Jellyvision Knows Financial Wellness

In this first of a two-part series on financial wellness, RIJ talks with the customer insight chief of a leading vendor in the field. 'We ask, ‘Where is the pain that’s costing employers money, and how do we help solve the problem?'' said Helen Calvin.
Guest Column

Why Low Inflation Is No Surprise

By J. Brad DeLong
'Those who have used the prevailing economic fable about the 1970s to predict upward outbreaks of inflation in the 1990s, the 2000s, and now the 2010s have all been proven wrong,' writes the Berkeley economist.

Voya’s strength ratings are under review

By Editorial Staff
In late December, Voya announced that it would sell its closed block variable annuity (CBVA) and individual fixed indexed annuity (FIA) segments to a consortium of investors led by Apollo Global Management, LLC.
The Decumulation Beat

Anecdotal Evidence: Voya, Northwestern Mutual and Fake DOL Comments

By Kerry Pechter
New Year's reflections on: Voya's departure from the annuity business, Northwestern Mutual's new live-for-today television ads, and the Wall Street Journal's exposure of counterfeit postings on the DOL fiduciary rule's public comment page.

Honorable Mention

By Editorial Staff
Envestnet, AdvisorEngine and The Segal Group all make acquisitions, and Zillow estimates the total value of U.S. homes at $31.8 trillion. Lincoln Financial appoints Joe Mrozek to head of intermediate retirement plan sales.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

December 14, 2017

The Crypto-Capitalist and His Digital Tontine

By Kerry Pechter
“This problem needs to be solved,” Dean McClelland, founder of TontineTrust, told RIJ. With the fervor of a convert, he believes that cryptocurrencies, blockchain, smart contracts and tontines are the solution.
December 7, 2017

Cannex Launches Annuity Comparison Tools

By Kerry Pechter
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.