Personal Finance
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Fixed Annuity Sales Up 90% in Q4 2008 over Q4 2007 and Up 60% Calendar Year 2008
According to Beacon Research Fixed Annuity Premium study of 53 insurance companies representing 86% of the market, U.S. sales of fixed annuities were up 60% in 2008. Surprisingly in the 4th quarter of 2008, at the height the financial crisis and bad press, in which a number of large insurers were downgraded by rating agencies, Q4 results were estimated at 90% above Q42007 and 23% higher than Q3 2008. Beacon reports that fixed annuity sales were the strongest since they began the study in 2003.
The study includes immediate annuities (income annuities) but DOES NOT include structured settlements. The study shows that the public generally has faith in insurance companies despite the negative financial press concerning AIG, Hartford, Conseco and others.
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The 10 Best and 10 Worst Celebrity Tippers
We've combed the Internet to find the stories of celebs who tip a hefty chunk of change, and those who barely tip pocket change at all.
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Richard Branson is Awesome
If there were a magazine called "Eccentric Billionaire Playboy", Sir Richard Branson would be on every cover.
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Celebs Ring the Bell at the New York Stock Exchange
See stars promote themselves by ringing the NYSE opening bell.
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