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January 15, 2009 at 07:00 PM
U.S. life insurance companies will need to brace themselves for the changes – and challenges – to come in ’09, according to global consulting firm Watson Wyatt.
“Low revenues and a volatile stock market will make 2009 a challenging year for the life insurance industry,” said Craig Buck, U.S. head of insurance consulting at Watson Wyatt. “Many companies will focus heavily on transactions, products and pricing, risk management and regulatory reform.”
What’s ahead?
Transactions. Mergers and acquisition activity may increase as the current economic environment affords companies an unprecedented opportunity to implement long-term strategic objectives on a highly accelerated basis. For companies with capital to spend, this could mean significant expansion into new territories, products and markets via one or two key acquisitions. Companies seeking to refocus on core operations will have an opportunity to restructure the business model in short order. In either case, some organizations will undergo major transformations in the coming year.
Products and pricing. The economic crisis highlights concerns about the variable annuity market. Variable annuities are often sold with riders that guarantee a minimum level of market performance. The collapse in equity markets has reduced the fee income on these products and increased the cost of the guarantees provided. The associated increase in capital requirements and the financial stress of some large providers may cast doubts on the short-term performance of these products. Although there could be greater consumer demand for the protection afforded by these guarantees, concern over the short-term stability of equity markets and the financial viability of providers might contribute to a move to fixed products. As the industry becomes more focused on a direct reflection of risk in pricing, there will be more discipline in pricing – including higher prices and additional limitations imposed on these benefits – regardless of the implication for sales.
