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RIIA Committee Seeks Research For Projected Curriculum

June 29, 2008 – The committee will solicit the best academic research in several areas deemed essential for advisors who want to meet the retirement income challenge.

Sun Life Offers Value-Added Retirement Income Program

June 29, 2008 – The “Retirement Blueprint” kit contains materials to assess client needs, customize income plans and cultivate client relationships.

SEC Still Rattling Sabers at EIAs

June 29, 2008 – If a proposed rule is adopted, only those with securities licenses could sell EIAs, which would be regulated the same way securities are regulated.

Couples Will Need $85,000 To Insure For Long-Term Care—Fidelity

June 29, 2008 – More than half of Americans over age 65 will eventually need at least a year of long-term care, and about 20% will require more than five years of care.

Wishful Thinking Dominates Withdrawal Rates

June 29, 2008 – MetLife’s 2008 Retirement Income IQ Test found that 69% of pre-retirees overestimate the rate at which they can draw down their savings.

Retirement Un-Preparedness is a Global Problem, MetLife Survey Shows

June 22, 2008 – Nearly half of U.S. employees and millions of workers abroad have not taken steps to determine their income needs in retirement.

Public Pensions Defend Role In Letter To Congress

June 22, 2008 – Pension plans have set aside roughly $3 trillion in assets to pay for future benefits, says the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.

Defined Benefit Plans Outperform 401(k) Plans

June 22, 2008 – Over a 12-year period, defined benefit plans outperformed defined contribution plans by nearly 14%, according to Watson Wyatt Worldwide.

AIG SunAmerica Offers Flexible, Extended VA Roll-Up

June 22, 2008 – With AIG SunAmerica's new variable annuity living benefit option, the income base may increase each year for up to 15 years, even if withdrawals are taken.

Immediate Annuities Favored by Retirement Professionals—RIR Poll

June 22, 2008 – Forty-one percent of respondents would use half their 'mother's' liquid assets to buy a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) and invest the other half in a balanced index fund.

John Hancock Offers Quarterly GLWB Step-Ups

June 17, 2008 – John Hancock now offers quarterly step-ups on its Income Plus for Life variable annuity guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit.

First Quarter 2008 VA Net Sales Rise 12.3%, to $7.2 billion

June 17, 2008 – Year-over-year, net sales of variable annuities rose in the first quarter of 2008, while total sales were up a half-percent. But total VA assets fell in the first quarter compared to the last quarter of 2007.

Get a Second Life, Aviva USA Tells Agents

June 17, 2008 – Aviva USA is inviting current and prospective agents to the company's “private island” in the Internet-based virtual world, Second Life.

Many Insurance Executives Predict Higher M&E, GLWB Fees

June 17, 2008 – Some 65% of executives expect 
charges for lifetime withdrawal guarantees to go up and about 55% expect fees for minimum withdrawal guarantees to rise.

Last Chance to Vote on Mom's Retirement Income Strategy

June 17, 2008 – Have you voted in our online poll? If not, you’re in luck. The voting booth will stay open an additional week.