Now Divesting: AIG, Equitable and Great American

De-risky business: AIG will spin off its Life & Retirement division, Venerable Holdings will reinsure $12bn worth of Equitable's pre-2010 variable annuities with living benefits, and Commonwealth Annuity (part of Global Atlantic) will reinsure $5.7 billion in inforce fixed annuities.

Visualizing Retirement Portfolio Survival

By Craig L. Israelsen, Ph.D.
Our guest columnist, originator of the 7TwelvePortfolio strategy, shares a spreadsheet tool that he uses to engage older clients in conversation about the long-term risks associated with different retirement ages, asset allocations and withdrawal rates.

Annuity sales survive COVID-19, but trail 2019: LIMRA SRI

By Editorial Staff
The bright spot continues to be registered index-linked annuities, or RILAs. Third-quarter RILA sales jumped to $6.4 billion, or 33% over 2Q2020. Year-to-date, RILA sales were $15.8 billion, up 26% from 2019 results. 

What Trump’s Tax Returns Reveal

By Eugene Steuerle
Everyone loves a tax cut, and low interest rates appear to boost the economy, but they don't necessarily represent the tide that lifts all boats. Our guest columnist suggests that they can also promote inequality and inefficient investment.
Anecdotal Evidence

The ‘Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020’

By Kerry Pechter
The House has introduced a sequel to last year's SECURE Act. Once again, legislators have listened to the retirement industry and tried to remove what the industry considers obstacles to efficiency and growth.

COVER STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

October 22, 2020

Drama in Des Moines

By Kerry Pechter
Rejecting a takeover bid by Athene and MassMutual, fixed index annuity issuer American Equity will partner with Brookfield Asset Management. The deal releases up to $350m in capital for American Equity, and makes it...
October 15, 2020

The Five Most Important Retirement Income Decisions

By Steve Vernon
'Many of the decisions presented here are beyond the skills of most pre-retirees and retirees,' writes the author, a research scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity. 'They’re going to need help.'
October 8, 2020

A Closer Look at CLOs (and Other U.S. Credit)

By Kerry Pechter
Bond mavens, check this out. A new SEC report describes how most of the $54-trillion dollar U.S. credit market survived last spring's financial crisis. It covers securitized 'leveraged loans,' which provide high-octane fuel for...