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The World of Retirement Research
Thu, Feb 02, 2012
We’re making retirement income research RIJ’s main topic for February.
Industry Views
$300 Billion, Up for Grabs
Cogent Research's new 2012 Assets in Motion study can help you understand and benefit from the rising flow of money from qualified plans to rollover IRAs.
Burton Malkiel Talks About Efficient Markets
In this video sponsored by Vanguard, Burton Malkiel, Princeton professor and author of "A Random Walk Down Wall Street," talks with RIJ editor Kerry Pechter about what "efficient market" means to him. The 10th edition of "A Random Walk" has just been published.
New Income Solutions for Long Retirements
With the numbers of people over age 100 growing rapidly, there is an equally growing need for advisors to consider an array of retirement income solutions.
Annuity Issuers Slowly Enter The Digital Age
Annuity issuers are making a concerted effort to implement and promote paperless document delivery services.
401(k)s: They’re Not (Necessarily) Just for Employees Any More
A growing number of 401(k) plan sponsors, retirees, record keepers and regulators want retirees to stay in their plans well into, or even straight through, retirement, PIMCO has found.
The Future Of Online Customer Feedback Has Arrived
TIAA-CREF’s TC Listens website is an innovative new medium for obtaining client feedback online.
TIPS for Retirement Investing in the ‘New Normal’
TIPS can preserve purchasing power, provide systematic income and offer the assurance of a government guarantee for retirees depending on income from their investments.
Firms Back Variable Annuity Product Launches With Aggressive Online Marketing Campaigns
With variable annuity sales down, firms are intensifying online product marketing campaigns to reach more prospective investors.
Found in Translation
Annuity issuers are reaching out to non-English-speaking investors through websites written in Spanish and Asian languages, according to Corporate Insight.
Behavioral Economics and Retirement Investing
PIMCO and its Allianz affiliates recently sponsored a new study, “Behavioral Finance and the Post-Retirement Crisis.” PIMCO Retirement Product Manager Tom Streiff explains how the study’s findings can foster the development of successful retirement income products.
Annuity Issuers Embracing Social Media One Tweet At A Time
A growing number of annuity issuers are using creative approaches on Twitter to reach new audiences online.
Roth IRA Conversion Promotions Are All The Rage Online
Many firms have launched engaging online sales campaigns focusing on the Roth IRA conversion opportunities that will be available in 2010.
Annuity Firms Turn Their Focus To Online Client Security
Annuity firms introduced enhanced online security measures in 2009, but they remain laggards in the financial service industry.
Should Annuity Firms Care About Social Media?
The annuity industry has been slow to adopt social media. But given the industry’s target audiences, does it matter? Download an excerpt from the report "Social Media: Trends and Tactics in the Financial Services Industry."
Marketing Online Education To Advisors
Our latest research shows that dynamic displays, such as Flash interfaces, offer firms engaging new ways to present and market online educational content to advisors.
Industry Views are special reports that are sponsored and independent from RIJ's editorial content.
DATA CONNECTION
The Decumulation Beat
The Abandonment of an Ideal
Thu, Jan 19, 2012
The gulf between the reality of wealth distribution in America and our ideal wealth distribution is what the “one-percent” controversy is really about.
The Missing Sockdolager
Tue, Jan 10, 2012
An article appeared yesterday under the headline, "Variable-annuity guarantees disappoint over time." I think the jury is still out on that.
Searching for the Right Decumulation Tool
Wed, Jan 04, 2012
This month we'll be dedicating a fair amount of space to retirement income planning software tools.
What Income Planning Software Do You Use?
Wed, Nov 30, 2011
Calling all investment advisers and financial planners: RIJ wants to hear from you about the tools you use to help your clients create retirement income.
Signature of the Times
Wed, Nov 23, 2011
After the report of a $900 million charge in the third quarter, Manulife’s decision to limit distribution of John Hancock annuities can’t have shocked many people.
Our Half-Full, Half-Empty Retirement Glass
Tue, Nov 15, 2011
The private DC system covers only about half of American workers at any given time. Proposals to open state pension plans to uncovered workers have been made, and the threat of competition may actually be healthy for the 401(k) system.
$10 million a week in sales for New York Life's deferred income annuity
Wed, Nov 09, 2011
Low CD rates and equity volatility may be helping sales of the Guaranteed Future Income Annuity, which has collected $100 million in premia since July to become NY Life's hottest launch ever.
