February 9, 2012

Tardy TD enters VA race

By Darla Mercado

Brokerage rolling out low-cost variable annuities for RIAs; direct sales to consumers the endgame

• annuities,
• variable annuities

February 7, 2012

Baucus' targeting of stretch IRAs a reach, say critics

Claim plan to rejigger taxes on inherited accounts could hurt savers with older spouses; 'a nonstarter'

• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs)

February 5, 2012

Focusing on 'yield chasing,' Finra issues watch list

By Mark Schoeff Jr.

In a market defined by low interest rates, investors are searching for higher returns. But brokers had better be careful about how they try to deliver those results, according to their primary regulator. In a 16-page letter posted on its website Tuesday, the...

• annuities,
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA),
• real estate,
• real estate investment trusts (REITs),
• variable annuities

February 5, 2012

Romney's IRA holdings pique interest

By Dan Jamieson

Custodians that specialize in the handling of illiquid securities hope to see more asset flows from the publicity over Mitt Romney's huge IRA. Mr. Romney, the Republican presidential candidate and co-founder of Bain Capital LLC, reportedly holds investments run by Bain worth...

• custodians,
• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs),
• private-equity funds

February 5, 2012

IRA business seen booming

By Darla Mercado

Rollovers into individual retirement accounts will take a bigger share of the retirement market in coming years, with large record keepers such as Fidelity Investments, TIAA-CREF and The Vanguard Group Inc. reaping the benefits. Assets in the U.S. retirement market are projected to ...

• defined contribution plans,
• Fidelity Investments,
• Individual retirement accounts (IRAs),
• rollovers

February 5, 2012

Catch-up contributions help retirement

A considerable number of older investors are well on their way when it comes to saving for retirement. According to a recent survey by TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., 45% of working baby boomers are contributing to their employer-sponsored 401(k)/403(b) plan or are funding their individual...

February 3, 2012

Treasury's lifetime-income proposals lean heavy on education

By Darla Mercado

Observers find proposals to be well intended, but say workers have a lot to learn on annuities

• 401(k)

February 3, 2012

Pru will pay $17M to settle with seven states over death benefits

By Darla Mercado

Prudential Financial Will pay $17 million to settle with seven states; regulators claim insurer used more comprehensive database for cutting off annuity payments than one used to locate those owed money.

• annuities,
• lawsuits,
• legislation and regulation,
• Prudential Insaurance Co. of America

February 3, 2012

Cheney: Obama playing 'small ball' on entitlements

By Jason Kephart

Former veep tells advisers current administration isn't doing enough to curb spending on social programs

• Social Security

February 3, 2012

The return of pensions? Treasury backs annuities in retirement plans

By Mary Beth Franklin

American retirement security now ranks as a top concern of the White House, right up there with unemployment and the federal budget deficit. In a joint announcement Thursday, the Departments of Treasury and Labor unveiled two executive actions to expand the transparency of 401(k) fees and broaden the availability of retirement plan payout options to encourage the use of annuities to provide lifetime income.

• 401(k)