Cannex Launches Annuity Comparison Tools

Advisors, brokerages, IMOs and insurers will be able to use the Toronto-based data company's new analytics to make apples-to-apples comparisons of variable and fixed indexed annuity contracts and their riders.

Bitcoin is a Bubble. Blockchain is a Breakthrough

By Stephen Slifer
'Bitcoins are only useful to speculators, but the blockchain technology on which it is based will both enhance cyber-security and make the current payment mechanism far more efficient,' writes our guest columnist, publisher of the NumberNomics blog.

Integrity Life enhances Indextra FIAs

By Editorial Staff
Sales of the Indextra series exceeded $1.5 billion as of November 30, 2017, according to the release. Launched Sept. 29, 2014, Indextra had strongest first-year sales in W&S Financial Group Distributors’ product history, the release said.

Researchers weigh impact of various Social Security solvency cures

By Editorial Staff
A two-year increase in the age for receiving full Social Security benefits (to age 69) would reduce annual consumption in retirement by 5.6% for low-income, 4% for middle-income, and 2.2% for high-income retirees, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

Where Defined Contribution Falls Short

By Kerry Pechter
The defined contribution system, despite its standardized designs, regulations and contribution limits, reproduces (and may amplify) the economic disparities in the workforce it covers (or fails to cover).

Over one-third of U.S. households own IRAs: ICI

By Editorial Staff
Among the 9.1 million households that took withdrawals from IRAs for tax year 2016, 71% used the RMD rule to calculate them. About two-thirds asked a financial adviser to calculate their withdrawal, according to a new report from the Investment Company Institute.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

November 30, 2017

Research Roundup

By Kerry Pechter
We summarize five papers: “The Sustainability of U.S. Household Finances," “The Great Debt Boom: 1949-2013,” “Living Below the Line: Economic Insecurity and Older Americans in the States, 2016,” “Building Emergency Savings Through Employer-Sponsored Rainy...
November 23, 2017

The Ambiguity of Tax Deferral

By Kerry Pechter
A failure to agree on whether or not there's 'government money' in tax-deferred savings accounts has complicated our debates over the DOL fiduciary rule, the need for a harmonized fiduciary standard, and the so-called...
November 16, 2017

Wade Pfau’s Latest Book

By Kerry Pechter
'“This book presents the probability-based approach” to retirement spending strategies, Pfau told RIJ in a recent interview. 'If annuities are off the table, here’s what you can do.'