The Insurance Forum: Back Issues

Back Issues

All back issues of The Insurance Forum, from January 1974 to the present, are available in hard copy. Below are listed the titles of the articles in issues from the present back through the year 2000, along with the single copy prices of the issues. For bulk pricing, please contact us. To jump to a specific year, click the link below for that year:

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

For ordering instructions, click here.

August 2010 ( 16 pages; $25)

TIAA and Northwestern Issue Surplus Notes
Insurance Companies’ Usage of Surplus Notes
Insurance Companies’ Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Appendix A: Surplus Note Data
Appendix B: Risk-Based Capital Data

July 2010 (16 pages; $25)

Deceptive Promotion of Charitable Gift Annuities
Trans World, Military Sales, and Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine
Ohio National’s Anti-Spinlife Actions
The Commission Chargeback Clause in Protective Life’s Contracts with Agents
A Useful Report on Health Care Reform
Executives’ Compensation in 2009
Appendix A: Compensation Data for 2009 from the SEC
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2009 from Nebraska
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2009 from New York

June 2010 (8 pages; $10)

Herbert S. Denenberg
How a Medical Reviewer Helped Reliance Standard Deny Disability Claims
American Equity Investment Life, the Minnesota Commerce Department, and the SEC
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Report on Charity-Owned Life Insurance
Our Detailed 2008-2009 Index
The Illinois Insurance Department Discusses National Health Insurance Reform
Appendix: The Illinois Department’s Points

May 2010 (8 pages; $10)

ACLI Seeks a Ban on Securitization of Life Settlements
Further Developments Relating to Bank of America’s Acquisition of Merrill Lynch
John Grisham and the Insurance Industry
Prudential, Disability Claims, and ERISA
Appendix A: Statement by the ACLI
Appendix B: ILMA Comments on ACLI Statement
Appendix C: LISA Comments on ACLI Statement

April 2010 (8 pages; $10)

Stranger-Originated Life Annuities
FINRA’s BrokerCheck Reports
An Interesting Telephone Call about Spinlife
How Reliance Standard Writes Letters Instead of Honoring Disability Insurance Claims
A Legal Dispute Involving Charitable Life Insurance, Oklahoma State University, Boone Pickens, and Lincoln National

March 2010 (8 pages; $10)

A New York Life Advertisement Incorporating a Questionable Comparison
Two Related Lawsuits Illustrating Potential Consequences of Spinlife Arrangements
Trans World, Military Sales, and Insurance Regulators in Florida and Georgia
From the Mailbag

February 2010 (8 pages; $10)

An Introductory Note from the Editor
How Lloyd's Saved Itself (by Richard E. Stewart and Steven E. Sigalow)
Editor's Postscript

January 2010 (8 pages; $10)

An Unsuitable Life Annuity from TIAA
A Jury Verdick about Allianz's Deceptive Selling of Annuities to Seniors
Conseco's Settlement with the California Department on Long-Term Care Claims
Still More on the Illinois Funeral Directors
An Appellate Court Ruling on the Taxation of Demutualization Distributions

December 2009 (8 pages; $10)

Coventry First's Settlement with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
The Extraordinary Court Rejection of the Proposed SEC/Bank of America Settlement
The Need for Disclosure and Due Process in Automobile Liability Insurance Claims
Alan Press, NAIFA, and the Health Care Crisis
Lip Service from NAIFA and Its Allies Instead of a Solution to the Health Care Crisis (by Alan Press)
Health Care Reform the Right Way (by Thomas D. Currey)
From the Mailbag

November 2009 (8 pages; $10)

The Greenberg/Smith Settlements with the SEC
An Indictment in a Preneed Funeral Case
A Bear Market Bailout for the Life Insurance Industry (by Scott J. Witt)
More on the 2008 Amendment to New York's Executive Compensation Disclosure Law
Appendix A: Excerpt from SEC Complaint against Greenberg and Smith
Appendix B: Excerpt from Indictment of Randall Sutton of National Prearranged Services

October 2009 (8 pages; $10)

The Need to Disclose to Consumers the Financial Ratings of Insurance Companies
The Debate over a Public Option in Health Insurance (by Alan Press)
The Compensation of Top Insurance Executives in the Past Decade
Appendix: Compensation of Selected Insurance Companies' Top Executives in 1999-2008

September 2009 (32 pages; $25)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Suggested Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Property-Liability Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Companies
Descriptions of Rating Categories
Distributions of Life-Health Ratings

August 2009 (20 pages; $25)

A. Martin McBirney
Capital Relief for Insurance Companies through Accounting Changes Approved by Regulators
Insurance Companies’ Usage of Surplus Notes
Insurance Companies’ Risk-Based Capital Ratios
More on the Illinois Funeral Directors
How Insurance Companies Screen for Spinlife
Appendix: Risk-Based Capital Data

July 2009 (20 pages; $25)

A Host of Allegations about the Activities of a Funeral Trust Fund in Illinois
Executives' Compensation in 2008
Appendix A: Compensation Data for 2008 from the SEC
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2008 from Nebraska
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2008 from New York
Appendix D: Compensation Data for 2007 from New York

