Complex Annuities for a Complex Era

By Kerry Pechter
Indexed variable annuities (IVAs) offer a potential solution for paralyzed clients—perhaps for those who feel baffled by a market where both bond and stock prices are at all-time highs. Allianz Life and Brighthouse Financial have just issued new IVA contracts.

Fiduciary Rule Hurts First Quarter Annuity Sales

By Kerry Pechter
Sales of certain fixed annuities were lifted by the recent uptick in the Fed's benchmark interest rate, but sales of variable and indexed annuities were depressed in the first quarter of 2017 by uncertainty over the future of the DOL fiduciary rule.

What to Do About Low Returns

By Kerry Pechter
The anticipated low return environment doesn't have to ruin your retirement plans, according to industry and academic speakers at the Pension Research Council's annual symposium, held May 4-5 at Penn's Wharton School.
Featured

A New Book from PIMCO’s Stacy Schaus

By Kerry Pechter
If you don’t know Ms. Schaus, you must be new around here. She’s an EVP at PIMCO, the head of its defined contribution practice and the voice of its thought leadership in that area. Her new book on DC investment design is co-authored with Ying Gao.

Vermont offers state-wide voluntary MEP

By Kerry Pechter
The voluntary multi-employer plan, or MEP, 'will be open to any employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not currently provide a retirement plan to its employees.' Some observers wonder if a voluntary plan will move the dial on access to a retirement plan.
News