The Plot to Kill Social Security
Wed, Nov 02, 2011
Is it paranoid to believe that the assault on Social Security is orchestrated? Or is Halloween getting to me?
“Income” Funds with High Price Tags
Thu, Oct 27, 2011
Unless I’ve missed something, the three Putnam Retirement Income Lifestyle Funds, as “income funds,” seem long on promises and short on delivery—particularly in light of the costs.
The Scoop on Pre-Owned Annuities
Wed, Oct 12, 2011
When buying a secondary-market annuity that offers a 7% or 8% effective rate of return, make sure you deal with honest brokers.
Our Debt Won’t Bankrupt Our Grandkids
Wed, Oct 05, 2011
Deficit hawks say that federal debts and deficits put our progeny in a hole. Indeed, they've said it for decades. But some economists, starting as far back as 75 years ago, have said that's poppycock. The latter may be right.
401(k) Reforms: More Enviable Than Viable
Wed, Sep 28, 2011
Proponents of 401(k) reform met defenders of the status quo in a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Sept. 15. The reforms have some justification, but they could hurt the very people who decide whether to sponsor a plan or not.
No-Shows at the Trade Show
Wed, Sep 21, 2011
At the Financial Planning Association Experience 2011 meeting in San Diego last week, a couple of thousand financial advisors were on hand. So why the dearth of exhibits by annuity issuers?
The Secret to MetLife's VA Success
Wed, Aug 31, 2011
MetLife was able to knock off Prudential as the top seller of variable annuities in the second quarter because it de-risked its income benefit in a way that actually improved its marketing story.
Does Decumulation Spell Doom?
Tue, Aug 23, 2011
Economists at the San Francisco Fed suggest that P/E ratios are bound to suffer as the Boomer cohort gets older and liquidates its assets.
They Know Not What They Do
Tue, Aug 09, 2011
The equity sell-off and rush to Treasuries didn't happen because Congress failed to cut the deficit or the debt aggressively enough. In my humble opinion, it happened for the opposite reason.
A Modest Proposal
Tue, Aug 02, 2011
Americans used to help their government by buying government bonds. I think we can solve our current debt problem by tearing up our government bonds!
The Journal Plays Gotcha! with EBRI
Tue, Jul 12, 2011
In a July 7 article, the Wall Street Journal reported that auto-enrollment in 401(k) plans has backfired, sticking some people at a lower contribution rate than they might have elected. In its desire for a man-bites-dog story, the Journal overreached.
It’s July, So We Must Be in VA-VA-Land
Tue, Jul 05, 2011
Welcome to Retirement Income Journal’s Variable Annuity Month. We’re devoting all four of our weekly issues in July to the promise and the problems of variable annuities.
Things Heard and Overheard
Wed, Jun 29, 2011
Here's a follow-up on our earlier report on the recent SPARK conference, with more news and comment about DoL enforcement strategy, the threat to the tax deferral for savings, and what might happen when participants see how much their plans cost.
Annuities, Sudden Darlings of the Media
Mon, Jun 20, 2011
Positive articles about annuities are certainly welcome—especially at a time when a relentless interest-rate drought is desiccating their value—but recent pieces in Barron's and the New York Times didn't advance the annuity dialogue very far.
Let's Not Panic Over the Deficit
Wed, Jun 08, 2011
“The current weak state of many economies argues against implementing budget cuts in the next couple of years,” says a new pamphlet from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Always Protect Your Story
Tue, May 24, 2011
Two weeks ago, when Prudential plc's CEO told analysts that he envisioned unspecified risk reductions in Jackson National's VA by end of year, he clearly didn’t realize that his statement could muddy Jackson's well-honed "story."
Speculation About Jackson National
Tue, May 17, 2011
If Jackson National de-risks its variable annuity offerings, it would merely be following the example of competitors like Prudential and MetLife. Jackson's parent also has to consider Solvency II.
A Month of SPIAs
Wed, May 04, 2011
Starting with today’s issue, we’ll devote four weeks of cover stories and features to single premium immediate annuities. Millions of mass=affluent Americans will need them.
America Isn't a Corporation
Mon, Apr 11, 2011
Congressman Paul Ryan's approach to the budget makes sense only if you think America should function like a corporation and that Medicare payments are income for beneficiaries. Nix to both ideas.
