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Cover Stories

Where's the Scandal?

by Edward Jay Epstein

Where's the Scandal?

Tue, Sep 21, 2010

Did the New York Fed blunder when it bought the CDOs owned by big banks and insured by AIG? So far, the government hasn't done badly, says our guest author.

Making a Case for the 401(k) Annuity

by Kerry Pechter

Making a Case for the 401(k) Annuity

Tue, Sep 14, 2010

Executives from major plan providers, including Christine Marcks, president of Prudential Retirement, along with trade group officials and ERISA experts, pitched ideas about in-plan income options at DoL/Treasury Department hearings Tuesday and Wednesday.

“What Investors Really Want”

by Kerry Pechter

“What Investors Really Want”

Tue, Sep 07, 2010

That’s the name of behavioral economist Meir Statman’s new book. We all yearn for upside potential and downside protection—and maybe a weekly Lotto ticket, he says.

Imperfect Harmony

by Kerry Pechter

Imperfect Harmony

Wed, Sep 01, 2010

Hundreds of riled-up advisors and brokers, including Harold Evensky, have responded to the SEC's RFI on "harmonizing" their standards of conduct. Here's some of what they wrote.

News

Quote of the Week

Wed, Sep 22, 2010

"The Committee will maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 0.25 percent... Economic conditions, including low rates of resource utilization, subdued inflation trends, and stable inflation expectations, are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate for an extended period." -- Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

Century Bonds Illiquid: Towers Watson

Tue, Sep 21, 2010

Geert-Jan Troost, an investment consultant at Towers Watson, said that while these bonds can serve as a "great" diversifier from a liability point of view, there were a number of issues to consider.

Great Ferment on the U.K. Retirement Scene

Wed, Sep 22, 2010

Within six months of retirement, workers in the U.K. should get two half-days off for retirement income counseling, and they should be provided with three competitive annuity quotes, says a major U.K. third-party administrator.

Become Your Future You, TIAA-CREF Ad Campaign Urges

Wed, Sep 22, 2010

Besides ad spots in every media, the campaign will feature videos that demystify such challenges as how to pursue your passions and still save, how not to run out of money, and how to make savings 'work harder.'

Lincoln Financial Group Acquires Treasury Warrants

Wed, Sep 22, 2010

The company paid $16.60 per warrant at an auction held by the Treasury. The warrants have an exercise price of $10.92 and expire on July 10, 2019. The transaction is expected to close today, September 22, 2010.

The Bucket

Wed, Sep 22, 2010

Late-breaking items on AIG, Prudential, New York Life, Symetra Life, FRC, Blue Frog and more...