First-quarter U.S. indexed annuity sales were $8 billion, an increase of more than 13 percent from the first quarter of 2011 but a nearly 3 percent decrease from the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a report released by Pleasant Hill-based AnnuitySpecs.com.

According to the report, nearly 56 percent of indexed annuity sales in the past quarter included a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit rider, which is increasingly being used to guarantee income.

In the indexed life insurance market, first-quarter sales were $255.9 million, an increase of nearly 34 percent from first-quarter 2011 but 20 percent lower than fourth-quarter 2011 sales. Aviva USA led indexed life producers in the first quarter with a 13 percent market share.