Data & Research July 28, 2010

Pulse Logic Releases TPA Study

While 10% of third party administrators (TPA) perform daily valuations on all their plans, 33% of TPAs perform daily valuations at some level, according to a new Pulse Logic report.
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According to a news release, the study also found that more than 33% of TPAs have books of business that exceed 500 plans.  Further, more than 80% of TPAs have been in business for at least 20 years and 98% for at least a decade.

The announcement said study findings also indicated that:

•Clear segmentation guidelines for vendor and asset manager distribution strategies exist,
•The role of the TPA continues to evolve in retirement plan distribution, and
•Distribution within the TPA channel differs from traditional methods.

The news release said the study polled TPAs to get insight into key demographics, behaviors, new business strategies, product preferences, and business characteristics. The study also examined attitudes and perceptions toward product vendors, support, and systems as well as their degree of reliance on financial advisers, product vendors, wholesalers, and other professionals in new business acquisition.

More information is available by contacting Managing Director Ken Cochrane at 617-513-6715 or via e-mail at cochrane@pulse-logic.com .

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Products July 28, 2010

Barclays Launches Retirement Income Notes

Barclays Capital has announced the launch of Barclays Retirement Income Notes.
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The suite of products seeks to provide a cost-efficient, transparent, and flexible alternative for generating retirement income. Level-Pay Notes and Inflation-Indexed Level-Pay Notes are the first two products in the suite.   

According to a press release, Barclays Retirement Income Notes are securities which may be bought, sold, or transferred and each security is constructed to pay a minimum monthly nominal or inflation-adjusted cash amount, which includes a monthly return of principal spread over time. Barclays intends to issue these notes in a regular monthly program, beginning with a first set of notes issuing on September 1, 2010.   

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“As ‘baby boomers’ reach retirement and pension schemes shift from defined benefit to defined contribution plans, there is a greater need for financial products that may allow investors to manage their cash flows while meeting their financial goals and maintaining their standard of living,” said Leo Clark, Director, Rates Structuring Americas, Barclays Capital, in the announcement.  

For more information, visit: http://www.barcap.com/RINotes.

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