Even a Mild Windfall, Apparently, Can Kill You
Two economists have documented an increase in fatal heart attacks, strokes and traffic accidents shortly after the receipt of money, such as monthly Social Security checks.
Forgetful Elderly Should Own Income Annuities: Harvard Study
“People don't know what to do with their money in general,” one advisor told Pensions and Investments. “It may get worse the older you get, but really this is...
Innovative Two-Stage Income Annuity Proposed
The payout from Phoenix's Retirement Income Options variable income annuity is life-contingent and variable during the "early retirement" stage, but pays a fixed income with a death benefit during...
A Few New Names on Annuity ‘Leaderboard’
Since the end of 2008, Sun Life, American Equity Investment Life and MassMutual have joined the list of the top 20 annuity sellers, while Genworth Financial, Principal Financial, and...
Despite Crisis, Total Annuity Sales Lag By Just 3%
Almost 90% of purchasers of new variable annuity contracts are electing living benefits and almost 60% are electing guaranteed lifetime income riders, despite industry-wide pull-backs in those benefits.
What I read at the beach in August, and how I almost appeared on Fox News
I finally found time to read "Boomsday," Christopher Buckley's novel about a presidential candidate who asks Baby Boomers to save Social Security by agreeing to commit suicide at age...
How America Can Cut Its Medical Bills By $1 Trillion
Americans in their early 50s have twice the hypertension, obesity, and diabetes rates as Europeans.
What Affluent Investors Want
About one-third of affluent investors make all their own retirement decisions, the Phoenix study showed.
Comment: Bernanke Paints Crisis as a ‘Classic Panic’
"Although a panic may be collectively irrational, it may be entirely rational at the individual level," said the Fed chairman.
Sun Life Launches “De-Risked” Living Benefit Riders
The rider fees are higher and age-thresholds for higher payout rates are adjusted upward.
Four New VA Filings Reported by Beacon Research
The Hartford, MetLife Investors USA, and AXA Equitable have new variable annuity contracts.
Does Employer-Based Health Care Get a Free Ride?
'If all premiums were taxed as income, you’d get quite a disruption,' said an Urban Institute analyst.
John Hancock Issues New MVA Fixed Annuity
Investors can choose either a 3-, 5-, 7-or 10-year period with a matching withdrawal charge schedule.
Will Boomers Pony Up for these Riders?
Deferred annuities have lapse rates as high as 40% to 70%, but the lapse rates of LTCI/annuity hybrids could shrink to as low as one or two percent—the rates...
Index Annuities Set Quarterly Sales Record
“Never has there been a more challenging period for those selling indexed annuities,” said Sheryl J. Moore, president and CEO of AnnuitySpecs.com.
Cerulli Report Reveals Investor Concerns
From August to December of 2008, the number of households describing themselves as conservative investors jumped to 32% from 25%.
More Large Employers to Restore 401(k) Matches
But many employees still face smaller raises, lower bonuses and higher health care costs, a Watson Wyatt analyst said.
Impaired Risk Annuities Sell Well in the U.K.
The popularity of enhanced annuities—which provide bigger payouts for those with adverse medical conditions—is likely to grow, consultants said.
IRI: Not Just NAVA by Another Name
Where NAVA might have been described as inward-looking, IRI seems to be outward-looking. Some members think that's a refreshing change.
