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
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
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.
LPL announces adaptations to impending DOL fiduciary rule
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
“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
LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute and Wink Inc. offer differing views on the way indexed annuity sales will be affected by the impending DOL fiduciary rule.
Shift to index funds reduces average equity fund expenses: ICI
Weighted by assets, average equity fund expense ratios fell for sixth consecutive year in 2015, by two basis points to 68 basis points, according to the Investment Company Institute....
Honorable Mention
Brief or late-breaking items from MassMutual, Voya, 401k Averages Book, Nationwide, PSCA, Conning and Morningstar.
Americans like Robo-Advice: Survey by Capital One Investing
The survey also showed that Americans would rather lose weight or travel than save for retirement.
New business for Prudential Retirement
Prudential's three new plan sponsors—CCC Group, AccentCare, Inc., and LJT & Associates, Inc.—have combined plan assets of $66 million and about 18,000 participants.
Jackson National posts record pre-tax operating income
The indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the United Kingdom’s Prudential plc reported sales and deposits of $27.9 billion in 2015.
