New indexed annuity from Phoenix addresses three retirement risks
“Standalone products focused solely on income guarantees, life insurance or chronic care can be expensive or go unused,” Phoenix said in a release.
Securian unveils VA living benefit with 6% rollup
The investment options include TOPS Protected ETF Portfolios, which use a short equity index futures strategy designed by Milliman to reduce volatility.
Retirement income will be “the biggest trend”: MetLife
Ten of 12 recordkeepers surveyed and one in three plan sponsors predict an increasing focus on retirement income for the next three-to-five years, according to the MetLife Retirement Income...
Thrivent Financial to consider non-Lutheran customers
CEO Brad Hewitt said the company hasn’t decided whether it would need to change its name if it changed its customer base. "We haven't figured that out yet," he...
MetLife files for GMIB Max IV rider
Under the latest version of GMIB Max, contract owners who take withdrawals before the fifth contract anniversary are locked into a maximum 4.5% per year withdrawal rate. If they...
MetLife files for GMIB Max IV rider
Under the latest version of GMIB Max, contract owners who take withdrawals before the fifth contract anniversary are locked into a maximum 4.5% per year withdrawal rate. If they...
Hiding in Plain Sight
Balkanization, conflicted corporate governance, and failed public-private hybrids are three prevalent structural problems that defy solutions.
Prudential Files “2.0” Version of Highest Daily VA Rider
In the newest version of Prudential's Highest Daily lifetime income rider, the former M&E charge is split into an temporary premium-based fee to recover acquistion costs and a smaller,...
Plan Sponsors Awaken to Leadership Role
The newest Retirement Planscape report from Cogent Research indicates that sponsors of retirement plans of all sizes are becoming more assertive in making sure their participants will be financially...
A Fish Tale, and ‘The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel’
On a trip out west, I tried my luck at fly-fishing (again) and watched "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." It's all about the retirement financing crisis, British edition.
Public/private pension concept gains foothold in California
The California Senate is considering a bill that would open the state's pension to small-business employees who don't have access to an employer-sponsored plan.
Separately managed account inflows rebound in 2012: TrimTabs
“Separate accounts investing in bonds and foreign equities attracted $59 billion and $16 billion, respectively, in the first quarter. In contrast, $48.5 billion flowed out of U.S. equity separate...
You have a 10-year window to trek in the Andes
“Although life expectancy is increasing, healthy life expectancy is flat-lining,” said Vince Smith-Hughes, a retirement expert at Prudential plc.
Sun Life ‘nets’ Celtics branding rights
Sun Life’s brand will be featured throughout the Courtside Club, including entry and directional signage, as well as on staff uniforms and courtside tickets and passes required for club...
Financial / Retirement Planning Software Directory
See the detail on financial planning software including vendors, scopes, costs, and contacts.
“Quote” of the Week
“Some people may feel like they’re pushing mud up hill,” said Karen Wimbish, director of Retail Retirement at Wells Fargo, in describing Americans who are trying to save in...
DTCC issues first-quarter annuity 2012 sales data
In the first quarter of 2012, DTCC's Insurance & Retirement Services division processed 12 million annuity transactions involving almost 3,000 different products worth over $38 billion for 106 insurance...
AnnuitySpecs.com releases 1Q 2012 indexed annuity sales
“No other lifetime income product is as strategically-positioned to thrive in this low-interest rate environment" as an indexed annuity, said AnnuitySpecs.com president and CEO Sheryl Moore.
Basel III could lower big banks’ ROE by 20%: Fitch
For financial institutions, Basel III creates a tradeoff between declining ROE, which might reduce their ability to attract capital, versus stronger capitalization and lower risk premiums, which benefits investors,...
Older minds don’t necessarily think alike: Hearts & Wallets
The term “income annuities” doesn’t hold the same negative connotations as “annuities” for older investors, according to a new research report from Hingham, Mass.-based consulting firm Hearts & Wallets.
