Weekly Newsletter
3 Ways to Prepare Your Dad for Retirement after Father’s Day
Although most people know it’s never too early to start planning for retirement, many Americans aren’t truly prepared, and there are many supporting statistics from the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council’s (IALC) data: One in four baby boomers (think: your dad) have...
read moreHigher interest rates fuel retirement account annuities
When the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note recently peaked a few basis points above 3% in May, for many market observers, a psychological barrier had been breached. That closely watched benchmark bond hadn’t exceeded 3% since July of 2011. “That’s a pretty...
read moreDear Baby Boomer: Retirement Is This Close, and You Need to Deal With a Few Issues
Here are four challenges to jump on right now to make sure your retirement is a happy one. I know you’re ready. You’re so close to retirement, you can taste the cool beverages on the beach and feel the sand between your toes. Unfortunately, at the rate you’re going,...
read moreThis Is What Life Without Retirement Savings Looks Like
Many seniors are stuck with lives of never-ending work—a fate that could befall millions in the coming decades. CORONA, Calif.—Roberta Gordon never thought she’d still be alive at age 76. She definitely didn’t think she’d still be working. But every Saturday, she goes...
read moreThree Common Mistakes to Avoid At Any Age When Saving For Retirement
This May we are celebrating Older Americans Month and the 2018 theme of Engage at Every Age teaches us that age is not a factor when it comes to taking part in activities to enrich one’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being. One activity that is key for...
read more6 Lessons From the First Year of Retirement
After one year of retirement, here's what you need to do. Once you get through the first year of retirement, you probably think you can coast for the next 30 years. That's not necessarily true. This is not the time to get comfortable. Things are never that simple in...
read moreThe Atlantic Roundtable Dinner Sparks Conversation on the Future of Retirement
Recently, an esteemed group of experts in business and finance, economists and education, convened in Washington, D.C. along with our Executive Director Jim Poolman and editors from The Atlantic for a roundtable dinner to talk about the reality of retirement readiness...
read moreIs Your Work Environment Setting You Up to Achieve Your Retirement Goals? New Study Tells All.
This week the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) released The State of America’s Workforce: The Reality of Retirement Readiness study and corresponding white paper, which found retirement readiness is influenced by two key factors: the industry you are in and...
read moreNew Data Breaks Workforce Stereotypes: Two Blue-collar Industries Outpace White-collar Retirement Readiness
Heavy Reliance on Social Security for Income Stream, A Solution Provides Guaranteed Lifetime Income The story of saving for retirement today has two key factors: the industry you are in and your company size. Newly released retirement-readiness scores show workers in...
read moreTop 3 Things to Ask Your Financial Professional During Financial Literacy Month
April is National Financial Literacy Month and a perfect time to increase your financial literacy, while establishing and maintaining healthy money and finance habits. One way you can become financially savvy is by getting advice from financial professionals....
read moreFour Reasons to Own an Annuity
Now that the Powerball winner has come forward to claim her prize of $758 million (before taxes), you can’t turn on the television or radio without hearing the word “annuity.” The winner of the lottery had a very important choice to make: to take an after-tax lump sum...
read moreFixed Indexed Annuities FAQ
Discover our most frequently asked questions about fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). Get the answers you need to help calculate your path to retirement. What is an annuity? In the most basic sense, an annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company that says...
read moreOlympic Athletes Can Teach Us Valuable Lessons About Retirement
Last month, athletes from around the globe came together to compete in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. While for some, these games were a debut, others retired from their sport following the competition. Each Olympian’s journey is unique from its infancy to its...
read moreBenefits of Fixed Indexed Annuities
Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) address many basic retirement concerns: protection of hard-earned dollars, tax-deferred growth, balance, and lifetime income. Get some peace of mind — no matter what happens in the market. Consider these five key benefits: Guaranteed...
read moreDiscover 3 Ways to Bridget the Gender Savings Gap On International Women’s Day 2018
As we celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements this International Women’s Day, the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) wants to raise awareness that when it comes to savings, the gender savings gap is still huge. This post,...
read moreYou’re Retired: How Do You Measure Up?
You may or may not be doing better than average, but you're almost certainly doing better than your parents. Today's elderly are healthier, better educated and live longer than any previous generation, according to a report from the Federal Interagency Forum on...
read morePrivate Funds: Annuities
Understanding how Annuities Can Pay for Senior Care An annuity can ensure that a retiree is able to afford assisted living. Immediate annuities promise a steady stream of payments, no matter how long you live. The catch is that you must hand a large chuck of money...
read moreUsing the Disclaimer as an Estate Planning Tool
If you’re like me, when you first read the qualified disclaimer rules, the phrase comes “must be nice” comes to mind. And while it’s true these rules are used more often by wealthier Americans, anyone can incorporate them into their estate planning as a tool to make...
read moreWhat Are The Differences Between Fixed And Variable Annuities?
