Retirement paychecks are popular; Annuities, not so much
While 49% of respondents would be willing to commit a portion of their savings to a product that would provide them a monthly income, like an annuity, only 34%...
Twin bills could help small-plan formation
In the Senate, the sponsors were Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). In the House, the sponsors were Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Ron Kind (D-WI).
New report ponders leakage from 401(k) plans
The ERISA Advisory Council, reporting on testimony it heard last August, recommends the creation by the Dept of Labor of sample forms that will promote the transfer of 401(k)...
Annual 401(k) contributions to reach $500 billion by 2019: Cerulli
"Our projections indicate that, by the end of the decade, total private DC assets will approach $6.5 trillion, the majority of which will be in 401(k) plans," said Jessica...
German DC plans may ‘go Dutch’
With companies trying to molt their pension obligations, Germany is thinking about allowing whole industries to set up collecitvely-managed, Dutch-style defined contribution plans, but with guarantees backed by a...
New issue of The Journal of Retirement published
The Winter edition of the journal includes articles by experts previously cited or quoted in RIJ, including Anna Rappaport, Jodi Strakosch, Sylvester Schieber, and editor Sandy Mackenzie, plus several...
O’Brien retires; NAFA looks for new chief
A spokesman for the National Association of Fixed Annuities said it was coincidental that Kim O'Brien's retirement became effective the day that her letter requesting qualified longevity annuity status...
S&P Ratings to pay $77 million to settle SEC and state violations
Long after the financial crisis brought serious ethical lapses at ratings agencies to light, S&P Ratings evidently continued to violate SEC regulations.
End of forced annuitization creates product vacuum in UK
While some in the U.S. try to put annuities into defined contribution plans, Britain is slowly adapting to the removal of forced annuitization from its DC rules.
Pershing to roll out enhanced DC platform for plan distributors
Currently at about $6.6 trillion, DC assets are expected to increase by five to six percent per year through 2019, Pershing said. Rollover IRA assets are expected to exceed...
In one lifetime, median U.S. age will jump from 28 years to 42
The American Academy of Actuaries cited that prediction in its appeal to the president and the Congress to focus on solutions to problems related to the greying of the...
MetLife sues FSOC over “SIFI” designation
MetLife has long argued that the SIFI restrictions are designed for banks, and not insurance companies, because their risks are fundamentally different from banks, and because insurers are already...
GAO recommends changes to “automatic rollover” practices
In its research, GAO reviewed policies regarding forced transfers of inactive accounts in six countries policies in six countries, including the U.K., Australia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium....
Independent advisors will manage more than wirehouses by 2019: Cerulli
“More than two-thirds of advisors indicate they would prefer the independent broker/dealer, registered investment advisor, or dually registered models if they decided to leave their current firms,” said...
Another longevity reinsurance deal for Prudential Retirement
The transaction marks Prudential Retirement’s fifth longevity reinsurance deal since 2011 with Rothesay Life and the second in the past six months, according to a release.
Security Benefit adds high-dividend stock index to fixed indexed annuity
The Index also aims for a targeted volatility rate of 6%—about half the S&P500’s historical volatility—through actively adjusted cash exposure.
A 100-150 bps rise in rates would help life insurers: Fitch
Conversely, if interest rates decline to levels seen in 2012 and stay there much beyond 2015, Fitch would likely change the outlook for life insurers to negative, the ratings...
Year-end shift into ETFs is a ‘contrary indicator’: TrimTabs
U.S. equity exchange-traded funds recorded a record inflow of $45.4 billion in December and $90.1 billion in fourth quarter 2014, the investment research firm said in a release.
U.S. seeks public comment on asset management risks
The Financial Security Oversight Council has decided to undertake a "more focused analysis of industry-wide products and activities to assess potential risks associated with the asset management industry."
Gene Steuerle wins TIAA-CREF’s Samuelson Award
The Urban Institute economist won the 19th annual award for his book, 'Dead Men Ruling: How to Restore Fiscal Freedom and Rescue our Future,' which RIJ reviewed last summer....
