Most certified financial planners are “very satisfied” with their career choice and agree that their CFP certification contributes directly to their professional success, a new survey says.

Nearly half of people between the ages of 45 and 65 say they don’t feel confident in their retirement planning, and they appear to be counting on a wide range of income sources to fill the anticipated gap.

Noting heavy snow and rainfall in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, Selective Insurance reported $24 million in catastrophic losses for the first quarter, but also saw gains of more than 100% in its net and operating income.

Erie Indemnity Co., parent company of Erie Insurance, reported fourth quarter earnings of $24.9 million, marking a turnaround from its report of $6.3 million in losses for the same quarter in 2008.

Amerigroup Corp. said its net income for the fourth quarter increased by about $5 million and its membership rose by 13.2%.

A Richmond, Va.-based financial services firm reported net income of $75 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, an increase from its net loss of $321 million for the same quarter in 2008.

Private U.S. property-casualty insurers saw a partial rebound in their net income after taxes for the first nine months of last year when compared to 2008, but still lagged when compared with 2007.

People believe the health insurance industry is doing better than the reality. As people seeking health care reform call for the end to health insurers’ profits, the reality is that the health insurance industry’s net income for the first nine months of the year fell by 12.4%, while underwriting costs rose.

Middle-class Americans are relying more on non-qualified annuities for their retirement peace of mind, even in the wake of a recession and stock market downturn.

In light of a drop in income and overall profitability for the first half of the year, the property-casualty industry remains “profitable,” according to a national trade organization.