How Many VA Owners Will Bail Out?
Issuers of variable annuities with income benefits could face lower-than-expected lapse rates and higher reserve requirements over the next 18 months, says Oliver Wyman.
Beware the ‘Specialized’ ETFs
In this month's Research Roundup, RIJ shares four recent academic papers on the proliferation of ETFs, the danger (or not) of national debt, rational inflation expectations, and the impact of recent changes in RMD rules.
Jackson National Puts Its Future in Veteran Hands
Laura Prieskorn (left) and Marcia Wadsten are the new CEO and CFO of Jackson National Life. The leading seller of variable annuities in the US is in the process of demerging from its long-time British owner, Prudential plc.
Which ‘Dependency Ratio’ Should We Use?
Economists typically use the 'aged dependency ratio' to show the burden of the Social Security program on workers. But the 'total dependency ratio' might be more informative. (Photo by Johann Walter Bantz.)
Featured
“Too Good to Last”
Curiosity about investments in secondary market annuities, which earn up to 9%, is growing. But these “factored products” are scarce—and virtually unregulated.
Five Ways to Adjust to a New Tax Landscape
A consortium of advisors who represent Securities America offered these suggestions for how investors and their advisors can adjust to the expiration of EGTRRA and JGTRRA at the end of 2010.
News
NIH Devotes Only 11% of Budget to Elderly Studies
Although there has been moderate growth in spending at all 27 N.I.H. research centers, the growth is slower at the National Institute on Aging.
Orszag to Depart OMB Director Post
“Basically, the OMB Director is a brutal job and subject to quick burnout," commented one political blogger.
Towers Watson Explains New Pension Relief Law
A Client Alert details the implications of the "Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010."
The Guardian Offers New SPIA
As an inflation hedge, the product’s Annuity Payment Increase Benefit option increases the annuity payment each year by a fixed dollar amount.
The Global Distribution of Millionaires
In Singapore and Hong Kong, millionaire households account for 11.4% and 8.8%, respectively, of all households, according to Boston Consulting Group.
