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NAVA retires old name, relaunches as Insured Retirement Institute
NAVA, the Association for Insured Retirement Strategies, has changed its name to the Insured Retirement Institute, as part of a rebranding that includes a new mission and the welcoming of financial...
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Variable annuities set record with net asset increase
The second quarter marked the greatest increase in combined net assets in variable annuities in the U.S. in more than four years. The Insured Retirement Institute said net assets in variable annuities...
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Variable annuity industry hits ‘turning point,’ expert says
The net assets of the U.S. variable annuity industry posted an increase for the first time in five quarters, leading one industry expert to suggest a “turning point.” The Insured Retirement Institute...
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Retirement planning gets weeklong focus from April 12-15
National Retirement Planning Week, designed to coincide with Financial Literacy Month, is scheduled for April 12 to April 15, as various organizations schedule outreach efforts designed to raise public...
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Advisors warned not to overlook required minimum distribution
A retirement planning group is reminding financial service professionals and their clients not to overlook the required minimum distribution (RMD), a compulsory withdrawal that must be taken from...
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‘Unprecedented’ opportunity for advisors as annuity assets reach all-time high
The annuity industry ended last year on “strong and secure footing,” where variable annuity assets reached an all-time high and fourth quarter sales showed the highest levels of last year, a report...
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Financial advisors would get more VA action if prospectus was briefer
Less is more, at least when it comes to consumers’ interest in reading prospectus information about variable annuities (VA). Cathy Weatherford About six-in-10 people (59%) surveyed by the Insured...
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Majority of middle-market baby boomers without financial advisors
Half of middle-market baby boomers say they lack the confidence to manage their investing, and fewer than 50% have contacted a financial services professional for help, according to a new survey from...
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Guaranteed products dominate as new variable annuity offerings triple
The number of new variable annuity products tripled in the second quarter, with lifetime guaranteed withdrawal benefits continuing to dominate the market. The Insured Retirement Institute’s analysis...
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Emotions, desire to secure retirement drive annuity sales
Annuity sales are being influence by increasing emotion and a desire by buyers to secure their retirement, not accumulate wealth, a new report finds. Cathy Weatherford “Increased market volatility,...
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Annuity sales ‘robust,’ sparked by 28% rise in variable annuity sales
Annuity sales in 2011 grew 7.7%, fueled in large part by a 28% increase in net variable-annuity sales during the year. Cathy Weatherford The increase in variable-annuity sales, to $27.7 billion was the...
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Annuity market ‘strong,’ poised to grow despite The Hartford’s exit
The Hartford’s decision to leave the individual annuity market doesn’t mean the insured retirement industry is struggling, according to the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI). Cathy Weatherford One day...
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Financial planners, clients drawn to safety of variable annuities
Almost half of financial planning professionals say they bring up variable annuities in “every conversation” with their clients, according to a new survey. Cathy Weatherford In the wake of the global...
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Annuities ‘savings vehicle of choice’ despite first-quarter sales drop
First-quarter annuity sales reached $53.1 billion, down 2.5% from the previous quarter because of decreases in variable annuity and fixed annuity sales, a new report indicates. Cathy Weatherford...
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Annuity industry could continue positive trends and dynamics into 2013
The insured retirement industry in 2013 could see a continuation of many of the trends and dynamics that marked 2012, according to a new report from the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI). For 2013,...
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