Innovation

MIT Professor Robert Merton addresses the challenge of financing retirement income in a lecture delivered this past January.

Merton briefly discusses the financial crisis and suggests that it is unproductive to think about digressing to a financial world that preceded Glass-Steagall and financial innovation.  Merton’s view is that financial engineering is indispensable in addressing the large and complex issues of pension and retirement finance.

Merton’s basic prescription for improving the general state of retirement finance includes increasing savings, working longer, taking more risk.  Most would agree with the first two choices but the third—taking more risk—seems...

Veritat is a start-up seeking to leverage process and technology innovation to scale a business model that is typically saddled with persistent and burdensome variable costs.  If successful, Veritat will be able to deliver premium services to a mass audience.

As a registered investment advisor (RIA) that adheres to the fiduciary standard, Veritat provides comprehensive financial planning services through financial advisors who are employed by the company and share a common sense of mission.

We spoke with Dr. Kent Smetters who is the President of Veritat and a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Annuity Digest: How did Veritat come into existence?

Dr. Kent Smetters:...

Lorry Stensrud, a seasoned executive turned entrepreneur, is on the leading-edge of retirement income product development with his new Venture Achaean Financial.

Achaean’s Income Plus+ product provides a relatively high level of guaranteed starting income while maintaining both...

Bob MacDonald has had a storied career as a leading entrepreneur and executive in the financial services industry.

Some of Bob’s roles include: president and CEO of ITT Life; founder, chairman and CEO of the highly successful LifeUSA, and; CEO of...

Jerry Golden--often referred to as the father of variable life insurance and variable annuities--has had a distinguished career as an innovator and...