Cogent Research is pleased to introduce the inaugural edition of Retirement Planscape™. This new Perspective Series report is a comprehensive examination and view into the world of today’s defined contribution retirement plan sponsors—from their present concerns about the economy and well-being of their employees to their engagement and satisfaction with the intermediaries, asset managers, and providers that service their plans.

Retirement Income Product Innovations Not Resonating with Retirees and Pre-Retirees

As more of the nation’s baby boomers make the leap into retirement, it becomes critical for financial services firms to position themselves as trusted guides in the retirement space. Whether it be to retain relationships with customers transitioning into retirement, or to attract new customers making the move, meeting the income needs of retirees continues [...]

What would you do if you had a million dollars? We’ve all been asked that question before, and I’m willing to bet part of your answer included “quit my job.” Given today’s economic climate, we might have to take a step back and wonder, is a million enough for retirement? Conventional wisdom dictates that high net-worth, affluent individuals, especially millionaires, should have more than enough to comfortably retire when and how they want to. But money isn’t everything, and that statement couldn’t be truer than in today’s bear market.

Retirees currently represent a sizeable segment of the U.S. population. As the baby boomers continue their march toward retirement, the population will get even larger. Firms striving to understand the needs of retirees and near-retirees often focus in on specific groups within the population. They typically apply this focus in a number of ways, examining groups based on their age, gender, asset-level, or marital status. While in some ways this may be insightful, the utility of this approach to grouping is limited.

While investors and their financial advisors have long grappled with the myriad challenges associated with successfully migrating from the accumulation side of the retirement planning continuum to implementing strategies that provide ongoing and dependable in-retirement income, the wealth management industry seems convinced that both audiences are finally ready to act. And maybe they are. After all, the [...]

Take it. Leave it. Roll it. These are the options employees have regarding their employer-sponsored retirement plan (ESRP) assets when they leave one company for another. Each option has consequences, and making the wrong choice could have significant impact on retirement savings goals. ESRP assets typically account for the greatest percentage of one’s retirement savings. [...]