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- Rankings put U.S. at No. 19 in retirement quality
The cost of health care and the government's diminishing ability to support retirees resulted in a U.S. ranking of 19th on the Natixis Global Retirement Index, which measures quality of life. Norway and Switzerland were among several European nations, as well as Japan, that outranked the U.S. In contrast to many other countries, "in the U.S., we encourage workers to plan, save and invest, and promote policies that help them meet their future needs," says John Hailer of Natixis Global Asset Management. Financial Advisor online
(3/7)     
| Industry News | | |
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- Companies raise default rates for 401(k) contributions
More companies are automatically enrolling workers in 401(k) plans, and now a growing number are upping the percentage of the default contribution, new research from Bank of America Merrill Lynch shows. Instead of the once-standard 3% contribution rate, the default is 4% or higher among almost half the auto-enrollment plans that Bank of America Merrill Lynch administers. That still falls short of the 12% to 15% rate recommended by experts, but more companies in the survey also are automatically stepping up employee contribution rates annually. MarketWatch/Encore blog
(3/6)
| Investment Trends | | |
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- Survey: Advisers recommend mutual funds most often
A survey of 300,000 financial professionals by Advisors Perspective found that mutual funds are the most commonly recommended investments, followed by common stocks, exchange-traded funds and variable annuities. Half of the surveyed advisers said they recommend real estate to clients, while 37% recommend fixed annuities, the survey found. National Underwriter Life & Health
(3/7)
| Policy Watch | | |
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| Building Your Business | | |
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- A strategy to save on taxes, preserve principal
Financial adviser Barbara Bencini found a strategy that worked for a client with a sizable lump-sum pension payout who was extremely risk-averse and tax-averse, and who wanted to leave money behind for his children. Bencini advised him to convert the money to a Roth IRA and buy a variable annuity within the IRA. The plan required a one-time, upfront tax payment, which the client made with other money. The Wall Street Journal
(3/5)
| NAIFA News | | |
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In Step with a Winner: Clint Fish, RFC -- Four Under Forty winner
The practice of Clint Fish, RFC, has grown significantly since he won Advisor Today's Four Under Forty Award in 2009. We recently caught up with Fish and learned about his company's successes, his plans for the future, and why he thinks NAIFA membership is so valuable. Read more on the Advisor Today blog.
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