According to an article on Bloomgberg.com, variable annuity sales fell the most in 12 quarters.  MetLife and other carriers scaled back their sales due to the low interest rate environment as well as stock market volatility.  Because variable annuities offer guarantees while at the same time allowing the client to invest in the equities, they [...]

There was a question I have not though of regarding social security benefits to ex-spouses posted on Investment News and I thought it would be a relevant piece of info to put down here with the high rate of divorce. The Q and A are as follows:   Q: “I have a female client age [...]

According to Doug Dubitsky, vice president of product management and development for Guardian Life Insurance, “There’s no greater time to be offering guaranteed income products.”  As 10,000 baby boomers reach the age of 65 every day in the US, who have less access to traditional sources for retirement like pensions, annuities are a great avenue [...]

As in any industry or service oriented business, there are always good, bad, and excellent salespeople and associates.  Unfortunately, in many cases, a few bad salesmen give the entire trade a bad name (think used car salesman).  Well the financial services industry is no different.  Horrible people such as Bernie Madoff and Mr. Allen Stanford [...]

Even with investment accounts having recovered much of their lost ground, so-called “mass affluent” people with between $50,000 and $250,000 to invest don’t think they have enough to retire when they had originally planned to. Of those surveyed, 56% said that they expect to retire later now than they thought a year ago, with only [...]

Today in America, it really doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal to be considered a “millionaire”.  Especially if you factor in things like home equity, 401(k), stock options, etc.  But to have over $25 million in net worth (considered super-rich) is a different story.  A group called Spectrum Group does an annual [...]

It was befitting that sales guru Zig Ziglar lived to see another Thanksgiving. Rarely, if ever,  has our profession seen such a positive generous giver whose impact will live on to future generations of salespeople, parents and families. My favorite memories still live on in his hundreds of memorable quotes such as:     1. [...]

Trying to come up with that perfect gift for that special someone? PNC Wealth Management of Pittsburgh has released what their annual review of what the 12 Days of Christmas gifts would cost you in 2012.  Inflation of gold prices and the 2011 drought caused bird costs to soar.  Geese and swans went up almost [...]

Atlanta – Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens issued the following statement 11/19/2012 concerning the unauthorized access of Nationwide Insurance‘s website:     Nationwide Insurance Company notified my office that a portion of their computer network was criminally attacked by individuals who gained unauthorized access to personal and private information of approximately 28,467 Georgia members and/or potential [...]

Does anyone save money anymore?  If you looked at our national budget (or lack of a budget) and see our continual trillion dollar annual deficits, it is no surprise that many other Americans aren’t saving much either.  And why should we when our biggest influence doesn’t get anywhere close to saving money each year.  What [...]