The Strongest Financial Brands Are…

By Kerry Pechter
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.

New York Life Introduces ‘Lifetime Wealth Strategies’

By Kerry Pechter
The big mutual insurer plans to offer its managed account program, incubated last year among career agents, to third-party registered reps, says Michael Gordon, first vice president in the firm's U.S. life insurance and agency business.

The Trouble with Calculators

By Kerry Pechter
A new critical survey of twelve retirement planning calculators shows why they're so frustrating to use.

AXA Trumpets a Treasury-Linked VA Rider

By Kerry Pechter
AXA Equitable Life (and its trademark gorilla) have bounced back from the financial crisis with a novel variable annuity rider that pegs guaranteed accumulation and withdrawal rates to the 10-year Treasury rate, plus one percent.
Featured

Heard On The Grapevine

By Kerry Pechter
An all-star group of RIIA members engaged in a spontaneous online debate about 'time-segmentation' bucket methods. Here’s what they said.

Employer Match Strikes a Hot Debate

By Editor Test
Academic and industry researchers clashed over methodology, but they appear to agree that auto-enrollment in 401(k) plans might have unintended consequences on the employer matching contribution.
News

Bank Annuity Fee Income Rose 12.9% in 3Qtr 2009

By Editor Test
Through September 30, 2009, bank holding companies earned $2 billion from the sale of annuities, a 2.5% increase over the first nine months of 2008, according to the Michael White-ABIA Bank Annuity Fee Income Report.

Obama Praises Annuities, In Principle

By Editor Test
His endorsement thrilled the Insured Retirement Institute, but a conservative talk radio host said the President wants to nationalize Americans' savings.

Sun Life, Miami Dolphins in Stadium Pact

By Editor Test
Sun Life Stadium is now the name of the home of the Miami Dolphins, the University of Miami Hurricanes, the Florida Marlins, and the FedEx Orange Bowl. It will host this year's Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.