- From Cell Phone To Cell Block
The perils of social media posting around the world
by Emanuele Scansani
Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate with each other and transmit information to the world-at-large. However, with this increased visibility, travelers should be mindful of the risks involved in using social media, especially in a world where Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter spread information instantly and are, in some case, even monitored by government…
read more - Next-Gen Retirement
Setting Millennials up for future success
by Jamie Ohl
A lot has been written about Baby Boomers and retirement — and for good reason. Their generation is facing a retirement crisis and as an industry, we are working to help them retire with dignity and financial security.
read more - Go Ahead: Have The Conversation
When it comes to discussing finances with loved ones, there is room for improvement
by Kristen Phillips
Consumers who dread having financial conversations with loved ones are not alone. According to Lincoln Financial Group’s 2019 Financial Conversations study, 47% of Americans struggle to talk about long-term financial planning with loved ones—even though the majority (94%) understand the importance of these conversations.
read more - Taking The Pulse Of Retirement Income
An advisor’s guide to protecting clients’ financial futures
by Craig Hawley
In the next decade, the last Baby Boomers will reach retirement age—meaning that roughly 20% of all residents in the United States will be 65 or older by 2030, according to a US Census report. This is a pivotal moment for our country’s population, especially when we consider the fact that just 13% were aged…
read more - The Age Of Weightless Work & Intangible Capital
The modern firm is evolving… investors must evolve with it
by David Klausner
The individual company is an integral part of the global economy. But unlike the “invisible hand” and “animal spirits” that define modern economics, companies are in constant flux. Ever since humans moved beyond simple barter and began to experiment with more complex business transactions, the firm has been evolving.
read more - A Conversation With Melinda Mecca
Model Portfolios
by P.E. Kelley
What’s driving interest can be summarized by our own FlexShares ETFs Race to Scalability survey of advisors, which was designed to gauge financial advisors’ attitudes regarding the use of third-party investment management solutions.
read more - Bridging Accumulation To Income
The vital role advisors play in preparing their clients
by Kelly LaVigne, JD
When thinking about retirement today, many Americans are focused on their accumulation strategy, and worrying about if they will have enough to retire. Certainly saving for retirement is no small feat. But once they have reached their accumulation goals, clients may not be thinking about what comes next.
read more - Worrying In Order
With all marketing, the devil is in the details… but try to tackle them one at a time
by Matthew Bryan
Running any profitable small business is an equation of money and time. How can you save money and reduce administrative burdens, while continuing to deliver an exceptional client experience? It can be overwhelming to determine the right mix of investments to maintain the right balance.
read more - Grouping Up
Three innovative solutions to reduce group plan costs and improve outcomes
by Mark Manquen, CPA, MST
Group health plans have been used for decades by employers to provide viable healthcare coverage for their employees and as a valuable fringe benefit to attract and retain talent.
read more - Planning a Retirement Income Strategy
How well do your clients really understand the process?
by Sosseh Malkhassian
Although two-thirds of workers are actively saving for retirement, only 4 in 10 have tried to calculate what they’ll need, and very few have a financial plan for retirement. People know they need to save, but they’re unaware of the importance of creating a retirement income strategy. It’s a critical area of retirement education that…
read more - Managing Obligations
5 Truths, 5 Years Later About Pension Risk Transfer
by Andrew Wilkinson
According to Milliman, the number of pension plans offering defined benefits in the United States plummeted by about 73% from 1986 to 2016, and in a recent column on the topic USA Today bluntly opined that American businesses think of pensions as “swiftly becoming a thing of the past.”
read more - Can It Be Done? Yes, It Can
Helping Boomers plan for retirement and care for aging loved ones
by Scott Goldberg
According to the U.S. Census, by 2035 older generations are likely to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. This projection raises the question, if needed, who will care for this aging population? Of course, many middle-income Boomers are already living this reality, as they are now the primary caretakers of aging parents…
read more - The Race To Zero & The Rise Of Client Uncertainty
Top five takeaways for RIAs and fee-based advisors
by Craig Hawley
Looking back, 2019 has been another year where uncertainty was on the rise and mixed signals prevailed. Markets hit record highs and interest rates were slashed to new lows—but confidence wavered as volatility persisted with a vengeance. Lawmakers at home and abroad continued to dominate the headlines, impacting portfolios and raising concerns of advisors and…
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