Annuities offer the practitioner and client a huge number of choices, each of which must be assessed. Variable annuities hire management from multiple mutual fund families, provide different death benefits, and offer living benefits whose minimum guarantees can be greatly affected by when and how monies are withdrawn. Equity-indexed annuities (EIAs) are frequently sold incorrectly by brokers who rely on slick presentations without looking beneath the surface; problems and analysis are compounded by the fact that no two EIA contracts are alike. Even the traditional fixed-rate annuity comes is offered in different forms: interest-indexed, certificate, stepped-rate, market value, bonus rate, and two-tiered, etc.

Investors seek out advisors and brokers who are knowledgeable. The Certified Annuity Specialist (CAS) designation will provide you with the information and research necessary to select the right product for your client. Approximately one third of all annuity contracts are not titled correctly. The compliance, legal, and tax exposure to not titling a contract properly are immense. The CAS program includes a special and extensive section just on titling.

CAS materials cover all types of variable annuities plus guides the practitioner through all levels of modern portfolio theory (MPT), from the basics through the advanced strategies. All course content is presented in a straight-forward manner that is easy to follow and remember. CAS graduates point out that their sales of annuities significantly increase because of their increased knowledge and confidence. Compliance officers applaud the thoroughness and detail of the program.