We Believe What We Like to Believe

In another of our occasional Research Roundups, we survey papers that explore how we like to fool ourselves, how debt keeps women working, why it's better to grow up during an economic boom, and other complex phenomena.

One Step Ahead of a Rolling Boulder

In Colorado Springs this week, members of the Insured Retirement Institute met to discuss the impact of the DOL fiduciary rule. 'It's not all doom and gloom,' said one industry observer, who expects demand for retirement income planning, and planning products, to emerge.

Could You Be Sued Under the New DOL Rule?

'If you’re trying to get things right, our aim is to help you, and that will be true for some time after December 2017,' said attorney Tim Hauser of the Labor Department regarding enforcement of the DOL's fiduciary rule. Illustration by Stephen Younts.
Featured

FAQs (and Answers) from DOL

The DOL said 'No' to the question: Can advisors rely on the 'streamlined' version of the Best Interest Contract Exemption if the products they recommend to IRA owners generate the same level of revenue-sharing from product manufacturers?

The Inherent Risk of High-Priced Assets

'Within the US, the greatest risk is a sharp decline in asset prices, which would lead to a collapse of aggregate demand... Conditions are becoming more dangerous as asset prices rise further and further from historic norms,' the Harvard economist writes.
News

Eleven firms, and their new DOL-related policies

A quick review of changes at LPL, Great American Life, Edward Jones, Nationwide, State Farm, Jackson National Life, Merrill Lynch, Commonwealth Financial, Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise in response to DOL fiduciary rule.

Could You Be Sued Under the New DOL Rule?

'If you’re trying to get things right, our aim is to help you, and that will be true for some time after December 2017,' said attorney Tim Hauser of the Labor Department regarding enforcement of the DOL's fiduciary rule. Illustration by Stephen Younts.

TIAA survey shows popularity of closed-end funds

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of advisors recommend increasing closed-end fund allocation at retirement to diversify income, according to new research by Nuveen, a unit of TIAA Global Asset Management.