Under Putnam’s Hood, A Fidelity Engine Roars

By Kerry Pechter
In the past year, Putnam Investments owner Great-West Lifeco has recruited (l-r) Fidelity veterans Robert L. Reynolds, Jeffrey R. Carney and Edmund F. Murphy III, among others, perhaps to capitalize on Obama's plan for universal retirement savings coverage.

New Research on 401K Plans, from Top Researchers

By Kerry Pechter
Boston College, DCIIA and Morningstar provide new research on Britain's 'NEST' experience with auto-enrollment, custom TDFs and why replacing bad 401k investment options is a good idea.

Tell Us What You Really Think

By Kerry Pechter
At the LIMRA-Society of Actuaries Retirement Industry Conference in Baltimore last week, Scott Stolz from Raymond James, Greg Jaeck from Edward Jones and Jarrod Fisher from Simplicity Financial Distributors delivered frank opinions about annuities and annuity issuers.

Why Indexed Annuity Sales Are So Strong

By Kerry Pechter
Many factors are driving the increase in indexed annuity sales: More manufacturers, better products, more distributors, competitive commissions, aging boomers, and relaxed regulation. But does the bubble contain the seeds of its own deflation?
Featured

Obama Calls for ‘Office of National Insurance’

By Editor Test
While the administration's June 18 report, "Financial Regulatory Reform," did not offer the “optional federal charter” that large insurance companies support as an alternative to state-by-state regulation, it did not rule one out.

Target Date Funds: A QDIA That’s DOA?

By Editor Test
Last week, federal officials tried to locate the blame for 2008 TDF losses: Was it marketing hype by TDF makers, a flawed concept, Americans' weak financial literacy, regulatory lapses, or merely the caprice of the markets?
News

For Many, Bear Market May Delay Retirement

By Editor Test
The decline in the value of their 401(k) accounts was cited by 76% of workers aged 50 to 64 as the most important reason they plan to postpone retirement.

CPAs Tell All About Their HNW Clients

By Editor Test
A survey of top CPAs reveals that the wealthy are watching their pennies because of the recession. The survey also reveals the financial advice that accountants are giving their HNW clients.