Fixed Annuities: Guaranteed Investment Performance With a fixed annuity, the owner is guaranteed at least a minimum rate of investment return. The insurer declares a specific credited rate of return based on the investment performance of its general account assets....
read moreLOOKING FOR A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP? DISCOVER HOW FIAS MAY BE YOUR ANSWER.
This Valentine’s Day, join the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) in spreading the love for fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). With the ability to grow and protect your nest egg, FIAs could be the long-term relationship you have been looking for to ensure a steady...
read moreTHE MISUNDERSTOOD FIA
In recent years, we have seen an uptick in the interest of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs), but there is still a great deal of misunderstandings about this retirement product – down to even its most basic principles. Let’s start with defining FIAs. These products are...
read moreTHE MISUNDERSTOOD FIA
In recent years, we have seen an uptick in the interest of fixed indexed annuities (FIAs), but there is still a great deal of misunderstandings about this retirement product – down to even its most basic principles. Let’s start with defining FIAs. These products are...
read moreWONDERING HOW TAX REFORM WILL AFFECT YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS? EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JIM POOLMAN WEIGHS IN
With President Trump signing the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax reform system in more than twenty years, you may be questioning the future of your retirement planning portfolios. Even though no notable retirement plan provisions were included in the final tax...
read moreOlder Retirement Ages and More Social Security Changes Coming in 2018
Social Security will look a bit different in 2018. Every year, Americans eagerly await the announcement outlining the various changes being made to what many consider the most important social program in the country. Will your benefits increase? What about the strict...
read moreTHREE WAYS TO HELP AMERICANS SAVE MORE FOR RETIREMENT
One in five Americans have absolutely nothing saved for retirement. That’s according to new data released in October by the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC). Just as alarming as the number of nonexistent retirement accounts: More than half of Americans...
read moreYour Annuity Payout Options Explained
Many retirement investors use annuities for guaranteed income. But some find their annuity payout options to be confusing. There are a variety of methods to receive annuity income payments. With so many choices, it can be hard to decide what’s right for you. People...
read moreWhy Fixed Annuities Will Be Strong Sellers Through 2018
Fixed annuity sales have bright prospects in the next five years, due in large part to anticipated strength in sales of income annuities and fixed index annuities, according to researcher Joseph E. Montminy. In fact, income annuity sales are on such a tear that “their...
read moreRETIREMENT EQUATION FOR STABILITY
Living comfortably in retirement is indeed possible. However, many Americans fail to develop a strategic plan that allows stability in their golden years to be reality. In fact, the Indexed Annuity Leadership Council (IALC) commissioned data that found insights into...
read moreHere’s How The Gender Gap Applies To Retirement
Your golden years might be a little less golden if you’re a woman. In its 2016 study “Shortchanged in Retirement,” The National Institute on Retirement Security explored financial hardships facing employed women, women approaching retirement and retired women....
read moreA Simple Way to Get Guaranteed Income in Retirement
People crave guaranteed income in retirement, but they cringe at the mention of the word “annuity.” That disconnect can make it tough to ensure a steady flow of dollars in later life. One answer: Go with an annuity, but keep it simple. The appeal of lifetime income is...
read moreAnnuities: Part I
In today’s volatile climate, investments seem to be wading in uncertain waters. Even one-time solid choices like blue-chip stocks are swimming in rough seas. Because of this, investors sometimes examine a myriad of possibilities to secure or help their money grow....
read moreA Guaranteed Income Source to Beat Your Investments
Recent research by retirement income expert and former U.S. Treasury Department official Mark Warshawsky shows that immediate annuities generally provide you with more lifetime income than you could get by following the take-out-4-percent-of-savings-a-year rule or a...
read moreThese Are Uncertain Times, But Reaching Financial Certainty In Retirement Is Still Possible
Today, Americans are faced with endless uncertainty, like what’s ahead for the tax code, health care and Social Security, to name a few. But removing some uncertainty surrounding retirement is an obtainable goal all Americans can strive to achieve. The retirement...
read moreTAKE THE FAST TRACK TO BECOME A MASTER OF RETIREMENT: THREE HINTS FOR PLAYING IALC’S NEW GAME
Last week, the IALC launched its interactive game Master of Retirement. Shocking new data points, found from IALC surveys, power the game’s questions and demonstrate the need to offer approachable and light-hearted ways of boosting Americans’ confidence when it comes...
read moreWorking in Retirement: Fantasy or Reality?
