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Cover Stories

A Chat with Jackson’s Clifford Jack

by Kerry Pechter

A Chat with Jackson’s Clifford Jack

Wed, Aug 19, 2009

'We talk all the time about not being the team that performs extremely well for eight and two-thirds innings just to screw it up on the final out,' said the Jackson National EVP.

Comment: The High Price of Low Rates

by Kerry Pechter

Comment: The High Price of Low Rates

Tue, Aug 11, 2009

A low interest rate policy, while necessary in a crisis, acts as a tax on the average person and plants the seed for the next credit crisis, according to two NBER Working Papers published in July.

How to Walk Through Fire

by Kerry Pechter

How to Walk Through Fire

Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Crossing the retirement "red zone" might be compared to a fire-walk. But here are three advisors who are guiding clients (and their portfolios) from age 55 to age 65 with barely even a hot-foot.

A Summer Crop of Variable Annuities

by Kerry Pechter

A Summer Crop of Variable Annuities

Tue, Jul 28, 2009

Allianz Life, Genworth Financial, John Hancock Life, and MetLife have all introduced new variable annuity contracts. Of the four new entries, John Hancock's stands out as the simplest and cheapest.

News

Impaired Risk Annuities Sell Well in the U.K.

Tue, Aug 18, 2009

The popularity of enhanced annuities—which provide bigger payouts for those with adverse medical conditions—is likely to grow, consultants said.

More Large Employers to Restore 401(k) Matches

Wed, Aug 19, 2009

But many employees still face smaller raises, lower bonuses and higher health care costs, a Watson Wyatt analyst said.

Cerulli Report Reveals Investor Concerns

Wed, Aug 19, 2009

From August to December of 2008, the number of households describing themselves as conservative investors jumped to 32% from 25%.

Index Annuities Set Quarterly Sales Record

Wed, Aug 19, 2009

“Never has there been a more challenging period for those selling indexed annuities,” said Sheryl J. Moore, president and CEO of AnnuitySpecs.com.

John Hancock Issues New MVA Fixed Annuity

Tue, Aug 18, 2009

Investors can choose either a 3-, 5-, 7-or 10-year period with a matching withdrawal charge schedule.