The record pace of RIA mergers in 2026 is driving a massive migration of advisors away from traditional broker-dealers toward the independent models championed by firms like Criterion. Sammons Financial Group, an insurance and annuity powerhouse based in West Des Moines, Iowa, has strategically
Embedded insurance models shorten the path to conversion by offering specific protections, such as educational savings, at the moment a parent opens a child's bank card. This shift represents a fundamental departure from the traditional life insurance paradigm, where agents spent weeks or months
Sales agents frequently emphasize the tax-deferral benefits of a contract exchange while downplaying the significant exit fees levied by the original insurance company. Since its inception in 1954, Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code has remained a cornerstone of tax-efficient retirement
Annuity pricing volatility means that a 100,000 pound investment can yield vastly different life-long results based solely on the month the contract is signed. As of the current market landscape in 2026, the retirement sector has witnessed a notable stabilization following the dramatic shifts of
A worker's spouse can lose access to vital health coverage if the retiree fails to elect a survivor annuity, creating a significant risk to long-term family financial security. This stark reality underscores the complex nature of retirement planning, where a single administrative oversight can
To prevent the governance failures of the past, index providers are prioritizing transparency and implementable rules-based parameters for indices used in long-term insurance contracts. This evolution marks a decisive turning point in the retirement savings market as sophisticated investors move