June 2009 (8 pages; $10)

Tardy Disclosure of an Important Element in the Approval of Conseco's Separation from a Troubled Long-Term Care Subsidiary
Money Laundering through Annuities
The Minnesota Department's Attack on Spinlife
Phoenix Life, Steven Lockwood, and Several Lawsuits Relating to Spinlife

May 2009 (8 pages; $10)

The Flurry of Capital Infusions into Insurance Companies through Statutory Accounting Changes Approved by Individual Regulators
Observations on Financial Ratings of Insurance Companies and the Recent Downgrades (this article contains a partial ratings update to the September 2008 special ratings issue)

April 2009 (8 pages; $10)

James A. Ballew
The NAIC's Rejection of the Life Insurance Industry's Request for Capital Relief and the Aftermath of the Rejection
The Prison Sentences Imposed on Former Executives of AIG and GenRe
A Lawsuit by American General Seeking Nullification of a Spinlife Policy
More on Great American's Effort to Invoke Its Excess Liability Policy's Pollution Exclusion After a Fire
Mailing Lists Used in the Madoff Bankruptcy Court Proceeding Become Public

March 2009 (8 pages; $10)

Two Recent Court Decisions Critical of Unum's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Another Conseco Assault on Policyholders
A Surprising Lawsuit Filed by Great American
More on Life Partners and the Colorado Securities Commissioner
A Reminder about Electronic Enrollment

February 2009 (8 pages; $10)

Capital Infusions into Life Insurance Companies by Weakening Statutory Accounting Rules
The Importance of Comprehensive, Universal Health Insurance (by Alan Press)
An Investigation of Long-Term Care Insurance by the Texas Attorney General
From the Mailbag
A Defeat for Life Partners in a Dispute with the Colorado Securities Commissioner

January 2009 (8 pages; $10)

Playing the Blame Game
The Restructured AIG Nationalization Plan
More on Conseco's Separation from a Troubled Long-Term Care Insurance Subsidiary
The Business Model of the Bond Insurers

December 2008 (8 pages; $10)

Daniel J. McCarthy
The Nationalization of AIG
More on Actuarial Disciplinary Procedures
The Failure of the Automobile Insurance System (by Carl E. Nash)

November 2008 (8 pages; $10)

Conseco's Separation from a Financially Troubled Long-Term Care Insurance Subsidiary
An Important Court Decision about the Income Taxation of Demutualization Distributions
Variable Universal Life--Buyer Beware! (by Scott J. Witt)
From the Mailbag

October 2008 (8 pages; $10)

The Decimation of New York State's Century-Old Compensation Disclosure Law
The Need for More Transparency in the Actuarial Profession's Disciplinary Procedures
Recent Developments at Life Partners
Trans World, Military Sales, and the Georgia Insurance Commissioner

September 2008 (32 pages; $25)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Suggested Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Property-Liability Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Companies
Descriptions of Rating Categories
Distributions of Life-Health Ratings

August 2008 (16 pages; $20)

The Unconventional NAIC Settlement with Conseco on Long-Term Care Insurance
Insurance Companies' Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Insurance Companies' Usage of Surplus Notes
From the Mailbag
Life Insurance Company Statements on Spinlife
Appendix A: Risk-Based Capital Data
Appendix B: Surplus Note Data

July 2008 (16 pages; $20)

Shortcomings of Private Insurance in Financing Long-Term Care
Executives' Compensation in 2007
Appendix A: Cross-References for Executive Compensation Data
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2007 from the SEC
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2007 from Nebraska
Appendix D: Compensation Data for 2007 from New York

June 2008 (16 pages; $20)

Julia M. Carson
More on the Tragedy of the Uninsured in America (by Alan Press)
The Use of Spinlife to Facilitate Replacement
"Free Insurance"--What I Tell My Friends (by Stephan R. Leimberg)
From the Mailbag

May 2008 (8 pages; $10)

The Minnesota Attorney General, American Equity, Aviva, and the Selling of Unsuitable Annuities to Seniors
The California Commissioner, Allianz, and the Selling of Unsuitable Annuities to Seniors
The Minnesota Commissioner, American Investors Life, AmerUs Life, and the Selling of Unsuitable Annuities to Seniors
MBIA's $1 Billion Offering of Surplus Notes
Correspondence about Our February 2008 Issue

April 2008 (8 pages; $10)

Jonathan Blattmachr and the Use of Life Insurance in Aggressive Efforts to Avoid Taxation
From the Mailbag
Recent Developments Involving Life Partners
Taxation of Life Insurance Premiums in Alaska and South Dakota

March 2008 (8 pages; $10)

The Scandalous Failure of the Health Insurance Industry to Assist in Solving the Tragedy of the Uninsured in America (by Alan Press)
From the Mailbag
Nationwide's Confidential Method of Determining Dividends on Life Insurance Policies

February 2008 (8 pages; $10)

