Regulatory Landscape
In 2026, the NAIC Life Insurance and Annuities (A) Committee, chaired by Iowa and vice chaired by Michigan, is largely focusing on annuity sales practices, including annuity buyers guides, suitability, and annuity illustrations. Of particular interest to the life and annuity industry is the formation of the Life Insurance and Annuities Illustrations (A) Working Group (Working Group) chaired by Minnesota. The Working Group’s current charge is to “evaluate concepts for improving life insurance and annuity illustrations and disclosures, and consider revisions to relevant NAIC models or develop other guidance where feasible and appropriate.” The Working Group has asked for input on how to ensure that indexed annuity illustrations give consumers reasonable expectations, after regulators observed materials suggesting annual returns of 10–25% for multiple years. The comment record — including responses from industry trades, actuarial bodies, consumer advocates, and vendors — strongly suggests that current practices around indexed annuity illustrations and disclosures will be revisited. The Working Group is considering short-term and long-term approaches designed to ensure consumers receive reasonable expectations for indexed annuity returns at the point of sale.Read More NAIC Signals Potential Tightening of Annuity Illustration Practices