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Expert: Guaranteed income offers retirees more flexibility

Retirees with guaranteed income from annuities, pensions and Social Security can take greater risks in investing their other resources, says Luke Delorme of the American Institute for Economic Research. This may allow for greater withdrawals later, he says. PlanAdviser.com (12/9)

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For advisers, the question of data ownership looms large

Data ownership will be a major concern for financial services firms in 2016, experts say. The looming question, especially for independents, “will be: ‘how do I take my core assets and data and keep them with me wherever I go for the next six parts of my career?’ ” writes Megan…

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Lifetime guarantees make annuities a strong retirement tool

The key reason income annuities should be included in retirement plans is that they guarantee an income stream, writes J. Brendan Ryan. “It can also be guaranteed for two lifetimes in a ‘joint’ annuity,” he writes. The Cincinnati Enquirer (tiered subscription model) (12/9)  

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Health care planning can help advisers stand out, experts say

Helping retirement clients plan for health care costs is a key differentiating factor among advisers, experts say. If an adviser “isn’t talking about that, they’re missing a lot of the market,” says Erik Carter of Financial Finesse. InvestmentNews (12/8)

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Funeral planning is part of financial planning

Funeral planning should be on the list of topics advisers raise with clients, as costs tend to be high. “Many clients have not given funeral planning any thought or had any conversations about it,” said Paula Nangle of Marshall Financial Group. InvestmentNews (12/8)

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Commentary: Social Security reform options are many

Several potential approaches could make Social Security more financially solvent, writes Wade Pfau of The American College and McLean Asset Management. Among the options are increased payroll taxes, a higher full-retirement age and expanded investment options for the Social Security Trust Fund, Pfau writes. Forbes (12/8)  

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Soaring values not a good reason to sell

Investors understandably have grown concerned as the value of real estate, equities and other assets have climbed. Ethan Penner of Mosaic Real Estate Investors argues that another big crash is not imminent, or even close. InvestmentNews (12/8)

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VAs are one answer for retirees who spend too much

More advisers with big-spending retired clients are embracing variable annuities with income riders, effectively locking them into their guaranteed income and nothing more. Some think these clients would be better served by learning how to budget. Financial Advisor online (12/8)

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More companies offering health insurance to employees, survey finds

Only 18% of employers offer no health insurance benefits to employees, dropping from 21% two years ago and hitting a record low, according to a Harris Poll survey for Transamerica Center for Health Studies. Nearly all businesses with more than 50 employees and 61% of smaller companies offer such benefits,…

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Commentary: Tech can reveal what’s on clients’ and prospects’ minds

Behavioral issues can prevent clients and prospects from being entirely honest when explaining their personal situations to advisers. Joel Bruckenstein explains how advisers can use facial-imaging technology to overcome this obstacle. Financial-Planning.com (12/6)

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