Ibbotson to Offer First Fixed Annuity Benchmark Series from Beacon Research

Addition to Software Creates Powerful Sales Tool for Bank and Insurance Marketers and for Financial Professionals Doing Retirement Planning


CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates, a leading provider of investment tools and knowledge, today announced an agreement with Beacon Research to offer its fixed annuity performance data via Ibbotson software. Now Ibbotson software users will be able to access The Beacon Fixed Annuity Index: Average Benchmark Series(sm). These benchmarks in the Ibbotson software will allow bank and insurance marketers to create sales materials that compare their products' performance to annuity benchmarks. They will also help financial professionals better analyze and chose fixed annuities for clients.

"Always at the forefront of annuity research, Beacon Research has created the first fixed annuity benchmark series, and we are pleased to offer it to our software clients," said Mark Kowalczyk, managing director of sales and marketing at Ibbotson Associates. "These benchmarks will enable planners to include fixed annuities as an asset class in model portfolios and analysis for the first time."

The Average Benchmark Series is composed of monthly average interest rates in total and by rate term. The cost for the series is $2,500 per year, and it will be available to Ibbotson software clients in the fall.

"With the rapid growth of the fixed annuity market and the myriad of products, we are proud to partner with Ibbotson to provide a product that helps marketers distinguish their offerings, and helps planners steer their clients to the best annuities," said Jeremy Alexander, president of Beacon Research Publications.

About Ibbotson Associates

Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1977, is a leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals obtain, manage and retain assets.

The company's business lines include investment consulting and research; planning and analysis software; wealth forecasting; educational services and a widely used line of NASD-reviewed presentation materials. With offices in Chicago, New York and Tokyo, Ibbotson Associates provides integrated investment knowledge, leading-edge technology, multi-conceptual education and a variety of sales presentation solutions. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors and consultants for quantitative analysis, high level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small money managers.

About Beacon Research

Founded by Jeremy D. Alexander in 1997, Beacon Research is a fully independent research organization dedicated to meeting the information needs of the financial services industry. It compiles and publishes comprehensive, accurate market intelligence on fixed annuity products for subscribers to its website -- www.annuitynexus.com -- and print publications. Beacon also licenses information to other platforms. Among publishers of fixed annuity data, Beacon Research is unique in its objectivity, accuracy, scope and timeliness.

Headquartered in suburban Chicago, Beacon Research provides information to support marketing strategies and increase sales. America's leading insurers use Beacon's fixed annuity data for sales support, rate setting, product development and competition research. Distributors access Beacon's website for product selection and product information for producers. Internet and intranet platforms use data and software from Beacon research to support proposals, transactions, suitability checks and financial modeling.


            

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