New whitepaper attacks DOL conflict-of-interest proposal
“If the rule is enacted as written,” write Jack Marrion and Kim O'Brien, “it will cause a severe disruption for many securities brokers and dealers but will be devastating...
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from Cetera, Broadridge, kasina (DST), New York Life and John Hancock, Prudential Financial, Wells Fargo, Raymond James, LPL Financial and Dutch pension funds.
OneAmerica buys BMO’s U.S. retirement business
According to NAPAnet, OneAmerica serves more than 11,000 plans in the mid-sized market and has over $30 billion in retirement assets under administration.
John Hancock and LPL in participant advice pact
Launched by LPL in 2014, the Employee Advice Solution tool can deliver personalized participant advice through an online service that collects financial information about a participant.
Bank of International Settlements expresses doubts about low rates
"Unless the underlying problems are addressed head-on, short-term gain may be purchased at the price of long-term pain," warn the authors of the bank's 85th annual report on the...
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from Cerulli, Broadridge, Cogent Research, Transamerica, Willis Towers Watson, and Prudential Annuities.
Public comments on DOL are now available; hearing to start August 10
A portion of the hearing will focus on the Department’s Regulatory Impact Analysis, which addresses the potential or anticipated economic effects of the proposal, and the relative merits of...
“MACS” are poised to lead an active-management comeback: Citi
Sales of bespoke funds will rebound on the wings of new three-pronged “dynamically managed multi-asset class solutions” (MACS), according to Citi’s just published 6th Annual Industry Evolution Survey.
SEC and FINRA publish study of sales to seniors at BDs
With respect to variable annuities, the SEC and FINRA said they found evidence of potentially unsuitable sales to seniors at 34% of the 44 broker-dealers they examined.
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from T. Rowe Price, PIMCO Germany, Charles Schwab, AllianceBernstein, the Retirement Income Industry Association and Fidelity.
Swiss Re’s solution for the macro-economy: Infrastructure
The global reinsurer points out that support for asset prices doesn't produce real growth, and that an aging population doesn't bode well for growth, but that developing a liquid...
For those born from 1941-50, old age really is golden: NYT
Some of the 25 million people born between 1941 and 1950—'war babies' and early Boomers—find themselves in a sweet spot, enjoying DB pensions and DC savings, dual incomes, appreciated...
Cerulli: Institutions are switching to strategic beta ETFs
A new report, "Exchange-Traded Fund Markets 2015: Opportunities in the Face of Changing Dynamics," finds that firms have different approaches to strategic beta.
Cognitive assessment tool receives FDA approval
The new tool, called Cognivue, involves a 10-minute test. The person being tested only needs to grasp the “response device,” a kind of joystick called a manipulandum.
MassMutual offers handy Social Security quiz
MassMutual found that only 28% of those surveyed received a passing grade when asked basic questions about Social Security retirement benefits.
NJ Supreme Court sides with Gov. Christie on pension issues
Last year, Gov. Christie cut $1.6 billion from the state's fiscal 2015 public pension contribution, claiming that the state could not afford it.
How Vanguard participants save
Vanguard has released its annual almanac on the savings habits of participants in its retirement plans. You can read highlights from "How America Saves 2015" and link to a...
Ruark reports “good news” on FIA policyholder behavior
AIG Life & Retirement, Allianz, American Equity, Athene, EquiTrust, Forethought, Midland National, Nationwide, OneAmerica, Pacific Life, Phoenix, and Security Benefit participated in Ruark Consulting's study of surrender and partial...
Wood you, could you, be my alternative investment?
TIAA-CREF, which announced the close of a new timberland investment vehicle, has been investing in timberland since 1998 and manages a portfolio of over $2 billion in timber assets...
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from Market Strategies International (Cogent Reports), MassMutual and Voya Financial.
