- RILAs: The New Annuities In Town
So, why are they so hot?
by David Blanchett, PhD, CFA, CFP®
There’s a new annuity in town that is receiving significant attention and garnering an increasing amount of annuity assets: the Registered Index-Linked Annuity (RILA). Given the hype, it’s important for advisors to consider these new products for clients—or at least be aware of how they work and where they could potentially fit within a retirement…
read more - Talking About Annuities…
Five discussion points to present to your clients
by Mike Vietri
Of all investment vehicles, annuities are probably the most misunderstood. And it’s no wonder. The different structures, varying rules and endless available riders make them a difficult product for the average consumer to evaluate. That’s why it’s so important for a knowledgeable advisor to talk with clients about their individual needs before recommending an annuity…
read more - Planning A More Predictable Retirement
Educating clients on guaranteed income in a post-pandemic world
by Dan Farrelly
COVID-19 has undeniably caused many financial hardships. When sorting through them, it’s important to reflect not only on how the pandemic has impacted American investors in the short term, but also its effect on how they think about their retirement.
read more - Recalibrating The Clock And Rethinking The Income Challenge
How longevity trends are impacting retirement planning and product design
by Eric Henderson
The study of aging—and the ways we can slow down the aging process—are helping us recalibrate the clock to live longer and healthier lives. The upside is huge. But one thing is clear. As people are living longer, the “Retirement Income Challenge” is real—and growing.
read more - Characteristics Of Elite Producer Groups
Empower independent producers by aligning interests, expanding opportunities, and returning value
by Bob Carter
Over the years, a number of producer groups have emerged as leaders in the marketplace, and the most successful ones share the following characteristics.
read more - A Conversation with Lee Freitag
The New Challenges Of Accumulation
by P.E. Kelley
Longevity has thrown a monkey-wrench into many of our reliable assumptions about building adequate and sustainable retirement income for our clients. The prospect of outliving ones assets, running out of money before running out of breath, has become a frightening possibility for many.
read more - Defined Contribution’s Seismic Shift
A fresh look at guaranteed lifetime income options
by Matt Gray
The passage of the SECURE Act in late 2019 signaled the beginning of what will likely be a seismic shift in the retirement planning industry. With several provisions designed to enable businesses to increase their level of commitment to defined contribution plans, the legislation appears to be a “win-win” opportunity for businesses and plan participants…
read more - The Troubling Trend Of “Gray Sheeting” Life Insurance Policies
Navigating an underground, and inefficient, marketplace
by Wm. Scott Page
Agents and advisors are unwittingly handing over life insurance policies for sale in a marketplace that chronically undervalues them. “Gray sheeting” is a troubling trend in the world of life insurance settlements.
read more - The Robo Effect On Investor Portfolios & The Competitive Landscape
New entrants lead established firms in converting awareness to monied trial
Robo ownership is associated with a more balanced, sophisticated Investment portfolio, even among less wealthy households, as smaller robos outpace larger firms in converting consumer awareness into trial for money, according to our new report: Robo Usage, Awareness and Trial Market & Competitive Data to Inspire Innovation, Improve Portfolios and Increase Conversion.
read more - For The Benefits Equation, A Refocused Strategy
How ‘attract and retain’ might work in a post-pandemic market
by Kara Hoogensen
What employees are looking for in their benefits has shifted as a result of the pandemic. As schools closed, work schedules were altered and dynamics changed, priorities like caregiving and mental health became an increasingly important and necessary part of many employees’ lives. As a result, re-evaluating and implementing the right set of employee benefits…
read more - Building a ‘Custom Made’ Retirement Plan
Understanding Collective Investment Trusts and why they can benefit your clients
by Ken Waineo
Collective Investment Trusts, or CITs, have been in use since 1927 and have grown in popularity since about 2010. This is due in part to offering lower-cost investments compared to mutual funds. It has been well-documented that CITs continue on a steady growth trajectory due to their numerous advantages and growing popularity with 401(k) plan…
read more - Insurtech Platforms Inspire Consumer Life Insurance Adoption
Every financial discussion today is a digital engagement
by Matt Essick
We are now several years down the road into the broad Fintech transformation era. The scale of the digital shift only continues to grow. Indeed, over $44 billion was spent on Fintech in 2020 alone according to Finextra.
read more - Revisiting The Basics Of Protection
It’s time for an honest conversation about life insurance
by Brian Vestergaard
You know that life insurance is designed to provide indispensable financial support when it’s needed the most. But do your clients?
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