Lincoln National’s Lawsuit Seeking Rescission of $30 Million of Spinlife, and Other Developments Relating to Spinlife

January 2008 (8 pages; $10)

Obscene Commissions for Intermediaries in the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Larry King's Lawsuit against an Insurance Agent Relating to a Pair of 2004 Transactions in the Secondary Market
The National Underwriter Magazine and the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Another Proposed Alternative to the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Warren Buffett's Losing Bet against the Boston Red Sox

December 2007 (8 pages; $10)

The Minnesota/Allianz Settlement about Sales of Unsuitable Deferred Annuities to Seniors
The New York Insurance Department’s Procedure in the Promulgation of Regulations
Recent Developments in New York and Florida Relating to Coventry and the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Commission Differentials in Deferred Annuities (by Vincent P. Gallagher)
From the Mailbag

November 2007 (8 pages; $10)

A Critical Report by Three Securities Regulatory Organizations about "Free Lunch" Seminars that Target Seniors
Observations on Reports Filed in Texas by Coventry First and Life Partners
New York Life's "Access Plus" Program
Corrections in Our Executive Compensation Tabulations for 2006

October 2007 (8 pages; $10)

The New York Insurance Department Changes Its Position on Compensation Disclosure
A Novel about Viatical Transactions
The Mounting Legal Problems at Life Partners
Appendix: Letter to LICONY from the New York Insurance Department

September 2007 (32 pages; $25)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Suggested Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Property-Liability Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Companies
Descriptions of Rating Categories
Distributions of Life-Health Ratings

August 2007 (16 pages; $20)

The Expanding Crackdown on Deception in the Sale of Unsuitable Annuities to Seniors
Insurance Companies' Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Insurance Companies' Usage of Surplus Notes
A Major Development in New York Relating to Disclosure of Executive Compensation
Appendix A: Risk-Based Capital Data
Appendix B: Surplus Note Data

July 2007 (16 pages; $20)

A Landmark Decision about the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Executives' Compensation in 2006
Appendix A: Cross-References for Executive Compensation Data
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2006 from the SEC
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2006 from Nebraska
Appendix D: Compensation Data for 2006 from New York

June 2007 (16 pages; $20)

The Proposed Class Action Settlement of Conseco's Assault on Universal Life Policyholders
Metropolitan Life's Flawed Attempt to Take Over TIAA's Obligations Relating to Long-Term Care Insurance Policies

May 2007 (12 pages; $10)

Fake Reinsurance Obtained by MBIA
Fake Insurance Promoted by AIG
Enron-Style Entities Promoted by AIG
Fake Reinsurance Obtained by RenRe
Unacceptable Surplus Promoted by Citibank

March/April 2007 (20 pages; $25)

Mark S. Dorfman and Christopher E. DiPasquale
A Summary of Eliot Spitzer's Insurance Investigation
Three State Attorneys General Enforce Agreements with Insurers to Stop Paying Contingent Compensation
The DiPasquale Disability Case
The Surplus Note Catastrophe at Atlantic Mutual
The New York Times Features Spinlife and the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
More on Life Insurance Policy Buyout Programs
The Minnesota Complaint against Allianz Life for Selling Unsuitable Deferred Annuities to Seniors
An Added Dimension of the National Stock Options Scandal
A Setback for Massachusetts Mutual in Its Bitter Dispute with Robert O'Connell
A Book about "Hank" Greenberg and AIG
From the Mailbag

January/February 2007 (32 pages; $25)

A Blistering Report about the Stock Options Scandal at UnitedHealth
The Stock Options Scandal at HCC
Spitzer, Coventry, and the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
A Surprising Arbitration Award in the Dispute between Robert O'Connell and Massachusetts Mutual
New York/California Settlements with UnumProvident Relating to Undisclosed Compensation Paid to Brokers
New Hampshire, New York, and NASD Settlements with ING
Appendix A: Excerpts from Arbitration Award in the Dispute between Robert O'Connell and Massachusetts Mutual
Appendix B: Excerpts from Court Filing by Massachusetts Mutual Relating to the Arbitration Award to Robert O'Connell
Appendix C: Excerpts from Spitzer Settlement with UnumProvident
Appendix D: Excerpt from Spitzer/ING Assurance of Discontinuance

November/December 2006 (24 pages; $20)

James C. Hickman
Amended Criminal Charges over an AIG/Gen Re Transaction and Amended Civil Charges against Greenberg/Smith
DOJ, SEC, and State Insurance Regulatory Actions against Abusive Practices Directed at Military Personnel
The NAIC Campaign to Create a Monopoly in the Distribution of Insurance Company Financial Statements
Oregon's 1996 Repeal of the Gag Rule on Risk-Based Capital Data
Comdex and the Use of Numbers To Summarize the Ratings of Insurance Companies
Appendix A: Text of Spitzer/Mills Amended Complaint against Greenberg/Smith
Appendix B: Excerpts from Government Complaints against American-Amicable

October 2006 (8 pages; $5)

