President says "I completely get how upsetting this can be" for many Americans, gives those who've received cancellation notices from their insurers a one-year reprieve before they have to get new policies.
A new annuity product intended to buffer clients' account values against downside losses is starting to gain interest. Will it catch on across the industry? <b><i>Plus: <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/section/specialreport/20140223/ANNUITIES">Our full Annuities Special Report</b></i></a>
Regulatory attention means advisers may want to rethink which companies they work with.
Higher taxes may drive interest in variable and indexed annuities; potential of rising rates could inspire new products.
Gap between what they have and what they need closing in on $450,000.
Can both spouses file and suspend their benefits?
President Obama's voluntary '"myRA" proposal, with no option to invest in stocks, could be doomed to failure, advisers say. The plan "isn't going to go anywhere," according to one skeptic. <i>(Don't miss these <a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/gallery/20140123/FREE/123009998/PH" target="_blank">tips for a worry-free IRA rollover</a>.)</i>
Advisers must know whether clients who have worked for federal, state or city governments may be affected by pension rules that can reduce or even eliminate certain Social Security benefits.
MetLife Inc., the insurer reducing variable annuity sales by more than half, said rivals that are expanding are probably retaining less funds to back the retirement products.
Fixed-annuity sales in the third quarter reached their highest level since 2009, topping $22 billion. That number represents a 31% rise from the previous quarter and more than a 35% increase from the same period last year.
Just as advisers have to become experts in learning the best Social Security claiming strategies, they need to learn how Medicare and tax rules could affect their clients' bottom line in retirement.
Advisers registered in one state could join new organization and sell insurance in other states.
