Articles
In-depth analysis of how lifetime income products work, what they cost, and how to evaluate them. Mechanics first, no product recommendations.
Buffett's Investment in Goldman Sachs
It's been a year since the market bottomed and the financial crisis presumably peaked. There has been enough time for noted financial journalists such as Roger Lowenstein and Michael Lewis to write soon to be released books on the crisis.
Breaking-Down the Annuity Expense Criticism
Coverage of annuities by the broader financial media tends to be negative, with much of the criticism focused on annuity expenses .
Billion Prices Project Provides Real-Time Alternative to Consumer Price Index
The Billion Prices Project from MIT provides real-time inflation indexes that provide an important alternative to headline or official inflation indexes such as the consumer price index.
The Best Time to Buy an Annuity Depends on Mortality
A key to the best time to buy an annuity involves mortality and the probability of receiving payments from the insurance company.
The Best Financial Planning Resources are Affordable and Far Removed from Wall Street
There are many affordable things we can do independently of Wall Street to safely and significantly raise our standards of living.
Battle Lines Being Drawn Over Fiduciary Status of Financial Advisors
There is a key point of distinction that exists in the world of financial advice and vast majority of people are unaware that it exists. The defining issue is whether a financial advisor actually assumes the role of fiduciary. Fiduciary responsibility is important because it basically means that…
A Benchmark for Lifetime Income
Performance standards such as the proposed retirement income benchmark are exactly what the emerging retirement income industry needs.
Are Inflation Adjusted Annuities Worth the Cost?
At the moment, it appears that inflation protection for fixed annuities is not worth the additional cost.
Annuity Industry Pioneer Jerry Golden at Work on his Latest Venture
Jerry Golden--often referred to as the father of variable life insurance and variable annuities--has had a distinguished career as an innovator and entrepreneur in both the insurance and personal retirement businesses.
Another Perspective on Sequence of Returns through Low Volatility Investing
Financial advisors and retirees should be aware of the profound impact that a low volatility portfolio can have on investment performance and, consequently, retirement spending sustainability.