The pricing and hedging challenges that come with variable annuities with living benefits might make them a bad match for consumers in search of retirement income, a pair of economists say.
With algorithms taking over the decision-making part of investing, the role of financial advisors in wealth management is shifting from advisory services to client services.
Back at full strength for the first time in years, the Securities and Exchange Commission is in position to seize the best-interest fiduciary issue from the Department of Labor, one analyst says. He calls that good news for financial services.
New investor confidence indices, along with the tax reform bill, point to another strong year on Wall Street. The key for advisors is to keep antsy investors from getting distracted by huge market gains.
The latest J.D. Power investor study found that nearly half of “emerging affluent investors” are likely to walk away from their current wealth management firm. What are advisors doing wrong?
AAP changes its name to Americans for Asset Protection. Broader mission will include advocacy for “easy access to annuities, life insurance and long term care products.”
Northwestern Mutual’s investment in business coaching firm ClientWise amounts to an affirmation that advisors must migrate from solo practitioners to team builders and managers, experts said.
A new Allianz buffered annuity crediting strategy guarantees a rate of 7.25 percent, whether the market index remains flat or stays in positive territory. The downside protection means Allianz will absorb a market loss of up to 10 percent.
A new “best interest” proposal to regulate annuity and life insurance sales in New York State imposes “burdensome compliance obligations,” a law firm finds. New York is trying to become the second state, after Nevada, to impose its own fiduciary type standard.
Boosting the death benefit by several thousand dollars and adding a charitable giving rider will help Vantis Life’s single-premium whole life product compete for market share, the company said.
A new survey confirms that divorce is highest in January, as couples look to move on after the holidays. More distressing is how many married people are unprepared for the financial burdens that come with splitting up.
Portions of the Department of Labor fiduciary rule went into effect June 9, 2017. But what is meant by acting in the “best interest” of clients? Our Kim O’Brien tries to sort through the language.
With tax cuts enacted, a booming market and clients aware of the fiduciary standard, registered investment advisors say the conditions are ripe for a strong 2018. The new survey also found that most RIAs expect strong asset growth this year.
There is no way on earth that your best clients have identified the best mutual fund options available on their default company 401(k) retirement plan menu.
Artificial intelligence investments are returning strong growth to investors and the future looks bright, if a little uncertain. Experts share a few tips to keep in mind when considering AI investments.
Lincoln Financial has hired corporate actuary Stafford Thompson Jr. as senior vice president, Life Product Management, in charge of the company’s individual life business.
A new financial designation program from the American College is designed to meet the needs of advisors in a complex environment, experts say.
If technological changes are making life more functional, then we as an industry should also consider how we make our products and services available for consumers to purchase.
Connecting employee groups to insurance benefit platforms is causing more headaches for advisors as voluntary employer-sponsored benefits become more popular with employees.
