In a recent case (Cajun Industries LLC v. Robert Kidder, et al.), the court ruled that despite having previously named his three children as beneficiaries of his 401(k) plan, a deceased plan participant's 401(k) balance will pass to his new wife
Jamey Delaplane, partner at law firm Davis & Harman LLP, warned advisers in attendance at the <i>InvestmentNews</i> Retirement Income Summit that IRAs are likely to come under increased regulatory scrutiny.
California today announced a settlement with John Hancock Financial Services Inc. after an investigation revealed that the carrier failed to deliver deceased clients' death benefits promptly to the tune or $20 million. Similar cases are ongoing in Florida, too.
Class-action litigants, B-D finally sign off on deal over soured Reg D offerings; agreement to be filed with judge 'within the week'
After a surge in variable annuity sales last year, financial advisers are curious about just how much more business the largest sellers can handle without biting off more than they can hedge
BofA, JPMorgan and Wells looking to horn in on retirement plan biz; could be good news for employees
The securities industry wants no part of a Finra proposal to cap at 15% commissions and other fees for outside private placements, claiming that it would prevent small business from raising capital
The B-D's finance chief says the brokerage, part of Ameriprise, could be on the brink -- if a judge fails to approve a class-action settlement over failed private placements
Soaring premiums on long-term-care insurance have seniors and advisers up in arms. Some believe new hybrid products may provide better protection and more flexibility.
A Colorado college savings plan gets top mark for 2010; rated No.1 for the past five quarters
Dr. Doom sees global economic growth stalling; corporate results will disappoint, he predicts
Barton Biggs, Laszlo Birinyi and a host of other investment gurus see no end to the current bull market The reason? Take a look at corporate balance sheets.
Dahlman Rose's Rauscher predicts benchmark index will finish year close to 1,500 mark; weak dollar, corporate profits cited
Unintended consequence of applying fiduciary standard could whack self-directed retirement accounts; DOL went 'a little bit too far'
Newer models could offer attractive alternatives to wirehouses, but they're not making a huge dent in headcounts.
Focus on optimal portfolios – rather than optimal investment strategies – a big mistake, says Muralidhar; death to CAPM
Few investors grasp the damage inflation can do to long-term debt. But a new online tool from BondView might help bring clients' expectations in line with reality.
Selling into a depressed market is not the brightest move ever, but that's what many clients are doing by cashing out their muni bond funds. The better play? Stay patient -- and buy individual bonds
