Description: This session will provide an overview of the evolution of equity-based guarantees (e.g. VA, FIA, etc.) over the last few years and discuss the current lay of the land as it relates to the regulatory, issues, capital markets (e.g. Department of Labor, Dodd-Frank) environment in which these products are offered.

Description: This presentation is an open forum, session 59OF, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 14-15 in San Antonio, TX. The life insurance and annuity marketplace has become increasingly competitive. At the same time, distributors are exerting more clout. The panelists discuss their perspectives, from the view of the product development actuary, the marketing and distribution executive, and the actuary in a marketing role, on how product development actuaries are experiencing difficulty in designing profitable products that are saleable. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 2.