News

A kasina and Horsesmouth survey found that 26% of advisers do not include exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in their clients’ portfolios.  

State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), the asset management business of State Street Corporation, announced changes to the index and name of the SPDR Dow Jones Global Titans ETF.

MetLife has launched its optional Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit Max (GMIB Max) and Enhanced Death Benefit Max (EDB Max) variable annuity riders with Protected Growth Strategies.

Archimedes Systems introduced the College Savings Planner application to help financial institutions engage with smartphone users.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America announced that it has formed strategic relationships with seven broker/dealers to add the Allianz Retirement Pro Variable Annuity to their advisory...

Mercer has launched “RetireTALK,” an online retirement planning and education platform for participants in its 401(k) retirement plans.

A 2009 follow-up survey of households that completed the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) found changes in families’ savings intentions or behavior, their tolerance for financial risk,...

A court approved a $3 million settlement of a case accusing PFF Bancorp Inc of continuing to purchase and invest in company stock for its 401(k) plan and...

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a lawsuit brought by Finistar shareholders alleging stock options backdating.

The Greenbrier Wealth Management Group has come together under Raymond James & Associates in its Westlake Village, California, office.  

A federal court has granted retirement plan benefits of a deceased participant to his spouse, even though he had listed his children as beneficiaries on the plan’s designation...

The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) urged the Treasury Department to be more responsive to easing the regulatory burden on sponsors of benefit plans in order to ensure that...

Over the past couple of years 401(k) evaluation service BrightScope has made quite a splash.    

Symetra Life Insurance Company hired a sales leader for its eastern division and eight additional regional vice presidents to represent the company’s portfolio of annuity and life insurance...

The Government Accountability Office contends that the shift away from defined benefit retirement plans to more defined contribution plans has resulted in disproportionate benefits for American workers.

The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) has recommended that the Treasury Department simplify the required employee communication items for retirement plans.

Despite improved finances overall, research from Financial Finesse shows only 15% of employees are confident they are on track to meet retirement goals.

Latin America’s mutual funds and private-pension funds will amass another $1.4 trillion over the next five years, according to a Cerulli Associates report.

USI Consulting Group announced that Jeffrey H. Snyder has joined the company as Vice President of Retirement and Investment Services, based in New York City.

CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc. announced that Christy Hopkins has accepted the position of Retirement Plan Consultant in Denver, Colorado.