Will 2015 finally be the year when plan sponsors welcome these insurance products with open arms?
The last <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i> menu of the year features: A cautionary tale on chasing performance; why active management is not dead yet; cheap oil claims its first energy-sector victim; and a reminder that annuities are not investments.
Sales of the products may be cannibalizing those of variable annuities.
In a two-part tradeoff, John Hancock will acquire New York Life's Retirement Plan Services business, and New York Life will take on a block of John Hancock's life insurance business. One deals bolsters John Hancock's retirement reach and the other the other New York Life's insurance reserves.
<b>Game Changers: Dealing with Dementia</b> Cognitive decline doesn't just rob the elderly of their mental capacity. Advisers and their firms often are left adrift, forced to make crucial decisions affecting the financial affairs of elderly clients.
IRS will auction an annuity that was part of a contract Darryl Strawberry signed with the Mets nearly 30 years ago.
Though new board has wide support among state regulators, GOP senator cries foul over infringement of states' rights.
Insurance giant AIG tweaks existing deferred-income product to meet Treasury's guidelines. But will it satisfy the market? <i>(Don't miss: <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/gallery/20141121/FREE/112109999/PH" target="_blank">Top sellers of individual annuities</a>)</i>
With Congress adjourned, rejected bills, such as one facilitating insurance agents' ability to practice in multiple states that was blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn, will need to be reintroduced next year.
For advisers who want to expand their firms by reaching out to the next generation of investors – those in their 20s, 30s or 40s – long-term and cross-generational financial vehicles such as fee-only life insurance and no-load annuities offered to clients of RIAs through Ameritas Advisor Services should be considered as a central part of the effort.
Advisers willing to wait to get into the carrier's VAs and if history is any guide, first quarter sales will jump.
Senate OKs legislation to make it easier for insurance agents to become licensed to sell insurance in multiple states.
Don't be surprised if clients seek your advice on complex health care decisions as they approach retirement.
But retirees will still need to prepare for rising health care costs in the long run, expert warns.
On Monday's <i>Breakfast with Benjamin</i>, Wall Street makes its case for why consumers should be spending big. Plus: Avoiding 'bag lady syndrome', the insurance industry gets digital, and oil starts to look and feel like a free market.
About 52% of the collections reported by credit agencies are owed to hospitals and other medical providers. Advisers must stand ready to help negotiate claims and make sure medical debt doesn't wreck client credit reports.
Figuring out how to utilize the full potential of these health care plan features should be part of comprehensive retirement income planning.
Mr. Jack helped build the insurer's variable annuities business and independent broker-dealer network.
Clients need more knowledge about health savings accounts and their potential role in helping fund health and retirement needs.
Working beyond Medicare age can save thousands per year.