To work or not to work? That is the retirement planning question. Let's take a closer look at this modern-day riff on the famous line in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," where Prince Hamlet laments about life's unfairness but reflects that the alternative (not being alive)...
read moreRetirement planning: 4 safe ways to boost income When your bucket list doesn’t match your budget, these investing strategies may help
Even retirees who do everything right can find themselves coming up short when it comes to affording some of the little luxuries they had planned for their remaining years. Just take a look at Mike and Judy, a hypothetical couple very similar to many retired couples,...
read moreShould you take a lump sum or annuity for retirement?
The wrong choice caused some to run out of money It turns out, many retirees choosing to take their employer’s 401(k) or pension as a lump sum for retirement are taking their lumps. About a fifth of retirement plan participants (21%) MetLife surveyed who received...
read moreAT WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU PURCHASE AN INDEXED ANNUITY?
The great thing about fixed indexed annuities is that they are a reliable retirement planning vehicle appropriate for people in a variety of life stages. However, there are a few rules of thumb to follow when thinking about purchasing a fixed indexed annuity. Of...
read more2 Huge Things People Get Wrong About Retirement
So much for the "golden years." Some 28% of recent retirees complain that life is actually worse in retirement than it was when they were working, according to a recent survey by Nationwide. The cause may be mismatched expectations. Pre-retirees tend to overestimate...
read moreRetirement in 2017: 5 Stats Everyone Should Know
Here's the state of retirement saving in the U.S., and what to do if you need to catch up. If you read the financial news often, you may have heard about the "retirement crisis" many Americans are facing. While it's true that the average American doesn't save nearly...
read moreAmericans are spending more money after they retire
Most people expect to spend less money after they retire. But that might not be the case -- at least not at first. Spending rose for more than half of taxpayers during the first three years after claiming Social Security, according to a report based on tax data and...
read moreNew Data: Extreme Lack of Diversification Could Add to Retirement Crisis
Balance Gained By Considering Alternative Financial Products Such As FIAs Americans need to take additional steps in order to ensure a financially stable retirement – one that allows them to pay for medical bills and essential costs of living while enjoying their...
read moreExtreme Lack of Diversification Could Add to Retirement Crisis Balance Gained By Considering Alternative Financial Products Like FIAs
The retirement crisis has become a topic of conversation in the United States, and while its actualization is still widely debated, there is no doubt Americans need to take additional steps in order to ensure a financially stable retirement – one that allows them to...
read moreSocial Security tips for singles
Not married? Here are strategies to help you maximize your Social Security benefits. Key takeaways ✔ The longer you delay Social Security, the higher your monthly benefits. ✔ Divorced: Your benefit can be based on your ex-spouse’s work history. ✔ Widowed: Consider...
read moreAmericans are spending more money after they retire
Most people expect to spend less money after they retire. But that might not be the case -- at least not at first. Spending rose for more than half of taxpayers during the first three years after claiming Social Security, according to a report based on tax data and...
read moreTHE 5 W’S OF A SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT
There’s no better time than today to develop your retirement plan and consider options that may be suitable for your future. Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) can offer lifetime income and provide peace of mind when looking for ways to protect your nest egg from market...
read moreHow to Find Serenity Despite Retirement Uncertainty
“How can I feel fine?” That’s what Julie Elman, from Ohio, wants to know. Julie is 57, retirementis right around the corner, and she’s worried. Despite doing “all the right things,” whenever she spends time reviewing her financial situation, Julie never, ever feels...
read morePutting Strings on What You Leave Your Children
How to protect beneficiaries from themselves. Billionaire Warren Buffett was famously quoted as saying that when it came to leaving your children money, the sweet spot is “enough money so that they would feel they could do anything, but not so much that they could do...
read more3 SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT
Summer is here, and the future is brighter than ever. If you are busy planning, saving and budgeting for a summer vacation, use these tips to make the most out of your summer and get your retirement savings on track. 1. Spend less and save more. With this warmer...
read moreDEVISING A SUMMER SAVINGS PLAN
Summer is here and that calls for some down time relaxing with family and friends. Whether you plan on spending your summer days in the sun or binge-watching your favorite television series, developing a summer savings plan will help you enjoy your days now, and stay...
read moreHow to Find Serenity Despite Retirement Uncertainty
“How can I feel fine?” That’s what Julie Elman, from Ohio, wants to know. Julie is 57, retirementis right around the corner, and she’s worried. Despite doing “all the right things,” whenever she spends time reviewing her financial situation, Julie never, ever feels...
read moreINFLATION WATCH – 2017
INFLATION WATCH - May 2017 The I.I.I. Inflation Watch spreadsheet contains the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Both current and expected near-term general inflation continue to be low by historical standards, but there...
read moreDO YOU LOSE THE BALANCE OF AN ANNUITY IF YOU DIE?