An Update on Northwestern Mutual's Lawsuit against PPSI/Stinnett
Disclosure of Executive Compensation Moves Front and Center--Except among State Insurance Regulators
A Report on Freedom of Information Acts

September 2006 (32 pages; $25)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Suggested Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Life-Health Companies
Ratings of Property-Liability Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Companies
Descriptions of Rating Categories
Distributions of Life-Health Ratings

August 2006 (16 pages; $10)

Life Insurance Companies Should Take Over the Secondary Market for Their Policies
UnitedHealth Group and the Scandal Surrounding Stock Options
Insurance Companies' Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Insurance Companies' Usage of Surplus Notes
Appendix A: Risk-Based Capital Data
Appendix B: Surplus Note Data

July 2006 (24 pages; $20)

Hartford's Settlement of the New York and Connecticut Complaints about Secret Commissions on Terminal and Maturity Funding Annuities
The Ill-Advised ACLI Proposal for an Excise Tax on Speculator-Initiated Life Insurance Transactions
From the Mailbag
Executives' Compensation in 2005
Appendix A: Excerpts from Spitzer Complaint against Hartford
Appendix B: Cross-references for Executive Compensation Data
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2005 from the SEC
Appendix D: Compensation Data for 2005 from Nebraska
Appendix E: Compensation Data for 2005 from New York

June 2006 (12 pages; $10)

The Growing Speculation in Human Lives through the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
A Letter from a UnumProvident Claimant
Appendix A: Karl J. Ohrman's Letter to a Charitable Organization
Appendix B: New York Insurance Department's Opinion on Certain Speculator-Initiated Life Insurance Transactions

May 2006 (12 pages; $10)

Criminal and Civil Charges against Individuals Associated with a Discredited AIG/Gen Re Transaction, and Related Developments
Undervaluation of Life Insurance Protection and a Resulting Improper Reduction in the Tax Revenue of the United States Government
My Letter to the IRS about the Taxation of Waiver-of-Premium Disability Benefits
Our Detailed 2004-2005 Index
Appendix A: Telephone Conversations Quoted in the SEC Complaint
Appendix B: SEC Press Release Announcing the Settlement with AIG
Appendix C: DOJ Press Release Announcing the Settlement with AIG

April 2006 (8 pages; $5)

The Background, Nature, and Causes of the Financial Crisis at The American College

February/March 2006 (20 pages; $20)

Aftermath of the California/UnumProvident Settlement Relating to Disability Income Insurance Claims Practices
The Disability Insurance Industry's Attack on California's Consumer Protection Initiative (by Mark D. DeBofsky)
Spitzer, Greenberg, and The Starr Foundation
More on the Federal Income Taxation of Waiver-of-Premium Disability Benefits
An Update to Our September 2005 Special Ratings Issue
From the Mailbag
Hurricane Katrina and the National Geographic
Appendix A: Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's Letter to The Starr Foundation and Related Documents
Appendix B: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Insurance Companies

January 2006 (12 pages; $10)

The California Insurance Department's Settlement with UnumProvident Relating to Disability Insurance Claims Practices
An Angry Book about UnumProvident's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Appendix A: Allegations in the California Insurance Department's Accusation Concerning UnumProvident's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Appendix B: Excerpts from the Federal Court Decision in the Hangarter Case

December 2005 (12 pages; $10)

Prudential, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Taxation of Waiver-of-Premium Disability Benefits
A Disapproved Reorganization Plan Involving Security Mutual Life of New York and Ohio National Life
Developments Relating to TIAA's Transfer of Its Long-Term Care Insurance Business to Metropolitan Life

November 2005 (8 pages; $5)

Harry K. Privette
Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Coast
The Greenberg Attorneys' Memorandum about AIG's Restatements
Indictments of Former Marsh Executives
Appendix: Preface and Overview in the Greenberg Attorneys' Memorandum

October 2005 (16 pages; $10)

The Disciplinary Body of the U. S. Actuarial Profession Says Joseph Petrelli of Demotech Does Not Have a Conflict of Interest
Surplus Note Usage by Insurance Companies
Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Appendix A: Data on Surplus Notes
Appendix B: Data on Risk-Based Capital

September 2005 (32 pages; $20)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Ratings List of Insurance Companies
Suggested Insurance Companies for Conservative Consumers
Watch List of Insurance Companies
Rating Firms' Descriptions of Their Rating Categories
Distributions of the Ratings of Insurance Companies

August 2005 (28 pages; $20)

The Spitzer/Mills Complaint Against AIG, Greenberg, and Smith
Willis Incorrectly Portrays Its Agreement with Spitzer and Mills
The Term-Only License Proposal and the Citigroup/Primerica Culture (by Joseph M. Belth and Alan Press)
Slavery and Insurance
A Horrific Event Involving Slaves and Insurance (by Adam Hochschild)
Appendix A: Text of Spitzer/Mills Complaint against AIG, Greenberg, and Smith
Appendix B: Excerpt from Spitzer/Mills Settlement with Willis

