The new "contingent deferred annuity," which attaches a lifetime income guarantee to a portfolio of Vanguard exchange-traded funds, offers potentially higher payouts rates if the 10-year Treasury rate rises.

The tool, which ManuLife, John Hancock and other insurers have licensed, generates a “Retirement Sustainability Quotient” based on a client’s age, current retirement savings and desired retirement income and points to a suitable product allocation.

The Allstate "GrowthProtector" is a savings tool and the "IncomeProtector" has a lifetime income benefit with a 7% annual deferral bonus.

The company took a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.5 billion from net changes in value relating to foreign currency exchange rates and changes in market value of derivatives.

As of May 1, 2012, Nationwide’s investment lineup includes 92 variable annuity investment options and 96 variable life investment options.

Among those with savings in or outside an employer-sponsored retirement plan, men have saved $149,000, on average, compared to $108,000 in total average savings for women, according to the ING survey.

"One of the best uses for low-balance 401(k) accounts is as a 'bridge' to facilitate the deferral of Social Security benefits . But that strategy is household-specific and complex for typical participants to implement, so they will need help. Who has an incentive to provide that help? No one! So we must create that incentive." --Jason Scott, director of retirement research, Financial Engines.

I suggested to Kelli Hueler that she has "ruffled some feathers" in the annuity business. The creator of Income Solutions was both surprised and not surprised to hear that.