AARP's Primetime Radio Program Clarifies Consumer Confusion About Annuities

WASHINGTON, DC, Jul 10 (MARKET WIRE) --
Mike Cuthbert of AARP's nationally syndicated radio show, Primetime
Radio, recently sat down with Insurance Marketplace Standards Association
(IMSA) CEO Brian Atchinson to help consumers understand what an annuity
is -- and is not -- designed to do, as well as to demystify the variety
of annuity products available to consumers in today's market. The
interview is available at
http://www.aarp.org/aarp/broadcast/aarp_radio/prime_time_radio/.

"There are many types of annuity products, but no single product is right
for everyone," said IMSA CEO Brian Atchinson. "The sheer volume and
variety of annuities from company to company can be confusing to even the
savviest person, and every consumer deserves to have the facts they need
to make an informed decision with respect to his or her own unique
situation."

IMSA has recently issued a "Consumer's Guide to Annuities" to help
consumers understand their choices and communicate clearly with their
agents and advisors. It is available online at www.IMSAethics.org in both
English and Spanish, and includes a "Ten Safe Steps to Buying Annuities
with Confidence" checklist for consumers.

As a voluntary self-regulatory organization, IMSA promotes ethical
business practices by setting national standards in the annuities, life
insurance and long-term care insurance marketplace that IMSA-certified
companies must abide by in all 50 states. Nearly half of all US consumer
premiums are sold by companies already adhering to IMSA standards.

Contact:
Jennifer Kalita
(240) 744-3021

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