July 2005 (20 pages; $20)

TIAA-CREF's Governance Crisis Caused by the Mishandling of an Auditor Independence Violation
Executives' Compensation in 2004
The Governance Crisis at Massachusetts Mutual
Appendix A: Compensation Data for 2004 from Proxies
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2004 from Nebraska
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2004 from New York

May/June 2005 (28 pages; $20)

Charles P. Hall, Jr. and Kenneth Black, Jr.
Northwestern Mutual Fights Back against PPSI/Stinnett
The Settlement of the Spitzer Complaint against Marsh
The Unpublicized Spitzer Complaint against Aon
The A. L. Williams/Primerica Aspect of the Transaction between MetLife and Citigroup
Wet on Met? (by Alan Press)
From the Mailbag
A Conflict of Interest for Actuaries Involved in Both Life Settlements and Universal Life with No-Lapse Guarantees
A Conflict of Interest for Joseph Petrelli of Demotech
Appendix A: Excerpts from Northwestern Mutual's Complaint against PPSI/Stinnett
Appendix B: Text of the Spitzer/Marsh Agreement
Appendix C: Memorandum about the Internal Investigation at Marsh

April 2005 (8 pages; $5)

The Georgia Examination Report on UnumProvident's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Appendix: Excerpts from the Georgia Examination Report

February/March 2005 (24 pages; $20)

John Douglas Long
The Multistate Settlements Relating to UnumProvident's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Northwestern Mutual and the NASD
An Anonymous Comment about Executive Compensation at Massachusetts Mutual
Why We Omitted the Weiss Ratings from Our September 2004 Special Ratings Issue
Response to Comments about the Omission of the Weiss Ratings from Our September 2004 Special Ratings Issue
An Update to Our September 2004 Special Ratings Issue
Appendix A: Statement of Joseph M. Belth about the Multistate Settlements with UnumProvident
Appendix B: Letter from Friedman, Rubin & White about the Multistate Settlements with UnumProvident
Appendix C: Letter from Bonny G. Rafel about the Multistate Settlements with UnumProvident
Appendix D: Excerpt from the NASD Settlement with Northwestern
Appendix E: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Insurance Companies

January 2005 (24 pages; $20)

Eliot Spitzer and the Insurance Industry
Conflicts of Interest Relating to Compensation in the Distribution Component of the Insurance Industry
Appendix: Text of Spitzer Complaint against Marsh

December 2004 (4 pages; $5)

An Investigation of the Secret Dividend Expense Charges in Five Life Insurance Policies

November 2004 (16 pages; $10)

The Growing Availability of Easy-To-Use Calculators for Annual Percentage Rates Associated with Fractional Premiums
Executives' Compensation--A Correction
From the Mailbag
Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Surplus Note Usage by Insurance Companies
Appendix A: Data on Risk-Based Capital
Appendix B: Data on Surplus Notes

October 2004 (4 pages; $5)

The Magnitude of the Underpricing in Universal Life Policies with No-Lapse Guarantees
Rating Firms Sound the Alarm

September 2004 (32 pages; $20)

Financial Strength of Insurance Companies
Ratings List of Insurance Companies
Suggested Insurance Companies for Conservative Consumers
Watch List of Insurance Companies
Rating Firms' Descriptions of Their Rating Categories
Distributions of the Ratings of Insurance Companies

July/August 2004 (20 pages; $20)

E. J. Moorhead
Flawed Life Insurance Programs Promoted to Charities
An Incident Involving Conseco Life's Appointed Actuary
Personal Reflections about Jack Moorhead
Executives' Compensation in 2003
A Request for Readers' Comments
An Inquiry to the Insurance Commissioner of the District of Columbia about Fractional Premium Charges
Our Detailed 2002-2003 Index
Appendix A: Compensation Data for 2003 from Proxies
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2003 from Nebraska
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2003 from New York

May/June 2004 (16 pages; $20)

Life Insurance: An Industry Built on Secrecy
Conseco Further Expands Its Assault on Policyholders
The Utah Insurance Commissioner Blocks Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
Correspondence with an Attorney about Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
From the Mailbag

March/April 2004 (24 pages; $20)

Secondary Guarantees, Marketers, Actuaries, Regulators, and a Potential Financial Disaster for the Life Insurance Business
Lesson: Nonforfeiture Benefits
Lesson: The Tontine Concept
Lesson: Term to 100 in Canada
Conseco Adds to the Confusion Surrounding RBC Ratios
Conseco's Combined RBC Ratios
My Questions and Conseco's Answers
TIAA's Surprising Exit from the Long-Term Care Insurance Business
Statement of Joseph M. Belth on TIAA Transfer to MetLife
From the Mailbag

January/February 2004 (20 pages; $20)