Did Income Inequality Cause the Crisis?
Tue, Mar 29, 2011
Those with surplus money naturally lend to those who need money. But, as two IMF experts show, disaster can occur when too much money is lent for consumption and the process goes on too long.
Gimme Shelter
Wed, Feb 02, 2011
The autobiography of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and the report of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission have a few things in common.
The 800-pound Irony of TDFs
Thu, Jan 20, 2011
The DoL wants TDF managers to disclose more information to plan participants. But the real problem may lie with plan fiduciaries, and current TDF designs.
RIJ’s Top Ten List for 2010
Wed, Dec 22, 2010
Letterman, look out. Retirement Income Journal offers its own list of the year's highlights in the retirement income industry (or in one person's small corner of it).
The Tax Deal Feels Wrong
Wed, Dec 08, 2010
Over the weekend, retirees may have lost the first battle of the generational war.
Decumulation Beat
Wed, Nov 24, 2010
Only advisors who are self-employed have the autonomy to use the fiduciary standard when working with clients.
End the Bush Tax Cuts
Wed, Nov 03, 2010
If we're serious about reducing the deficit and sparing our grandchildren a legacy of debt, it would be irresponsible to do anything else.
A Case of Election Psychosis
Wed, Oct 27, 2010
“Doc, I can’t sleep. I stay up all night, trying to figure out who I should vote for,” said the Undecided Voter as he reclined on the leather longue...
A New Designation Is Born: the RMA
Wed, Oct 13, 2010
The Retirement Income Industry Association (RIIA) announced the first recipients of its Retirement Management Analyst designation at its annual meeting last week.
The Big Red Stag's Mistake
Wed, Sep 08, 2010
In ordinary times, The Hartford's letter-gate problem might vanish quickly. But investors are nervous, a big election is coming up, and the reputation of the financial services industry is fragile. A cap-gun could set off a panic.
My Tailor, My Fiduciary
Tue, Aug 31, 2010
The SEC could help investors distinguish between bespoke advice and off-the-rack advice that’s merely “suitable.”
Making The Case for Fixed Indexed Annuities
Tue, Aug 24, 2010
Jack Marrion and friends offer hard evidence that FIAs pay off when other investments don't. Their analysis is compelling, but I'm not ready to convert.
Why the Wealthy Should Buy SPIAs
Tue, Aug 17, 2010
A recent study by a doctoral candidate at the University of Virginia examines all of the reasons why people don't buy income annuities--and reveals two hidden reasons why they should.
Your Loophole Is My Noose
Wed, Aug 11, 2010
Tax breaks, when seen as passive spending programs, are a form of government waste. So raising taxes might shrink the size of government. Or not.
Mr. Smith Goes to the Patent Office
Wed, Jul 07, 2010
An actuary-turned-entrepreneur claims to have invented a cheap, benign, versatile new income distribution tool. But he’s coyly cryptic about its secret sauce.
Our First Annual VA Special Editions
Thu, Jun 17, 2010
This week, we focus on the latest products and sales trends. Next week, we’ll delve into the issues that cloud the variable annuity industry's future.
The Sure Thing vs. The Gamble
Wed, Jun 09, 2010
There may be a certain futility to creating supposedly win-win products for a market that thrives by generating losers and winners.
A Sobering VA Outlook, Via Cerulli
Wed, May 19, 2010
"The industry is still feeling the fallout from the Great Recession," Cerulli's Lisa Plotnick tells RIJ. "But the bad news is not unaddressable."
RIJ Receives a Tough-Love Letter
Thu, Mar 25, 2010
Garth Bernard and Cogent Research help resolve a question about the popularity of income products.
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do…
Wed, Mar 17, 2010
…But it can’t possibly be as difficult as health care and pension reform.
Ready for a Reality Check
Wed, Jan 20, 2010
A recent Journal of Financial Planning article on annuities was a bit perplexing.
And In Comes 2010
Wed, Dec 30, 2009
I predict that the next decade will be very much like the last one, only more so. Interest rates are my top-of-mind issue.
The Medical-Industrial Complex
Wed, Dec 23, 2009
Thirty years ago, Arnold Relman coined the term, "medical-industrial complex." He calls the Senate health care bill "half a loaf," but hopes it passes.
