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Cover Stories

Which Are the Hottest VA Brands?

by Kerry Pechter

Which Are the Hottest VA Brands?

Fri, Aug 13, 2010

Who do advisors think of first when asked to name a variable annuity provider? The just-published 2010 Advisor Brandscape from Cogent Research reveals that and much more.

The Downside of Upping the Retirement Age

by Kerry Pechter

The Downside of Upping the Retirement Age

Wed, Aug 11, 2010

Social Security turns 75 on Saturday, and pressure to raise the claiming age for full benefits is rising. But that would hurt the least well-off most, said experts at the Retirement Research Consortium meeting in Washington last week.

The Gospel of Matthew Hutcheson

by Kerry Pechter

The Gospel of Matthew Hutcheson

Mon, Aug 02, 2010

The 40-year-old leader of the “independent fiduciary movement” is passionate about making retirement plans more responsive to the needs of participants.

They're Relatively Well-Off

by Kerry Pechter

They're Relatively Well-Off

Sun, Jul 18, 2010

The median annual income for people over age 65 in the United States is only $18,000, including public assistance and financial help from friends and family. The average—skewed upward by the highest incomes—is almost $29,000.

News

Indexed Annuity Sales Rebound

Tue, Aug 17, 2010

"With CD rates at 1% and fixed annuities crediting a mere 3.65% on average, it is no wonder that this was the second-highest quarter in terms of indexed annuity sales,” said Sheryl J. Moore, president and CEO of AnnuitySpecs.com.

VA Sales Up Sharply in Q2: LIMRA

Tue, Aug 17, 2010

"VA sales jumped more than $3 billion in the second quarter,” said Joe Montminy, assistant vice president for LIMRA's annuity research.

Reliable Sources Disagree on July Fund Flows Data

Tue, Aug 17, 2010

Morningstar and Strategic Insights both reported mutual fund and ETF flows for July, but the numbers didn't match. If you know why not, please write and tell us.

How to Reduce the Threat of Fiduciary Liability Lawsuits

Wed, Aug 18, 2010

A new report designed to help employers reduce their exposure to fiduciary liability lawsuits appears to reflect an increasingly adversarial relationship between plan sponsors and plan participants.

Broadbridge Acquires NewRiver for $77 Million

Tue, Aug 17, 2010

The acquisition accelerates Broadridge’s e-strategy while strengthening its industry-leading compliance communication capabilities, the company said in a release.