"This is one of those time periods where the stuff in the middle has surprised by not performing in-between the stuff on the ends," writes West Coast market philosopher Ron Surz in this assessment of U.S. and global stock performance so far in 2014.

"If the next 20 years are similar to the last five, with very slow growth and median incomes declining, then the budget deficit will grow inexorably larger and Social Security payments after 2033 will be far lower than they are at present," worries our ever-bearish guest columnist.

At present, according to a new survey by CANNEX and Mathew Greenwald & Associates, only 16% of consumers score highly on the GLI Appeal Index, which measures the likelihood that consumers will consider a future income annuity purchase.

The ratings agency's recent survey asked companies to identify how they planned to invest new money in 2015, and alternative assets also were viewed in terms of investment perspective and ownership impact.