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August 03, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Want some free marketing material for your annuities business? Look no further than the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which recently released a report touting annuities for their ability to provide sufficient retirement income in an increasingly uncertain environment.
The GAO recommends that retirees delay their receipt of Social Security Benefits and either draw down savings and purchase an annuity or select annuity options from their defined benefit (DB) plans instead of electing to receive their benefits in a lump sum.
According to the GAO, the shift from defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution (DC) plans like 401(k)s necessitates a heightened focus on annuities and other options for guaranteeing income during retirement. And even if workers are saving more for retirement through their DC plans, they are still at greater risk than employees with DB pensions.
“Although, retirement savings may be larger in the future as more workers have opportunities to save over longer periods through strategies such as automatic enrollment [in DC plans], many will likely continue to face little margin for error. Poor or imprudent investment decisions may mean the difference between a secure retirement and poverty.”
The GAO also notes most government resources encourage retirement savings without bringing enough attention to the problem of ensuring sufficient retirement income. It also notes that pension plans are not required to disclose to employees the risks of retirement and suggests that plan sponsors be required to notify participants of those risks.
