Research Roundup

We summarize four recent papers: 'Portfolios for Long-Term Investors,' 'What is the Value of Annuities?,' 'Public Economics and Inequality: Uncovering Our Social Nature,' and 'Financial and Total Wealth Inequality with Low Interest Rates.'

The Fallen Angels of ‘Nomadland’

By Kerry Pechter
Many elderly poor in America have always been poor. But the elderly poor in 'Nomadland' seem relatively new to the game. We compare the people in the film to the subjects of a new research paper, 'What Explains Low Old-Age Income?'

Honorable Mention

By Editorial Staff
MassMutual inks $200m deal with venture fund; Chip Castille’s fintech startup gets $2.75m infusion; Silvur has a financial wellness app; New York Life to aid low-income communities.

Signs of a ‘Price-Chasing’ Bubble

By Frank Veneroso
'Very low rates have contributed to the duration and amplitude of the stock market’s trajectory over most of the last decade,' leading to a dangerous risk buildup, writes our guest columnist, president of a global investment strategy firm.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

April 22, 2021

An Annuity’s ‘Moneyness’? There’s an App for That

By R. Michael Markham
How will variable annuity contract owners use their income benefits? That question is vital to annuity issuers and to fiduciary advisers with clients who own VAs. This Texas Dep't of Insurance actuary knows a...
April 15, 2021

A Chip Off the Old Rock?

By Kerry Pechter
Bloomberg reported this week that Prudential is considering selling its retirement plan recordkeeping business. Prudential didn't confirm the report, but several industry insiders did. Low interest rates, high costs of IT makeovers, and ...
April 8, 2021

What’s Cooking at ‘Income Lab’?

By Kerry Pechter
At their software start-up, Income Lab, three former Jackson National Life executives want to help advisers help clients optimize retirement income. They enter a financial planning field dominated by MoneyGuidePro and eMoney Advisor.