Actuaries – what are they on, you may ask and where can I get some?
No this is not an entry to the Turner prize, nor is it the cover of Now! That's What I Call Goa Trance Five. It is, in fact, the image guaranteed to strike terror in the faces of annuity providers across the land – the data from the Continuous Mortality Investigation Bureau that shows how we are all living longer.
Apparently, the image shows the percentage improvement factors in graduated age-specific mortality rates for males. Who would have thought actuaries could be so colourful.
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Critical premiums climb at Swiss Life
Swiss Life is increasing its critical-illness premiums by up to 20 per cent and is no longer offering guarantees on stand-alone policies.The move follows a general trend in the marketplace, which over the last few months has seen rivals such as Norwich Union raise rates by as much as 40 per cent.But Swiss Life says […]
Equitable appoints new finance director
Equitable Life has appointed Nigel Brinn as its new finance and investments director. He was chief executive of Homeowner Friendly Society and managing director of RAC Financial Services.His appointment follows the resignation of Charles Bellringer in November, who left with a substantial payout.
Irish Life International unveils new bond
Irish Life International has introduced the 10th issue of the secured growth bond, a guaranteed equity bond that is linked to the performance of the FTSE Eurotop index over a five-year term.Investors can have their bond denominated in sterling or euros and can also choose from two capital protection options. Protecting 90 per cent of […]
Action stations
On the economic front it looks like being a difficult year, according to most commentators. We certainly seem set for a tough time. Does this mean, for financial advisers and product providers, that it is not worth trying because nobody will have the confidence to transact financial services business? Certainly not.Encouraging your clients to take […]
Testing the Foundation
The global economy isn’t headed into recession, at least not yet. This month, David Lafferty, Chief Market Strategist at Natixis Global Asset Management, examines current capital market and portfolio risks for signs of recession. Click Here for Capital Market Notes
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SJP plans 10-day blackout for replatforming
Advice giant St James’s Place will block access to its investment platform for 10 days while it migrates services to a new provider. SJP tells Money Marketing that the work will affect online service ability for clients between 19 October and 29 October. A spokesman says: “SJP will carry out essential maintenance to our systems as part […]
Can advisers really beat the market downturn?
This summer saw the S&P 500 rule headlines for enjoying the longest-running bull market in history. Yet, as per the old adage, what goes up inevitably comes down, and it is the job of advisers to manage clients’ portfolios accordingly – either directly or via the third-party investment services they use. A crude assumption might […]
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Tom Hegarty: Should paraplanners be Level 4 qualified?
There is currently no minimum qualification level, but the majority of advisers think this needs to change The role of the paraplanner is a relatively new one and its definition and responsibilities can differ hugely between firms. According to the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, the role can be broken down into four key […]