Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Best’s Special Report: Use of Life/Annuity Sidecars as Reinsurance Solution Expected to Increase

Strong U.S. annuity sales has led to increased formations of sidecars by insurance companies to manage the growth and maintain risk-based capitalization levels, with ceded reserves increasing threefold in the two-year period to 2023, according to a new AM Best report.

The Best’s Special Report, “Use of Life/Annuity Sidecars as Asset-Intensive Reinsurance Solution Expected to Increase,” states that because of strong premium growth amid rising interest rates, the individual annuity composite has steadily seen its reinsurance leverage (i.e., ceded reserves to capital and surplus) increase by 66% in the most recent five-year period. Additionally, first-year premium surplus relief is the highest it has been in 10 years as companies seek to manage new premium growth. Overall, total ceded reserves to sidecars increased to nearly $55 billion in 2023 from approximately $17 billion in 2021, with Martello Re (Mass Mutual), Ivy Re II (Global Atlantic/KKR), and Prismic Life Re (Prudential/Warbug Pincus) combining to make up nearly three quarters of the amount.

“The vast majority of reserves ceded are covering liabilities for indexed and fixed annuities. We expect this trend to grow much more significantly as more deals closed in 2024 and the environment continues to be conducive for annuity growth,” said Jason Hopper, associate director, Industry Research and Analytics, AM Best.

Sidecars have historically been more prevalent in the property/casualty segment, and AM Best notes that understanding the differences of life/annuity-formed sidecars with liability-driven investment strategies versus ones that have typically been used to fund short-term risks with liquid assets is important. While dependence on sidecars varies among insurers, a disproportionate use could lead to counterparty concentration.

The proliferation of sidecars also has allowed private capital another avenue to enter the L/A business. “Even if asset-manager sponsors maintain their commitment to the long-term nature of life/ annuity insurance business through partial or outright ownership of some companies, the sidecars to which they reinsure a small share of the business may follow a traditional private equity model,” said Hopper.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=351563.

For a video discussion with Hopper about the report, please visit http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=ambsidecars225.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.