Beacon's Fixed Annuity Premium Study Reports First Quarter's Fixed Annuity Sales

EVANSTON, Ill., May 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. sales of fixed annuities
were an estimated $34.9 billion in first quarter 2009 according to new data from
the Beacon Research Fixed Annuity Premium Study, based on sales of 53 insurance
companies representing an estimated 86% of the market(1). Overall quarterly
sales were 78% above those of first quarter 2008, up 2% from the previous
quarter (which also set a record), and the highest since the Study began in
2003.

By product type, estimated sales in first quarter 2009 were: book value(2) -
$19.2 billion; indexed - $7.1 billion; market value-adjusted (MVA) - $6.5
billion, and; immediate - $2.1 billion. These estimates reflect increases from
first quarter 2008 in all product types. MVA results nearly tripled and book
value sales almost doubled. Indexed and immediate annuities were up 24% and 15%,
respectively. Compared to the previous quarter, book value sales rose 12%. But
there were decreases in the other product types. MVAs were down 12%, immediates
dropped 10% and indexed annuities fell 1%.

MetLife retained its overall sales leadership among Study participants, with New
York Life and Aviva USA remaining in second and third place, respectively.
RiverSource Life moved up to fourth from eighth place, bumping
AEGON/Transamerica down a notch to fifth. First quarter results for the top 10
Study participants were as follows:

Total Fixed Annuity Sales
(in thousands)
-------------------------

MetLife (NYSE:MET) 3,628,549
New York Life 3,473,828
Aviva USA(3) 2,460,599
RiverSource Life (NYSE:AMP) 2,126,494
AEGON/Transamerica Companies (NYSE:AEG US) 2,088,188
AIG Annuity Insurance Co. (NYSE:AIG) 1,541,925
Allianz Life(4) 1,346,819
Jackson National Life 1,051,420
Principal Financial Group (NYSE:PFG) 902,289
USAA Life 751,478
In terms of results by product type, New York Life reclaimed book value sales
leadership from AEGON/Transamerica and was once again tops in immediate
annuities. Aviva and MetLife remained leaders in indexed and MVA sales,
respectively.

RiverSource Life's Rate Bonus 1 (a book value annuity) leaped all the way from
23rd place to become first quarter's bestseller. The New York Life Fixed Annuity
(also a book value product) moved to second from fourth place. Last quarter's
top product, MetLife Investors Fixed annuity FA (an MVA) came in third. Income
Select Bonus 10, an indexed annuity issued by Aviva-American Investors Life,
moved from third to fourth place. MetLife Target Maturity (an MVA) shifted from
second to fifth place.

Rank Company Name Product Name Product Type
---- ------------ ------------ ------------
1 RiverSource Life Rate Bonus 1 Book Value
2 New York Life NYL Fixed Annuity Book Value
3 MetLife Investors Fixed Annuity FA MVA
4 Aviva-Am. Investors Income Select Bonus Indexed
5 MetLife Investors MetLife Target Maturity MVA
All five top products were also distribution channel sales leaders. Rate Bonus 1
became the new captive agent bestseller, replacing State Farm's Future Income
Plus. The New York Life Fixed Annuity again took top bank channel honors. Fixed
Annuity FA continued as the bestselling I B-D and wirehouse product. Among
independent producers, Aviva's Income Select Bonus 10 again posted top sales.
MetLife Target Maturity remained the large/regional B-D sales leader.

Product
Channel Company Product Type
------- ------- ------- -------

Banks and S&Ls New York Life NYL Fixed Annuity Book Value

Captive Agents RiverSource Life Rate Bonus 1 Book Value

Independent MetLife Investors Fixed Annuity FA MVA
Broker-Dealers

Independent Aviva-Am. Investors Income Select Bonus Indexed
Producers

Large/Regional MetLife Investors MetLife Target MVA
Broker-Dealers Maturity

Wirehouses MetLife Investors Fixed Annuity FA MVA
Credited rates generally fell during first quarter. By mid-February, it was hard
to find 5% on a product issued by a strong company. There was again little rate
benefit in committing to longer rate terms. Book value sales continued to
cluster in rate terms of five to seven years. But MVAs moved to rate terms of
less than five years.

About the Beacon Research Fixed Annuity Premium Study

The quarterly Study is the first and only source to track and analyze
product-level fixed annuity sales on an ongoing basis. Providing timely market
intelligence of the highest quality, it's designed to report what's moving in
each channel and why. The extent of Study participation is testimony to the need
for this information.

About Beacon Research

Beacon Research is an independent research organization founded in 1997. It
compiles market intelligence on fixed annuity products for subscribers to its
web-based systems at www.annuitynexus.com. Carriers access these systems to
support product development, rate setting and competition research. Distributors
use them for product analysis and selection. The AnnuityNexus Sales Support
System is an important resource for retention teams and sales desk staff
throughout the distribution chain. Beacon also licenses information and software
tools to other platforms, including websites for sales representatives and
EbixExchange's AnnuityNet annuity automation platform. Beacon's fixed annuity
benchmark series -- the industry's first -- is available through Ibbotson
Associates. Directly and through strategic alliances, Beacon information can be
accessed by hundreds of financial institutions and distributors.

The Beacon Research logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=509

(1) Sales figures include fixed rate (book value and MVA), indexed
and immediate annuities. They do not include structured
settlements.
(2) Book value fixed annuities pay a declared rate of interest for a
specified period. A market value adjustment (MVA) is not imposed
if the holder withdraws assets before the end of the contract
term. MVA products also pay a declared rate of interest for a
specified period, and do impose such an adjustment.
(3) Aviva USA is a subsidiary of Aviva plc (LSE:AV).
(4) Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America is a subsidiary
of Allianz AG (NYSE:AZ).
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CONTACT: Beacon Research
Judith Alexander
847.864.5447
judith@beaconresearch.net