Products July 24, 2012

Matrix Financial Solutions Enhances RetireTool(k)it

Matrix Financial Solutions updated its Matrix RetireTool(k)it.
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Designed as an end-to-end retirement plan solution for advisers, the enhanced version of RetireTool(k)it features a more user-friendly fund selection and monitoring process, an updated plan proposal generator, support for new Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, data from Morningstar Inc. and an updated database of more than 25,000 fund options.

“The new version of RetireTool(k)it is another example of us listening to our clients and understanding the changing financial services landscape,” said John Moody, president of Matrix Financial Solutions. “With new regulations impacting the retirement plan market, in particular, organizations are scrambling to stay current, be in compliance and win new business. RetireTool(k)it’s enhanced user interface and improved logic supports all these initiatives and enables clients to streamline the process – all in our industry-leading TrueOpen Architecture environment that provides a clear competitive advantage.”

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In addition to the new enhancements, RetireTool(k)it also features customized proposals, access to quarterly and annual reports, as well as investment policy statements.

RetireTool(k)it is part of the Matrix Broker/Dealer Platform, an integrated suite of retirement planning products and services designed specifically to help broker/dealer firms and RIAs more successfully navigate the retirement plan process by improving efficiencies, and providing assistance in supporting regulatory mandates. The Broker/Dealer Platform includes plan data feed and level compensation services, as well as the RetireTool(k)it advisor desktop applications.

 

 

Products July 24, 2012

ING U.S. Rolls Out Retirement Savings Game

ING U.S. released a new mobile game application designed to help build investment and retirement planning awareness for consumers.
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The app, called STRUCT, allows players to work with various building materials that symbolize different investment categories — steel (cash), wood (bonds) and glass (stocks) — as they build increasingly complex towers, or “structs.” Three main characters, called the build crew, correspond to a unique investor style: aggressive, moderate and conservative. A fourth crew member is a wild card, representing both market opportunity and risk. Through crew selection and game objectives, metaphors about saving and investing are conveyed that parallel the concepts of risk, diversification, goals and achievement. Crew selection, a diversified strategy and material handling are critical to a player’s success.

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Players of STRUCT are introduced to each of the 12 game levels by an instruction guide, which provides tips that challenge the player to work with different building material and crew members.  Each level brings new complexity, and the right combination of crew, material placement and speed helps the player score points and unlock achievements.  There are also surprise moves for players to discover — including breakage, bonus points and the ability to discard a crew member’s building material.  The “Build School” brings the metaphors to life, demonstrating how investor style and asset classes can impact the outcome, while the game’s glossary helps to build knowledge of key financial terms.

 “We know many individuals need to do more when it comes to preparing for their retirement. Gaining greater awareness about accepted investing and saving principles is a critical part of that process,” said Rick Mason, president of corporate markets for ING U.S. Retirement. “ING U.S. is committed to developing effective ways that promote financial literacy and help consumers achieve positive retirement outcomes. By leveraging the popularity of mobile game apps, we believe STRUCT will entertain users while exposing them to important concepts.”

The app is available for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad  on the App Store. More information about the game is available here.

 

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