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en-us http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14292.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:51:24 CST Transamerica began as the vision of a young entrepreneur named A. P. Giannini, who took the first step towards realizing his dream by starting a small business known as the Bank of Italy. As part of his long range vision of providing financial services to the general public, Giannini acquired Occidental Life Insurance Company through Transamerica Corporation in 1930.
 
Transamerica with addition of Occidental Life Insurance and the estimated $25 million in assets that came with it Giannini had created the foundation for what would become a strong and lasting company. Financial Strength Ratings for Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company, Transamerica Life Insurance Company and Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company were among the first members of IMSA. Their acceptance into IMSA is the strongest possible endorsement of their business practices.
 
The Transamerica companies that offer these products are members of the AEGON Insurance Group, a leading international insurance organization. Transamerica's variable universal life insurance gives you the ability to leverage your hard earned assets and normally transfer them to your chosen beneficiaries’ income tax free, in the form of a death benefit. And five individual universal life insurance policies offered by Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company, Trans Ultra SP, Trans ACE SP, Trans ACE LP, Tran Ultra LP and Tran Value offer important financial protection for your loved ones.
 
A fixed annuity from Transamerica Occidental Life or Transamerica Life and Annuity may be the best solution to help you prepare for a secure retirement. Variable annuity product that offers clients a variety of options to help create a retirement portfolio customized to their unique investment needs. This annuity offers clients the power of tax deferral, diversified portfolio options and investment advisers.
 
Transamerica Retirement Services would like to help make planning for retirement simple as possible. That’s why they provide a variety of planning tools, educational guides, news updates and links to help you build a solid foundation of retirement savings concepts and strategies. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14290.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:47:54 CST Torchmark Group is well known in the industry as one of the most cost efficient providers of life and health insurance. Torchmark provides protection oriented life and supplemental health insurance to middle income Americans through its premier niche distribution organizations. They succeed in this market while many life insurers have moved up scale seeking the smaller high income market focused on asset accumulation.
 
They market to financially under serve middle income households, those with annual incomes of $25 thousand to $75 thousand. These 50 million households comprise 46 percent of all U.S. households U.S. Census Bureau, 2001 Income Statistics and Torchmark has policies in force in 4 million of those households.
 
The life insurance they write is designed to provide a basic financial benefit in the event of the death of the insured person, which is the foundation of all life insurance programs. Their average agent sold life insurance policy was $32 thousand and $12 thousand for their average direct response sold life policy. For health insurancethat they market is individual supplemental health insurance. The term supplemental means that the insured person has a primary health insurance program that pays most of the insured’s expenses, such as the federal Medicare program for individuals age 65 and over.
 
A variable annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company, under which the insurer agrees to make periodic payments to you, beginning either immediately or at some future date. A variable annuity offers a range of investment options. The value of your investment as a variable annuity owner will vary depending on the performance of the investment options you choose.
 
Torchmark Group is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for middle income Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct response and exclusive and independent agencies.

While Torchmark's subsidiary headquarters are in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas, they have opportunities available internationally for agents. Their agents are paid some of the best commissions in the insurance industry and their administrative staffs enjoy great benefits and pleasant working environments. Most importantly, all their agents and employees have peace of mind in the financial stability Torchmark provides. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14286.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:38:33 CST Thrivent Financial is authorized to conduct business in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Products issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are available to applicants who meet membership, insurability, U.S. citizenship and residency requirements. Not all products described are available in all states.

Thrivent Financial representatives are licensed insurance agents. Insurance and retirement products, where available, are individual contracts and issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Investment products are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., Minneapolis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a member of NASD and SIPC.

Thrivent Financial exists to help its members achieve financial security and give back to their congregations, institutions and the broader community. The organization and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more.
 
As a not for profit membership organization, Thrivent Financial also sponsors national outreach programs and activities that enable its members to demonstrate their care for others through support of congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals.
 
For more than 100 years, Thrivent Financial has been guided by its members’ shared Lutheran traditions and Christian values. Today, these same traditions and values form the foundation of an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of those it serves.
 
Thrivent Financial is a faith based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families and their communities by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security, wellness and caring for others.
 
