In League with the Angel of Death
Lawsuits filed in Rhode Island, New York and Illinois shed light on the sinister, multi-million-dollar strategy of using the dying as fronts to exploit variable annuity loopholes.
Easing a Widow’s Hardship
What's the best way for a 62-year-old man to say “I love you” to his wife? By waiting to claim Social Security benefits until he reaches full retirement age or later. Here's our third article in a series on retirement risks.
In Search of Plan C
“We have a crisis of confidence regarding retirement,” said assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis C. Borzi at the NIRS conference in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.
The Strongest Financial Brands Are…
In Cogent Research's Investor Brandscape 2010 survey, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and TIAA-CREF earned top honors for brand strength. But many affluent investors are mistrustful of the financial industry and uncertain about the future.
Featured
Robin Hood or Just Robbin’?
Rhode Island attorney Robert Flanders said "stranger-originated annuity transactions" are perfectly legal.
The Exploitation of Sherry Pratt
Identity theft does not begin to describe the harm done to a quadriplegic woman who died of bedsores in a Chicago nursing home.
The Future of Fixed Annuities: A 2020 Vision
Jack Marrion predicts that by 2020 the securities industry will exercise control over the annuity market in the U.S.
News
Stellar 2008 Makes for Dismal 2009 in Bank Annuity Sales
“There have been only two times in the last five years where we have seen bank channel total annuity sales this low,” said Kehrer-LIMRA's research director.
AllianceBernstein Adds “Volatility Management” To Target-Date Funds
The modified funds will “dynamically de-risk into bonds and cash when it's appropriate” to reduce overall portfolio risk.
Few Advisors Confident of Own Business Strategy: Curian Capital
Many advisors feel a need to change their approach but are uncertain how to go about it.
Penn Mutual Enriches Income Benefit Without Raising Fees
The "Growth and Income Advantage Benefit" rider now has a 6% annual roll-up and a maximum 5% annual payout.
Correction
We erred in reporting that “When a husband in a retired couple (both at least age 62) dies, his widow's Social Security benefit, if lower, rises to match his own.”
Where’s The Alpha?
"Academics continue to create analytical solutions that rarely apply in the human world," says this Denver advisor.
