DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

A Federal District Court judge in Iowa has affirmed a $13.1 million patent-infringement award to Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) regarding a computerized method of administering variable annuities.

A jury in February decided in favor of Lincoln National in its lawsuit against fellow insurer Transamerica, owned by Aegon NV (AEG).

Variable annuities have been a key worry for life insurers as they guarantee minimum returns. But the stock-market rout, which ended in March for now, raised concerns about annuity sellers' ability to cover promised payments.

A Transamerica spokesman couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

-By Kevin Kingsbury, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2136; kevin.kingsbury@dowjones.com