A Comic Approach to Participant-Ed
A Dutch pension administrator hopes a mildly racy comic book will help educate its plans' younger bus drivers and railway workers.
RIIA Launches Designation for Retirement Advisors
Francois Gadenne and the Retirement Income Industry Association want to spread the doctrine of "build a floor, then create upside."
Inflation Cushion
PIMCO envisions a trillion-dollar retail and institutional market for its new TIPS-based ‘Real Income’ managed payout funds.
It’s Spee-Ahz, By a Nose!
Gaobo Pang and Mark Warshawsky's study supports a strategy of combining income annuities with mutual funds in retirement.
Featured
Shunned in U.S., Income Annuities Thrive in the U.K.
The "at retirement" market for annuities in the U.K. topped £14 billion in 2008 and is expected to reach about £23 billion in five years.
News
Boston College Gets Financing for Financial Literacy Center
“Given the turbulent economic climate and the shift of financial risk to individuals, people need help,” said Center Director Alicia Munnell.
Americans Reveal Inertia, Self-Reliance in Principal Financial’s Latest Survey
A third of those polled, up from 20% in the second quarter, said their account balances have recovered to their Jan. 1 levels or expect them to recover in two to five years.
SEC Moves To Bolster Oversight of Rating Agencies
The SEC voted Sept.17 to address conflicts of interest, reveal rating shopping, and promote accountability.
Plan Sponsors Increasingly Turn to Investment Consultants—Cerulli
Consultants want asset managers who provide consistent investment performance without “surprises.”
Employers Expect Health Reform to Raise, Not Lower Costs
Only 10% of employers would support an “employer mandate” that required them to provide health insurance to employees.
Jackson National Launches Bonus VA
Perspective Rewards pays a 6% bonus on first-year premiums under $100,000 and 8% on higher ones.
Pacific Life Applies For Possible In-Plan VA
The Destinations VA offers an optional 0.10% uptick in the lifetime payout rate for each of the first ten contract years or until a withdrawal.
A Fate Worse than Fargo
Part 2 of a two-part essay on the dark side of Boomer retirement. Discretion is advised.
