Some investors ‘bet the farm’
Most respondents overestimate the probability of rare events, and underestimate the likelihood of more certain, but lower-value, payouts, according to a new paper from the National Bureau of Economic...
Are fewer people seeking financial advice?
'After an extended period of good economic news—and right before recessions—people tend to believe that they do not need financial advice,' according to this brief from MacroMonitor, a publication...
Jackson joins Envestnet Insurance Exchange
Envestnet will be offering a service called Guidance Desk that will allow unlicensed RIAs access to the consulting and fiduciary services that would enable them to use the Insurance...
Which annuities pay the most income? Cannex has a clue.
'Our study reveals a complex story—the highest guaranteed income product varies significantly by client and when income begins,' said Tamiko Toland, head of Annuity Research at Cannex.
New robo-advice platform launches in Britain
Wealthsimple, which offers clients free access to human advice, is backed by Power Financial Corporation, the parent of Great-West Financial, Empower Retirement and Putnam Investments.
Master trusts face tighter regulation in the UK
Britain's experience with 'master trusts' could help inform US policymakers who are on the brink of allowing plan providers to set up similar types of plans in this country....
TIAA VA joins RetireOne annuity platform for RIAs
TIAA Life will also add its no-load fixed annuity, which has 10 guarantee period options, and a no-load single premium immediate annuity, to the RetireOne platform.
Society of Actuaries posts resources for actuaries, retirement planners
More highlights and research sessions from the Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program will be introduced at the SoA Annual Meeting in Nashville, October 14-17, 2018.
Fed increases benchmark interest rate to between 2% and 2.25%
The Fed’s decision, announced after a two-day meeting of its Federal Open Market Committee, which sets monetary policy, represents the eighth time that the Fed has raised interest rates...
Ten most popular ‘former’ 401(k) providers
Nearly half (46%) of former plan participants did not take any action with regard to rollover options in 2017 and 43% intend to leave their assets in-plan this year,...
Transparency, low-cost will guarantee a market for clean-shares: Cerulli
Despite the death of the DoL Conflict of Interest Rule and lack of clarity around the inclusion of sub-transfer agent (sub-TA) fees, clean-share mutual funds will likely have a...
People who think annuities are ‘fair’ are more likely to buy one
People who worry about becoming a burden on family and people who are relatively less loss-averse are also more open to the idea of buying annuities, a study by...
New FIA bets on growth in aging-related industries (Duh!)
The Retirement Plus Multiplier Annuity issued by A-CAP insurers and distributor Saybrus Partners offer access to a Goldman-Sachs index that tracks healthcare and real estate companies that may benefit...
CFP quarterly debuts with article on managing longevity risk
"The Financial Planning Review will publish research that builds the financial planning body of knowledge," said Marilyn Mohrman-Gillis, executive director, CFP Board Center for Financial Planning.
Playing the ‘Newlywed Game’ with near-retirement couples
Couples on the brink of retirement often have different ideas about retirement but not know it, according to a new research paper from academics in Canada and the Netherlands....
New Fidelity TDFs are funds of active and passive funds
'We are introducing the Freedom Blend funds to meet the growing demand for a target-date strategy that incorporates active and passive investment capabilities in a single mutual fund,” said...
MassMutual stakes out thought-leadership in pension risk transfer services
Single premium PRT product sales in the United States were $23.9 billion in 2017, up from $13.7 billion in 2016, a 68% increase, a new MassMutual white paper said,...
Honorable Mention
Shlomo Benartzi to partner with Acorns, a financial wellness system; AIG acquires Glatfelter Insurance Group; Principal adds chat function for plan administrators and bolsters financial wellness offerings in its...
Fidelity Launches Two More Zero-Expense Funds
Fidelity now offers four zero expense ratio index funds: Zero Large-Cap Index, Zero Extended Market Index, Zero Total Market Index and Zero Total International Index funds.
Lincoln Financial to distribute new indexed annuity through Market Synergy Group
Lincoln's new Retirement Safeguard FIA features built-in lifetime income, including a benefit multiplier while saving for retirement, an option for increasing income in retirement, and an enhanced death benefit.
