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Cover Stories

A Death in the Family, Part II

by Kerry Pechter

A Death in the Family, Part II

Tue, Jan 25, 2011

Forget "death panels." Loving, decisive words from a doctor helped this dying pianist decide to let go of her life. The conclusion of a two-part story.

A Death in the Family, Part I

by Kerry Pechter

A Death in the Family, Part I

Wed, Jan 19, 2011

For the very old and their families, preservation of life often competes with preservation of finances. Here's how one California family coped with an elderly mother's death. (The first of two parts.)

Genworth Exits the VA Race

by Kerry Pechter

Genworth Exits the VA Race

Tue, Jan 11, 2011

“They’re editing their lineup,” said Eric Berg, an analyst at Barclays Capital. “They’re getting out of the businesses where they lack meaningful size." (Above, Genworth CEO Mike Fraizer.)

Why We Retired Our Pensions, and How to Revive Them

by Kerry Pechter

Why We Retired Our Pensions, and How to Revive Them

Wed, Jan 05, 2011

An ambitious new book, The Decline of the Traditional Pension, captures the state of public, private, domestic and global pensions with scholarly rigor.

News

Prudential updates ‘Highest Daily’ living benefit

Tue, Jan 25, 2011

Prudential is reducing the size of the roll-up guaranteed by its top-selling Highest Daily Lifetime variable annuity rider to 5% per year until the first withdrawal from 6% per year.

Annuity income drops at five of top 10 bank holding companies

Tue, Jan 25, 2011

Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America led bank holding companies in annuity commission income through Sept. 30, 2010, combining for almost 60% of the year's income.

Morningstar VA bulletin looks back at 2010, ahead to 2011

Tue, Jan 25, 2011

"More generous benefits" anticipated in 2011, according to Morningstar vice president Kevin Loffredi.

Poland’s pension makeover offers a cautionary tale

Wed, Jan 26, 2011

In the 1990s, Poland reformed its Social Security-type system and introduced personal accounts. Now they’ve got chaos.

BMO 'Lifetime Cash Flow' Product Critiqued

Wed, Jan 26, 2011

Garth Bernard responds to last week's RIJ article on the Bank of Montreal's Lifetime Cash Flow product, saying the product has 'room for improvement.'

The Bucket

Wed, Jan 26, 2011

Late-breaking items from the Diversified Services Group, Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, ING, Wealth2k, Fidelity, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Nataxis.