Don’t Subsidize ‘Middle-Age Retirement’
The author argues that his fellow liberals shouldn’t oppose an increase in the minimum age for claiming Social Security.
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Stocks Due for an Upturn, says CRR
Even if GDP growth remains low, corporations can use stock repurchases to boost the growth of their stock prices to match past rates of appreciation, say researchers at the...
In 2010, VA Industry Thrived and Consolidated
Of $136.6 billion in total sales, $21.5 billion represented new cash flow, up from $17 billion in 2009. But the net cash flow was the third lowest in 12...
Government-Sponsored Annuity Proposed
Investing in Treasury bonds to fund a retirement annuity would make individual Americans and the nation more financially secure, claim academics Terrance Odean (above) and Henry T.C. Hu.
Pension Debate Roils Japan
In January, the ruling party suggested that the public pension should be funded with payroll deductions, and that there should be a taxpayer-funded guaranteed minimum benefit of ¥70,000 ($860)...
Transamerica Launches New VA Income Rider
Under certain conditions, the rider can offer a step-up and a roll-up during the first 10 years, providing "growth on growth" potential.
Will New Retirees Rush to Spend Their Savings?
A study by MIT's James Poterba (left) and others shows that current retirees tend to hoard 401(k) and traditional IRA assets, along with home equity, against possible future emergencies.
A Q&A about GuidedSpending 2.0
In an e-mail, GuidedChoice CEO Sherrie Grabot and CIO Ming Wang answered a few of RIJ’s questions about their income planning tool for plan participants.
Paradise Regained
A return to long-term interest rates of 5% to 6% will hurt Wall Street and McMansion owners in the short-run but help most Americans in the long run, says...
Video: How Edward Jones Simplifies Annuities
Tim Burke, principal, Insurance Solutions, at Edward Jones, explains how switching exclusively to a new "O" share VA contract will make the annuity sale easier. Recorded at IRI Marketing...
Video: How John Hancock Simplifies Annuities
Tom Mullen, vice president of marketing, John Hancock Annuities, explains that his firm's simple VA contract fell flat, but that other efforts at simplification have worked. Recorded at IRI...
A Closer Look at “Income+”
Financial Engines CIO Chris Jones answers questions about his firm’s new in-plan income program.
SEC Staff Recommends Uniform Fiduciary Standard
All those who give “personalized investment advice about securities to retail customers” should put the clients' interest above their own, the SEC staff recommends.
The New Madoff Windfall
Our occasional columnist explains why hedge funds are scooping up discounted claims against jailed Ponzi artist Bernard Madoff.
The Latest on TDFs (from Vanguard, ASPPA, SPARK, et al)
The DoL's January 14 deadline for comments on proposed new rules for target-date fund disclosures has produced a flurry of research, recommendations and opinion about TDFs.
BMO Offers Non-Insured Lifetime Income Product
The Bank of Montreal's Lifetime Cash Flow product pays out 6% of principal per year for life after a 10-year deferral period. After-tax principal is paid out tax-free for...
Are Direct-Sold Funds a Better Value?
New research argues that broker-sold mutual funds—both active and passive—tend to generate lower returns at higher costs than direct-sold mutual funds.
2010: A Truth Odyssey
Each January, Ron Surz, president of PPCA Inc. and Target Date Solutions of San Clemente, California, unveils his proprietary interpretation of the prior year's market performance. We've publish a...
Four Drawdown Methods Compared
In his new book on the decline of defined benefit pensions, George "Sandy" Mackenzie also compares four non-insured retirement income strategies and chooses the best of a flawed lot.
A Roundup of Crisis-Related Research
Here are summaries of some of the newest work published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
