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>
Taking benefits early means permanent reduction &ndash; but sometimes that's OK.
Street appeal, Motif Investing attracts the interest of Goldman Sachs
2014 is likely to be bumpier than 2013, with clients likely to need more hand-holding from advisers, meaning it isn't too early to begin.
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.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> January was rough, and though Seattle winning the Super Bowl is a good omen for stocks, it's going to be a bumpy ride. Also: How defined contribution assets surged, celebrating 25 years as a top PM, who to thank (or blame) for 401(k)s, finding gems in the emerging markets and who won the Super Bowl of advertising?
Proposal would enable investors to open accounts with as little as $25. But would it turn us into a "nation of savers?"
This week's TD Ameritrade Institutional conference was packed with technology. From providers to presenters, the message to advisers was clear: It's time to stop paying lip service to technology and walk the walk. Sheryl Rowling shares her top takeaways.
On today's menu: The bad omen of Amazon's earnings miss; lots of people are eating burritos; the Microsoft CEO search nears an end ... and the new guy has a big job ahead; Super Bowl ads and what you need to know about the Year of the Horse.
Two companies filed this week, seeking funds that don't report daily.
As of May, the 4,500 investment advisers who use the custody services of TD Ameritrade Institutional and the Veo platform for trading will have access to the web-based version of iRebal at no additional charge.
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.
<i>Breakfast with Benjamin:</i> Big news from two tech giants: strong earnings and a gamechanging sale. Plus two questions: Should you worry about the rout in emerging markets and is your technology working for or against you? Also: A super price for a Super Bowl suite.
Advisers should spend more time vetting private-placement funds and their managers, commission says.
They're a great way to save on federal taxes, but state treatments differ widely.
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.
