- Variable Annuities Reforms Leading to Mixed Results for Life/Annuity Insurers
Expected to diminish noneconomic volatility that resulted under the previous framework
AM Best expects variable annuity (VA) reforms from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) to diminish noneconomic volatility that resulted under the previous framework and may reduce the use of captives by U.S. life insurance and annuity writers.
read more - The Way We Save
How advisors can ‘win on the saver spectrum’
The ways Americans save – from “Big Savers” to “Aspirational Savers” – provide insights that can lead to better financial outcomes and help financial services firms to engage with different saver segments, according to a new report by Hearts & Wallets, the research and benchmarking firm that specializes in how consumers save, invest and seek…
read more - Closing The Savings Access Gap
How 40 million more Americans could save for retirement by 2040 with national universal access to retirement savings options
National universal access policies could dramatically close the retirement savings access gap for millions of employees and provide larger annual incomes for retirees, according to new research from the Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives (CRI) in collaboration with Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) and supported by a grant from the Berggruen Institute’s Future of Capitalism…
read more - When Health Suffers, Finances Go On Life Support
As COVID-19 concerns continue to mount, Americans face greater risk of suffering from high medical debt
Even adults who do not contract COVID-19 are facing a healthcare crisis. A Debt.com survey of more than 1,000 American adults reveals 56 percent of respondents had medical debt sent to collections and nearly two-thirds owed under $5,000, while 5 percent owed over $50,000.
read more - 2021 Trends to Watch Include: Virtual Care, Mental Health, Health Equity
Pandemic has accelerated dramatic changes
The pandemic has accelerated dramatic changes in health care and well-being in 2020 and will continue to do so in 2021, said Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health, the premier non-profit organization representing large employers’ perspectives on health, well-being and workforce strategy issues.
read more - With Slim Majority, Biden Administration to Pursue Centrist Agenda
Can it garner support from both parties?
President-Elect Joseph Biden will take office with a smaller Democratic majority in the House of Representatives than before the election and tiebreaker-control over the incoming Senate, which will be split 50-50 between Republicans and the Democratic Caucus following last week’s run-off elections in the two Georgia Senate races.
read more - Supporting Military Community’s Financial Well-Being
Prudential Financial Inc. partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial wellness resources to Veterans, transitioning Servicemembers and their families
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), is partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide Veterans, transitioning Service members and their families with access to financial wellness resources to improve their economic well-being and financial stability at no cost.
read more - Matching Your Sales Approach to Your Prospect’s Readiness to Buy
Five stages of buying behavior
by Jill J. Johnson, MBA
Your sales and promotional messages must link to where your customers are in their decision-making process. There are five stages of buying behavior that a consumer will go through: awareness, interest, evaluation, trial and finally the adoption stage. Each stage requires a different decision by your prospect. By matching your sales and promotional strategies to…
read more - Most People Don’t Think High Deductible Health Plans Save Money
46% of HDHPs policyholders report higher health care spending overall
High deductible health plans (HDHPs), which have lower premiums but higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, aren't saving members as much money as hoped. To gauge HDHPs' effectiveness, Insure.com researchers surveyed 1,000 policyholders.
read more - Filling The Gap Between Employer Actions And Employee Perceptions
There are opportunities for continued engagement as as many remain focused on retirement readiness
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased employers’ focus on employee physical and financial health yet has also created gaps between their perceptions about the benefits employees need and their employees’ expectations. Sixty-nine percent of employers say they have increased their focus on improving employees’ financial wellness during the pandemic, but just one-third of employees feel…
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