Deals & People September 22, 2009

Henry Named as LIMRA Executive

Paul Steven Henry has been tapped as managing director of Retirement Services for LIMRA, the Connecticut-based insurance and financial services marketing organization.

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A LIMRA news release said Henry’s appointment to the newly created role was effective September 14.

In the new role, Henry is responsible for ensuring that LIMRA members who are, or seek to be, active in the retirement market fully benefit from LIMRA’s products, including research, compliance, training, and consulting services, LIMRA said.
 
Henry has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 17 years as a strategist, head of marketing, and head of product development for industry leaders in the retirement market. Henry was previously vice president of product development at MassMutual Retirement Services.

Products September 22, 2009

iShares 529 Launches Adviser Tools

iShares and Barclays Global Investors launched new adviser-focused 529 plan tools, including a comparison calculator.

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The new tools are in recognition of September as National College Savings Month, according to a press release.

The 529 Plan Comparison Calculator was developed by Archimedes Systems to help financial advisers conduct side-by-side comparisons of 529 college savings plans, factoring in the impact of sales charges, fees, and the potential value of in-state tax deductions, according to the release. The calculator, available at www.iShares529.com, also generates a client-friendly report that helps advisers explain some of the reasons for their investment recommendations to clients.

The launch of the calculator follows the introduction last year of the iShares 529 Plan, an all-ETF 529 solution specifically for fee-only advisers and managed by Barclays Global Investors (see “First All-ETF 529 Plan Available for Adviser Distribution”). The plan’s portfolios invest in iShares exchange-traded funds.

Ugift — Give College Savings is service that lets account owners suggest that family and friends celebrate children’s milestones with the gift of college savings in lieu of traditional gifts. Ugift for the iShares 529 Plan includes an adviser referral mechanism that allows clients to indicate that their adviser is offering valuable financial guidance around saving for college and other financial challenges.

More information about the iShares 529 Plan is available at www.iShares529.com.

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