Asset

A basic checklist from a top financial planner is worth a look if you are trying to understand the potential fees and expenses associated with annuities: The author considers the following: Annual contract charges Mortality and expenses charge (M&E Fee) Asset management fees Surrender charge Source: CNBC Full Story

Target date funds are receiving attention from the SEC, the DOL and Congress. The increased scrutiny is a result of the way that target date funds have performed during the market meltdown over the past year. As reported recently , in theory target date funds are supposed to provide a smooth and somewhat automated transition from more risky assets to less risky assets as people approach retirement. One of the problems is that the actual asset allocations for people approaching retirement varies...

One of the nation's top financial planners is bearish on the recent upsurge in immediate annuity sales. An advocate of maintaining options and flexibility with retirement planning , this financial advisor sees immediate annuities as too restrictive for many financial plans. In contrast to the views on immediate annuities, longevity insurance or longevity annuities are discussed in light of the income and asset allocation options they create for retirees: "Of all the products that are out there...

Conservative is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to target date funds. Very generally, target date funds are mutual fund offerings that automatically shift asset allocations to a more conservative profile as the fund owner approaches retirement age. In other words, a "2015" fund may be purchased by someone intending to retire on or around 2015. This 2015 fund will likely move towards a higher bond and lower equity allocation as 2015 approaches. It turns out that target date funds can be...