Their vision is to be the organization that Lutheran congregations and Lutheran institutions seek first when pursuing their financial goals. More than creating financial solutions, they add the unique capability of enabling Lutherans to demonstrate their care and concern for others.
 
The Company was founded to help Lutherans care for and support one another in time of need, guided by the principles of the Christian faith. They remain committed to this rich fraternal heritage as they strive to achieve the highest possible good for members, staff and society. They hold these values to be essential as they work to fulfill their mission, vision and strategies. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14283.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:35:04 CST Symetra Financial is a team of affiliated insurance and financial services companies serving 2 million customers and more than 20,000 independent agents and advisors. 
 
Symetra Financial has a legacy of selling insurance products going back nearly 50 years. On Aug. 2, 2004 their companies were purchased by an investor group led by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and became the privately held group of companies known today as Symetra Financial.

Symetra Financial Corp. is a financially strong and well capitalized group of companies with more than $20 billion in total assets as of Dec 31, 2005 and $1.6 billion in revenues in 2005. Symetra Life Insurance Co., its largest operating subsidiary, is a top 50 life insurance company. Return on equity of 13.5 percent for 2005.

Symetra Financial understands they succeed when their distribution partners succeed. The Company focuses on delivering products and services, sales tools and resources with the financial security of their customers and the success of their independent distributors in mind. They believe this heartfelt commitment to their shared performance is what makes these mutually beneficial partnerships work.

A cornerstone of their company is integrity. It is the critical driver as they deliver superior shareholder returns by capitalizing on competitive advantages and striving for cost efficient, profitable growth. Serve their customers with excellence by offering simple solutions to meet their insurance and investments needs with products that deliver on their promises. Leverage their own success by investing in the success of their independent distribution partners. Build a strong company that provides a bright future for their employees.

While Symetra Financial is privately held, they understand that their customers and business partners want to continue receiving information about their financial strength. The annual report provides financial information and details about their company's activities.

Symetra fosters a culture of entrepreneurial spirit. This means they encourage new ideas and independent thinking. Even with over $21 billion in assets, they have a relatively small employee base of 1,200 employees; so they believe each one of them has a key role to play. They support this way of thinking by giving employees the tools to do the job, the peace of mind that comes with quality benefits and rewards for outstanding performance. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14281.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:30:58 CST For Swiss Re, history is more than merely the number of years the company has been in existence. It is the 140 year old bedrock upon which they assemble and shape their outlook every day. They see history as a key competitive advantage both in the present and in the future. Their history is indicative of their long standing partnerships with their clients, many of whom have been doing business with them for decades and in some cases, for over a century. On the other hand, it represents the experience in which their skill in risk management is rooted. Large risks such as earthquakes are characterised by long return periods of between 30, 50 and a 100 years or more. When it comes to this kind of hazard, it pays to have skill that is based on real experience.
 
The Company engine for underwriting standards, product development and claims management, the Products Business Function is responsible for routing the profitability of each line of business. A product is comprised of the Property, Specialty, Casualty, Life, Health and Claims Liability Management divisions.
 
A product concentrates the company’s knowledge and skill to deliver best underwriting and consistent pricing for both life and non life risks. This business function also evaluates and pursues innovation opportunities and ensures consistent claims management across markets and lines of business. Actively managing the insurance cycle is a key in focus of the Products Business Function.
 
As one of the world’s premier reinsurers, the company is highly diversified and offers a widespread product range. The Products Business Function ensures that the company not only continues to create modern products utilising a united approach and quality standards but also managing product underwriting, risk and pricing accordingly.
 
The Company is one of the leading global reinsurers. They offer a large range of traditional reinsurance products and related services, which are complemented by insurance based corporate finance solutions and supplementary services.

The Company is a recognised expert in the field of risk and capital management. While their stated goal is not necessarily to be number one in terms of volume, they desire to global leadership in terms of value for clients, shareholders and professional development and opportunities for all their employees.

