. The conversation explores the evolution of both MYGA and FIA products, the critical importance of technological integration across multiple platforms, and why keeping products simple can be a key to success. The conversation emphasizes simplicity, technology investment, and focus on efficiency to help adapt to market changes. Listen for Jim’s optimistic outlook for incremental industry growth in the coming years. Learn more at thatannuityshow.com

Katherine Dease, the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) discusses the future of annuities and how the Digital First Initiative could accelerate growth. With special guest host, Michael Celi, Chief Product Officer of Zinnia, Katherine shares insights on the challenges of modernizing the annuity industry, particularly the data problems that hinder innovation. The conversation highlights the importance of user experience, the role of annuities in holistic financial planning, and the need for collaboration among industry players. They also touch on regulatory considerations and the metrics for measuring success in the initiative, emphasizing the call for industry participation to drive meaningful change. Learn more at thatannuityshow.com

In this episode industry leaders Sheryl Moore, Wink Inc., and Michele Trogni, CEO of Zinnia, a guest host, explore the evolving landscape of insurance and annuities, from digital transformation challenges to opportunities for growth. The discussion weaves together Moore's journey from personal investment challenges to becoming the "Annuity Rockstar" with Trogni's vision for technological innovation in the industry. They address the delicate balance between digital innovation and traditional agent-led sales while highlighting how technology can enhance consumer understanding and product accessibility.  Learn more: thatannuityshow.com

In this episode, Paul Tyler and Bruno Caron catch up with Joe Jordan, a leading voice in purpose-driven planning, to discuss the evolving landscape of retirement. They explore the importance of finding meaning and purpose in retirement, the challenges posed by an aging population, and the emotional aspects of retirement that financial advisors often overlook. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to retirement planning that includes community, relationships, and personal fulfillment. More about how Books:

In this episode, Paul Tyler and Bruno Caron welcome back Arun Muralidhar, co-founder of Alpha Engine Global Investment Solutions, to explore "SeLFIES" (Standard of Living Indexed, Forward-starting, Income-only Securities), an innovative retirement solution he developed with Nobel laureate Robert Merton. Arun delves into Brazil's successful implementation of “SeLFIES”, which has attracted 105,000 investors and raised $2.8 billion since January 2023. The conversation highlights an approach to retirement planning that focuses on guaranteed monthly income rather than wealth accumulation, addresses the potential shortcomings of current retirement statements and target date funds, and explores potential implementations in other countries like India and the UK. Arun also discusses complementary innovations such as education bonds and using QR codes for retirement contributions, while emphasizing how these instruments could help address gender equity in retirement savings. For those interested in learning more about this groundbreaking approach to retirement security, Arun can be followed on LinkedIn:  Listen to the full episode: thatannuityshow.com

In this episode, host Paul Tyler broadcasts from Noida, India, where he visits Zinnia's offices and speaks with their leadership team including Josh Everett (CEO of Zinnia India), Kapil Bhardwaj (Head of Global Processing), Pawan Choudhary (CTO), Rajan Agarwal (Head of Exchange Solutions), and Eti Gupta (Head of Marketing). Key highlights: Zinnia’s India operations manage an impressive 1.4 million calls annually and handle over 55% of North America’s variable annuity business, reflecting their critical role in the company’s global strategy. Once viewed as a back-office function, India’s operations have transformed into a Global Innovation Center (GIC), driving innovation and strategic growth. This shift leverages India’s diverse talent pool across key cities: Bangalore stands out as a hub for AI and tech innovation, Chennai excels in engineering and operational capabilities, and Delhi/NCR is renowned for its deep insurance expertise and skilled knowledge workers. The conversation focuses on how insurance companies need to evolve, with key recommendations to: Embrace transparency in operations Simplify complex processes Be bold in adopting new technologies Stay adaptable to changing trends Focus on building partnerships rather than vendor relationships The episode provides insights into how insurance companies can leverage India's talent and technology capabilities to transform their operations and improve customer experience.

In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler and Tisa Rabun-Marshall engage with Kerra Bolton, a prolific writer and independent journalist, who shares her diverse career journey and insights into the retirement space. The conversation explores the challenges of career reinvention, the importance of understanding consumer concerns in retirement planning, and the role of fear and motivation in financial decision-making. Kerra emphasizes the significance of finding purpose in life and work, and how one's purpose can evolve over time. The episode provides valuable takeaways for financial professionals and agents on how to connect with clients and address their concerns effectively. Listen to learn more: thatannuityshow.com   Learn more about Kerra:

In this episode, Paul Tyler and David Czerniecki, Chief Investment Officer for Nassau, discuss the rapidly changing economic landscape, touching on global political trends, the implications of tariffs, market predictions, energy dynamics influenced by AI, and the impact of interest rates on the insurance industry. They explore how these factors interconnect and shape the future of the economy, emphasizing a cautious optimism moving forward.