02.26.26

Annuity Sales Stay Elevated in Fourth Quarter, a Bright Spot for Several Life Insurers

by: Terrance Dopp

Annuity sales remained strong in Q4 2025, providing a bright spot for life insurers despite mixed overall earnings. Lincoln Financial’s annuity sales rose 33% to $4.9 billion, while U.S. industry-wide annuity sales grew 6% to a record $461.3 billion, driven by demand for retirement products, guaranteed income and principal protection. Other insurers including Manulife, CNO, Brighthouse and Prudential also reported elevated annuity sales, highlighting the importance of advisor-led distribution and product innovation. While overall profits were sometimes down, the annuity segment offered stability and growth, positioning companies to meet retirement planning demand. Analysts expect 2026 to bring moderate growth and increased competition as carriers innovate amid evolving market conditions and interest rate expectations.

Read the full article on BestWire