Barry Ward

Barry Ward joined Security Benefit as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 2013, assuming responsibility for finance, capital planning, risk management, income taxes, financial reporting, and treasury for the company’s corporate and annuity operations. He serves on the board of directors of various affiliates including SE2.

With a heavy focus in the annuity and life sector throughout his career, he most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with Fidelity & Guaranty Life. While there, he was instrumental in leading the company through an intensive sale process. Mr. Ward has served as Vice President and Head of U.S. Financial Reporting for ING Insurance Americas, which included extensive M&A responsibilities.

As an assistant commissioner, financial regulation, at the Ohio Insurance Department, he was a leader in the NAIC’s risk‐based surveillance modernization initiative, led M&A transaction reviews, assessed capital alternatives for troubled insurance companies and was a member of the NAIC’s statutory accounting standards‐setting working groups, including Vice Chair of the Accounting Practices and Procedures Task Force. While at the Integrity Companies, a life and annuity insurer later acquired by Western & Southern, he served as Controller. Ward began his career at E&Y’s insurance practice where his principal client was Providian Corporation, a large life and annuity insurer later acquired by AEGON Corporation.

Mr. Ward has been a part of the life insurance industry for 31 years. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is a Fellow, Life Management Institute.