The Company combines in depth global skill with a limited focus, customized to the individual demands of their clients. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14277.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:26:28 CST Most simply, an annuity is a contract issued by an insurance company that allows you to invest money for the long term and accumulate earnings on a tax deferred basis. This means that interest accumulates free from federal, state and local taxes until you withdraw money from your account, generally at retirement. Money withdrawn prior to age 59½ is generally subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty and ordinary income taxes.
 
Annuities are unique investments in that they are specifically designed to generate retirement income you won't survive, making certain there is a steady stream of income to assist you in achieving a comfortable retirement.
 
Life insurance is an important component of a solid financial plan and helps to protect your loved ones in the event of your death. The money from the policy referred to as its death benefit, passes on to your designated beneficiary or trust to provide a critical resource for your family's financial needs. Life insurance policy proceeds could mean that your family will be able to avoid selling assets in order to pay remaining bills or estate taxes.
 
If you own a business, you also need to consider what could happen to it when you're no longer around. Life insurance can be used to accomplish a number of planning objectives such as estate equalization. In any event, it's time to ensure that the things you've spent your life building are passed along to the right people by developing a comprehensive estate plan.
 
Mutual funds suggest a way for you to invest in pools of stocks or bonds depending on that type of fund managed by investment professionals according to specified investment criteria. MFS Investment Management, the oldest mutual fund company in the US, is a member of the company.
 
At Company Financial, you'll feel appreciated for your individual accomplishments and for the contributions you make to the common goal. Here, everyone works hard, everyone's voice is heard and at the end of the day, everyone goes home feeling proud of a job well done. 

Their employees can also feel proud knowing they work for a socially responsible corporate citizen. They support a variety of nonprofit organizations and they encourage their employees to get involved in charitable causes. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14276.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:23:29 CST State Farm Life Insurance Company was established in 1929 and they began their operations in 1961 to meet special requirements for life insurance in Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York. At the end of 1999, the two companies had nearly 395.3 billion dollars total insurance and assets of more than 27.9 billion dollars. Their life affiliates rank fifth among all life insurance groups doing business in the United States. State Farm Life Insurance Company and State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company have been marketing Variable Products to their customers through State Farm Management Corporation since 1998.
 
State Farm was started in 1922 as a mutual automobile insurance company owned by its policyholders. State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas became a part of their Group in 1961 and protects higher risk motorists in that state. At the year end 1999 they earned premiums more than 4.7 million dollars and assets totaled to 43.5 million dollars.
 
In just over eighty years, the company has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world's leading financial institutions. But in spite of company's growth, Mecherle's original philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price coupled with fair claim settlement has remained.
 
The Company initially concentrated on meeting auto insurance needs of Illinois farmers in the course of a mutual organization owned by the customers. By 1942, the company was the nation's largest auto insurer, a ranking it has held ever since. About 1 out of every 5 cars on the road is insured with the company. It is a mutual insurance company and as such does not have any shareholders.

They are people, who make their business as a good neighbor, who built a leading company by selling and keeping promises through their marketing partnership, who bring miscellaneous talents and experiences to their work of serving the State Farm customer.

The Company’s image for the future is to be the customer's first and best choice in the products and services they provide. They will continue to be the leader in the insurance industry and they will become a leader in the financial services field. Their customers' needs will determine their path and their values will guide them. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14274.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:20:12 CST The Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company began business in Jackson, Mississippi. Louisiana Farm Bureau joined the group in 1950, followed by South Carolina in 1952 and Colorado in 2005. 

The Company was established over 50 years ago to provide quality service and competitive products for their policyholders. To maintain this vision today, their traditional leadership maintains a policy of solid expansion and investment. In addition to their financial stability, the company intends to remain a leader in the insurance industry through inventive services and competitive products for its policyholders.

Their training facility and Farm Bureau Tech is nationally recognized for graduating some of the most knowledgeable claims adjusters and underwriters in the industry. Their independent agents undergo constant product and customer training. Their customer service center is open twenty four hours a day.

Flood insurance is most homeowner and commercial insurance policies do not cover floods. However, you can get flood insurance for your home or business if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. There are nearly twenty thousand communities in the United States now participating in this program.

