FSP Newsbrief

Failed retirements a growing global concern

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

If misery really does love company, then America's aging baby boomers are due for a global group hug. Citizens in a 12-nation survey overwhelmingly reported they are not ready for retirement and expect retirement outcomes to be worse for future retirees than for those who have already retired.

Retirement plan participants: Men vs. women

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Between men vs. women retirement plan participants, who are the most confident about their retirement readiness? Who are more likely to consider themselves better off financially one year from now?

Gen Xers may never be able to retire

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Typical Generation Xers now in their late 30s to late 40s saw their net worth drop by a larger proportion than older Americans during the financial crisis and came out of it less prepared for retirement than the post-World War II boomer generation, according to a new study.

FINRA's Ketchum to SEC: Act now on fiduciary, or we'll make our own disclosure rules

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Richard Ketchum, CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, called on the SEC Tuesday to "act quickly" to finalize its rule to put brokers and advisors under a uniform fiduciary standard, but noted that in the absence of SEC action, FINRA would "look hard" at issuing "an additional disclosure rule with respect to broker-dealer firms." At FINRA's annual conference in Washington, Ketchum said that it's time for the SEC to move toward finalizing a uniform fiduciary standard. After his speech, Ketchum told reporters that as SEC Commissioner Elisse Walter has noted, "there may be a role for FINRA in the area of disclosure leadership and controls either consistent with the SEC's action" on a fiduciary rule or outside of the SEC's rule.

Have a tough-to-reach prospect?

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

There are reasons your hard-to-connect-with dream clients are hard to connect with. They have too much work and too little help. They are being asked to do more with fewer resources. Here are a few ideas to help you connect.

Financial advisor reaches female clients with 2 messages

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

It wasn't just talking about financial planning at a recent women's forum that helped increase the list of potential clients for financial advisor Jessica Shaulis. It was talking about thrift-store shopping, too. Shaulis, an advisor with First Command Financial Services, presented two very different seminars at the recent Barbara Hicks Geslock Women's Forum, attended by 360 people in Fredericksburg, Va. One seminar focused on Shaulis' profession — financial planning — and the other on her hobby — thrift-store shopping.

Retirement plan participants: Men vs. women

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Between men vs. women retirement plan participants, who are the most confident about their retirement readiness? Who are more likely to consider themselves better off financially one year from now?

93 percent of financial advisors had PTSD after 2008

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Financial advisors were shell-shocked in the months and perhaps years following the 2008 financial crisis. Many couldn't sleep, they suffered bouts of anxiety and depression and self-doubt.

Individual life combo products grew 10 percent in 2012

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Individual life combination products grew 10 percent in 2012 — the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, according to a new report.

FSP announces nomination of officers and directors for new fiscal year

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

The Society of Financial Service Professionals announces the nomination of five new members to its Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, each of whom, if elected, will serve a three-year term on the 20-member board. For their names visit Board of Directors.

Speaking and exhibiting opportunities at the 2013 Clinic for Advanced Professionals

24 May 2013 08:00:05 CDT

Speaking, sponsoring, or exhibiting at FSP's Clinic is a great way to promote your company's products and services. To find out what opportunities there are at this year's Clinic on Aug. 15-16 in Philadelphia, contact Tony Smith at 610-526-2533 or at tsmith@financialpro.org or Michelle Connor at 610-526-2561 or at mconnor@financialpro.org.