Stable Value Continues to Deliver on Its Promise

By Randy Myers In an uncertain economic environment, stable value funds have continued to deliver to investors what they have long promised–long-term returns comparable to those available from intermediate-term bond funds but without the corresponding short-term volatility–SVIA president Gina Mitchell told participants at the organization’s 2010 Fall Forum in Washington, D.C. Since the end of […]

Why Stable Value Makes Sense as a Source of Retirement Income

By Randy Myers Many financial experts are touting immediate annuities as a tool for generating retirement income. Behavioral economics suggests they may want to look at stable value funds, too. The problem with immediate annuities, author John Nelson told participants at the 2010 SVIA Fall Forum, is that they require retirees to exchange a lump […]

Editor’s Corner: Stable Value: Ever Evolving

By James King, Head of Prudential Retirement’s Stable Value Markets Group Stable value is a lot like Clark Kent?mild mannered and rather undistinguishable?until a threat looms. Like Kent’s alter-ego Superman, stable value kicks into hero mode to preserve participants’ capital and provide consistent, positive returns in any given economic cycle. With its ever-evolving nature, like […]

A Fine Line: Can Wrap Contract Provisions Become Too Restrictive?

By Randy Myers The stable value industry sailed through the financial crisis of 2008 with minimal disruptions. Market-to-book-value ratios for the average stable value fund fell during the market downturn and have since recovered on average to better than 100 percent. Throughout the market volatility of the past three years, investors in stable value funds […]

401(k) Balances Improving, But Participants Still Need to Save More

By Randy Myers The average 401(k) account balance has improved significantly since the stock market downturn that ran from late 2007 to early 2009, but Americans still need to save more for retirement, according to Winfield Evans, leader of investment strategy for Aon Hewitt’s defined contribution outsourcing business. Participants in 401(k) plans enjoyed a median […]

Stable Times Volume 15 Issue 2

The biannual publication of the Stable Value Investment Association that covers both industry concerns and association activities.

Stable Times Volume 15 Issue 1

The biannual publication of the Stable Value Investment Association that covers both industry concerns and association activities.

Risk Controls and the Coming Stable Value Surge

By Robert Whiteford, Bank of America “Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.” –George Patton The quote shown above is an odd one considering the source, but I believe that it may be appropriate advice for several groups of participants in the stable value market–the wrap providers and the asset managers. All […]

Financial Reform Legislation Could Affect Some Stable Value Products

By Randy Myers The sweeping financial reform legislation being debated by Congress in April makes no specific mention of stable value funds, but could have an impact on the stable value industry nonetheless if the legislation becomes law. Both the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed by the House in December and the […]