Integrity Life enhances Indextra FIAs
Sales of the Indextra series exceeded $1.5 billion as of November 30, 2017, according to the release. Launched Sept. 29, 2014, Indextra had strongest first-year sales in W&S Financial...
Over one-third of U.S. households own IRAs: ICI
Among the 9.1 million households that took withdrawals from IRAs for tax year 2016, 71% used the RMD rule to calculate them. About two-thirds asked a financial adviser to...
Researchers weigh impact of various Social Security solvency cures
A two-year increase in the age for receiving full Social Security benefits (to age 69) would reduce annual consumption in retirement by 5.6% for low-income, 4% for middle-income, and...
AIG launches New York’s first fixed annuity with GLWB
To satisfy New York regulators, AIG had to design the product's guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit rider somewhat differently from versions offered in other states.
Vanguard and BlackRock/iShares dominate October fund flows
'Taxable bond' remained the leading category group in October with $39.1 billion in flows overall, followed by 'International equity,' whose flows more than doubled to $22.2 billion from $9.8...
DB-DC hybrid idea resurfaces in UK; launches in Germany on January 1
The British government is looking anew at a hybrid defined contribution plan design that would give participants a non-guaranteed variable income (with or without smoothing) in retirement.
Fixed annuity sales dipped sharply in 3Q2017
'Despite the unfavorable market conditions for annuity sales, I still anticipate that fourth quarter will be strong,' said Sheryl J. Moore of Wink, Inc., which tracks fixed annuity sales....
How to succeed in the DC investment-only market
Five firms 'are carving out a distinct advantage within the target date funds and retirement income categories,' said Sonia Sharigian, author of a new Cogents Report, Retirement Plan Advisor...
As Bitcoin price soars, TOBAM launches the first Bitcoin mutual fund
The market value of a single Bitcoin rose more than 1,000% in dollar terms in the past 12 months, to $8,263 from $748, according to Coindesk.
ICI releases first-half 2017 participant behavior data
Only 1.6% of DC plan participants stopped contributing during the first half of 2017, according to a new report from the Investment Company Institute.
eMoney Advisor adds integration partners
The Fidelity-owned advisory software firm announced new integrations with Charles Schwab, Envestnet and Box.
Are 401(k) providers ‘applying’ to top universities?
There has been a decline of 403(b) plans offered by higher education institutions and an upswing in the popularity of 401(k) plans, according to a survey by Transamerica, which...
A third of lower-income participants don’t ‘strike their match’
Only 67% of those earning $35,000 to $45,000 a year contributed enough to their 401(k) plans to get their employer's entire match, while 90% of those earning $75,000 or...
New crediting strategy for Allianz Life indexed VA
When the annual change in the index value is zero or positive, the client will receive the entire annual credit of the 'Precision Rate,' Allianz Life said.
Betterment to offer direct online charitable giving
Clients decide how much to donate and Betterment will fund the gift with the most appreciated shares in their portfolio, according to a Betterment release.
It’s official: Jackson National VA will feature Vanguard fund options
On September 25, 10 new Vanguard funds became available as investment options across Jackson’s product offerings. The launch was first by RIJ in the October 12, 2017 issue.
