A Fixed Index Annuity with a Dash of Risk
The Momentum Growth contract from Delaware Life introduces a bit of gambling to the FIA product category—but within guardrails, and only with what contract owners might call 'house money.'
F-H-L-B Spells Cheap Cash for Big Annuity Issuers
The largest borrower from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system in 2024 was Athene Annuity and Life, at more than $15 billion. For at least 16 other top annuity issuers, FHLB loans are a key source of "fungible," low-cost borrowed capital.
RIJ and ChatGPT Discuss ‘Funding Short’
Life insurers used to be known as champions of 'asset-liability matching,' or ALM. Today, many of them are doing the opposite by 'funding short.' Here's a transcript of RIJ's recent conversation with ChatGPT about the risks and rewards of funding short, and its role in today's annuity business.
Featured
The Stakes in the Romney-Obama Contest
Expect big changes next January? Think again. While the candidates' economic philosophies and positions are dramatically different, divided government will prevent either from bringing his version of Morning to America, predicts a Wharton School professor.
To De-Risk or Re-Risk, That Is The Question
Pension fund managers across the Pond are feeling boxed-in. The author, European head of institutional solutions at SEI, feels their pain in an essay that first appeared in IPE.com.
News
LIMRA analyzes potential impact of a new estate tax law
If Congress lets estate tax go back to $1 million exemption/55% maximum, 14.7 million U.S. households would have a potential estate tax liability, with an average tax of $1.4 million, LIMRA said.
New York Life funds doctoral program at The American College
Doctoral scholars will participate in three one-week residencies at The American College’s campus in Bryn Mawr, PA, as well as at least one intensive debrief with faculty prior to their dissertation defense.
SunGard enhances system for employer-sponsored plans
The system allows retirement administrators to provide participants with online access to account information and transactions.
Britain adjusts to universal auto-enrollment
“Many organizations are still in a head-in-sand mode,” said Dean Wetton, a pension consultant. “Auto-enrollment is lost somewhere between payroll, HR and the pensions department."
DALBAR validates Pacific Life funds as QDIAs
The PL Portfolio Optimization Funds are five target-risk fund-of-funds, ranging from conservative to aggressive, that are designed to offer investors one-step diversification.
