What’s Cooking at ‘Income Lab’?

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.

Why bonds fit awkwardly in the separate account space

By Editorial Staff
'The bond market is structured around the trading habits of large institutions,' said a Cerulli director. 'With rare exceptions, fixed-income separately managed accounts are likely to continue to be manager-traded.'

Falling discount rates hurt DB pensions at insurers: AM Best

By Kerry Pechter
Only 184 insurance companies rated by AM Best had defined benefit plans at year-end 2019, compared with 257 in 2016, according to a new report. Aggregated insurance company unfunded pension benefits have dropped to $13.9 billion in 2019 from $19.4 billion five years ago.
Anecdotal Evidence

Raising Revenue–and Consciousness

By Kerry Pechter
With his Made in America Tax Plan, announced Wednesday, President Biden would raise corporate tax rates and try to stop transfer pricing worldwide. He wants to raise revenue and right perceived wrongs.

ALI announces new research chair, ties with CANNEX

By Editorial Staff
The Alliance for Lifetime Income said economist Jason Fichtner will chair its Retirement Income Institute and that it would partner with CANNEX to produce new research on annuities.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

April 1, 2021

Security Benefit Life’s Secret Sauce

By Kerry Pechter
Joe Wittrock, CIO at Security Benefit Life, explains how the firm's investments outperform. Eldridge Industries, run by ex-Guggenheim president Todd Boehly, owns SBL, Billboard magazine (right, with Billie Eilish on the cover) and lots...
March 25, 2021

Research Roundup

By Kerry Pechter
Here's new research on tax avoidance among the very rich, the logic that millionaires use when buying equities, considerations for plan sponsors when estimating income from 401(k) balances, and a worst-case scenario for future...
March 18, 2021

Social Security Repair Bills, Compared by Actuaries

By Kerry Pechter
In a webinar this week, a panel of Academy actuaries presented their analysis of three legislative proposals now floating inside the Beltway. One raises taxes, one lowers benefits, and another does some of each.