Investment Instruments

In-plan annuity guarantees allow participants in retirement plans to protect some of their savings to provide future retirement income while they are still working and contributing to their plans.

Several of the biggest names in the 401(k) industry received rating changes in April. Blackrock Capital Aggregation fund was upgraded to Bronze from neutral. Diamond Hill small-cap fund was upgraded to gold from silver.

Demographics are driving demand as retiring baby boomers rely on dividend checks to support their lifestyle.

Last year has shown a move towards an even greater domination of the market by a few insurers. Rothesay Lifes recent announcement of its planned acquisition of MetLife appears to compound this effect further.

The retirement industry is in for a quick immersion into hedge funds strategy.

This would bring the total amount invested with Emerging Managers to more than $14 billion, $10 billion of which is committed to Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises.