Aviva

A quartet of insurance giants, including Resolution, considered mounting a multi-billion pound break-up bid for rival Aviva.

Aviva is now accepting faxed and emailed copies of application and claims forms for its international private medical insurance (IPMI) offering.

Some of the key areas brought up in the latest Aviva Retirement report

Adviser networks had half of the complaints against them referred to Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) upheld in the first six months of the year.

International private medical insurance has moved much more to the fore of many advisers minds in recent months. Teresa Rogers gives a primer for those considering entering this potentially lucrative market sector

Aviva has increased its critical illness (CI) claims payment rate to 93% in the first six months of 2010.

AIFA members are demanding to be consulted on future appointments to the agenda-setting AIFA Council following the "surprise" selection of Stephen Gay as director general.

Around two-thirds of over-55s are concerned the would not be able to raise the necessary cash if faced with an unexpected payout of £500 or more, according to the Aviva Real Retirement Report.

Switching to fee-based advice has overtaken attaining a Level 4 qualification as advisers' biggest concern ahead of the RDR's implementation, research suggests.

Annuity rates have mostly remained constant over the past month with Aviva still in the top spot, according to the latest figures from Alexander Forbes Annuity Bureau.