Investment Instruments

Transamerica Retirement Services will host a webinar for financial advisors and consultants at 4:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 19, 2011. The discussion will focus on defined benefit and cash balance retirement plans and how to identify potential clients who may benefit from these types of plans.

California passed this month a law that changes how life insurance benefits can be paid out to beneficiaries after the death of their loved ones. In the past, beneficiaries were given only one option, retained-asset accounts. Now, beneficiaries have the option of receiving their benefits in one lump sum payment.

Automatic employee enrollment into a company 401(k) plan raises participation for all racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study by Vanguard.

Annuity Think Tank has started a television site dedicated to annuities, called annuity television. The consumer site will offer educational annuity videos, while providing annuity white papers, free reports and daily annuity-related blogs.

Average returns for funds with an equal mix of stock and bond allocations have historically been statistically equivalent during recessions and expansions, according to Vanguard.

Sponsors of private, single-employer defined benefit pension plans are facing increasing funding requirements due to a combination of interest rate and equity market conditions, according to a new report.