Vanguard Launches New Index ETFs
With the expansion, Vanguard offers 55 ETFs, including eight new equity funds as well as ETFs targeting the growth and value segments of the S&P 500 Index and multiple...
The Six Emotional Stages of Retirement
New retirees and people who are three to five years from retirement bear the emotional brunt of the financial crisis, according to Ameriprise Financial's New Retirement Mindscape II survey.
9 in 10 VAs Sold With Living Benefits
For the third consecutive quarter, GLBs were elected 87% of the time when any GLB is available for purchase. The guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB) election rate remained at...
Banks Selling More VAs, Mutual Funds
Bank variable annuity revenue was 16% higher during the first half of 2010 than during the first half of 2009, according to Kehrer-LIMRA
Expect Three New Regs by Year-End
“This fall promises to be interesting,” said Los Angeles ERISA attorney Fred Reish.
Quote of the Week
“The automatic annuitization of retirement balances could help workers achieve a steady stream of income that is guaranteed for life,” from The Report on Tax Reform Options,
August 2010,...
Jefferson National Offers DFA Funds
Jefferson National’s Monument Advisor VA contract offers more than 250 investment options, or five times the number offered by most VAs, the company said.
SIFMA Urges Uniform Standard for Advisors, Brokers
Broker-dealers and investment advisers should appropriately manage conflict of interest by providing individual investors with full disclosure that is simple and clear and allows them to make informed investment...
Fitch Deems Life Insurers “Stable”
Fitch expects the industry's large in-force variable annuity business to hurt profitability over the near term, however, and could damage industry earnings and capital in an unexpected, but still...
By Another Name, Annuities Would Smell Sweeter
Some 80% of 3,200 people surveyed preferred a product with four percent return and a principal guarantee over a product with an 8% return subject to market risk. But...
Vanguard and Hueler Partner to Provide Low-Cost Income Annuities
The announcement comes a week ahead of Department of Labor hearings on in-plan income options, which themselves mark a new phase of competition for rollover dollars.
The Big Red Stag’s Mistake
In ordinary times, The Hartford's letter-gate problem might vanish quickly. But investors are nervous, a big election is coming up, and the reputation of the financial services industry is...
Meet Meir Statman
Click on the headline to watch a four-minute video of Meir Statman discussing his new book "What Investors Really Want," or to read several brief excerpts from the book...
Quote of the Week
“If we want to study whether a ‘fiduciary duty’ is better for consumers, then we should also study if grass is green, if water is wet, and if deserts...
Response to Last Week’s FIA Article
FIA issuers face the "discipline of the market" when resetting their crediting formulas each year, writes David Babbel of the Wharton School.
Britain’s Annuity Muddle
Surprisingly few retirees use the ‘open market option,’ which allows them to transfer their money at retirement from the asset management company where they accumulated their savings to another...
Record Sales for Indexed, Income Annuities in 2Q: Beacon
The top sellers of fixed annuities were New York Life, Allianz Life, Aviva USA, Western National Life (AIG), and American Equity Investment Life.
All-Star Cast Expected for DoL Hearing on In-Plan Income
The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. (EST) on September 14 and 15, 2010 in the Labor Department’s main auditorium, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW in Washington, D.C.
ING Launches Newest Phase of its ‘Numbers’ Campaign
The ad will air on major broadcast and cable outlets during coverage of professional Grand Slam tennis in the U.S.
The Hartford Aims for Bigger Share of Mid-Sized DB, DC Market
In September, The Hartford is launching a series of forums for advisors that will unveil new research on retirement plan sponsors’ and participants’ evolving needs, and new approaches in...
