Can’t Do The Math
You knew it all along, but now there's evidence. Most Americans are financially illiterate. Experts wonder how the millions who don't understand compound interest can possibly fashion successful retirements.
Bridge to Somewhere
"Liability-driven investing for individuals" is how J. Brent Burns, MBA, (left), and Stephen J. Huxley, Ph.D., describe Asset
Dedication, which is the name of their bond-laddering methodology, their book and their company.
Luck of the Draw
In this second installment of our series on retirement risks, we examine sequence-of-returns risk: what it is, what it can cost, and how best to deal with it.
Holiday Cheer
Forget doom-and-gloom. Recent research suggests that the Crash of 2008 will not prevent most Boomers from retiring as planned.
Featured
The Passion of Anna
Economist Annamaria Lusardi started studying financial literacy in 2000. She soon realized that it's not a luxury for the few. It's an empowerment tool for the many.
Test Your Financial Sophistication
Here are 18 true-or-false questions that economists asked Americans over age 55. The average score among the college-educated was 68%. Perhaps you'll fare better.
News
New York Life SPIA Sales Up 35% in 2009
In the third quarter, the largest U.S. mutual life insurer led all issuers in sales of fixed immediate annuities and sales of fixed annuities in the bank channel.
Cerulli Calls DB(k) a “Diamond in the Rough”
But the consulting firm says that neither advisors, asset managers or investors are enthusiastic about the one-year opportunity for Roth IRA conversions.
New Executive Hires at AVIVA USA, ING
Jeff Frazee goes to Aviva USA, Lynne Ford to ING.
Lawmakers Dilute Fiduciary Standard for Discount Brokers
Under proposed law, registered reps would have no “continuing duty of care or loyalty to the customer” after providing advice.
Annuity Firms Turn Their Focus To Online Client Security
Annuity firms introduced enhanced online security measures in 2009, but they remain laggards in the financial service industry.
The Medical-Industrial Complex
Thirty years ago, Arnold Relman coined the term, "medical-industrial complex." He calls the Senate health care bill "half a loaf," but hopes it passes.