Spencer L. Kimball
Conseco Expands Its Assault on Policyholders
An Update to Our September 2003 Special Ratings Issue
From the Mailbag
A Letter from National Life of Vermont
Conseco Exaggerates Its RBC Ratios
Anti-Consumer Regulation from the Illinois Insurance Department
Appendix A: Southwestern Life Letter to Policyholder (May 1989)
Appendix B: Philadelphia Life Memorandum about the R-factor (1995 or earlier)
Appendix C: Massachusetts General Letter to "Policyholder or Agent" (1995 or earlier)
Appendix D: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Life-Health Insurance Companies

December 2003 (16 pages; $10)

Conseco's Assault on Universal Life Policyholders
Conseco's Outrageous Surrender Form
My Questions and Conseco's Answers
Appendix: Texas Insurance Commissioner's Protective Order Relating to Conseco Life Insurance Company of Texas

November 2003 (16 pages; $10)

The Surplus Note Catastrophe at Lumbermens Mutual
What Is a Surplus Note?
Do Insurance Regulators Have Statutory Authority To Approve Issuance of Surplus Notes?
More on Executives' Compensation in 2002
Surplus Note Usage by Insurers
Risk-Based Capital Ratios
Comments from the State of Washington
Appendix A: Data on Surplus Notes
Appendix B: Data on Risk-Based Capital

October 2003 (8 pages; $5)

The NAIC Terminates Free Public Access to the Annual Statements of Insurance Companies
Executive Compensation Data in the Annual Statements of Insurance Companies
Is the NAIC Private or Governmental?

September 2003 (32 pages; $20)

The Financial Strength of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Ratings List
Watch List
Appendix A: Descriptions of Rating Categories
Appendix B: Distributions of Ratings

August 2003 (16 pages; $20)

Executives' Compensation in 2002
Unexplained Substantial Differences in the Reported Compensation of John Hancock Executives
The Lawsuit against John Hancock's Officers and Directors
Executive Compensation and Financial Services Integration
Appendix A: Compensation Data for 2002 from Proxies
Appendix B: Compensation Data for 2002 from Nebraska
Appendix C: Compensation Data for 2002 from New York

July 2003 (8 pages; $5)

John Hancock/UnumProvident Agreements Reveal an Important Dimension of Transfers for Claims Administration
A Recommendation from LeBoeuf to Provident Life and Accident Raises Accounting and Other Questions
Incorrect Statements from the ACLI about the Fractional Premiums Lawsuits in New Mexico
Lincoln National Life's Extraordinary Quarterly Premiums

June 2003 (8 pages; $5)

UnumProvident Corporation and the Georgia Commissioner
Income Taxation of Distributions to Policyholders in Demutualizations
UnumProvident Corporation and the Fortune Lists of "Most Admired" Companies

April/May 2003 (24 pages; $20)

The LeBoeuf Report in Connection with the Reengineering Project at Provident Life and Accident
Transferring Claims Administration for Disability Insurance Policies
Other Agreements for Transferring Disability Insurance Claims Administration
Some Insurance Claims History
Some Insurance Claims Philosophies
An Actuary's Comments on UnumProvident
From the Mailbag
A Book about Insurance Investigations
Appendix A: The Recommendations in the LeBoeuf Report
Appendix B: Services Agreement for Disability Income Claims Management between Berkshire Life Insurance Company and Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York
Appendix C: Some Cases Described in a Committee Report in 1911
Appendix D: Excerpts from a New Hampshire Court Decision in 1873

March 2003 (8 pages; $5)

The Results of the Federal Investigation into Academy Life's Sales Practices at Military Installations
More about Minimum Monthly Payments on Credit Card Accounts
More on the Vendetta against Northwestern Mutual
Olympus Reinsurance and the A.M. Best Company
Our Annual Percentage Rate Calculator
Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, and the "LEAP" System

February 2003 (12 pages; $10)

The National Media Spotlight Focuses Attention on UnumProvident's Disability Insurance Claims Practices
Using ERISA against Those It Was Designed to Protect (by Mark D. DeBofsky)
Appendix A: Excerpts from the Federal Court Decision in the Hangarter Case
Appendix B: Excerpts from the Federal Court Decision in the Watson Case

January 2003 (8 pages; $5)

Massachusetts Mutual's Free Life Insurance Program
From the Mailbag
IMSA Sidesteps a Question about the "LEAP" System
Minimum Monthly Payments on Credit Card Accounts
Significant Recent Rating Actions Affecting Life-Health Insurance Companies

December 2002 (8 pages; $5)

The Vendetta against Northwestern Mutual
An Introduction to Dr. Long's Article
Insurance Credit Scoring: Yes or No? (by John D. Long)
Insurance and Discrimination
An Unsuccessful Survey about Expensing Stock Options

November 2002 (8 pages; $5)

The Departure of a Dedicated Agent
Why I Left the Life Insurance Business (by a Veteran Agent)
Further Secrecy in the Confidential Allocation Formula at Provident Mutual
From the Mailbag
Belated 2001 Compensation Data from the New York Insurance Department
Further Developments at Conseco

October 2002 (12 pages; $10)

