LPL Taps Five Insurers for New VA Platform
Advisors who use LPL Financial’s new Fee-Based Variable Annuity platform can manage VA subaccounts just like mutual funds. (Photo at LPL’s San Diego office.)
A Guide for the Perplexed Participant
GuidedChoice is the latest 401(k) advice provider to announce a platform that helps participants turn their savings into income—with or without a rollover to an IRA. (Above: CEO Sherrie Grabot.)
The New ‘Big O’?
The revelation of a novel share class of variable annuities--its working title is "O" shares--was perhaps the most interesting piece of news that emerged from the IRI Marketing conference in Washington, D.C., last week.
A New Cylinder for Financial Engines
Income+, a process-driven, product-neutral income program for 401(k) managed account clients, could alter the competitive landscape of the retirement industry.
Featured
Will New Retirees Rush to Spend Their Savings?
A study by MIT's James Poterba (left) and others shows that current retirees tend to hoard 401(k) and traditional IRA assets, along with home equity, against possible future emergencies.
Transamerica Launches New VA Income Rider
Under certain conditions, the rider can offer a step-up and a roll-up during the first 10 years, providing "growth on growth" potential.
News
Illinois to bolster state pension with new borrowing—Again
A similar strategy backfired in 2003, when the state tried to fund its pension by borrowing $10 billion at 5.1%. It earned 3% on the proceeds, instead of the promised 8%.
Growth Spurt for VAs in Q4 and 2010: LIMRA
The stock market rally drove a double-digit rise in VA sales in the fourth quarter of 2010. Index annuities had another record year, but other fixed annuities suffered.
Advisors speak up in Curian survey
Eager to use their time more effectively, advisors want more functionality from their technology platforms.
Putnam adapts ‘Absolute Return 500 Fund’ for VAs
Putnam Investments launched four Absolute Return Funds in January 2009 that aimed to match the returns of short-term securities, bonds, balanced funds and stocks, respectively, but with less risk.
‘New generation’ VAs proposed for Australians
The Australian government should try to deal with longevity risk by developing a “new generation variable annuities market,” according to the Institute of Actuaries of Australia.
The Bucket
Late-breaking items from Principal Funds and MassMutual.
