Aviva plc announced a 20 percent decrease in first-quarter life insurance and pension sales in its North America division, with results of $1.26 billion compared with $1.57 billion in the first quarter of 2010.

General insurance net written premiums of $682 million were up 9 percent year-over-year. Life insurance sales for the quarter were $389 million, a 13 percent increase. Annuity sales were $868 million for the quarter, 27 percent lower than the previous year. Companywide, net written premiums increased by 9 percent over the first quarter of 2010.

Aviva only releases net income numbers twice a year.