The Company provides Flood Insurance Administration for over fifteen years.  During this time they have successfully administered the Write Your Own Program for their six states through a signed agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 
They have also entered into an agreement with four other Farm Bureau States that allows them to service all of the Flood Business on their behalf.  Currently they service over 59,000 policies in 10 states. Their Insurance Programs has the experience to handle multiple states with an on line and ready to go computer system.  There are no set up costs or one time charges. 

They have continued to maintain a good business relationship with the government representatives responsible for the program. The Company’s goal is to boost their services and offer a full line of products through their state offices.  http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14272.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:17:11 CST Security Benefit Life prides them on bringing objectivity to their money management practices when many others are too busy playing the markets. Far from the consent views of Wall Street, Security Benefit is focused on Main Street and the companies and people who drive their economy. This focus helps them identify investment risk at all levels as they seek to engineer financial solutions that maximize return. 
 
For those fields that they feel are outside the scope of their expertise, such as global investing, they employ world class portfolio managers from industry leaders such as Four Corners,  Mainstream, Northern Trust, Oppenheimer Funds, RS Investments, Wells Capital Management and T. Rowe Price. 
 
Standard andamp; Poor's revised the outlook from negative to stable, reflecting the strength and stability of their business profile and earnings improving to levels consistent with the ratings and allowing for the effect of a reasonable range of market conditions. The ratings are supported by their strong position in the 403b retirement plan market tax sheltered annuities and mutual funds, strong consolidated earnings adequacy, very strong liquidity and extremely strong capitalization.
 
The ratings highlight Security Benefit’s very strong investment portfolio from a credit quality and risk return standpoint. Sandamp;P believes that their consistently strong annuity earnings profile is supported by its stable asset base, rising number of contracts in force, low cost structure and good expense control. According to Sandamp;P, this earnings profile is expected to result in capitalization that will remain extremely strong, with a capital adequacy ratio above 300 percent.
 
By placing the interests of their customers first is one of the fundamental core values that have guided Security Benefit for more than a century. They are proud that it remains their standard and their focus today.
 
For them, this core value extends beyond corporate procedures. It guides how they do business and in fact determines their position on all investor issues. As part of their ongoing pledge to maintain confidence of their investors and to keep them apprised of their position on issues, they want to share with you their position on recent industry current events.
 
At Security Benefit, they believe that their integrity and values are reasons many chose them as a business partner. As a result, they strive to operate with continued high ethical standards, as well as welcome any industry changes that will further enhance their ability to place the interests of their customers first. http://www.financialbrowsers.com/articles/Annuities_14271.html Thu, 18 May 2006 07:14:25 CST The Company founded with the goal of assisting their clients in every aspect of their financial lives. They have provided the most personal service available, thus earning a reputation for excellence in their industry. For each of their clients they strive to help create financial stability and security to provide financial independence.

At Sammons Financial, their staff consists of experienced professionals with hands on approach to financial guidance. Not only will you find their team members knowledgeable, but you will also discover that their staff truly cares about making your dreams a reality.

As your Financial Professionals, they will do everything in their power to keep you focused on where you want to go, advise you on how to get there and continually remind you of the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to realizing your dreams. Their company is based on the principle that education and understanding of your current financial situation is vital to successfully make prudent decisions concerning your future financial condition.

An Investment Advisor is an individual or firm that assists in the development and implementation of a financial or investment plan. There are many reasons for utilizing a professional firm to assist you in managing your investments or retirement funds. Over the years they have found that the reasons their clients have utilized their services.

Experience and skill should be foundation for managing the funds an individual will rely on for their future security. Their clients look to them for assistance rather than risk their future on their own endeavors alone. Properly managing an investment program takes time and experience.

They find that many or their clients select their services because of their performance record over time. Although past history is no guarantee of future returns, joining an established, proven investment program adds a degree of confidence going forward. Since they maintain a close, personal relationship with their clients, they are often asked for advice on a broad range of financial matters.

At Sammons Financial, they can help a client in the overall coordination of their retirement and investment planning and management. Their organization and their research department, includes extensive experience and expertise built upon a variety of business backgrounds and disciplines. In effect, their clients are leveraging their investing efforts on their overall skill and experience by entrusting them with the management of their investments.