DO YOU LOSE THE BALANCE OF AN ANNUITY IF YOU DIE? One common misconception about annuities is that you lose the balance of the annuity if you die. In the case of Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs), the money remaining in your annuity can pass to one or more named...
read moreHere’s How Much a Job Loss Now Will Cost You by Retirement
Here's How Much a Job Loss Now Will Cost You by Retirement When Americans struggle financially—if they face a job loss or a bout with illness, for example—one of the first places they turn for relief is their retirement savings accounts. This makes some sense, at...
read moreThree key decisions to make before you retire
Three key decisions to make before you retire When to take Social Security, how to pay for health care, and how to generate income. Key takeaways: ✔ The longer you can delay collecting Social Security, the higher your benefit. ✔ Plan for health care costs and figure...
read more4 WAYS TO SAVE WHILE PAYING OFF STUDENT LOANS
You’ve walked across the stage, shook the university president’s hand, and waved to your beaming family and friends. All of those late nights in the library suddenly feel worth it, but you know with the student loans, the work of school is not quite yet complete....
read morePlanning For Your Retirement: Understanding Annuities
Planning For Your Retirement: Understanding Annuities An annuity can be a very smart retirement investment for many people. That's not just because an annuity can provide a secure revenue stream — a monthly check — for the rest of your life, no matter how long you...
read moreANNUITY SHIFT
ANNUITY SHIFT National Retirement Planning Week took place in April, and the whole month was Financial Capability Month. April was full of encouragement for individuals to move their retirement savings plans forward. California’s insurance commissioner, Dave Jones,...
read moreNEW STUDY: 1 IN 3 AMERICANS CONFESS STOPPING RETIREMENT SAVINGS AT LEAST ONCE
NEW STUDY: 1 IN 3 AMERICANS CONFESS STOPPING RETIREMENT SAVINGS AT LEAST ONCE While a whopping 94 percent of Americans currently give themselves a passing grade on retirement, a third of them have confessed to stopping retirement savings at least once, according to a...
read more1 in 4 workers have less than $1,000 saved for retirement
1 in 4 workers have less than $1,000 saved for retirement You're not alone if you have next to nothing saved for retirement. But that doesn't mean you're in good company. Almost one-quarter of workers said they and their spouse combined have less than $1,000 saved for...
read moreThe power and pitfalls of retirement savers’ illusions
The power and pitfalls of retirement savers' illusions Study finds that the format in which information is presented affects an individual’s perception of wealth (or poverty) A new study has found that one difficulty workers saving for retirement have in judging...
read more10 misconceptions about saving for medical care in retirement
10 misconceptions about saving for medical care in retirement Retirement isn’t the only thing workers have trouble saving for; the other big gap in planning is health care. According to a Voya Financial survey, Americans just aren’t ready to pay for the health care...
read moreThe power and pitfalls of retirement savers’ illusions
The power and pitfalls of retirement savers' illusions Study finds that the format in which information is presented affects an individual’s perception of wealth (or poverty) A new study has found that one difficulty workers saving for retirement have in judging...
read more4 Things to Eliminate From Your Life for a Happy Retirement
4 Things to Eliminate From Your Life for a Happy Retirement What you remove is just as important as what you add. Many retirement articles have been written about all the wonderful things you can do with the free time you will have after you retire. Once you leave...
read moreWhat Are the Different Types of Annuities?
