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Top story: catching the tidal wave in income distribution planning 

By Warren S. Hersch
 
Though baby boomers will swell the ranks of the retirement population by nearly 100% over next 30 to 40 years, they have not done a great job of saving for retirement, said Michael Tripses, executive vice president and chief actuary of Creative Marketing International Corp., Overland Park, Kan., during a March 19, 2008 webinar hosted by The National Underwriter Co. and Old Mutual Financial Network. 

This means "they’ll have an increasing need for guaranteed incomes for the rest of their lives," said the paenlist.

Producers should revisit their marketing materials to determine whether they’re effectively promoting annuities as part of an income distribution strategy to retirees, said another panelist, Jeff Foley, who is assistant vice president of broker-dealer and marketing relations at Old Mutual.

One solution that can assure clients of a...click here for entire article 

Ask the expert: annuity suitability in an income plan  

Question:  What is a good way to determine the suitability of using an annuity as part of an income plan for my clients? click here for the answer

Quiz question: guaranteed living benefits 

Which of the following optional guaranteed living benefits did the largest percentage of annuity investors elect to purchase in 2007?

a) Guaranteed minimum accumulation benefit (GMAB)?
b) Guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB)?
c) Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB)?
d) Guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB)?
e) Hybrida) Last in, first out, with a 10% tax penalty for withdrawals prior to age 59½

click here for the answer
Where will they put their money? editoriial comment 

By Linda Koco

Due to the volatility in the stock market, the lower interest rate environment, and the falling home values in many parts of the United States, some people might be tempted to stuff whatever liquid money they have into their mattress. But, hey, a mattress can catch fire, so it’s not the most attractive parking place. Besides, money stashed at home doesn’t grow. Indeed, when today’s falling dollar is factored into the equation, mattress money will actually lose value over time. So, where are consumers actually thinking of putting their money for...click here for the entire article