News & Products

Lori Lucas, director of retirement research at Hewitt Associates, says “many companies have been hesitant to offer Roth 401(k)s for a number of reasons, including concerns over whether employees would use them and whether Roth 401(k)s might actually result in reduced overall contribution rates.” However, she says, “our early research on the Roth 401(k) shows no notable difference in the participation and contribution rates of employees choosing to contribute to the Roth 401(k) versus a pretax 401(k).”

New York Life Insurance Company recently introduced Custom Whole Life Insurance, which provides the quality features and coverage of whole life insurance and allows customers to decide how long they want to pay premiums by choosing a policy paid-up date at the time of purchase. Once paid up, consumers have the option to draw an income stream from the cash value in the policy, New York Life says.

The product allows individuals to retain the benefits of life insurance and the ability to accumulate cash value on a tax-deferred basis, while being a potential source of supplemental retirement income if the client no longer has a need for the full death benefit, NY Life says. “Structured properly, Custom Whole Life may help consumers achieve both life insurance protection and supplemental retirement income in one,” said Scott Berlin, senior VP at New York Life in a prepared statement. “By customizing the policy and selecting a final payment day, you get protection for life but don’t have to spend your life paying for it.”