Editorial Staff, Author at Retirement Income Journal

Published November 17, 2016

New York Life pays dividend on deferred income annuity, Capital One Financial drops IRA commissioned sales, and Voya Financial Advisors touts its technology-led growth.

Federal judge rejects NAFA’s suit against DOL

By Editorial Staff Thu, Nov 10, 2016

'NAFA’s own declarations leave little doubt that those engaged in the annuities business do not simply dispense products but, rather, provide individualized investment advice,' wrote U.S. District judge Randolph...

Published November 10, 2016

AUM of 500 top asset managers edges down, to $76.7 trillion

Published November 10, 2016

Some of the main gainers by rank in the top 50 during the past five years include Aegon Group, New York Life Investments, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust...

17 life-annuity issuers meet Conning’s ‘multi-year success criteria’

Published November 10, 2016

'Of those successful companies, thirteen also met the criteria in last year's analysis, which is a significant accomplishment in this challenging environment for new sales and low interest rates,"...

Life insurers ‘out of levers’ to fight low rates: Conning

By Editorial Staff Thu, Nov 3, 2016

'The shift to BBB-rated bonds has performed well over 2011 to 2015; yet the question remains as to how long that performance can continue,' said Conning insurance research chief...

Cambridge advisors will use the BIC, accept “levelized” commissions

Like Raymond James and Morgan Stanley—but unlike Merrill Lynch—Cambridge will let commission-based advisors serve retirement clients.

Advisors: Your next prospect could be a “mystery shopper”

A unit of Fidelity Investments has engaged real investors—not actors—to pose as typical prospects, interact with financial advisors, and then report their levels of satisfaction with the sales process...

A new robo-advice solution from TD Ameritrade

'Essential Portfolios' costs 30 basis points (0.3%) per year. Each of the five model portfolios consists of non-proprietary ETFs and cash with weighted average expense ratios of 0.06% to...

Strategic Insight buys BrightScope

The acquisition of BrightScope, founded in 2008 by Ryan and Mike Alfred, follows Strategic Insight’s recent acquisition of Market Metrics and Matrix Solutions.

FAQs (and Answers) from DOL

By Editorial Staff Fri, Oct 28, 2016

The DOL said 'No' to the question: Can advisors rely on the 'streamlined' version of the Best Interest Contract Exemption if the products they recommend to IRA owners...

Rolling Stone Jackson Ad JPG 850

By Editorial Staff Thu, Oct 27, 2016

Rolling Stone Jackson Ad JPG

Rolling Stone Jackson Ad

Eleven firms, and their new DOL-related policies

A quick review of changes at LPL, Great American Life, Edward Jones, Nationwide, State Farm, Jackson National Life, Merrill Lynch, Commonwealth Financial, Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise in response to...

Investors not applauding Genworth sale to China Oceanwide

Shareholders, who have been stewing for months over Genworth’s debt load, reacted to the acquisition by selling Genworth stock. The share price fell almost 4%, to $4.26, in early...

High stock valuations reduce insider-buying, buybacks: TrimTabs

'The best-informed market participants seem unenthusiastic about U.S. stocks at current prices,' said David Santschi, CEO at TrimTabs Investment Research.

TIAA survey shows popularity of closed-end funds

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of advisors recommend increasing closed-end fund allocation at retirement to diversify income, according to new research by Nuveen, a unit of TIAA Global Asset Management.

Could your job vanish after November 8? Here’s a remedy

By Editorial Staff Fri, Oct 21, 2016

'IncomeAssure covers salaries up to $250,000 a year. It allows policyholders to maintain their current lifestyle and pay their bills while unemployed, regardless of which candidate wins the election,'...

Passive equity funds still gaining assets: Morningstar

U.S. equity attracted steady flows on the passive side, with an estimated inflow of $19.3 billion in September, up from August's $16.4 billion.