Fed to keep rates very low through mid-2013
In an apparent bid to calm equity investors, the Federal Reserve announced that it won't raise its benchmark interest rate until the middle of 2013, at the earliest.
They Know Not What They Do
The equity sell-off and rush to Treasuries didn't happen because Congress failed to cut the deficit or the debt aggressively enough. In my humble opinion, it happened for the...
Happy Ants, Struggling Grasshoppers
SunAmerica's 'Retirement Re-Set' study showed why some retirees are happier than others. Jana Greer, president and CEO of SunAmerica Retirement Markets, explains. The company was the sixth biggest VA-seller...
Going with the regulatory flow
In announcing new fund offerings for DC plans, Securian and BlackRock noted that they're trying to meet plan sponsor demand for greater fiduciary responsibility and lower investment costs.
Dennis Hopper was right, Hearts & Wallets survey finds
“The financial services industry needs to start executing on the reality that many investors don’t plan to retire,” said Laura Varas, Hearts & Wallets principal.
A New Arm for a New VA Arms Race
AllianceBernstein's DAA fund, which aims for 60/40 performance without the tails, has been adopted as a risk-reduced investment option in AXA, MetLife, Ohio National, Sun Life, and Transamerica variable...
For DoL’s fiduciary campaign, an unsympathetic hearing
During the July 26 hearing on the DoL plan, Phil Roe (R-TN), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions described the department’s proposal to strengthen...
A Modest Proposal
Americans used to help their government by buying government bonds. I think we can solve our current debt problem by tearing up our government bonds!
Raymond James launches the RightBRIDGE Annuity Wizard
The new tool, developed with CapitalRock, gathers key information from clients about their income, liquidity, time horizon, risk tolerance, expenses, and guarantees, and finds the appropriate variable annuity.
Boomers are redefining the word “grandparent”
The average age of new grandmothers is 50 and the average age of new grandfathers is 54. Grandmothers outnumber grandfathers by a ratio of 5:4.
Allianz Life’s new FIA features rising withdrawal percentage
Starting as early as age 40, the lifetime payout percentage increases by 35 basis points for every year the client delays income. There's also a 50% bonus on the...
Policy analyst critiques debt ceiling agreement
Here’s an edited version of an analysis of the new agreement on deficit and debt reduction by Robert Greenstein, president of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
The Extinction of Retirement
For many Americans, the traditional idea of a comfortable retirement, filled with golf carts, cruises, and fishing trips, is going the way of the dodo bird.
A Memo to Congress about Money
The donnybrook in Congress over debt and deficits stemmed partly from a mistaken belief that the government is like a player in a card game when it's actually more...
A New Arm for a New VA Arms Race
AllianceBernstein's DAA fund, which aims for 60/40 performance without the tails, has been adopted as a risk-reduced investment option in AXA, MetLife, Ohio National, Sun Life, and Transamerica variable...
Italy: The good, the bad, and the pension policy
Many Americans yearn to vacation in romantic Italy, But, as this essay from IPE.com explains, Italians yearn for a less stagnant economy, cleaner politics, more jobs and a pension...
‘Fee compression’ will alter retirement landscape, study finds
Facing a need for “ongoing holistic service from a third party,” the report said, many plan sponsors will seek a professional retirement plan advisor who earns a fee or...
Canada, far smaller than the U.S., has smaller age-related economic challenges
Our neighbor to the north spends only 10% of its GDP on health care, compared to 16% in the U.S., and its hospitality towards immigrants should help ease labor...
A Pair of VA Contenders
Big deferral bonuses and safer investment options characterize the income riders of Nationwide and Sun Life, both of which aim to be among the leading sellers of VAs.
More Generous VA Benefits On the Way: Morningstar
In his regular quarterly update, the product manager of Morningstar’s Annuity Solutions reviews second-quarter VA manufacturer activity and looks ahead.
