Low Interest Rates Threaten Insurers and Baby Boomers

Here you get a glimpse at the problems facing insurers and baby boomers thanks to the Fed’s zero percent interest rate policy as reported earlier this month in the WSJ.

Insurers reported a messy second quarter plagued by low interest rates and catastrophe claims, highlighted by a $2 billion charge at MetLife Inc. tied to a savings product popular with baby boomers.

Life insurers MetLife, Prudential Financial Inc. and Lincoln Financial Group booked lower premiums and fees, while property-and-casualty insurer Allstate Corp. faced elevated levels of claims for severe weather, including a record hail storm in Texas.

Lincoln Financial was the only insurer of the group to eke out an increase in operating earnings; the other three companies posted double-digit declines.