That Annuity Show

In this episode, Paul Tyler, Ramsey Smith, and Graham Clark discuss the emerging opportunities in in-plan annuities inside 401k plans. They explore the importance of guaranteed income, the skills needed for insurance carriers to compete effectively, and the strategic partnerships necessary for success. The conversation delves into product design, the role of target date funds, and the significance of being proactive in a rapidly evolving market. The speakers emphasize the need for carriers to take leadership roles and adapt to changing market conditions to ensure long-term viability and profitability. Learn more: thatannuityshow.com 

Paul Tyler and Bruno Caron welcome Deloitte's Insurance Practice leader Dan McCoach to discuss how technology is reshaping the life and annuity industry.  The conversation explores four practical applications of AI delivering immediate value: automating developer workflows, enhancing back-office efficiency, streamlining document processing, and drafting complex communications. McCoach offers a fascinating perspective on how AI tools are rescuing legacy systems just as subject matter experts reach retirement age. Looking ahead, McCoach discusses DeepSeek's disruptive impact on AI economics and warns that quantum computing's arrival within 5-8 years could compromise current encryption standards. Whether you're an industry insider or technology enthusiast, this episode delivers essential insights on the digital revolution transforming insurance.

In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler and Chief Investment Officer, David Czerniecki of Nassau discuss the current economic landscape, focusing on tariffs, inflation, cryptocurrency, and the impact of AI on productivity. They explore the volatility of markets compared to the economy, the implications of tariffs on manufacturing and inflation, and the speculative nature of Bitcoin. The conversation also delves into the future of AI and its potential to enhance productivity, as well as investment strategies in a changing market environment. Learn more at  

Ramsey Smith and Graham Clark share insights on the challenges of securing retirement income, the importance of 401k plans, and the need for effective stakeholder engagement. They explore how ALEXIncome aims to provide sustainable solutions that bridge the gap between traditional retirement income sources and modern investment strategies, emphasizing the significance of education and transparency for plan participants. This conversation delves into the complexities of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of guaranteed income, the impact of market disruptions on investment strategies, and the role of technology and innovative products in enhancing financial security for retirees. The discussion highlights the need for a shift in how retirement funds are managed, emphasizing the benefits of annuities and the potential of blockchain technology in simplifying processes.

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

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 comp

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.  

Susan Winkler of CT IFS joins Paul Tyler as a guest host to discuss their interviews from InsureTech Connect (ITC) in Las Vegas. The podcast explores the critical intersection of climate risk and insurtech innovation, featuring conversations recorded during the conference. The episode includes insights from Stacey Brown of InsurTech Hartford discussing industry AI adoption trends; Sabine VanderLinden of Alchemy Crew examining climate risk and its impact on retirement planning; Tom Polowy of InsureGo addressing personal lines challenges in the Connecticut market; Travis Grassel from the Iowa Department of Insurance providing regulatory perspectives; and Vilas Shah of Infosys sharing sustainability initiatives and innovation budget trends for 2025.  

In this episode of That Annuity Show, host Paul Tyler, along with guests Bruno Caron and Tisa Rabun-Marshall, engage in a comprehensive discussion with retirement planning expert Suzanne Norman. They explore the complexities of retirement planning, including the emotional landscape retirees face, the importance of financial literacy, and the concept of 'Peak 65' as a significant demographic shift. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose in retirement, the role of financial advisors, and the emotional aspects of financial decision-making, particularly concerning longevity and healthcare costs. The episode concludes with insights on how to better engage clients in meaningful financial conversations. Links mentioned in the show: RISE Score  and .  (great for FPs and consumers).  with a lot of education materials. Also, regarding the cognitive/financial topic, here are links to Chris Heye's Institute papers:

Susan Winkler of CT IFS joins Paul Tyler as a guest host to discuss their interviews from InsureTech Connect (ITC) in Las Vegas. The podcast captures conversations with key industry leaders about AI innovation in the life and annuity sector, recorded during the conference. The episode features interviews with Nagesh Cherukupalli from Cognizant, who introduces the "Three I's" framework for AI implementation; Neeraja Rasmussen of SpyGlaz AI discussing sales optimization; Kumar Das Gupta from Allianz Life sharing carrier perspectives on AI investments; John Keddy from Lazarus exploring the concept of AI as a "Digital Coworker"; and Brent Williams of Benekiva providing market validation with concrete implementation metrics. Learn more at thatannuityshow.com 

In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler, Bruno Caron, and Ramsey Smith discuss the importance of reaching more people in the annuity industry with their products. They are joined by Sri Reddy, Sri Reddy, senior vice president of Retirement and Income Solutions at Principal® and a Principal Securities Registered Representative, who shares insights on retirement income solutions, pension risk transfer, and the evolving landscape of defined benefit plans. The conversation delves into consumer behavior regarding annuities, the rise of registered indexed linked annuities (RILAs), and strategies to address longevity risk. Sri also highlights the role of research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in understanding retirement behaviors and outcomes. Learn more: thatannuityshow.com    Important Information: Principal Custody Solutions assets under administration (AUA) were nearly $1 trillion as of December 31, 2023. Before investing in registered index-linked annuities, investors should caref

Today, Mike Odor, Head of Annuity Sales at Midland National Life Insurance Company and Branislav Nikolic, Managing Director, Head of Insurance at The Index Standard join us to talk about a new approach to guiding agents on how to think about recommending FIA index strategy allocations. They share insights on how the Index Standard is helping to streamline the decision-making process for agents and consumers. The conversation covers the evolution of FIA products, the importance of trust in index selection, and the need for tailored strategies based on client personas. The conversation focuses on the significance of feedback in product development and the balance between providing enough information without overwhelming users. Listen to learn more: thatannuityshow.com 

Join host Paul Tyler and annuity professional Sheryl J. Moore for an illuminating discussion on the transformation of the annuity market. From innovative product design to illustration challenges, Moore shares invaluable insights on making annuities more accessible to consumers. With co-hosts Tisa Rabun-Marshall and Bruno Caron. Chapters:  0:00 - Introduction  5:13 - Current State of Annuity Market  13:54 - Monte Carlo Analysis in Retirement Planning  20:05 - Product Innovation and Complexity  24:05 - Future of Illustrations  30:19 - 2025 Industry Predictions Notable Quotes:  "When I started working in life insurance 25 years ago... they were describing that soon we would have electronic signatures and straight-through processing. And here we are 25 years later, and people are still struggling with it." - Sheryl J. Moore "I've been working on rebranding annuities for 20 years. Just trying to make it so that it's not the naughty stepchild of financial services." - Sheryl J. Moore