What Are the Different Types of Annuities? Fixed vs. Variable Annuities In a fixed annuity, the insurance company guarantees the principal and a minimum rate of interest. In other words, as long as the insurance company is financially sound, the money you have in a...
read more5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE PURCHASING AN INDEXED ANNUITY
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE PURCHASING AN INDEXED ANNUITY Indexed annuities offer a unique and attractive blend of safety, growth potential, tax advantages, lifetime income and liquidity. But, it’s important to understand the terms of your individual contract. Here are...
read moreHow to Save For Retirement When You’re Raising Kids Alone
How to Save For Retirement When You’re Raising Kids Alone It can be hard to save when you’re the only adult in the house, but putting money aside for retirement should be non-negotiable. Whether you are divorced, widowed or a single parent by choice, raising kids...
read more3 WAYS TO BRIDGE THE GENDER SAVINGS GAP
3 WAYS TO BRIDGE THE GENDER SAVINGS GAP This post originally appeared on the National Life Group Main Street blog on 3/9. By Maria McLendon. When it comes to savings, the gender savings gap is huge. A recent study[1] indicated that women have 50% lower savings than...
read moreDON’T TAKE THE JOURNEY THROUGH RETIREMENT SAVINGS ALONE
DON’T TAKE THE JOURNEY THROUGH RETIREMENT SAVINGS ALONE We live in a high-tech world where information about all topics under the sun is available at our fingertips. We are moving toward self-service and automatic access to everything. You can look at your checking...
read moreFixed Indexed Annuities: Principal Protection and Growth Potential
Fixed Indexed Annuities: Principal Protection and Growth Potential Whether aiming for asset growth or protection, clients today face tough decisions when it comes to investing their retirement assets. They may be concerned about tying up money in a low-rate fixed...
read moreCELEBRATING THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES
CELEBRATING THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF FIXED INDEXED ANNUITIES Move aside, Valentine’s Day… there’s another reason to celebrate! This week, we’re commemorating the 22ndanniversary of Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs). While we can’t guarantee flowers or heart-eyed emojis,...
read moreFALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN Finding your soulmate and saving for retirement actually have a lot in common. Both can be intimidating, require careful planning and lead to some nerve-wracking decisions. However, making informed steps in both scenarios...
read more10 Common Spending Regrets
10 Common Spending Regrets Wasted money on a purchase? Here's a look at items people buy and wish they didn't Time-shares 1) The time-share industry, known for its seductive marketing practices, plays on people's fantasies of owning property in popular vacation areas...
read moreWhy Retirees Should Consider Indexed Annuities
Why Retirees Should Consider Indexed Annuities Given their inverse relationship, when bond interest rates begin to climb, bond prices decrease in market value—as they have been for the last year especially. When approaching retirement, what strategies are retirees...
read more20 Things You Can Learn From Your Parents’ Retirement
20 Things You Can Learn From Your Parents’ Retirement Millennials are saving more than ever for retirement, at an average 7.5 percent of income. Still, this number, which was released as part of a recent report on retirement readiness from investment firm Fidelity, is...
read moreNew Study: America’s Retirement IQ is Low
New Study: America's Retirement IQ is Low Boomers Lack Knowledge & Are Undersaved for Retirement A startling number of baby boomers don’t know how much money they need to live comfortably during retirement, and without a target in mind, have ended up saving very...
read moreBRINGING BALANCE TO YOUR RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO
BRINGING BALANCE TO YOUR RETIREMENT PORTFOLIO In our hectic lives, balance is something many of us strive to achieve. From work-life balance to finding balance in your yoga class, we’re all looking for a little more of it. In terms of planning for the future, have you...
read moreOffer FIAs to take advantage of retirement income opportunities
Offer FIAs to take advantage of retirement income opportunities Gen X designate more than $25 trillion in financial assets for retirement income. This is roughly double the amount today. Jafor Iqbal, assistant vice president of the Secure Retirement Institute...
read moreRETIREMENT SAVINGS RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR
RETIREMENT SAVINGS RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR While getting your health into shape tops many Americans’ New Year’s resolution list, getting your finances in shape should be another goal you make in the New Year. Why is this so important? A recent study...
read more11 Money Lies to Stop Telling Yourself
11 Money Lies to Stop Telling Yourself Nope, credit cards aren't evil. Sometimes it’s easier to believe a fantasy than it is to face reality — and when it comes to money, many people hold false beliefs. When you’re young, the future seems far away, and you...
read more6 Social Security Changes Coming in 2017
Social Security beneficiaries will receive a slight increase in their Social Security checks in 2017. There have also been several recent tweaks to the program that change how married couples can collect benefits. Here’s a look at the new Social Security rules for...
read moreGive Your Kids the Gift of Giving
The run up to the holidays at the end of the month is an especially great time to teach young children some money and life lessons. Have The Kids Clean Their Closets, Rooms, and Playrooms. The goal is to create a single pile of all the toys, books and clothes that are...
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