SEC Charges RiverSource Distributors With Improper Switching of Variable Annuities

Posted on June 8th, 2022 at 11:23 AM
SEC Charges RiverSource Distributors With Improper Switching of Variable Annuities

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to a settlement with RiverSource Distributors Inc. for improper switching or replacing of variable annuities. According to the SEC, RiverSource sold variable annuities to retail clients through an affiliated investment advisory firm, Ameriprise Financial Services. 

This action is the SEC’s first enforcement proceeding under Section 11 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Under Section 11 of the Investment Company Act, any underwriter is prohibited from making an offer to exchange the securities of registered unit investment trusts unless the terms of the offer have received SEC approval. 

Certain RiverSource employees designed and utilized a sales practice that caused exchange offers to be presented to holders of variable annuities to switch from one variable annuity to another, which ultimately generated increased sales commissions for RiverSource employees, according to the SEC. The SEC additionally alleged that the exchange transactions occurred frequently from 2016 until 2018 when RiverSource’s compliance department condemned the sales practice. RiverSource consented to the SEC’s allegations without admitting or denying any investigatory findings and will pay a $5 million civil penalty. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 
 

Tags: eccleston law, sec, variable annuities

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I am grateful to have found an outstanding law firm that specializes in securities matters. My lawyers were extremely knowledgeable, diligent, and are skilled litigators. No stone was left upturned. As a result of their experience and tenacity, the arbitration proceeding was dismissed in my favor.

Michael E.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 25, 2026
Advisors Increase Crypto Allocations as Merrill Lynch Warns of Significant Risks

Financial advisors are placing more client assets into digital currencies, even as major firms caution investors about the asset class's volatility and speculative nature.

February 24, 2026
Merrill Lynch Highlights AI Risks as FINRA Urges Greater Oversight of Emerging Technology

Merrill Lynch has warned that the expanded use of artificial intelligence and machine learning introduces material operational, compliance, and cybersecurity risks for advisory firms.

February 23, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Pleads Guilty to $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and chief executive officer of Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he orchestrated a $380 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors.