In this episode of That Annuity Show, Bruno Caron and Anthony McSwieney of CM Risk Consulting discuss the evolving insurance rating environment and the role of capital, reinsurance, and business strategy in the rating process. Anthony draws on his background in bank treasury and asset-liability management, as well as 16 years at AM Best, while Bruno brings his experience across the insurance industry and product strategy. The conversation explores how insurers communicate their strategies to rating agencies and examines topics including BCAR and RBC, capital quality, operational risk, surplus notes, preferred securities, and parental support. They also discuss how technology, distribution, product design, acquisitions, reinsurance structures, and long-term capital planning can factor into broader rating conversations. Bruno and Anthony offer their perspectives on the complexities insurers face as they balance growth, capital management, and business strategy in a changing market. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com Learn more at https://cmriskconsulting.com

Empathy can play an important role in helping clients move from recognizing a need to feeling ready to take action. In a recent episode of The Annuity Show, Maria Ferrante-Schepis, founder of Think Worthy Consulting, discussed how insurance professionals can better understand the "invisible wall" between unmet need and concept of negative demand. Her perspective: education alone may not be enough. Meaningful two-way conversations can help advisors better understand client concerns, build trust, and support more informed decision-making. As technology continues to handle more of the technical aspects of insurance and annuity solutions, the human element may become even more important. She reviews previous failures and successes in industry technology advancements, as well as overlooked nuances, to gain a clearer perspective on how we can approach future innovation. Learn more: thatannuityshow.com and where you get your podcasts Visit: thinkworthy.com to engage with Maria

What do recent legal and regulatory developments mean for financial professionals? In this episode, we examine the current status of the Department of Labor's fiduciary rulemaking efforts, the related litigation, and the implications for advisors, insurers, and the broader financial services industry. Joining the conversation are Eric Lund Marhoun, Senior Counsel at Nassau Financial Group, and Kent Mason, Partner at Davis & Harman LLP. They discuss the evolution of the fiduciary rule, recent court decisions, the role of industry organizations in the regulatory process, and practical considerations for navigating today's compliance environment. The discussion also explores documentation, client communications, and the potential role of technology, including AI, in supporting compliance practices. While the current regulatory framework has evolved through recent legal developments, future legislative, regulatory, or judicial actions may continue to shape the landscape. This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or regulatory advice. Financial professionals should consult their firm's compliance department or legal counsel regarding specific situations.

Brent Williams, CEO of Benekiva, shares his journey from managing a large financial advisory firm to founding a claims automation company. He discusses industry challenges like legacy systems, fragmented data, and the transformative potential of AI in claims processing, emphasizing a human-centered approach to technology. Learn more about Benekiva: https://benekiva.com Tune into TAS for additional episodes: https://thatannuityshow.com

In this episode of the That Annuity Show, Nassau Financial Group's Chief Investment Officer, Joe Orofino, joins Tisa Rabun-Marshall and Mark Fitzgerald to discuss current economic trends and the factors shaping today's investment landscape. The conversation explores inflation, interest rate movements, and how developments such as artificial intelligence and global trade policies may influence markets, investment strategies, and consumer behavior. Listeners will gain perspective on market volatility, duration strategies, and the broader economic signals investors are watching. Learn more at http://www.thatannuityshow.com

This episode of That Annuity Show brings together Paul Tyler, Bruno Caron, Tom Buckingham, James Wong and featured guest David Novak, CEO and Founder, Annuities Genius for a candid discussion on the intersection of AI and annuities. From conference insights to next-generation tools, they delve into how technology is reshaping client engagement, driving operational efficiency, and setting the stage for the industry's next wave of innovation. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com

Summary In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler and Bruno Caron engage with Qiyun Cai, founder and CEO of Fintary, to discuss the challenges and innovations in the insurance industry, of managing and optimizing compensation and revenue. Qiyun shares her background in insurance and technology, explaining how Fintary aims to streamline revenue growth through flexible compensation structures and automation. The conversation delves into the complexities of multi-level distribution, the importance of data integration, and the need for modern solutions in a traditionally fragmented industry. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com

In this episode of That Annuity Show, Paul Tyler, Tisa Rabun-Marshall, and Bruno Caron talk with Samantha Chow from Capgemini to discuss the findings of the World Life Insurance Report. They explore consumer sentiment towards life insurance, the challenges of product design, and the importance of education in the industry. The conversation highlights global trends, the impact of societal shifts on insurance needs, and the necessity for flexible, bundled products that cater to the modern consumer. The role of technology and digital engagement in transforming the insurance landscape is also emphasized, along with the potential for wealth transfer among younger generations. Listen now at www.thatannuityshow.com

Live from the LIMRA Annual Conference, hosts Paul Tyler and guest co-host, Tom Rios sit down with Ken Leibow of InsurTech Express—a relentless chronicler of what's actually working across carriers and vendors. Ken breaks down the shift from AI talk to agentic AI doing, with underwriting workbenches embedding decision engines, Rx/MIB data, and scoring to move closer to instant decisions at point of sale. He maps today's reality in service and claims—AI clearing level-one while humans handle complexity—and explains why annuities and RILAs remain red-hot despite cooling predictions. If you want practical signals (not hype) on underwriting, workflow automation, and real-time CX, this episode is your fast brief. Learn more at thatannuityshow.com

Live from the LIMRA Annual Conference, host Paul Tyler and guest host, Tom Rios explore the future of carrier communications with Stephanie Warren and Tim Mader of O'Neil Digital Solutions. The conversation looks beyond today's PDFs to a unified, intelligent platform where print and digital are orchestrated together—with auto-failover (email → mail), real-time delivery confirmation for agents, and 10-year, regulation-ready audit trails. They sketch what's next: dynamic, personalized content (QR codes, agent video intros), event-triggered journeys (policy issued, first annuity payment, claim payout), and template consolidation that unlocks governance and speed. Most importantly, they reframe communications as a revenue and referral moment—turning required documents into measurable CX wins while staying compliant. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com

Recorded live on the floor of the LIMRA Annual Conference, host Paul Tyler and guest host, Tom Rios sit down with Jim Kerley, Managing Partner at Clearview Partners, for a candid conversation on what really moves the needle: going deep with AI (not broad), building a clear roadmap, and supporting people through constant change. Jim shares pragmatic guidance for carrier executives—how to future-proof your career, reduce organizational stress, upskill teams, and use industry resources and peer networks to turn transformation into measurable outcomes. If you're leading strategy, operations, distribution, or product, this episode is your field guide to doing AI—and leadership—right. Learn more at www.thatannuityshow.com