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This study examines the different factors that affect the profitability of the U.S. life insurance industry. Using a panel data from 1997 to 2013 for all U.S. life insurance companies, I find that company specific variables and macroeconomic indicators are statistically significant determinants of financial performance.  Most notably, the statistical analysis shows that efficiency and market share are important determinants of life insurers’ profitability in addition to growth in GDP and interest rate. There is support for the profit persistency hypothesis that previous profitability significantly affects current performance of life insurance companies. Robustness tests by insurer’s organization type provide consistent results.