Newly Approved Longevity Annuities Hit Snag: Wednesday's Retirement Scan

Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.

Why your 401(k) isn't likely to offer a 'longevity annuity'
Many employer-sponsored 401(k) plans are unlikely to include longevity annuities, even though the federal rules now allow the plans to offer such financial options, according to a survey. The fiduciary responsibility of selecting annuity options from hundreds of products that insurers offer poses a big concern among employers. Companies are also worried about the administrative complications that may arise from the plan's decision to get new record keepers, or the worker's transfer to a new employer.  --MSN Money

A 401(k) for All
The U.S. needs to address the “upside-down” tax incentive system for retirement plans to develop a policy aimed at helping Americans boost their wealth and savings, writes Gene Sperling, former director of the National Economic Council. The existing system enables people in higher-income brackets to earn more while leaving those in lower-income groups at a loss. The government could fix the system by creating a 401(k) retirement plan that would allow a dollar-for-dollar matching credit for up to $4,000 in annuals savings for lower- and moderate-income households, the expert says.  --New York Times

A Disturbing look at the new retirement
More older Americans continue working not because they want to but because they are left with no options, according to an article in US News & World Report (this article is a Q&A with a writer from Harper's magazine, who relates her first-hand investigation for her own story in the current issue of the magazine.) She shares the ordeal of a group of older, struggling workers in Arizona, as well as insights from her interviews with them. Many workers lost their nest eggs during the recent recession and now depend mainly on Social Security for retirement income, says the journalist, adding that the problem can be addressed by expanding Social Security.-- Yahoo Finance

To get the right annuity, start at the finish line
Clients are advised to estimate the actual amount of income they will need in their advanced years so that they can choose the right annuity that can provide the needed amount, according to MarketWatch. Clients should compute the actual income and understand why annuity products are important. They needs to understand the various features involved, such as death benefit riders and long-term care annuities. --MarketWatch

Mimic Germany for a 'World Cup' retirement
Retirement investors can learn an important lesson from Germany's victory at the 2014 World Cup, according to Motley Fool. Before the big win this year, the country had to make major changes to its soccer team for the long term, such as developing the athletes' basic skills, after its poor performance at a soccer event in 2000. Clients should realize that saving even a small amount at an early age will result in adequate retirement funds, and that knowing business fundamentals is crucial to investing.--Motley Fool

Read more:

 
 

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Practice management Financial planning Investment products Annuities
MORE FROM FINANCIAL PLANNING