Columnist Sees “Crescendo of Errors” in Washington
The political divisiveness that has characterized Washington, D.C. over the past few years reached new highs in October 2013, first when Congress allowed the federal government to shut down, and then when it came perilously close to allowing the U.S. to default on its debt. To Michael Barone, syndicated columnist and senior political analyst with […]
Potential Regulatory Changes Cloud Outlook at Front End of Yield Curve
The front end of the yield curve—home to conservative investments such as money market funds, short-term investment funds (STIFs), and even stable value—has been challenging for the past few years, not just for individual investors, but for institutions as well, including corporate sponsors of defined contribution plans. Corporations have record amounts of cash on their […]
Wells Fargo Economist Sees US Consumer Spending in Seventh Inning of Rebound
The U.S. still hasn’t recovered fully from the Great Recession of 2008-2009, but it’s getting closer. Jay Bryson, managing director and global economist for Wells Fargo, told participants at the 2013 SVIA Fall Forum that he foresees real U.S. gross domestic product growing by about 2.5 percent in 2014 and 2.75 percent in 2015. That […]
How United Technologies Revamped its 401(k) Plan
Plenty of employers offer 401(k) plans because it seems like a good idea. Maybe the competition does it. Maybe employees like them. Perhaps the boss wants one. United Technologies Corp., a global manufacturer that generated $57.7 billion in revenue in 2012, has bigger ambitions for its 401(k). As Kevin Hanney, the company’s director of defined […]
Paradigm Shift: Changing Demographics Bode Well for Stable Value
The stable value industry has benefitted from data showing that stable value funds historically have generated higher returns than their chief competitors, money market funds. It’s a good marketing pitch, and an especially potent one right now, as money market returns have hovered near zero percent for the past four years. But Michael Davis, head […]
Reviewing your 401K ahead of retirement
The Minneapolis-based NBC affiliate Kare11 recently featured an advisor from Morgan Stanley with advice on reviewing your 401(k) prior to retirement. Check out the video below or head over to their website to read the article.
Assessing Stable Value After 2008
Download PDF Stable value has evolved significantly since the 2008 financial crisis. Investment guidelines are tighter, adding further protections to the asset class and making it more resistant to future market dislocations. Broader restrictions on transfers to competing funds are reducing the likelihood that short-term interest-rate arbitrage will harm long-term investors. Slightly higher fees reflect […]
Job Opening: Senior Analyst at Lincoln Financial
Download PDF Lincoln Financial is looking for a Senior Analyst in Retirement Sales Support. This position will be a key contributor to product manufacturing, management and positioning of stable value products. See attached PDF for more details. Visit jobs.lincolnfinancial.com and reference 13-2007 to apply.
SVIA Releases Synthetic Investment Contracts Basics
Download PDF The Stable Value Investment Association is pleased to announce the release of Synthetic Investment Contracts Basics. Synthetic Investment Contracts Basics explains the synthetic GIC structure, provides an overview of bonds, and answers frequently asked questions about synthetic GICs. Basics demystifies for plan participants the 40% of stable value invested in synthetic GICs that […]
