VA Competition Is Still Hot: MFS Adds Another Earnings Rider.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

National Underwriter Life & Health-Financial Services Edition, August, 2001 by Koco, Linda

When the four MFS Regatta Annuities debuted their new "earnings enhancement benefit" in April 2000, the variable annuity wonks at MFS Investment Management expected the feature would do well.

It did.

"Almost 70% of new Regatta VAs have been issued with the benefit attached," says Michael Mulkern, vice president and director of marketing for insurance products at the Boston firm, a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada.

But that's not the end of the story. In June, MFS brought out a brand-new earnings benefit--the "earnings enhancement benefit plus."

The new entry is similar, but bolder, than its forerunner. The story of its rollout reveals much about the fierce competitiveness in today's VA market, and about the don't-sit-back mood of...

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