Advisor Today Guest Column

January of 2025 is the 50th anniversary to one of the most important pieces of legislation in the retirement planning arena ever put into law by Congress. What I’m referring to is the enactment of ERISA, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Without question, ERISA brought about significant changes during the second half of the twentieth century. The key component to ERISA, which became law on January 1, 1975, was the establishment of the Individual Retirement Account or IRA. And what a monumental impact IRAs have had on the retirement planning market from that day forward. According to recent data, approximately 55 million Americans (representing around 42% of all households) hold IRAs with the average balance being around $195,000 per taxpayer.

Thomas Drapala, RSSA, is Director of Strategic Partnerships, Registered Social Security Analysts, and a passionate advisor and educator with deep expertise in Social Security. He is also a keynote speaker at NAIFA's Apex, September 19-21, at the Arizona Biltmore.

In the ever-evolving landscape of retirement planning, Social Security remains a critical source of income for most Americans. The annual release of the Trust Fund Report, issued in May, sparked widespread media coverage and client concern. Questions such as "Will Social Security still be there?" and "Is it going broke?" continue to circulate. Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern, sponsored by Security Mutual Life which can help you deal with the concerns that clients may have. 

A new study from the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) shows an increased interest in annuities amid growing economic uncertainty.

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 Americans between the ages of 45 and 65, found that 54% of respondents are considering “a guaranteed lifetime income product that pays out like a pension.” This trend held among all income brackets, with the greatest interest among minority communities, including Black and Hispanic respondents and those who identified as "other." The survey also found that 91% of respondents would prefer to work with a financial professional who offers products and services that meet their needs.

If you are concerned about diversifying your clients' income during retirement and are searching for strategies to protect against potential increases in taxes and inflation, then join the next Advisor Today webinar on Thursday, June 22 at 2 pm eastern with Allianz.

At "Decumulation Diversification," Schyler Adams, Director of Advanced Strategies & Planning Platforms will reveal concepts and innovative approaches to secure your clients' financial future. Don't miss this opportunity to optimize retirement income and help your clients achieve long-term financial stability.

SECURE 2.0 is here, but what does that mean for your clients' retirement and estate planning? On Tuesday, May 9, from 12 pm to 3 pm eastern, join NAIFA and the Society of Financial Service Professionals for an Advanced Practice Center live virtual event, as three industry experts discuss the impact of SECURE 2.0, what it means for your clients, and why now is the best time to prepare.

Here are three ways people 62 and older (working in tandem with their advisors) can incorporate reverse mortgages into sound retirement plans to potentially improve retirement outcomes.

When it comes to making savings last over a lengthy retirement period, retirees have no shortage of obstacles to contend with: soaring inflation, longer life expectancy, volatile markets, exuberant long-term care costs — the list goes on and on.

Join us on July 8, 2022, at 11 am eastern for the webinar "Retirement Risks in a Post-COVID World."

Financial services speaker and bestselling author Joseph Jordan will identify the challenges facing the insurance and financial services industry after the COVID-19 pandemic ends and address the six retirement risks consumers should consider:

• Longevity – Risk of Outliving Assets
• Market and Interest Rate Risk
• Withdrawal Rate Risk
• Sequence of Return Risk
• Purchasing Power/Inflation Risk
• Health Risks

Few things in life will affect the post-employment life of your older-adult clients as much as their home and their cash flow. This article from Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is intended for an audience of financial professionals who are committed to improving the quality of life of older-adult Americans. 

New research from LIMRA and Life Happens, almost a quarter of Americans say they would dip into their retirement savings if they experienced a disability. But between tax penalties and loss of the opportunity for compounding interest, an early withdrawal can do more harm than good.