Editor Test, Author at Retirement Income Journal

What’s in an advisor’s title? Still not much, says Cerulli

By Editor Test Tue, Jan 24, 2012

Many advisor practices “offer some of the basic elements of financial planning, but focus their efforts nearly exclusively on asset accumulation strategies,” Cerulli said in a release.

Published January 25, 2012

The Abandonment of an Ideal

By Editor Test Thu, Jan 19, 2012

The gulf between the reality of wealth distribution in America and our ideal wealth distribution is what the “one-percent” controversy is really about.

Published January 19, 2012

Investors more optimistic in 4Q 2011: John Hancock

By Editor Test

More than half of all investors surveyed said they expect to be in a better position financially two years from now compared with today.

Published January 19, 2012

Wirehouses are down but far from out: Cerulli

By Editor Test

Although their headcount is down and their images are tarnished, wirehouses remain the kings of investment distribution, according to a report from Cerulli Associates.

Published January 19, 2012

One in five millionaires would pay more tax

By Editor Test

But 65% just want to be left alone by the government to enjoy the wealth they’ve earned, an annual PNC survey shows.

Published January 19, 2012

Bond funds grow, stock funds shrink in 2011

By Editor Test Wed, Jan 18, 2012

Bond funds saw net inflows of $116 billion during 2011, while equity funds saw net outflows of $51 billion for the year, according to Strategic Insight.

Published January 19, 2012

Winners of PLANSPONSOR 401(k) Survey announced

By Editor Test Wed, Jan 11, 2012

Three service providers stood out in PLANSPONSOR's annual Defined Contribution Survey this year: Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Diversified Retirement Corporation, and BMO Institutional Trust Services.

Published January 11, 2012

Ohio National launches ‘Low-Vol’ VA options

By Editor Test

"Going forward, I think the only sustainable product designs will be in the context of risk-levered funds,” said Steve Murphy, FSA, a senior vice president at the Cincinnati-based mutual...

Published January 11, 2012

Lincoln Financial team will study consumer decision-making

By Editor Test

Emily Pachuta will lead the team, as head of Consumer Insights group within Lincoln’s Insurance Solutions/Retirement Solutions division.

Published January 11, 2012

Aria Retirement Solutions aims stand-alone living benefit at RIA market

By Editor Test

SALBs are back in the news. The RetireOne Transamerica solution is the first of what Aria Retirement Services CEO David Stone said will be several income solutions provided...

Published January 11, 2012

The Missing Sockdolager

By Editor Test

An article appeared yesterday under the headline, "Variable-annuity guarantees disappoint over time." I think the jury is still out on that.

Published January 11, 2012

The Missing Sockdolager

By Editor Test

An article appeared yesterday under the headline, "Variable-annuity guarantees disappoint over time." I think the jury is still out on that.

Published January 11, 2012

The ‘Safety First’ Income Planner

By Editor Test Tue, Jan 10, 2012

Maryland advisor Antoine Orr couldn’t find an income planning tool that matched his low-risk, low-debt philosophy. So he created the Plancorr Planner.

Published January 11, 2012

Uncle Sam publishes annual financial report

By Editor Test Wed, Jan 4, 2012

For those who like diving into economic statistics, even the 16-page summary of the 2011 Financial Report of the U.S. Government provides an ample pool of data.

Published January 4, 2012

Federal Reserve favors more predictability on rates

By Editor Test

But “a number of members noted their dissatisfaction with the Committee's current approach for communicating its views regarding the appropriate path for monetary policy,” said the minutes of the...

Published January 4, 2012

Could “Obamacare” encourage earlier retirement?

By Editor Test

A review of Towers Watson retirement data shows that the presence of company-subsidized health insurance for retirees encourages people to retire before age 65. Researchers wonder if elements of...

Published January 4, 2012

Consumer Reports rates 13 brokerage services

By Editor Test

A trusted source for information on a wide array of products, Consumer Reports decided to investigate online and full-service brokerage services by polling their readers and sending mystery shoppers...

Published January 4, 2012

Canada’s Annuity Issuers Protect their Turf

By Editor Test

The Bank of Montreal will halt new sales of its BMO Lifetime Cash Flow, a retirement income product that Canadian insurers said worked a bit too much like a...

Published January 4, 2012