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In League with the Angel of Death
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
Lawsuits filed in Rhode Island, New York and Illinois shed light on the sinister, multi-million-dollar strategy of using the dying as fronts to exploit variable annuity loopholes.
Industry Views
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.
Industry Views are special reports that are sponsored and independent from RIJ's editorial content.
DATA CONNECTION
Cover Stories
Easing a Widow’s Hardship
Wed, Feb 10, 2010
What's the best way for a 62-year-old man to say “I love you” to his wife? By waiting to claim Social Security benefits until he reaches full retirement age or later. Here's our third article in a series on retirement risks.
In Search of Plan C
Wed, Feb 03, 2010
“We have a crisis of confidence regarding retirement,” said assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis C. Borzi at the NIRS conference in Washington, D.C. Tuesday.
The Strongest Financial Brands Are…
Thu, Jan 28, 2010
In Cogent Research's Investor Brandscape 2010 survey, Vanguard, Charles Schwab and TIAA-CREF earned top honors for brand strength. But many affluent investors are mistrustful of the financial industry and uncertain about the future.
Featured Stories
Robin Hood or Just Robbin’?
Rhode Island attorney Robert Flanders said "stranger-originated annuity transactions" are perfectly legal.
The Exploitation of Sherry Pratt
Identity theft does not begin to describe the harm done to a quadriplegic woman who died of bedsores in a Chicago nursing home.
The Future of Fixed Annuities: A 2020 Vision
Jack Marrion predicts that by 2020 the securities industry will exercise control over the annuity market in the U.S.
Columns : Guest Column
Where’s The Alpha?
"Academics continue to create analytical solutions that rarely apply in the human world," says this Denver advisor.
News
Stellar 2008 Makes for Dismal 2009 in Bank Annuity Sales
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
“There have been only two times in the last five years where we have seen bank channel total annuity sales this low,” said Kehrer-LIMRA's research director.
AllianceBernstein Adds “Volatility Management” To Target-Date Funds
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
The modified funds will “dynamically de-risk into bonds and cash when it's appropriate” to reduce overall portfolio risk.
Few Advisors Confident of Own Business Strategy: Curian Capital
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
Many advisors feel a need to change their approach but are uncertain how to go about it.
Penn Mutual Enriches Income Benefit Without Raising Fees
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
The "Growth and Income Advantage Benefit" rider now has a 6% annual roll-up and a maximum 5% annual payout.
Correction
Wed, Feb 17, 2010
We erred in reporting that “When a husband in a retired couple (both at least age 62) dies, his widow's Social Security benefit, if lower, rises to match his own.”
