The financial crisis took a toll on the amount of total assets and total sales within the U.S. variable annuity industry.  Both figures had significant declines relative to the same period in 2007.  That said, combined net assets in variable annuities in the U.S. still exceed $1 trillion, and total sales of variable annuities in the U.S. in 2008 exceeded $150 billion.

Table 2. Variable Annuity Premium Sales(1)
                                       Quarter Ended           Year Ended
    (Dollars in Millions)          12/31/08    12/31/07    12/31/08   12/31/07
                                   --------    --------    --------   --------

    Total Sales                      33,321      47,829     154,769    182,248
    Net Sales                         3,428       8,912      23,093     33,383
    Source: Morningstar, Inc.

Source: NAVA - the Association for Insured Retirement Solutions

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