Investment News & Analysis for Financial Advisors

News

5 Ideas From a Retirement Expert’s New Paper, for Annuity Sellers

Allison Bell | June 02, 2020

Olivia Mitchell, a professor at the Wharton School, says that COVID-19 has seriously damaged defined benefit pension plans.

Q&A

A Top Social Security Expert Blasts Biden’s Reform Plan

Jane Wollman Rusoff | June 02, 2020

William Reichenstein tells ThinkAdvisor what he thinks is a fairer way to strengthen Social Security.
News

Americans Ponder Savings Protection, Expect Further Stock Drops: Allianz Life

Ginger Szala | May 29, 2020

Forty-five percent said they were willing to give up some potential gains in exchange for loss protection, the insurer found in a survey.
News

IRS Floats Plan to Update Withholding Rules for Annuity Payments

Melanie Waddell | May 27, 2020

The 2020 default rate of withholding on periodic payments will continue to be based on treating the taxpayer as a married individual.

News

Variable Annuity Sales Climb 19%: Wink

Allison Bell | May 25, 2020

Sales of non-variable annuities went in a different direction.
News

Iowa Adopts Best-Interest Standard for Annuity Sales

Melanie Waddell | May 11, 2020

The division will repropose its rule for broker-dealers later this summer.
News

Selling Annuities Through Exchange Is Just the Start: Envestnet CEO

Allison Bell | May 11, 2020

Bill Crager said he's also thinking about life insurance and health care.
News

Athene Rides the Mark-to-Market Rollercoaster: Earnings

Allison Bell | May 11, 2020

Ameriprise, Independence Holding Co. and Triple-S have also released their first-quarter results.
News

Allianz Life Gets Direct Access to eMoney Advisor Platform With New Pact

Jeff Berman | April 29, 2020

The deal enables the insurer to offer advisors financial planning software maker’s tools.
News

Consumers Who Know More About Annuities May Like Them More

Allison Bell | April 29, 2020

Higher quiz scores translated into a little more hostility, and a lot more warmth.
Slideshow

7 Things COVID-19 Has Taught Your Youngest Annuity Prospects

Allison Bell | April 28, 2020

The pandemic has obviously been a powerful educator. Here's a look at its lesson plan.
News

Want to Work in Retirement? Life May Have Other Plans

Michael S. Fischer | April 14, 2020

In an Allianz Life survey, half of retirees left the workforce earlier than expected.
News

DPL Offers Free Annuity and Insurance Services for RIAs

Michael S. Fischer | March 27, 2020

Free access is available until June 1.
Q&A

‘Stan the Annuity Man’ Sees Business Booming as Investors Seek Safety

Jane Wollman Rusoff | March 11, 2020

The "annuity truth" advocate tells ThinkAdvisor which kinds of annuities he prefers and which are “overhyped.”

Commentary

4 Lessons This Crisis Can Teach Clients About Retirement

Chip Munn | May 11, 2020

It's possible to use this shelter-at-home period to alter the course of retirement plans and develop a lifestyle to look forward to.

Best Practices

For Future Tax Flexibility, Consider a Variable Annuity

Scott Stolz | April 27, 2020

Instead of paying taxes on capital gains, this type of guaranteed income move could be better for clients.
Q&A

Kotlikoff Weighs In: Should Cash-Strapped Seniors Claim Social Security Early?

Jane Wollman Rusoff | April 24, 2020

The economist and Social Security expert talks to ThinkAdvisor about the best ways to get cash now and how to reopen the economy.
Q&A

Wade Pfau: Pandemic Tears Up 4% Rule

Jane Wollman Rusoff | April 14, 2020

The professor tells ThinkAdvisor why retirees shouldn't rely too much on investment portfolios and how they can fill the income gap.

Slideshow

7 Keys of Secure Act’s Annuity Safe Harbor in Retirement Plans

Robert Bloink William H. Byrnes | March 12, 2020

More clients are likely to see an annuity option in their 401(k) in the near future, so it’s important they know what to watch out for.