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Cover Stories

For VAs, Roll-Ups Rule

by Kerry Pechter

For VAs, Roll-Ups Rule

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

Perhaps unintentionally, "roll-ups," aka deferral bonuses, have arguably become the key feature of variable annuities with GLWBs. But can they save VAs from becoming a niche business?

The ‘Senior’ Senator from Wisconsin

by Kerry Pechter

The ‘Senior’ Senator from Wisconsin

Thu, Jun 10, 2010

The soft-spoken Herb Kohl (D-WI) fights for retirees as chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which will hold hearings on retirement income June 16.

You May Live in Interesting Times

by Kerry Pechter

You May Live in Interesting Times

Wed, Jun 02, 2010

Interest rate risk keeps us all in suspense. Here’s how executives at Vanguard, New York Life, Delta Global Advisors, Prudential Annuities, and Loomis, Sayles cope with the uncertainty.

Who’s Winning the Rollover War?

by Kerry Pechter

Who’s Winning the Rollover War?

Wed, May 26, 2010

IRAs now hold more money than employer-sponsored retirement plans, and the big beneficiaries are Fidelity, Vanguard and Charles Schwab, says a report from Cogent Research.

The Decumulation Beat

Our First Annual VA Special Editions

Our First Annual VA Special Editions

This week, we focus on the latest products and sales trends. Next week, we’ll delve into the issues that cloud the variable annuity industry's future.

News

Bernanke Cites Fiscal Impact of Aging

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

"Among the primary forces putting upward pressure on the deficit is the aging of the U.S. population," the Fed chairman said.

Montana Senator Nixes 401(k) Fee Disclosure

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) said that the proposed elimination of fee disclosure requirements was “unacceptable.”

ING Launches Registered Indexed Annuities

Fri, Jun 18, 2010

“Offering registered fixed index annuities gives us products that we can make available to many banks and full-service brokerage firms,” said Lynne Ford, CEO of ING Financial Solutions.

Vanguard Now Offers a Dozen TDFs

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

The 2055 Fund is aimed at investors between ages 18 and 22.

Why Do Educated People Live Longer?

Thu, Jun 17, 2010

One possible explanation is that the highly educated have better access to medical care and better adherence rates to prescribed regimes.