Recent Developments Relating to the "LEAP" System
The Nonpayment of Insurance Claims
From the Mailbag
The Loss of the Certainty Effect (by Richard E. Stewart and Barbara D. Stewart)
Moody's Report on Life Insurers' Bond Exposure to Troubled Corporations
Belated 2000 Compensation Data from the New York Insurance Department
An Update on the Conseco Companies' Ratings

September 2002 (36 pages; $20)

The Financial Strength of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Ratings List
Watch List
Appendix A: Descriptions of Rating Categories
Appendix B: Distributions of Ratings

August 2002 (16 pages; $10)

A Big Payday for Six Departing Executives of Provident Mutual
Recent Letters from "LEAP" and Guardian Life
Risk-Based Capital Data for 2001
Surplus Note Usage by Insurers

July 2002 (16 pages; $10)

The "LEAP" Responses to Our Special Issue
From the Mailbag
Executives' Compensation in 2001

June 2002 (8 pages; $5)

The "LEAP" Provision in the 1997 Settlement of the Sales Practices Lawsuit against John Hancock
On the Independence of IMSA's Independent Assessors
Belated Compensation Data from the New York Insurance Department
Settlement of State Allegations Relating to Bankers Insurance Company's Investigation of a Florida Insurance Department Employee
Appendix: 1999 Compensation Data from the New York Insurance Department

May 2002 (12 pages; $10)

The Rewriting of History by Opponents of Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
Fractional Premium Charges and the Wilcox Lobbying Campaign
The Second Settlement in the Massachusetts Mutual Fractional Premiums Case
Appendix A: Results of December 10, 2001 Survey of 55 Insurance Commissioners
Appendix B: Excerpts from Notes and Desposition Testimony of Robert E. Wilcox
Appendix C: Letter from David Hippen of Florida and My Reply

April 2002 (12 pages; $10)

"LEAP" and the Diversion of Funds into Cash-Value Life Insurance
The A. L. Williams Parallel
The Struggle for Access to "LEAP" Material
Rates of Return in the "LEAP" System
Who Is Robert Castiglione?
"LEAP" and Dr. Huebner's Economics Book
"LEAP" and Guardian Life
Our Detailed 2000-2001 Index

March 2002 (12 pages; $10)

Legal Setbacks for Tax-Motivated COLI Plans
A Federal Government Reinsurance Facility for Catastrophes
Providing Catastrophe Insurance Coverage Following the Terrorist Events of September 11 (by Dan R. Anderson)

February 2002 (8 pages; $5)

The Shrinking Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
The Yearly Price of Protection--Another Important Nondisclosure in Life Insurance
The Case Against Secret Dividend Formulas

January 2002 (12 pages; $10)

Revisiting Credit Insurance
An Update to Our September 2001 Special Ratings Issue
Confronting the Terrorism Exposure
Appendix: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Life-Health Insurance Companies

December 2001 (12 pages; $10)

Insurance Commissioners and the ACLI Oppose Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
More on the "LEAP" System
What Provident Mutual Will Not Allow Its Policyholders To See Until Later

November 2001 (8 pages; $5)

Requirements for the Proper Functioning of Private Insurance
Income Taxation of the Inside Interest--An Important Nondisclosure in Life Insurance
Northwestern Mutual Tells Its Representatives How To Express Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
More on Risk-Based Capital Data for 2000
The Impact of Recent Events on Ratings
A Court Orders the New York Insurance Department To Honor Our Request for Executive Compensation Data

October 2001 (12 pages; $10)

A Legal Immunity Zone for the Marketers of Variable Insurance Products
Jason Adkins, David Schiff, Allied Mutual, and an Important Iowa Supreme Court Decision
More on Executives' Compensation in 2000
More on the Tactics Used by a Critic of Northwestern Mutual
From the Mailbag
Appendix A: The Lander Case from the Plaintiff's Point of View (by Ronald A. Uitz)
Appendix B: The Lander Case from the Defendants' Point of View (by Barry A. Chasnoff, Daniel McNeel Lane, Jr., and David R. Nelson)
Appendix C: The Allegations in the Lander Case (by Michael C. Spencer)

September 2001 (36 pages; $20)

The Financial Strength of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Ratings List of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Appendix A: Rating Firms' Descriptions of Their Rating Categories
Appendix B: Distributions of the Ratings of Life-Health Insurance Companies

August 2001 (16 pages; $10)

What Is the "LEAP" System?
Risk-Based Capital Data for 2000
Surplus Note Usage by Insurers

July 2001 (12 pages; $10)

Executives' Compensation in 2000
More about the Legal Attack on New York Life's Changes in Its Agents' Retirement Plan
ViatiCare, Senior Settlements, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Likely Failure of a Universal Life Policy
Tactics Used by a Critic of Northwestern Mutual

June 2001 (8 pages; $5)

The Continuing Saga of Life Insurance Sales Practices at Military Installations
Another Method for Evaluating Fractional Premium Charges
From the Mailbag
Prudential and th New York Department

May 2001 (8 pages; $5)

