It’s a Twister, Auntie ‘Ben’
U.S. life insurers can weather the impact of 'Operation Twist' for a few years, Moody’s Investors Service says. But another five-plus years of rock-bottom interest rates could damage profits and ratings.
Three Steps to Annuity-Free Income
For retirees who say, 'Don't sell me a product!', Thornburg Investment Management recommends a retirement income strategy built on 'endowment' spending, three buckets and its own dividend fund.
‘Decumulation is Like a Rubik’s Cube’
The Money Management Institute has identified 34 financial services firms that have created what it calls Personal Retirement Income Solution Management (PRISM) tools or programs.
In Denim or in Suits, New Yorkers Want Market Reform
An 'Occupy Wall Street' protester at New York's Zuccotti Park expresses her opinion. The same day, at the NY Athletic Club, Wall Streeters themselves criticized their own industry.
Featured
Six Ways Insurers Can Fight Low Interest Rates
While forecasting a 10% decline in investment yields for life insurers due to Fed interest rate policy, Ernst & Young proposes six strategies firms can use to combat the impact of low rates. E&Y's Doug French (pictured) spoke with RIJ.
News
New USAA Life income annuity offers emergency medical rider
“We spent time with focus groups, and the question came back, ‘What if I have to pay for funeral expenses or some other emergency?’, USAA's Robert Schaffer said.
‘Individual mandate’ constitutional, U.S. appeals court says
“The right to be free from federal regulation is not absolute, and yields to the imperative that Congress be free to forge national solutions to national problems, no matter how local–or seemingly passive–their individual origins,” said the majority opinion.
New USAA life income annuity offers emergency medical rider
The free rider allows contract owners to withdraw up to 30% of the present value of the contract after three years to cover an emergency expense, such as uncovered medical costs.
About 54% of full-time adult workers are in a retirement plan: EBRI
"White, more highly educated, higher-income, and married workers are more likely to participate than their counterparts," the EBRI's October 2011 Issue Brief said.
Bill to offer state DC plan to non-profit workers passes in Massachusetts
But one observer suggested that extending coverage beyond state employees will be problematic, because of inconsistencies in state and federal pension regulations.
The Bucket
Brief or late-breaking items from Jackson National, Janus, Fidelity, Symetra, The Principal, DST, Primerica, Lincoln Financial Group and Putnam Investments.
$10 million a week in sales for New York Life’s deferred income annuity
Low CD rates and equity volatility may be helping sales of the Guaranteed Future Income Annuity, which has collected $100 million in premia since July to become NY Life's hottest launch ever.
