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The Global Perspective

Boomers’ Golden Years Don’t Glitter As Brightly

November 23, 2008 - Rather than looking forward to globe-trotting or golf, pre-retirees worldwide now worry about meeting daily expenses during retirement, a new survey by The Hartford shows.

Manulife Expects $250 Million Loss for Third Quarter

October 19, 2008 - The company expects its regulatory capital ratio to be within its targeted operating range of 180% to 200% for the third quarter, however.

Canadians Seek To Delay Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts

October 12, 2008 - Some Canadian retirees want to delay withdrawals—which might force the liquidation of depressed assets—until share prices recover.

Canadians Fretful About Retirement

September 14, 2008 - Nearly 30% of Canadians nearing retirement are not confident they have saved enough to maintain their standard of living once they leave the workforce.

Genworth Sees Opportunity in UK Retirement Market

September 7, 2008 - Genworth has formed a retirement income and wealth management team in Europe, and sees opportunity in the UK fee-based adviser market.

AGF Offers Canadians Principal-Protected, Income-Producing Notes With Upside Potential

September 7, 2008 - AGF Management Limited has launched retirement deposit notes that offer investors reliable, inflation-adjusted income with exposure to equities.

UK Variable Annuity Launches Hit Snag

August 16, 2008 - Two UK insurers, Prudential plc and Standard Life, have delayed their planned variable annuity products launches, for undisclosed reasons.

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.

Fidelity International Challenges Value of Living Benefits

June 10, 2008 - In a new report, the fund giant's global unit estimates a one-in-70 chance that a lifetime withdrawal guarantee would pay out more than it cost.

AIG Unit to Sell Custom VAs in Japan

May 19, 2008 - The Japanese branch of American International Group’s U.S.-based American Life Insurance Company will provide variable annuities to the customers of Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd.

Aegon Introduces Variable Annuity in U.K.

May 18, 2008 - The product is an alternative to income annuities and systematic withdrawal plans, which the English call “income drawdown.”

ING Gains from Citigroup Sub-Prime Woes

May 5, 2008 - By acquiring CitiStreet, the Dutch banking giant becomes the third-largest defined contribution business in the U.S., managing $351 billion.

Annuity Payout Rates Hit Five-Year High in U.K.

May 5, 2008 - Annuity payout rates have hit a five-year high in the United Kingdom amid a “rate war” among providers, according to a newswire report.

England Braces for an Invasion of U.S.-Style Variable Annuities

April 16, 2008 - U.K.-based insurance companies are trying to reassure investors that their VAs won’t be as complicated as the U.S. versions, according to a newswire report.

Allianz Life Enters Japan’s VA Market

April 6, 2008 - Allianz Life Insurance Japan Ltd., a unit of Allianz SE, will begin distributing deferred variable annuities through Nikko Cordial Securities in April.