HomeArticles

Articles

In-depth analysis of how lifetime income products work, what they cost, and how to evaluate them. Mechanics first, no product recommendations.

The Link between Annuities and Retirement Well-Being

It appears that people who have access to the pension -like, guaranteed lifetime income that comes from annuities might be happier in retirement.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

Keeping an Eye on Fiduciary Status

The proposed regulation that could expand fiduciary status to a broader set of financial advisors appears to be pending in Congress. The Dodd version from the Senate Banking Committee would potentially extend fiduciary status to broker-dealers and registered representatives.  Broker-dealers are…

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

Lack of Dividends Make Equity Indexed Annuities a Tough Sell

Dividends contributed five percent of the 7.9 percent total return from stocks from 1802 through 2002.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

The Kelly Formula and the Financial Crisis

The Kelly Formula (also known as the Kelly System or Kelly Criterion) is a proportional betting system that optimizes a gambler’s bankroll.  In other words, it is a money management system that enables the maximum rate of compound wealth concurrent with zero chance of ruin.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

S. Jay Olshansky on Why the Message is All About Extending Health

Longevity expert S. Jay Olshansky discusses biodemography and why it is important to focus on healthy aging rather than just extending age.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

Is it Time for a Paradigm Shift to Life-Cycle Investing?

Life-cycle investing has been around for many years. Zvi Bodie is one of the most articulate and visible advocates.  His book "Worry Free Investing" lays-out the fundamentals and makes a case for the life-cycle approach to investing. In a nutshell, life-cycle investing focuses on smoothing…

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

An Interview with Retirement Planning Expert Henry Hebeler

Henry "Bud" Hebeler is a former Boeing executive who has been running a retirement planning company for over twenty years.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

An Interview with Peter Nakada of RMS

Peter Nakada of RMS discusses longevity risk, structural modeling and the RMS LifeRisks model.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

An Interview with Jack Marrion and John Olsen, Authors of Index Annuities: A Suitable Approach

Jack Marrion heads a research consultancy focused on the annuity industry and John Olsen is a practicing financial advisor .

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026

An Interview with Gordon Woo of RMS

Premier catastrophe risk analyst Gordon Woo of RMS discusses the dynamic nature of longevity risk analysis.

Tom CochraneMay 21, 2026