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Cover Stories

‘Decumulation is Like a Rubik’s Cube’

by Kerry Pechter

‘Decumulation is Like a Rubik’s Cube’

Tue, Oct 25, 2011

The Money Management Institute has identified 34 financial services firms that have created what it calls Personal Retirement Income Solution Management (PRISM) tools or programs.

In Denim or in Suits, New Yorkers Want Market Reform

by Kerry Pechter

In Denim or in Suits, New Yorkers Want Market Reform

Sun, Oct 16, 2011

An 'Occupy Wall Street' protester at New York's Zuccotti Park expresses her opinion. The same day, at the NY Athletic Club, Wall Streeters themselves criticized their own industry.

RSQ-y Business at John Hancock B/D

by Kerry Pechter

RSQ-y Business at John Hancock B/D

Wed, Oct 12, 2011

John Hancock Financial Network will offer its advisors the Retirement Sustainability Quotient, an income planning tool that Moshe Milevsky (pictured) developed for ManuLife Financial, JHFN's Canadian parent.

'Boom Time' for Variable Annuities?

by Kerry Pechter

'Boom Time' for Variable Annuities?

Thu, Oct 06, 2011

Guest speakers Fareed Zakaria (pictured) urged more fiscal stimulus for the economy while Andrew Friedman warned of looming tax hikes at the Insured Retirement Institute's conference in Boston. "Boom Time" was the conference theme this year.

The Decumulation Beat

“Income” Funds with High Price Tags

“Income” Funds with High Price Tags

Unless I’ve missed something, the three Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds, as “income funds,” seem long on promises and short on delivery—particularly in light of the costs.

News

Academics propose solution to “annuity puzzle”

Wed, Oct 26, 2011

Low sales of individual income annuities "should not be viewed as an indicator of underlying preferences but rather as a consequence of institutional factors about the availability and framing of annuity options,” Shlomo Benartzi and Richard Thaler asserted.

In Netherlands, industry-wide pension plans struggle

Wed, Oct 26, 2011

Dutch pension officials ruled out Inflation-related increases in benefits and suggested that cuts were likely.

Money trumps sports in the hearts of men, survey shows

Wed, Oct 26, 2011

A plurality of men (40%) preferred to deposit an extra $1,000 into the emergency fund instead of contributing to their retirement fund or spending it on themselves or a significant other, according to a survey by ING DIRECT USA and Men's Health magazine.

The Bucket

The Bucket

Wed, Oct 26, 2011

Brief or late-breaking items from Transamerica, JD Mellberg Financial, Allianz Life, Security Benefit and ING DIRECT USA.