| News covering the insurance and financial advising industry |  |
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- Expert: Life insurers have a "rising appetite" for acquisitions
Life insurance companies are eyeing acquisitions in the U.S. and emerging markets as a means of accelerating growth and boosting shareholder returns, says Sam Friedman of Deloitte Services. Insurers are displaying a "rising appetite" for such deals in 2013, Friedman said. "They're well-capitalized and there's some impatience in terms of trying to meet expectations for what their return on equity will be," Friedman said. Bloomberg
(1/10)     
| Industry News | | |
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- Questions to expect regarding indexed universal life
Indexed universal life insurance products, although complicated to explain to clients, can be effective at delivering tax-free retirement income, Katherine Vessenes writes. She recommends outlining the product's pros and cons and answering questions using online tools, illustrations and multiple scenarios to quell client concerns about potential insurer bankruptcies and changes to tax benefits. Vessenes also suggests highlighting the product's flexible premiums. National Underwriter Life & Health
(1/9)
- Survey: Fixed-indexed annuities help maintain income after retiring
One strategy for delivering sustainable retirement income involves a fixed-indexed annuity with a guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit in combination with systematic mutual fund withdrawals, according to a Security Benefit survey. "FIAs that include a GLWB rider can offer retirees a predictable income they can never outlive," says Doug Wolff of Security Benefit Life Insurance. "While there are a number of vehicles in the marketplace that can generate guaranteed income in retirement, including highly popular variable annuities, FIAs are able to generate attractive income from retirement assets without having to annuitize or give up control of the assets." Financial Advisor online
(1/10)
| Investment Trends | | |
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- Advisers recommend more exposure to real estate
Many financial advisers plan to suggest that clients put more money into real estate this year, according to the InvestmentNews 2013 Investment Outlook survey. About 43% say they will recommend greater exposure to alternative investments, while 35.6% think that among alternatives, real estate will be the top performer. InvestmentNews (free registration)
(1/6)
- Commentary: Defined-benefit plans have downsides
The disappearance of corporate pensions has some lamenting the days of guaranteed income in retirement, but pensions also have some disadvantages compared with 401(k) plans, David Ning writes. Pensions tie workers to jobs, they might not be inflation-adjusted and they leave no wealth to pass on to children. "Pensions provide stability to many retirees, but having access to one doesn't automatically make your retirement life better," Ning writes. U.S. News & World Report/On Retirement blog
(1/9)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Affordable Care Act limits Medicare cost increases, HHS says
While seniors are enjoying more benefits, Medicare cost increases remain historically low, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services. The report says Medicare spending per senior went up by 0.4 percentage points in 2012. "The Affordable Care Act is an important factor contributing to slow growth in spending per beneficiary in 2011 and 2012, and is the primary cause of the projections of continued slow growth over the next decade," the HHS said. The Hill/Healthwatch blog
(1/10)
| Building Your Business | | |
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- Commentary: Stop the excuses and embrace technology
Advisers who resist new technology and talk about their age aren't doing themselves any favors with clients, writes Craig Faulkner, CEO of FMG Suite. "[S]top talking about your age, toss out the instruction manual and start tinkering, and get on those social sites today," he writes. "You'll reap the benefits in increased client confidence, more business, and the fun of showing up those Gen-X types!" Financial-Planning.com/A Better Practice blog
(1/6)
| NAIFA News | | |
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NAIFA's Boyle talks to The Wall Street Journal on tax reform
"After the cliff: Roths, munis, diversification," a post on The Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch website, offers insight from NAIFA Vice President of Federal Government Relations Diane Boyle on how tax reform in 2013 may impact retirees and those now saving for retirement. Read the NAIFA Blog for more information on tax reform and NAIFA's Congressional Conference.
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