Editorial Staff, Author at Retirement Income Journal

Published April 15, 2016

Brief or late-breaking items from Millennium Trust, AARP, The American College, Allianz Life and the Teamsters Union.

Record sales of indexed annuities brighten otherwise flat 2015

By Editorial Staff Thu, Apr 7, 2016

Fixed indexed annuity sales hit a new high of $16.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015, up 11.9% from $14.4 billion in the prior quarter and up...

Fiduciary rule may be long-run “negative” for life insurers: Fitch

The new regulations could have a "negative impact on the sale of certain annuity products, drive changes in product offerings, distribution strategies and compensation structures and lead to increased...

LIMRA LOMA launches fiduciary rule help center

'We will host several events, where industry leaders tasked with implementation can share their ideas and perspectives on the challenges created by the DOL fiduciary rule," said a release...

With DOL in mind, Insurance wholesaler starts an RIA

'With the pending DOL rule, we feel that Sawtooth is helping us to be uniquely positioned to help our advisors satisfy the requirements of the new rule,” said...

Lincoln adds new death benefit to VA as tax buffer

The "Earnings Optimizer" will cost 40 basis points per year for contracts owners or annuitant under age 70. The cost will be 70 basis points per year for those...

Ruark shares results of FIA behavior study

By Editorial Staff Thu, Mar 31, 2016

In contrast to variable annuities, the FIA experience does not show clear sensitivity to the relative value or “moneyness” of GLWB riders, Ruark found after studying eight years of...

Security Benefit offers floating-rate fixed deferred annuity

Contract owners receive a guaranteed base rate of interest that is set for the contract’s guarantee period, plus the 3-month ICE LIBOR USD Rate (subject to a cap), which...

Another robo—the “Robin Hood of fees”—takes aim at fund fees

"FeeX" shows visitors the differences between the fund fees they are paying and funds that offer similar investments but lower fees--then helps visitors into a rollover IRA at Betterment,...

MetLife isn’t a SIFI, federal judge rules

Judge Rosemary Collyer's opinion was sealed, but parts may be made public next month.

Half-a-point rise in benchmark rates now expected in 2016

“I consider it appropriate for the committee to proceed cautiously in adjusting policy,” Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen said at the Economic Club of New York this week.

Where you work determines your retirement: EBRI

By Editorial Staff Thu, Mar 24, 2016

The percentage of workers who describe themselves as “very confident” about having enough money for a comfortable retirement leveled off at 21% this year, after rising to 22% in...

Six ways to ease the global pension crisis: Citigroup

"Private pension assets are forecast to grow $5-$11 trillion over the next 10-30 years and strong growth is forecast in insurance pension buy-outs, private pension schemes, and asset and...

Senior home equity estimated at $5.83 trillion: NRMLA

The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI) rose to a record 203 in Q4 2015 from 198.53 in Q3, the association said this week.

Mutual fund and ETF flows sharply lower in 2015: Morningstar

The U.S. fund industry had new asset flows of $263 billion, or less than half of the $580 billion in 2014. Asia showed the strongest organic growth rate, at...

Honorable Mention

Brief or late-breaking items from Prudential, the CFP Board, Fidelity and TIAA.

Published March 17, 2016

LPL announces adaptations to impending DOL fiduciary rule

By Editorial Staff Thu, Mar 17, 2016

We are 'making changes to our platform and capabilities that we believe will help advisors grow their practices and support more investors in need of financial advice," said LPL's...

Lower annuity prices will likely follow DOL fiduciary rule: Cerulli

Published March 17, 2016

“There will be unexpected changes to the retirement and wealth management industries, and, to a degree, this cultural evolution is what the proposed rule is hoping to effect,” a...

With 14.5% market share, Allianz Life led FIA sellers in 2015