According to LIMRA research, the life-combination market has grown to more than a $4 billion market over the past 10 years. A study, conducted jointly by LIMRA and Ernst & Young LLP (EY), identified five factors that impact the viability of the life-combination market.

The media often depicts retirement as a couple walking down a beach holding hands or sitting on a white beach chair, watching waves crash down on the shore. However, for many American retiree, this is simply not a reality.

As your clients look for ways to finance their children’s college education, now is a good time to remind them of Sallie Mae’s monthly Plan for College Sweepstakes.

Dear friends,

Americans on average expect to retire two years sooner than they did five years ago and many more say they intend to retire before age 60, potentially reflecting a spike in 401(k) balances, according to research from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual). At the same time, fewer people have figured out how much income they need to retire.

With Long Care Awareness Month currently under way, it is interesting to note that a large number of Americans have never talked about long term care. According to a recent survey, nearly 4 in 10 Americans age 65 and over--37 percent--say they haven't had conversations with anyone about preparing for their possible need of long-term care (LTC).

November is Long Term Care Insurance Awareness Month, the campaign aimed at educating Americans about the importance of owning long-term-care insurance (LTCI). This is an excellent opportunity to reach out to your clients and prospects about LTCI and expand your LTCI practice.

Family income and savings covered nearly half (47 percent) of all college expenses last year, according to “How America Pays for College 2018.” This is the national study from Sallie Mae--the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company--and Ipsos, an independent global market research company.

A new LIMRA and EY study finds significant growth of advisory services in financial professionals’ business mix across multiple types of advisor channels. The largest growth of fee-based advisory services comes from full-service broker-dealer advisors,. This grew nearly five times, from 10 percent in 2008 to 48 percent in 2018.