10 financial strategies for military families
{March 2nd, 2017} by Marlene Satter
Military servicemembers and their families have unique financial benefits, challenges and requirements, but they don’t always have the financial know-how to take advantage of benefits or to avoid pitfalls. To that end, and to accentuate Military Saves Week, February 27–March 4, an updated edition of Kiplinger’s Financial Field Manual: A Personal Finance Guide For Military […]
Labor reveals balanced approach to reviewing fiduciary rule in proposed delay
{March 2nd, 2017} by Nick Thornton
In the Labor Department’s proposal to delay the April 10 implementation date of the fiduciary rule by 60 days, the agency is killing two birds with one stone. Labor has issued a 15-day comment period to determine the potential cost and benefits of delaying the rule, which it says are “highly uncertain.” But the proposal […]
How Young Financial Advisors Can Invest in Themselves
{March 2nd, 2017} by ThinkAdvisor
One of the most overlooked parts of advancing one’s career is self-investment. While this is true in nearly every field of work, it is even more common among young financial advisors who are so busy nurturing client relationships that they can forget about their own futures. There are two specific areas where young financial advisors […]
Millennial Madness
{March 2nd, 2017} by ThinkAdvisor
Since one of my main jobs is to deliver to you the news and analysis you need, I read plenty of surveys about advisors — everything from where you are investing on behalf of clients to how you feel about robo-advisors. When reviewing those surveys, I always place them into two buckets. Bucket one is […]
‘Business as Usual’ at SEC Despite Staff Vacancies
{March 2nd, 2017} by ThinkAdvisor
If confirmed, incoming Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton will be busy filling open vacancies on his staff — particularly top posts like division heads and a chief of staff. But advisors and broker-dealers shouldn’t count on SEC staff twiddling their thumbs in the meantime. “In the short term, folks need to remember that, […]
Use the fiduciary rule to jumpstart digital marketing
{March 2nd, 2017} by Lester Tiro
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule isn’t all bad news — it could provide a golden opportunity for your online marketing, no matter what happens. There are four ways you can capitalize on the rule to position yourself as a client-focused adviser. Show your clients you can be there through any ups and downs — […]
Financial crisis still haunts middle-income baby boomers
{March 2nd, 2017} by Daniel Williams
Ten years ago, the first baby boomers were hitting retirement age, and they were fine with that. For many, their planning had paid off. Their nest eggs were stocked and they were ready to reap the rewards. Click HERE to view the full article via LifeHealthPro; free registration
Nationwide completes Jefferson National acquisition
{March 2nd, 2017} by Daniel Williams
Nationwide and Jefferson National are now one. The Columbus, Ohio-based insurance carrier made a huge investment in the RIA world by bringing aboard Jefferson National, a distributor of investment products that counts some 4,000 advisors and $4.7 billion in client assets. “We are all thrilled about joining forces and we welcome Jefferson National associates to […]
Merrill could pivot on fiduciary pledge
{March 1st, 2017} by Jamie Johnson
Merrill Lynch may consider delaying or reversing some previously announced policies meant to comply with the fiduciary rule, including a pledge to cease offering commission-based retirement accounts. Andy Sieg, head of Merrill Lynch, says his firm has been working to deliver a best interest standard of care for clients. But he says that “operational changes” […]
Merrill Lynch chief: Our FAs don’t see robo advisers as competition
{March 1st, 2017} by Andrew Welsch
Merrill Lynch is on a digital roll that’s not likely to abate anytime soon. The firm unveiled its robo adviser in February and new mobile capabilities for its wealthy clients on Wednesday. And Merrill Lynch advisers can expect to see new and upgraded tools later this year, according to Andy Sieg, head of the firm. […]
Another Record-Setting Year for Indexed Life Sales! Wink, Inc. Releases Fourth Quarter, 2016 Indexed Life Sales Results
{March 1st, 2017} by Wink, Inc
Pleasant Hill, Iowa. February 28, 2017– Forty-eight indexed life insurance carriers participated in the 78th edition of Wink’s Sales & Market Report. Fourth quarter indexed universal life (IUL) sales were $534.5 million, compared with sales of $541.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Fourth quarter indexed life sales were up 18.0% when compared with […]
The Future is Fiduciary
{March 1st, 2017} by Mitchell H. Caplan, CEO of Jefferson National
Just as the DOL Fiduciary Ruling is enforcing fundamental changes in the retirement industry, to adjust operations and procedures to serve clients with greater transparency and greater value, likewise it is driving similar changes among many product providers and advisors themselves. In fact, there has been a secular trend in this direction, increasing in force […]
Black Americans are More Likely to Buy Life Insurance Than the General Population
{March 1st, 2017} by LIMRA
March 2, 2017 — Six in 10 Black American households (approximately 9.9 million) indicate they are fairly or very likely to buy life insurance for themselves or another member of their household in the next 12 months, compared to just 45 percent of the general population. In a similar LIMRA study conducted in 2010, Black […]
Great American Life’s Fee-Based Annuity Now Available Through Commonwealth Financial Network
{March 1st, 2017} by Great American Insurance Group
CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Great American Life Insurance Company® is pleased to announce its fee-based fixed-indexed annuity with optional guaranteed income rider is now available through financial advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network®, the nation’s largest privately held independent broker/dealer–RIA. The annuity complements those already on the firm’s platform and provides an additional fee-based option in line […]
