Financial Crisis

Similar to many parts of the economy, the market for life settlements took a step back in 2008 as a result of the financial crisis. The face value of life insurance policies that were exchanged through life settlement transactions in 2008 was $11.8 billion, a slight decrease from $12.2 billion in 2007. "Tighter" capital market conditions contributed to the recent advantage that buyers have had over sellers. Analysts believe that the general advantage will return to sellers as liquidity and...

In a recent interview, TIAA-CREF CEO Roger Ferguson discusses post financial crisis retirement planning and CREF's role in the new retirement planning landscape. Ferguson believes that increasing longevity in the U.S. is a key driver of what will be a very different 21st century retirement system. Ferguson also suggests that stable sources of lifetime guaranteed income --in other words an annuity --should provide the "backbone" of the future system: It's really important to use this to educate...

There is an interesting and worthwhile article in Financial Planning that discusses the post-financial crisis retirement landscape. The author draws a picture of a new set of retirement norms for Baby Boomers and the generation following Boomers. Issues addressed include: Longevity . The financial crisis' impact on retirement planning . Sequence of returns risk . Social Security . Use of annuities. Employment in retirement. Recreation in retirement. Source: Financial Planning Full Story

Mark Hulbert is the author of the Hulbert Financial Digest, a popular monthly newsletter that tracks the investment performance of roughly 180 different investing -related newsletters. Hulbert wrote an article on fixed annuities in the business section of the New York Times. In a balanced and informative piece, Hulbert touches on topics that include the following: Annuities and the financial crisis. Annuities in the current interest rate environment. How effective fixed annuities are in...

The IRS requires that individual retirement account (IRA) owners start taking minimum distributions from the account once they reach age 70 1/2. Failure to take the mandated withdrawal triggers a 50% tax penalty on the amount that should have been taken out. The financial crisis has prompted the government to approve a one year suspension of the required minimum distribution rule. The article referenced at the bottom of this page provides very good information about IRA withdrawal rules and the...