A Legal Attack on New York Life's Changes in Its Agents' Retirement Plan
More on the Age 100 Problem in Life Insurance
Bank One's Market Index Accounts in an Environment of Falling Interest Rates

April 2001 (12 pages; $10)

Second-to-Die Policies, the New Jersey Department, and the Insurance Industry Assault on the Policy Approval Process
Dirtysheeting--Another Type of Viatical Fraud
More on the Aritmetic of Senior Settlements
A Further Update to Our September 2000 Special Ratings Issue
Appendix: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Life-Health Insurance Companies

March 2001 (12 pages; $10)

Justifying the Unjustifiable--How a Court-Approved Settlement Protected a $550 Million Bonanza in Fractional Premiums at Primerica
The LOMA Report on Viatical and Life Settlements
From the Mailbag
Appendix A: Testimony of Brian McDonald
Appendix B: Excerpt from Affidavit of Christopher P. Krahling

February 2001 (8 pages; $5)

Two Dramatically Different Settlements in Litigation over Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
Should Life Insurers Compete with Viatical Firms by Offering Cash Values Related to the Health of Insureds?
Health Related Cash Values--Some Practical Aspects (by Albert E. Easton)
The Banning of The Insurance Forum in the Home Office of Massachusetts Mutual

January 2001 (8 pages; $5)

General Electric Takes a Leadership Role in Disclosure of Fractional Premium Charges as Annual Percentage Rates
The Age 100 Problem in Life Insurance
Should the Federal Trade Commission Regulate the Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies?
Who Should Regulate the Viatical Industry? (by S. Roy Woodall, Jr.)
Who Says Financial Services Integration is in Consumers' Best Interests?
Appendix: How to Calculate Annual Percentage Rates and Annual Interest Rates Associated with Fractional Premiums

December 2000 (12 pages; $10)

Variable Life, the Surrender Squeeze, and the Coming Bonanza for the Lawyers
Update to Our Septmber 2000 Special Ratings Issue
Arson vs. Murder: The Insurable Interest Anomaly and the Frightening Secondary Market for Life Insurance Policies
Appendix: Recent Rating Actions Affecting Life-Health Insurance Companies

November 2000 (16 pages; $10)

Life Partners and the Nonregulation of the Viatical Industry
Viatical Senior Settlements and Contingency Insurance
More on Executives' Compensation

October 2000 (8 pages; $5)

How Not To Deal with a Troublesome Regulator -- Bankers Insurance Company's Investigation of an Insurance Department Employee
Two Questions for Our Readers Concerning Fractional Premiums
An Update on Florida's Viatical Reports

September 2000 (40 pages; $20)

The Financial Strength of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Ratings List of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Watch List of Life-Health Insurance Companies
Appendix A: Rating Firms' Descriptions of Their Rating Categories
Appendix B: Rating Distributions of Life-Health Insurance Companies

August 2000 (16 pages; $10)

Richard L. D. Morse
The Aftermath of Bank One's Quiet Interest Rate Reduction on Market Index Accounts
Risk-Based Capital Data for 1999
Surplus Note Usage by Insurers
Ratings Equivalencies Advertised by Duff & Phelps
The First Viatical Fraud Convictions

July 2000 (12 pages; $10)

The New York Insurance Department Slams the Door on Public Access to Compensation Data
Federal Criminal Allegations in California Relating to Viatical Fraud
Justus Viatical and the Illinois Insurance Department
Executives' Compensation in 1999

June 2000 (12 pages; $10)

A Florida Grand Jury Goes After Viatical Fraud
The Huge Commissions Paid to Viatical Brokers
Purchases by Viaticus in Texas During 1998 and 1999
Appendix: Florida Grand Jury Report on Viatical Fraud

May 2000 (8 pages; $5)

Characteristics of an Excellent Demutualization Plan
The Arithmetic of Viatical Senior Settlements
More Information about Viaticals
From the Mailbag

April 2000 (8 pages; $5)

The Actuarial Profession Brushes Aside Questions about Responsibility for the Disaster at Mid-Continent Life
More about Life Partners and the Fifth Circuit
A Correction
The Uninsurables at Universal Guaranty Life--A Case Study in the Dangers of Simplified Underwriting
The Sad Experience of a Policyholder of Mutual Benefit Life
Our Book about Viaticals
From the Mailbag

March 2000 (8 pages; $5)

Viatical Fraud and the Legislative Attack on the Venerable Incontestability Clause in Life Insurance Policies
Financial Information about Viaticus
More on the Public Announcements Clause in the Termination Agreement Between ARM Financial and General American Life
Our Detailed 1998-1999 Index

February 2000 (12 pages; $10)

Visit Our New Website
Congress Should Say Who Will Regulate the Viatical Business
Update to Our September 1999 Special Ratings Issue
Comments by Northwestern Mutual on Viatical Commissions

January 2000 (8 pages; $5)

Wit Capital and the Demutualization of John Hancock
Provident Mutual Withdraws Its Mutual Holding Company Reorganization Plan
A Bizarre Amendment to Michigan's Viatical Statute