Aviva

Aviva is best known globally as a UK-based insurance group, but its U.S. chapter is especially relevant to the retirement and annuity market. In the years after the 2008 financial crisis, many international insurers reassessed capital needs and the fit of overseas businesses. Aviva chose to exit the U.S. platform it had built, culminating in a sale to a specialist annuity writer.

In 2013, Aviva announced the completion of the sale of Aviva USA to Athene, confirming the transfer of ownership and closing a major strategic repositioning for Aviva in the United States.[1] Athene's announcement of the agreement described the transaction as a $1.55 billion deal and emphasized the scale it would add in the fixed annuity market.[2]

For policyholders and advisors, the practical takeaway is that life and annuity obligations often outlast corporate owners. Brand names may change, but state-regulated insurance entities continue administering contracts, managing reserves, and paying claims. The Aviva-to-Athene transition is a clear example of how legacy U.S. insurance blocks can move to new owners with dedicated long-duration asset-liability expertise.

Sources: [1] Aviva plc press release - Completion of sale of Aviva USA to Athene (2013): https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2013/10/completion-of-sale-of-aviva-usa-to-athene-12607/. [2] Athene - Investor Relations press release announcing agreement to acquire Aviva USA (2013): https://ir.athene.com/news-releases/news-release-details/athene-holding-ltd-announces-agreement-acquire-aviva-usa.