1)
Study Quantifies Benefit of Retirement Advisor
401khelpcenter.com | 1/13/2012
Because…The more plan sponsors rely on plan advisors, the more help plan advisors will need from service providers. Working with retirement plan advisors requires a different set of skills than servicing advisors in other market segments. Firms should have dedicated resources to cultivate long-term relationships, share insights to help them stay abreast of industry trends, develop strategies to assist them in expanding business, and provide customizable tools for them to deliver better services to their clients.
2)
SPY, The 1st US ETF, Now A $100 Billion Fund
IndexUniverse.com | 1/20/2012
Because… The rise of SPY assets to $100 billion indicates more investors are embracing ETFs for portfolio construction. SPY, one of the most widely held and heavily traded ETFs, has been used by investors for both strategic and tactical purposes. While its dominance will not be challenged in the near future, the competition from other similar offerings--such as iShares S&P 500 Index Fund, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, and Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF--should not be shrugged off.
3)
IRI Exclusive Report: The Retirement Readiness of Generation X
IRI | 1/23/2012
Because… The need for helping Gen Xers is pressing as the information overload, recent market crash, and lack of investment education have shaken their confidence about making sound financial decisions. Compared with Baby Boomers, Gen Xers face tougher financial realities because it may take longer for them to pay off all their debt, they are less likely to receive pension benefits, Social Security income cannot be counted on, their life expectancy will be increased, and medical costs will rise by the time they retire.