Commentary

December 01, 2008

Not surprising, boomers are staying frugal this holiday season. The Thrivent Financial Market Volatility Survey, a national survey of 947 boomers, reveals 63 percent expect...

December 01, 2008

1. Get creative in your strategies...your clients may need major tax breaks for next year. Help a client in any way you can to try to "make up" for what they lost in the market. You may not be able to recover their losses, but you

November 30, 2008

Although the economy has hit a full-blown recession, according to government reports, independent advisors have been faring very well. A LIMRA survey conducted last month with nearly 700 producers found that advisors are making the best of tough

November 30, 2008

Scott DeMonte, who follows the VA market for Massachusetts-based Financial Research Corp., says his advisor contacts were seeing a rise in demand for variable annuities in the immediate wake of the financial crisis.

November 30, 2008

Tracking variable annuity features and benefits is no easy task for advisors. In light of the recent financial crisis, however, those kinds of details might be less relevant anyway, says John Hancock's Tom Mullen. "The spreadsheet [for

November 30, 2008

What is on the site? It is imperative that you are fully aware of what your online audience needs. Special considerations and accommodations are required when designing Web sites for maximum senior usability. The National Institute on Aging and the

November 30, 2008

1. Be informative. Directly answer questions with useful information. 2. Be helpful. Don't view the conversation as an advertisement for your office. 3. Be honest. If you're not qualified to answer a question,