Although annualized premiums for all major life insurance products showed gains in the second quarter, indexed universal life was the primary driver behind those gains.
Health insurers who sell coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces are “left holding the bag” as a result of President Donald Trump’s order to end federal cost-sharing subsidies, a health care observer said Friday.
The Protecting Advice for Small Savers (PASS) Act of 2017 emerged from the House Financial Services Committee Thursday and moves on to a full House vote.
Clients often overestimate their retirement income, analysts say. That means advisors have a tough job getting clients to focus on the difficult planning decisions.
The Department of Labor fiduciary rule is a good bet to be delayed by 18 months. How the DOL will amend the rule during that time is unknown because many political positions have not been filled by the Trump administration.
Converting employer-sponsored defined contribution (DC) retirement plans into Roth-like accounts could “dramatically change” the nation’s retirement landscape – and not for the better, an analyst said.
President Donald Trump continued chipping away at the Affordable Care Act (ACA), signing another executive order weakening the health care law after Congress failed to repeal it.
Preston Rutledge is expected to be nominated and confirmed as assistant secretary of labor. The post is responsible for the DOL fiduciary rule and has been vacant since January.
Total 403(b) assets have grown from $357 billion in 1996 to nearly $1 trillion in 2017. With a little knowledge and work, advisors can be an asset to teachers and others relying on 403(b) plans to carry them through retirement.
Gold prices face threats from plenty of corners, including fascination with cryptocurrencies. But gold prices are strong for the moment and expected to be a good investment in the near-term, analysts say.
The Department of Labor must avoid the appearance of pushing the financial services industry into a ubiquitous fee-for-service model, industry officials say in new comments. In addition, some of the exemptions the DOL created are not working well, others say.
Retirement product developers are experimenting with creative new annuity designs, among other products, that will fit with the new Department of Labor fiduciary rule requirements. The delay of phase two of the DOL rule is giving product developers some leeway, analysts say.
Whether or not your show is profitable comes down to one thing. Does your show create leads?
Accelerated underwriting is beginning to make inroads as insurers vastly improve at processing more data to price policies in a way that reflects the risk appropriately.
The rapidly expanding gig economy might be good for employers, but freelance working who lack employer-sponsored benefits and retirement plans need help. Advisors can provide that assistance.
AXA Financial has extended the premium payment grace period for its customers affected by recent hurricanes.
Republicans are kicking around an idea to force “Rothification” of retirement accounts. Opponents say it is a bad idea that could hurt Americans’ retirement readiness. The controversial idea is not expected to be part of 2018 budget or tax reform plans.
For years, insurers sold variable annuities with generous promises policyholders couldn’t refuse. But then interest rates collapsed and made those contracts a risky proposition. Insurers are turning to structured, or buffered, annuities to reclaim their market share.
The best offense against the Department of Labor fiduciary rule liability is a good defense. That means a system to consistently and thoroughly record transactions to show compliance, our Kim O’Brien writes.
